Sr. Mariam of FMAs: A great gift and blessing to the people of Tonj, South Sudan
In every man’s success behind is the woman: Sr. Mariam of FMAs is a great gift and blessing to the people of Tonj, South Sudan
By Archangelo Adup Anyuat, Tonj, South Sudan
May 14, 2016 (SSB) — It was this afternoon I visited her and while speaking with me, she really expressed her grief on the situation and living standard of the people of South Sudan.
Sr. Mariam in her pieces of advice talked of youth being the background of this country and that with young people with young minds must and have to unite for the betterment of this nation.
“Young people must sit together and unite, reconcile and form societies to develop this war-torn country. Peace is the only solution to development and sustainable growth in South Sudan.” Sr. Mariam said.
Mariam who has lived in South Sudan for over 30 years from war time till today works hard day and night thinking and making sure South Sudanese women are supplied enough support, equipment, and capacity building in order to have self-sustainability and national growth.
“Our women here in Tonj don’t have appetite or interest to have self-skills programs like tailoring, Agriculture and pottery plus other capacity building programs. Women don’t come for all these because they lack food in their houses which forces them to go on hunting food for their families.”
Sr. Mariam continued advising us, Liai and myself saying, “South Sudanese have a lot of blessings from God, see the beautiful and most fertile land you, float and very smooth but you don’t realize these blessings. People only like NGOs coming to do little and due to insecurity that you people cause, they leave and the little money that came with them is put here and there. Coming with money at this time is not good but try to invite countries like China, Pakistan and India who can help invest in Agriculture, give them land like Juba, Wau and any other land to start Agriculture schemes. After some years, South Sudan will not import food items from the neighboring countries such as Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia. Be economically sustained and developed rather than surviving from outside. Form societies, stop committing problems that are leading to insecurity and try to work hard and you will see what South Sudan is. Think for what you can do to change South Sudan of today. Only young people with young and fresh mind and a serving heart will and can only do that.”
For 15 minutes, Sr. Mariam reminded me of the promise I made to myself when I was in my secondary school in 2011. The promise or dream was to sacrifice my life for my country by working with youth and women for the transformation of the nation. South Sudan needs you and me, it’s a collective responsibility to do something for this nation.
I once visited her in October last year with Mr. Blake Jones from Every village Organization. In our first talk, Sr. Mariam asked what my dream is. I didn’t think of what she expected me to say but with my little knowledge and the dream i had when I was schooling, I replied her like this:
“After my higher Education, I will make sure I look for international Organizations that are serving in Agriculture, Water, and Education to come and help our people have access to these services. What i thought of Education was not to build schools but to look for Education foundation Organization that sponsor children to study abroad and later come back to serve the communities of South Sudan. And AGRICULTURE AND WATER were to visibly show up in the country to render their services in any way they may be doing. I then concluded with a word to Mr. Blake; in my dream, I will make sure I work with youth and women because these are the very people that are positive in change making. I requested him to go and start the way for me first to finish my education before I take over my dream. My prayer now is that I first get scholarship to finish my higher education and then I will start my dream.”
Sr. Mariam is from India working as a sister and mother in the Congregation call FMA Familia Mariam Auxilum meaning Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. She has been living in South Sudan for over 30 years from 1983 till now.
She runs women programs in Tonj Mission doing Agriculture both for disadvantaged and the vulnerable women, tailoring and ALP Adult learning Programs and she does spiritual things like counselling.
She first served as a nurse from 1999 till 2006 and later changed when Fr. John Lee came from South Korea.
Therefore; I will close my writing with these words; “It costs a lot to leave the legacy back.”
Below are some of the quotations for the day
- Privileges may come as they do come to all from a due fulfillment of duty
- Fight like a lion against wicked thoughts and inclinations, it is our duty to fight but victory is in God’s hands. We must rest content with having fought with sincerity
- Only temple raised in our hearts is useful because it is not meant for show up but for expression of humility and simplicity which are typical of a devotional mood.
Thanks and have a nice day
Archangelo Adup Anyuat,
Door FM 99.9; Tonj, South Sudan
Email anyuatadup@yahoo.com/jinaadup@gmail.com
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