Vera Lúcia Geraldo. Smc. Mozambique
My name is Vera Lúcia Geraldo and I’m from Brazil. I can say that I’ve spent my whole life in Mozambique, apart from a few years when I was back in my home country. I studied economics and I remember very well that when I finished my studies I thought, ‘I want to serve my brothers and sisters better’. At that time, I was teaching evening classes to people who couldn’t read or write. It was very satisfying to see that, after all their hard work, they were able to continue their studies. Perhaps that is why I still love that part of the mission so much – ‘teaching’ those who do not know.
A difficult mission
The mission where we are based is located in the north of Mozambique, in the province of Cabo Delgado. Balama, as the place is called, is in the south of this province. Here we speak Macua, and at my age, things aren’t easy for me. So I get some help from a young person. In Mozambique, every region has its own language, and that makes communication a bit difficult when we move from one mission to another.
I have seen so many things in Mozambique. I thought I had seen it all, but that is not the case. At the mission where I am currently based, in Cabo Delgado, there is widespread hunger, injustice and poverty, due to the insecurity caused by the rebel groups operating in the area, whose allegiances and objectives remain unclear. Young people face an uncertain and fearful future, because these armed groups raid villages, burn, kill and destroy everything in their path, and people are suffering terribly. The elderly, adults, young people and children have to flee to avoid being killed, and so we see many women left alone, in painful and precarious situations. But I tell myself that we cannot lose hope. We cannot and must not lose it in this situation!
The importance of ‘going out’ to ‘encounter’
There is a great deal of work involved in the mission, to be honest. We work with young people, teenagers, children and women. That requires listening, good manners and patience. We train the catechists and follow their progress. Many of them can read and write to a limited extent, and we must follow their journey and support them.
One of the things I like and appreciate most is visiting the communities in remote villages. I go there and stay for several days. That allows me to spend more time with them and get to know the culture more closely. There is plenty of time to talk and to listen. It is in those moments that the real problems people face here come to light. We don’t have psychologists or counselling centres here. But listening attentively, embracing the pain and joy of the person speaking to you, is truly healing.
On these visits, we visit families, those in need who cannot travel, and the sick. We organise training activities with them and share the Word of God. And although I don’t speak Macua fluently, everyone understands the language of affection and friendship.
Women’s education: one of our pillars
In Mozambique, we Comboni Missionary Sisters attach great importance to the education of young people. One of our key initiatives is the ‘residences’ for girls. Here they call them ‘Lar’ (home). These young girls sometimes come from very remote villages and stay at the ‘Lar’ to study. When they arrive, they face many difficulties because they cannot express themselves well in Portuguese, which is the official language. They have to learn with great patience and perseverance. We contribute to their education, sometimes by teaching them directly and often through supplementary courses on hygiene, cooking and a thousand other useful things here.
A granny for everyone
To them, I’m like their granny; they trust me and tell me things about their homes. For example, how they prepare the fields for sowing and then wait for the rain to fall so they can plant. They also teach me how to replace the old cassava, which has to be left in the sun to dry, and swap it for a new one.
As you can see, we never stop, even if it’s not always anything major. Sometimes I wonder who will be inspired to take up this missionary calling and bring about change?