Indonesia, 50 years of miracles among the abandoned lives of Lasem
The Soeurs de Notre Dame celebrated the first 50 years of their orphanage in Central Java province. “We are here and serve the most unfortunate children thanks to the generosity of so many people in this city,” says the Superior for Indonesia. God gave the nuns “the passion to love these unfortunate children and the patience to always listen to them."
Jakarta (AsiaNews) - For 35 years Agus has never experienced the love of his own family.
"The day I was born,” he says, “I was left at the Soeurs de Notre Dame (SND), who run this orphanage. I don't know who my mother is and why she left me. I've never met her, to this day."
Yet Agus found a "nice home” at the Wisma Cinta Sesama Marganingsih in Lasem, Central Java province. "The Sisters took care of my life and helped me pursue a teaching career after studying English literature."
Agus is just one of hundreds of lives welcomed and rescued by the Wisma Cinta Sesama Marganingsih orphanage, which recently marked its 50th anniversary.
Celebrations were a modest affair. Two priests from the Diocese of Surabaya (East Java) led the Mass at the Sts Peter and Paul parish church in Lasem, followed by songs and dances with children and teenagers who have found hope at the facility.
Sr Monika Ekowati, Superior for Indonesia of the Soeurs de Notre Dame, spoke to AsiaNews about the orphanage, noting that this orphanage has become a great blessing for orphans and other people, whom the Sisters have cared for over the past 50 years.
“After laying vacant for almost 65 years, the Oei family, a Chinese family native to Lasem, granted us this huge house for a humanitarian mission. Over the years, another house was granted to us,” Sr Monika explained.
“We are here to serve the most unfortunate children thanks to the generosity of so many people in this city.
“Two years ago, with the financial help of the Djarum Foundation, the two facilities were renovated to meet our current needs and help these children and teenagers study during the pandemic".
For the Sisters, the gratitude shown by many former students on the 50th anniversary was a moving experience.
"Many came to visit their 'former home’, paying tribute to the Sisters who took care of them and raised them to become independent people after completing their education,” said Sister Maria Regina, the current head of the orphanage, speaking to AsiaNews.
Sr Maria Vincentin, 74, has been serving the mission in Lasem for more than 21 years. She continues to manage the boys’ section of the orphanage with great patience.
"I was able to do it simply because I never neglected my daily prayers," she told AsiaNews. “God gave me the passion to love these unfortunate children and the patience to always listen to them."
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29/01/2024 16:56
05/02/2021 12:38
