Saturday 20 July saw the annual visit
of the Swaziland Council of Catholic Women (SCCW)
to the Malindza Refugee Reception Camp.
Below, the SCCW president's address
* * *
"Most Reverend José Luis Ponce de León, bishop of Manzini; the Reverend Fathers; the Commissioner of Refugees; the Director of Caritas Eswatini; my brothers and sisters.
Our visit to Malindza Refugee Reception Camp is inspired by the words of our Lord Jesus Christ in Luke 9:13 where He says: "You yourselves give them something to eat". We believe that whatever we shall give this community, regardless of quantity, can bear fruit. We are doing it with love, and love can accomplish great things with little.
We are aware that our Brothers and Sisters here are on the run and have lost everything they had. Some were prosperous and well respected at home, but all that has changed. They are searching for protection and a better future in the country.
As Catholic Women supported by all the Faithful, want to grow Faith and Hope in the People of God. Today everyone here is carrying a jar of "living water" to nourish your bodies and spirit. We have faith and hope that this "living water" we are carrying will become an oasis in the desert of those thirsty for water, family, warmth of home and sense of life.
In John 10:10 jesus says, "I have come so that they have life and have it to the full". To help you grow the spiritual person in you my Brothers and Sisters, we will leave some bibles, one of which is in French.
During our visit to this community in September last year, Madam Commissioner, we made a request to be part of your annual activities to enable us to prepare well for this important activity in the Church. We are still asking your office to consider the request.
Last year we learnt that your office encounters problems with bedding for our Brothers and Sisters. Through God's help, we brought some sponges and blankets in the short space (we had to prepare) to help ease the bedding problem and we have separated these from the clothes that will be directly distributed to our Brothers and Sisters.
Mary, Queen of Peace, be our guide in our work."
Doris Makhubu
Swaziland/Eswatini Council of Catholic Women (SCCW)
President
