By Sister Nancy O'Shea 

Recently, three of us from the SND Congregational Leadership Team had the privilege of visiting Zimbabwe. Sisters Jeanne MacDonald, Liliane Sweko, and I stayed with Sisters Ottilia Kudzurunga and Jannet Tambu, both of whom work with children from families that have little in the way of material comforts. They are barely getting by.

The poverty is difficult to imagine until you see it firsthand. It is families such as these who have benefitted from the boxes which have been sent during the past several years from the Sisters and Associates in the United States. Having seen the boxes packed by many loving hands when I've been in California you imagine my delight when Ottilia told us that she had received word that 20 more boxes had arrived and were ready for pick up. Soon we were seeing the works of love from the eyes of those who receive them! 

Sr. Liliane and Sr. Ottilia with newly arrived boxes from California.

During our stay we heard several times how difficult life has been in Zimbabwe over the last several years..."we were starving" and "we had little food" were just a few of the comments we heard. The Sisters told us that what came in the boxes helped them personally as well as those with whom they work. In addition to the material help what meant as much if not more, was that the Sisters knew they weren't alone. Others cared and were interested!  So, we thank you most sincerely for your generosity and loving outreach. You have really saved lives and brought hope and goodness to many.