2016 dec newsletter page 1-4

December 2016
VOLUME 17, NUMBER 2
JPIC – SOUTH AFRICA
MARY WARD WOMEN IN THE FIELD
Joyce Mzamo
Inside this issue
Page 2
*Counter Trafficking update
for South Africa
*Emerging Leaders Process
*90-90-90
Page 3
*Restorative Justice
Page 4
*Outreach program –Loreto
Convent School, Pretoria
FOCUS SHIFTS TO ACTION
As of November 2016, the Paris
Agreement on Climate Change
has been signed by 193 countries
and ratified by 110 countries
representing 76.7% of emissions.
The Paris Agreement could only
come into force legally if 55
countries that produce at least 55
% of the world’s greenhouse
emissions ratified it. This target
was reached when the European
Union ratified the agreement in
October, following China and the
United States of America both
ratifying the agreement. The Paris
Agreement legally entered into
force on the 4 November 2016.
USEFUL WEBSITES
For regularly updated news
from the IBVM UN NGO
Office in New York, go to
www.ibvmunngo.org
For past copies of JPIC – South
Africa newsletter go to the new
website for IBVM in Southern
Africa www.ibvmsa.com
For general IBVM news go to
www.ibvm.org
I was born in 1957 and grew up in the
small town of Ladysmith in the Cape.
Apartheid had a huge impact on my life.
At the age of 3, I lost my mother. She was
unlawfully arrested during a police raid
and ‘disappeared’.
My father and paternal grandmother
raised me. They instilled in me the
Christian values which I hold dear –
values of integrity, justice, generosity and
responsible living.’
My father was a wise man – a great man.
He taught me from a young age to work
hard and to have a deep love for God’s
creation – the earth. He taught me that
responsible cultivation of the soil sustains
life. To this day I love watching plants
grow and flourish; my vegetable patch is
my pride and joy.
My grandmother used the Afrikaans and
isiXhosa Bible to teach me the skill of
reading and writing. I’m fluent in three
languages, including English. My
grandmother was a wonderful role-model
and had a very positive influence in my
life. She had the gift of service which she
passed onto me.
I learnt to serve others by preparing food
and serving meals. Sharing food is one
way of reaching out and responding to the
needs of others. Food brings people
together in times of happiness and
sorrow.
As Chairperson of the Reconstruction
and Development Programme (RDP)
Committee of Somerset West, I played an
instrumental role in negotiating and
representing a group of frustrated people
who were in desperate need of shelter and
protection. To honour the successful
outcome, the main street in Lourencia
Park, Somerset West was named after me
– Joyce Mzamo Street.
I was appointed at Loreto Primary School
in 1997 by the previous principal, Anne
Krause. In 2004, when the school’s status
changed from private to public on private
property, I was appointed by Western
Cape Education Department as the
supervisor.
I strive each day to demonstrate the
values of Mary Ward, very much the
same values as that instilled in me by my
father and grandmother, in my work and
in the manner in which I conduct myself.
I love being part of Loreto and of being of
service here. I’m fondly known by our
principal, Vanessa Oertle, as the
Matriarch of the School. Each day is
different and it’s wonderful that I’m
needed by so many people here. I’m often
asked for advice especially when it comes
to the children. I counsel children who are
experiencing difficulties at home or as a
result of trauma. God has given me a
heart for the abused and neglected. Trust
in God: “I will find in God, whatever
consoles and gladdens me, and hasten to
Him for help, in all sufferings and
necessities.” Our Foundress, Mary Ward.
Mary Ward, in 1615 received a vision of
the ‘Just Soul’, which was characterized
by a ‘singular freedom’ from all the
idolatries and addictions of this world.
This very freedom enabled Mary and
continues to enable us to be actively
involved in ‘all good works’ that bring
many closer to God, that is ourselves and
those whom we serve whole heartedly! At
the same time, we should strive to ensure
that this should not be in anyway a
deterrence to an individual’s encounter
with God to some ‘holy’ and special
sphere, rather, that same individual
should experience God precisely in the
day to day ordinary activities of our
human existence.
Joyce Mzamo Loreto School Strand

The targets for SDG 16 include
ending all forms of violence,
including human trafficking
Monica Shanley IBVM reports
that since the law on the
criminalization of Human
Trafficking was passed in
September 2013 in South
Africa, the topic of HT is
mentioned frequently in the
media. For example, the week
of 3 – 7 October 2016 was HT
Awareness Week in South
Africa and a recent radio news
item announced that in this
year alone there have been over
a hundred convictions for the
crime of HT.
SDG 5 Achieve gender equality
and empower all women and
girls. The Emerging Leaders
Process is an example of
empowering women.
EMERGING LEADERS
The Emerging Leaders Process
(ELP) is up and running in the
community of St. Catherine of
Siena, Kleinvlei, Western Cape,
South Africa. It is facilitated by
Judith Turner and Sr. Rosaleen
O’Kane IBVM. It is a process
that aims to give women the
opportunity to discover their
own inner leadership and to
equip them to use this
leadership more effectively in
their lives. The process is based
on the work of Steven Covey –
The 7 Habits of Highly
Effective People – but in the
training the approach is from a
faith basis. The aim is to make our
leadership our habit: habitually putting
first things first, thinking win-win, being
pro-active, etc. Having discovered their
God-given gift of leadership these women
are empowered to make a difference in
their own personal lives, their homes,
workplaces, neighbourhoods and
parishes.
Participants attend about 8 sessions
which are usually a month apart. Over
this time there is the opportunity to
reflect on the habits and to do journaling.
Typically, women join the process
because they see the need for some
growth in their own lives, especially in the
area of self-confidence. The variety of
methods used in the presentations leads to
optimal participation and there is much
interaction and bonding, as well as
learning. The use of different venues, as
far as possible, as well as making a special
effort with the catering, lends significance
to the sessions.
At the end of the process the participants
have attested to the positive changes it has
brought about in their lives: they have
grown spiritually and emotionally, they
can handle issues from a different
perspective, they have more empathy,
they feel empowered in situations that
were previously challenging. Recently as
we finished our process one participant
put it very simply “I found myself”.
Another said “You knew these things but
you didn’t know how to apply them”.
Throughout the sessions the emphasis is
on ‘process’ – no quick fixes; rather the
ability to do inner reflection and find
solutions within. The ELP seeks to give
skills in leadership in all its aspects, it is
very much a work-in-progress for each
individual.
Rosaleen O’Kane IBVM
See photo of women on page 4
The targets of SDG 3 include ending the
epidemic of AIDS. 90-90-90 is an initiative
to end the epidemic by 2030.
90-90-90
The National AIDS Council of Zambia as
guided by the WHO and the UNAIDS
Framework has recently launched the 90-
90-90 initiative. This is ambitious
treatment target to help end the AIDS
epidemic. Although many strategies will
be needed to bring the AIDS epidemic to
an end, it is understood that it will be
impossible to achieve without bringing
HIV treatment to all who need it. Thus
the 90-90-90 initiative has been
introduced with the belief that if these
targets can be achieved, the AIDS
epidemic can be brought to an end.
By 2020, 90% of all people living with
HIV will know their HIV status.
By 2020, 90% of all people with
diagnosed HIV infection will receive
sustained antiretroviral therapy.
By 2020, 90% of all people receiving
antiretroviral therapy will have viral
suppression.
90% 90%
90%
Diagnose On treatment Virally Suppressed
When this three-part target is achieved,
at least 73% of all people living with HIV
worldwide will be virally suppressed – a
two- to three-fold increase over current
rough estimates of viral suppression.
Modelling suggests that achieving these
targets by 2020 will enable the world to
end the AIDS epidemic by 2030, which in
turn will generate profound health and
economic benefits.
To realise such an ambitious outcome
requires a multi-sectoral approach and
working partnerships on the ground.
Thus, for example in Zambia, the NAC is
encouraging various public departments,
NGOs and private organisations to
combine resources when conducting
activities in communities and invite health
personnel and counsellors. Thus, when
any event is taking place all those
gathered can be encouraged to test there
and then and know their HIV status.
Once known and if HIV+, the person can
be enrolled on ART therapy. Once ART
is adhered to there is a very good chance
that the person will have viral
suppression, and thus reduces the chance
of passing on the virus or developing full
blown AIDS. If this can become a reality
at grassroots throughout the world, then
it is believed that we can overcome the
scourge of AIDS.
The Loreto Sisters in Lukulu, Zambia are
hoping to advance this initiative in 2017
by introducing the availability of testing
at all Home-Based Care Community
Workshops and other activities scheduled
throughout the year.
Pat Hanvey IBVM

During the year five
Restorative Justice Programs
have been presented in
different Correctional Centres
in the Western Cape, South
Africa – Voorberg (2),
Worcester Males, Goodwood,
Pollsmoor Females. 126
offenders participated. The
vast majority of offenders have
a low self-image because they
identify themselves with their
crime and few of them have
ever experienced the
unconditional love of God.
Through the sessions the
offenders are lead to the Truth
about themselves – that no
matter what crime they have
committed they are still loved
unconditionally by God, a God
who is full of Mercy and
Forgiveness.
Restorative Justice is a challenging
programme as offenders are invited to
make an inward journey and to take
responsibility for their crime. They are
also challenged to look at the
consequences of their crime and how
many people they have hurt. During the
sessions, they are instructed on how to
deal with strong emotions like anger, and
jealousy, how to make good choices, how
to deal with Temptation and Guilt and
they are lead through sessions on
Repentance, Forgiveness and
Reconciliation. Paul Robb defines
conversion as ‘a radical transformation
that affects all level of living – personal,
social, moral as well as a changed
relationship with God.’ We have
witnessed this kind of transformation
among many of the offenders who had
reached rock bottom and had lost hope.
They came through the programme
restored and rose up with new strength,
courage and determination.
In an evaluation one wrote: “I have
learned the true effect of my crime on my
family and especially on my children who
have been hurt the most. I have also
learned to forgive myself and reflect on
my life in order to know where I went
wrong. I can now move on in life.”
Another participant expressed her
appreciation as follows: “I grew in selfknowledge
and self-confidence and I
realize that I do not have to identify
myself with my crime. The most
important things I took from the sessions
is, that for God to forgive me, I need to
forgive others. I have learned that a good
self-image is the key to success.”
The Family Mediation Days were also
well attended and great appreciation was
expressed by many family members.
Participants were also grateful that we
provided a platform for them, where they
could speak openly and honestly and ask
forgiveness for the hurt they had caused.
It was also not easy for the offenders to
hear from their families how their crime
affected them and how many of them are
struggling in the community. One
participant in the program expressed her
appreciation of the day as follows: The
Family Mediation Day was most helpful.
I was able to take responsibility for my
past actions, own up to it and ask the
person I had hurt the most, who is my
Mom, for forgiveness. It was very
difficult for me to hear from my loved
ones how much I had hurt them.’
Another wrote: the mediation between
my family and I really opened my eyes. I
now know that I have responsibilities and
Page 3
I am motivated to live a meaningful life. I
want to say ‘thank you’ for helping me to
find myself and the real me.
The Restorative Justice Team consists of
seven volunteers who have shown
themselves to be highly motivated and
passionate about the program and who
are totally focused on the Vision and
Mission of the Organization. There is a
wonderful spirit of generosity,
compassion and co-operation among
them that enables the smooth running of
the program. Offenders also appreciate
the support they receive from the
facilitators. One expressed it as follows:
“The attitude that the facilitators showed
was very helpful as they created a loving
and caring environment which enabled us
to speak openly and honestly about our
crimes without fear of being judged.”
Another expressed it this way: “What was
helpful was the dedication and trust, love
and compassion from those who
facilitated and the unlimited support and
words of encouragement which they gave
us. They were a blessing from God and I
am thankful.”
In Mark 4 we find Jesus teaching his
disciples the principle of sowing and
planting seeds. And this is how we see
ourselves – as Seed Platers. We are fully
aware that the ground is often rocky and
infertile and that the thorns and weeds
flourish in the prison environment, often
killing and choking the seed. Yet we are
hopeful that some seed will fall on fertile
ground and produce a crop – some thirty,
some sixty and some, one hundredfold. I
am very happy to discover that Pope
Francis sees things in the same light. He
says “God can be encountered in the
prisons of today, as God is in every
person, in every situation and event.”
Marie Brady IBVM is a volunteer member
of the Restorative Justice Team from the
Prison Care and Support Network of the
Archdiocese of Cape Town in South Africa.

Annual meeting of members of the IBVM JPIC team with the JPIC
school contacts from the two Loreto schools in Pretoria in August
Siphokazi Sithole (Grade 6M) writes ‘On 1
September 2016, we visited Paul Jungnickel
Centre. When we arrived, we met many
wonderful people. We first played musical
chairs, which everyone participated in and
enjoyed the most. The second game we
played was the potato relay race where a
person had to hold the potato with a spoon
and go across the open area to give it to
another person. Next was the wheelchair
teddy bear run. The people in the
wheelchairs seemed to enjoy themselves and
were very happy. We then met the little
children and got to play different games with
them. They were very excited to see us.
After playing soccer with the teenagers who
live in the orphanage, we ate our lunch and
rested for a few minutes. The best part
about the whole trip was when we had to
serve lunch to the older people. We actually
got to feed them!
When we first arrived at the centre some
learners were very scared and some were
even crying. As the day went on we felt free
to communicate with the people that live
there. We were all ecstatic…..
Most recent group of women to participate in the Emerging Leaders
Process. See story on page 2
Mrs Jean Yon reported that ‘We took 48 Grade 6 Loreto Convent
Girls to the Paul Jungnickel Welfare Centre in Pretoria on 1
September 2016. They had a fantastic day of playing games,
interacting and feeding the residents. There was also the handover of
items that the school had collected for them to use. They make goods
from recycled material and sell them at their well-known Christmas
Market every year to raise funds. Those were all the items in the
black bags you can see in the photo.’
Sister Margaret Mary O’Brien IBVM, who
died last month, was a proud South African
as well as a strong advocate for the
upliftment of children through education. To
quote her from an earlier edition of this
newsletter, “As principal of Holy Trinity
High School in the black township of
Atteridgeville, I saw how politicians made
use of scholars to cause disruption and
further the anti-Apartheid struggle. While I
supported the movement to end Apartheid, I
could see that disrupting schools was not in
the best interests of scholars. I made this
point to the inspector who was sent to find
out how Holy Trinity alone remained
functional in the midst of the general chaos.
As a result of this disruptive action, many
people ended up without a proper education
and crime and joblessness became all too
common.”