By Par Marie Colette Raeliarisoa, m.i.c.      

Born in Miaramasoandro, Madagascar, I was part of a family of three girls and seven boys. I came to know Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate   Conception   through   the   youth movement, the Eucharistic Crusade. In my heart, I wanted to give myself totally to the Lord, to go all over the world to bring the Good News of Christ. But how could I announce my decision to my parents? One evening, I broached the subject and spoke to my mother about it. She said, Do you know what it is to be a missionary? - Yes, it is to be always available. Afterwards, my mother talked about it with my father. He looked at me with tenderness. And he gave me his blessing. With emotion, he said to me: If you want, I will help you.

Adaptation to the Peruvian environment

Four months of language study is a start, but the best way to learn is to overcome one’s fears and discomfort and start speaking the new language. Even if people laugh at you, you have to accept to make a few mistakes. For example, talking about a house, I said: the white house, which in my new environment means a prostitutes’ house. You have to know how to laugh at your blunders. Practicing the language requires a lot of daring and it is therefore up to you to take the fi st steps, humility being the right path. In the beginning, people were distant. I went to meet them, especially the children. I danced with them, shared their pain, laughed at myself and won their hearts.

 My commitment today

  Many children in the surround- ing  primary  schools  do  not have  enough  to  eat. With  the help of a lady and a benefactor, we have created a canteen for children from 8 to 12 years old,    the Comedor.There are about 30 of them coming. We serve them a good meal of rice, meat, salad, juice, and dessert. Parents and children are very grateful for  this  service. In  addition, we have started a small sewing centre  for  the  ladies. Twenty- five women attend it and two teachers are dedicated to it. We must always be vigilant to keep the models intact and offer good quality work, which requires a lot of attention and animation. Most of them are mothers and they have a lot of concerns, hence the challenge of always being present at their jobs. They gave us the idea of creating a small daycare centre to allow them more freedom. As for me, I am committed to it with all my heart, because they are very endearing [ … ]