The Point Of Death

“My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live (...) “Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.” And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out. He took along the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and entered the room where the child was. He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!” The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. At that they were utterly astounded.”" (the whole episode at Mk 5:21-43) The words of Jesus to the little girl: "Little girl, I say to you, arise!" are immensely encouraging to all girls in Africa, in Tanzania, and in our region of Tanzania in particular, who live in a male dominated society, ruled by male biased rules and customs, discriminating the girls and women in many areas of their lives, mainly in education, healthcare, employment, payroll, ownership of land and property...

This is a call of hope and empowerment for all women across Africa and all those areas of the world which are ruled by demons of gender discrimination. This is a ray of hope for our girls and women in Kiabakari, this is a challenge to me and to us to fight against gender discrimination and male supremacy with whatever means we have, but first an foremost by setting and example and lighting a candle of hope for them in the darkness of the reality... Meditate a bit on these three Rosary Mysteries as conceived and painted by my friend and artist Florian. They speak volumes about the reality and what is supposed to be done in this matter...

This is what my mission is all about. Divine Mercy embracing the whole human person, each and everyone without any shadow of doubt or bias... Open door to Divine Mercy Shrine for all, open door to health center for all, open door to John Paul II Center for Education and Formation for all. 

Little girl of Kiabakari, I say to you, arise! The standard seven class, the last class of the primary school does not have to be a point of death for your hopes, shattered by most parents who refuse to continue supporting her education in secondary school and beyond. The standard seven class does not have to be the point of death for you and for your friends, who are forced into marriage or can't find help in financing their further education and vocational training... Arise! It is up to you to remove this point of death from your life, by advocating your rights for equal opportunity for education and employment as boys in your family and the society. It is up to us in Kiabakari, it is up to the government, it is up to all groups of pressure and interest in the society to assist you with your education. And it is up to us to help you in achieving your dreams and waking you up from that sleep of death looming over far too many...