On September 13th, 1959 the first three sisters departed from Amersfoort. They were Sr. Annetta Verhoef, Sr. Gonzalina Schwieters and Sr. Rosa Kamphuis. All the sisters could not go together, because the temporary place in the bishop house was only available for three sisters. One month later, on October 20th, 1959 the second group of three sisters landed in Nyasaland. They were Sr.Gertrude Walenkamp, Sr.Melania Kraaijkamp and Sr. Werenfrida Adema.
In keeping with the mission goals, their activities were among others, to teach and open a hostel for the children, to teach sewing and handwork in some schools, to control the construction of the new building for the school, etc. On May 22nd, 1962 the school "Stella Maris", Blantyre was officially opened by Governor Sir Glyn Jones.
In the following years, the number of sisters who were sent to Malawi increased. They were open to the needs of the local people: serving the children in Jacaranda Children's Home, teaching handwork to mothers and girls in several villages. The sisters eagerly opened ta mission in a very hot area, Bangula. There was no electricity and it was far from the crowded city. The sisters opened a workshop for handicapped people in Sorgin and Kalemba Health Centre in Bangula.
From 1959 until 2006, there were twenty-seven sisters from Amersfoort who dedicated their lives for the mission in Malawi.
The convents of Sisters of Our Lady in the Region Malawi since 1959
1959 Blantyre Stella Maris
1964 Limbe Jacaranda
1968 - 1987 Blantyre Regina Pacis
1970 Chiromo Bangula
1972 Blantyre Chimwemwe
source: the notes Sisters of Our Lady in Malawi 1959 –1987, written by Sr. Simplicia Swart and Sr. Werenfrida Adema)
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