Category: stagiaires

Zambia sector stagiaires meeting, 2018

On March 12, 2018

By Hilario Villaver (1^st year) and Emile Baguma (2^nd year)

The stagiaires meeting is a way of being together, of strengthening our relationship from different corners of Zambia. We were six stagiaires (five in their second year and one first year), and our coordinator: Emile Baguma, from Kasamba Parish/Mansa Diocese; Thierry Uyirwoth, from Saint Lawrence Parish/Lusaka Archdiocese; Jean-Marie Chishugi, from Namushakende Parish/Mongu Diocese; Emmanuel Kokpe, from St Annes’ parish/Kasama Archdiocese; Chandan Nayak, from Good Shepherd-Kabwata Parish/Lusaka Archdiocese and Hilario Villaver Jr., St John the Baptist-New Kaloko Parish/Ndola Diocese; and Fr. Camillo Konkobo, stagiaires’ coordinator.

We held our meeting in our M.Afr community of Ndola, from the 26^th February to the 3^rd March 2018 with the assistance of our coordinator Fr. Camillo. We started with a recollection lead by Fr. Camillo on the theme “gratefulness” through meditating upon Luke 17, 11-19. We enjoyed having Masses and prayers together as stagiaires. We also joined the congregation at the Cathedral for the way of the cross on Friday. We consecrated this moment to know, deepen and share about our experiences on the apostolic training, with its joys and challenges. We had a good time of recreating and chatting together, with social colourful evening with the entire community of Ndola. We were privileged to welcome our provincial, Fr. Felix Phiri. He came to visit and hear from us. His words of encouragements were well received, and it gave us more flavour for the mission. We had time to relax and discover the Copperbelt especially some designated areas. Wherever we were going together, we were keeping our good spirit of concern for each other with a good atmosphere among us. We were not only united but one, “Esprit de corps”. We visited our parish and the training centre called “Bupe Mulenga”. The few Christians who were at the parish appreciated our visit talking to us in the local language with their hospitality and generosity.

We are grateful to the Almighty God for bringing us together as one family. Moreover, we acknowledge the efforts made by the sector for supporting us in any kind of needs, and we thank the hosting community (Frs. Piet and Franciszek) for their hospitality and kindness towards us.

SAP Stagiaires Meeting in Lilongwe, Malawi, Bethany Retreat Centre, Lilongwe, March 20 to 27, 2017.

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On March 31, 2017

In Ongoing formation, stagiaires

By Chandan Nayak and Thierry Uyirwoth.

We all traveled safely to Lilongwe, Malawi, for our Southern Africa Provincial Stagiaires meeting: one came from South Africa, four from Mozambique, six from Malawi and eight from Zambia.

We were warmly welcomed by the Provincial Delegate of Malawi, Fr. Michel Sanou, and our two Stagiaires Coordinators Fr. Simon Kalore from Malawi and Fr. Camille Konkobo from Zambia who at the same time helped us to animate the meeting. Fr. Jean de Dieu Bukuru, Stagiaires Coordinator of Mozambique accompanied attended a few sessions.

It was a joyful encounter between brothers after many years of being away from each other. Our opening recollection helped us to surrender ourselves to God and to experience his presence in our meeting. The facilitator, Sister Teresa Mulenga, drew our attention to meditate on Mark 6, 30-31; “Come to a lonely place”. Indeed, we need time reflect on our lives.

We remained faithful to our tight program throughout the week with daily morning and evening prayers with Eucharistic celebrations. Attentive, thoughtful and open-minded, we listened carefully and honestly shared our experiences. We were reminded to be committed, passionate, dedicated, prayerful and always having hope with an appreciative discernment. We looked at our expectations, we heard the experiences of others and to learn from them.

We are happy with this third phase of formation which is helping us to build a foundation for our missionary life by looking into our different apostolates. We have been privileged to learn new languages and experience international community life.

We also visited two M.Afr communities; Chezi and Kanengo on our way to Salima were we enjoyed a picnic on the shore of the Lake.

The last day of our sharing, the Provincial Delegate came for an official visit. He shared with us his experiences and encouraged us. We appreciated very much his presence. We shared supper together with other confreres from Lilongwe.

Truly, we had a fruitful and effective meeting. We are grateful to God and also to those who made it possible for us to experience such a helpful and enriching moment; the Provincial Council, the Provincial Delegates and the Stagiaires Coordinators. Thanks to all who have contributed to this memorable experience.

Participants: Emile Baguma, Congolese, Kasamba, Zambia, Landry Busagara, Congolese, Chezi, Malawi, Patient Cimanuka, Congolese, Lusaka, Zambia, Jean-Marie Vianney, Congolese, Namushakende, Zambia, Olivier Ngizwenimana, Rwandese, Beira, Mozambique, Dimitri Bobloinde Yampa, Burkinabe, Dombe, Chimoio, Mozambique, Thierry Jawiyambe Uyirwoth, Congolese, St. Lawrence, Lusaka, Zambia, Paul Sanogo, Malian, Kanengo, Lilongwe, Malawi, Pascal Sambi, Burkinable, Henley-kwaMphumuza, South Africa, Lazare Ndagijimana, Rwandese, Zolozolo, Mzuzu, Malawi, Chandan Nayak, Indian, Lusaka, Zambia, Valentin Muzi, Congolese, Mzuzu, Malawi, Jean de Dieu Meda, Burkinabe, Chezi, Malawi, Innocent Matata, Congolese, Lumimba, Zambia, Pascal Mare, Burkinabe, Chimoio, Mozambique, Benoit Kouakou, Ivorian, Sussundenga, Mozambique, Emmanuel Kokpe, Togolese, Kasama, Zambia, Augustin Kambale, Congolese, Kanengo, Lilongwe, Malawi, Innocent Manjune, Congolese, Serenje, Zambia, Fr Simeon Kalore, Ethiopian, Parish Priest of Chezi, Malawi, Fr. Camille Konkobo, Burkinbe, Vocation Director of Zambia.

Learning a New Language

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On October 24, 2016

In News, stagiaires

By Thierry Uyirwoth, Stagiaire at St. Lawrence, Lusaka

I struggled to improve my English and learn few words in Chibemba at my novitiate in Kasama last year. Now, I have just completed ten weeks of Chichewa or Chinyanja, as it is called in Zambia. I am very happy as I am building a foundation for my future missionary life. As Frank Smith said: “the limits of my language are the limits of my world”. Ludwig Wittgenstein also said: “A different language is a different vision of life.” By learning new languages, I feel that I am opening myself to the world. It is really a special gift that I am receiving from the Society of the Missionary of Africa.

In return, I do my best in learning new languages. As a group, we started after a session offered by FENZA called “Welcome to Zambia” which gives a general view of Zambia. It took me some courage and conviction but I am able now to speak some basic Chichewa/Chinyanja.

I am overwhelmed with joy when I interact with people. They are happy to see that I am putting efforts to learn their language with enthusiasm. I feel challenged when I see people like me who have learnt and speak a foreign language. Soon, I will be fluent in Chichewa/Chinyanja.

We had a nice group of students. We were united in the struggle and work together. We found means of supporting each other. As a Chichewa/Chinyanja proverb says, “Mutu umodzi susenza denga”, meaning “one head does not carry a roof”. Hence, we were motivated to work together. This spirit of togetherness helped me a lot to go ahead. We were really a family though coming from different countries such as the USA, DRCongo, Kenya, South Korea, India, Ireland and Togo.

Of course, it has not been always easy. At times, I was discouraged as I could not see much progress. Perseverance is the key. As we were saying, “pang’ono pang’ono ndi mtolo”. This proverb was for us a motto. Literally, it means; ‘a bundle of firewood grows gradually.’ In other words: ‘gradual and persistent attempts reach their objective’. That proverb helped me by concentrating my efforts.

Most missionaries I have encountered have been telling me that knowing languages is the key for a fruitful mission. Therefore, I am putting all my efforts in view of enjoying the mission. Today, I can agree with them, when you know the language, you find yourself part of the people to whom you are sent. It is really a nice experience. After learning the structure and grammar of Chichewa/Chinyanja, we now have to go into the field and practice. May God help us always to give our best in the mission which we have been entrusted.

Thanks be to God for giving us this opportunity through the Society of Missionary of Africa. A special word of thanks to FENZA community for their hospitality, to the teachers, all the students, especially my fellow stagiaires; Chandan Nayak, Emile Baguma and Emmanuel Kopke with whom we had a good time.

Link: 10th Year of Cinyanja/Cicewa – Cibemba Class in FENZA

Newsletter South Africa No 63 – 29th May 2016

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On May 30, 2016

In Publications, South Africa Sector, stagiaires

Stagiaires in Zambia – October 2015

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On November 1, 2015

In stagiaires

By Innocent Matata Foto,

The stagiaires appointed to Zambia met with Venerato Babaine, the Delegate Superior, in FENZA on Thursday 22, 2015 to evaluate the language course in iciBemba and Cinyaja they have received. The four stagiaires gave also their appreciation about their stay and promised to send a written report to Father Babaine and FENZA. At the meeting were: Patient Mushagalusa Cimanuka going to Kabwata-Lusaka, Innocent Matata Foto going to Lumimba, Kamil Szostak going to Kasamba and Innocent Majune Iranzi going to Serenje.