Place of Love and Care

Botswana

I cried to you for help, and you have healed me.

-Psalm 30:2

Mr. O was frightened. If he agreed to the surgery, he would lose his right foot and leg and possibly his livelihood, growing tomatoes in his beloved garden. Sister Vinaya Chalil and volunteers from the home-based care program, an outreach of Pabalelong Hospice in Botswana, frequently visited Mr. O to change his dressing and assure him that surgery would save the remainder of his leg and his life.

Several years prior, Mr. O sustained a spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed from the waist down. He had been working at a construction site when the walls of a building collapsed, crushing him as well as his independence and ability to work. Thanks to the care received from the hospice, Mr. O progressed from using a wheelchair to being able to walk with crutches. 

When he was able to start a vegetable garden, it became a life-giving therapeutic endeavor. Most of his time was spent sitting on the ground and “scooting” throughout his garden. However, due to a lack of sensation in his legs, he developed serious pressure wounds, resulting in a below-the-knee amputation and daily dressing changes. Fortunately, there was a ministry in Botswana that could help patients like Mr. O.

“Go and see the Sisters, they will help you, they help all the sick people in the village.” That is one comment from a local resident that displays the reputation Sister Vinaya has helped build for the ministry.

Pabalelong Hospice began as “a place of love and care.” The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, who established the hospice, soon realized many people were too sick to travel to seek care, so the home-based program began. It provided visits to the patients’ homes, medical supplies, and transportation to medical appointments. This comprehensive, holistic program continues today and benefits many in need. 

Throughout the ensuing episodes of rehab and treatment, it was the staff and volunteers of Pabalelong Hospice with its home-based care program who helped Mr. O regain optimal health of mind, body, and soul.

The Sisters heard the cries of Mr. O and all those who seek care, and now invited others to join them as part of the healing ministry of Jesus.

In the summer of 2022, many donors have made a gift of support to continue this life-giving, healing ministry to many others in need. They made it possible for others to receive God’s healing through the compassion and care given by the Sisters and volunteers of the home-based care program.

For this dedicated support to this and all of our global ministries, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth are forever grateful.

At UN development meetings, sisters present pathways to eradicate poverty

Catholic sisters who represent their congregations at the United Nations shared best practices from their own programs and brought stories of what getting out of poverty really means for the people they serve.

Project Aids Families in Botswana

A project in Botswana is helping break the cycle of poverty for many families and providing access to clean water.

Sisters care for home-based patients and the terminally ill in Botswana

Pabalelong is a 10-bed inpatient facility based in Metsimotlhabe. The hospice is owned by the diocese of Gaborone and is administered by two sisters from the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, Srs. Vinaya Chalil and Sunila Erumangalathu.

The stand against climate change

The 2015 Paris Climate Change Conference, also known as COP21, aims to create a universal and applicable legal and non-legal instrument with the UN.

A Tribute to Sister Elaine McCarron: A Home Built in Belize

A group of friends and family, including several members of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, raised money to build a home in Belize in honor of Sister Elaine McCarron, who was remembered for her kindness and lifelong service to others. The home was successfully built and was gifted to a woman named Rasheda and her son Davion. Elaine’s family expressed their gratitude to all those who made the home build possible, and they hoped that the new home would bring happiness and joy to its residents.

It’s all-electric for Sisters at Nazareth

Sister Molly Thompson is still getting used to the features of her electric Chevy Bolt. As she rolls up to a stop sign on the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth campus here, the regenerative braking brings her up short.

Associates helping to meet needs in Belize

Belize City SCNAs collaborate to serve those living in poverty due to COVID-19.