Bridges to Healing, Part II
San Diego Affiliate Erin Rickwa, Founder/ Executive Director of Bridges to Healing Intl.,
tells her story to Hugh Menton, editor.
In “Bridges to Healing, Part I” in our November/ December 2023 NSFA,
Erin told of her steps to provide orphanages with desperately needed medical care.
Obstacles: I’ve faced a lot of challenges along the way. I prayed a lot. In the recent Maryknoll Wide Retreat, the African Proverb was mentioned—If you want to travel fast, travel alone. But if you want to travel far, travel together. Building relationships with orphanage staff, other missioners, my friends and family has been critically important. I have been very fortunate to work with many wise people: indigenous Bolivian women, Franciscan sisters from Italy, other lay missioners, Salesian priests, and so many others who helped me navigate some tough situations. I have worked with so many healthcare workers in the global south that are doing incredibly brave work often with little or no pay and I am in awe of their dedication.
My husband and I joined the Affiliates in 2001 and were fortunate to have Sr. Ramona Oppenheim, MM, in our group. She has been a mentor for me—I admire her positive spirit and presence and look to her as an example. Our Affiliate group has been a great source of support for me as well.
Next Steps: Once the Bolivian projects were well-established, I wanted to pursue more projects in places with even fewer resources. I knew that Maryknoll had a long history in Tanzania, both working with vulnerable children and in health care. The Maryknoll Sisters put me in touch with Sr. Janet Srebalus, MM, who has spent decades in Tanzania. She was my mentor and guide while visiting Tanzania and setting up our new projects and partnerships. I am very grateful for the hospitality that was shown to me by the Maryknoll Sisters during my stay.
Bridges to Healing health care program, Tanzania
Bridges to Healing started working this year with the Immaculate Heart Sisters of Africa, an order of Tanzanian sisters that was founded in part by the Maryknoll Sisters. They run St. Justin’s Centre for 115 disabled children in Musoma, Tanzania. The Sisters have created an incredibly warm and caring environment for the children with very limited resources.
Bridges to Healing provides funds for a nurse and physical therapist, and the children are showing remarkable improvement. For example, eight-year-old Gabriela, as a result of cerebral palsy, has always had to get around on the ground. After working with the physical therapist over the last couple of months, she is up and walking for the first time in her life, her smile as she moves independently is so beautiful! The sisters also run Jipe Moyo, a shelter for girls fleeing sexual violence and female genital mutilation. The sisters are fierce advocates for both disabled children and young girls and are tirelessly working for justice for these two groups. There is a long history and strong connection between these projects and the Maryknoll family.
Erin, Sr. Janet Srebalus, and IHSA Sr. Margaret John of Musoma, Tanzania
We are also working with Chanua Group in Mwanza, Tanzania, which supports about 60 children, many of whom were orphaned due to AIDS. It is run by Maryknoll Sister Felista Wanzagi, MM, and Affiliate Costansia Mbogoma, a new member of the Affiliate Board.
Details matter: The details of people’s lives matter. The details matter for those affected, whether it be by climate change, migration, or human rights. I try to be guided by those most affected. In our case, I always focus on the children’s daily life—how are they affected by the lack of medical care? Can they go to school? Does their particular disease give them headaches? Stomachaches? Do they have trouble sleeping because of nightmares or infected scabies that itches and keeps them awake? The disabled children are not always able to communicate their pain, so it requires a special attentiveness to their needs.
Helping one child feel better has a huge impact on that child, which is a reminder of how we are called to be attentive to the needs of all of those we encounter.
Bridges to Healing, Part 2, first appeared in the January/February 2024 Not So Far Afield.