RISE International

 

Angolan Mothers

Celeste Mahissu, Filomena Antonio, Debora Orlando, Jaquina Chaquina, Teodora Nachipati, Candida Costa, Eunice Chiloela

These seven Angolan Mothers cared for the RISE 2003 Team at Chilonda in the Bie Province in central Angola. They worked tirelessly from dawn till dusk cooking meals over an open fire, washing our clothes, and making sure there was water, for drinking and bathing, which had to be carried on their heads from the Kachilala  River. The Team offered to help with the cooking and cleaning, but the women would not hear of it, for they wanted to care for us. In time, we worked together and developed a deep affection for one another. Each night one of them would share her life story around an open campfire.  All seven were widows and had lost two or more of their children from disease, starvation or the war itself.  All had fled for safety during the years of war and some had returned only to be pushed back into the bush when war ignited again. These women did not merely survive; they grew deeper in their faith and it was their faith that sustained them. They are an  inspiration.

Nelito works as a translator for CORD (the NGO responsible for education and community services in the refugee camp)

for he is fluent in English. He served as our translator as we taught ESL classes, and since we've returned to the US, we

have received news that he has begun teaching his own ESL class to children each afternoon.

Nelito

his family and end their eleven years of separation.