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| Sister Piala John Masawe |
Sr. Piala is Tanzanian and at present she is in the community
of Arusha where she works as the administrator of the Kindergarten.
Vickness Nangogo Muleya: Recall a time when you felt most alive, most involved,
spiritually touched, or most excited about your involvement. About memorable
experience you have had with MSOLA.
Piala: My best experience is in Gumo (Ghana), when I was appointed to
take the administration of Tampe-Kukuo R/C Primary School and Kindergarten in
Malshegu. Though I felt not prepared for this kind of apostolate, I
chose to accept it as a service asked of me by the Congregation trusting in the
Lord’s faithfulness, guidance and providence. I must say that I managed with
the sustaining power of God, the support of my sisters and the people I
collaborated with. It was stressful at times, but very fruitful and encouraging
to see the progress of the children and the change of attitude on the part of
some teachers who were not cooperating so well at the beginning.
Vickness: What made it an exciting experience?
Piala: It is an experience where I felt I could live essential
aspects of our charism, for example: girl-child and women empowerment through
education, Christian and Muslim dialogue, reconciliation, literacy, primary
evangelization, health education, justice and peace and integrity of creation.
In my position as headmistress I often became voice for the voiceless, for the
children whose rights were often violated by irresponsible teachers who
sometimes sat under trees chatting instead of teaching. I found myself in a
corrupt system where I often needed to stand by my convictions and speak
against forms of corruption that were going on in the work place. It also gave
me an opportunity to learn so many things in my dealings with the teachers,
parents of the pupils, pupils themselves and education officers and other stake
holders. I felt that my approach and good relationship with others facilitated
our collaboration which improved the quality of our work.
Many times I had to confront teachers’ attitudes and practices
that were not enhancing the education of the pupils.
I also realized in many ways as I was learning the language and
culture of the people that, I was not the only one to evangelize but I felt
being evangelized by the people. I learnt a lot from the simplicity of the
ordinary people in the villages who were very welcoming, friendly and very
generous despite their low income. I was often reminded of the poor widow who
offered the last penny she had out of love. There was always a spirit of
sharing, no matter how little they possessed. I learnt to rely on God’s
providence.
Vickness: Who was involved?
Piala: My sisters in the school and in community, the parents of our
pupils, the school management committee, the teachers, the education officers,
the local manager, the church leadership, the pupils and the partners of the
school.
Vickness: Describe how you felt?
Piala: Many times I felt happy, energized, humbled, encouraged and
motivated to continue as I discovered that my presence and service bore much
fruit than I thought at the time I was appointed. I felt more confident as I
deeply felt the presence of the Lord in all that I was doing in collaboration
with my sisters, teachers, parents, education officers, the Church authority,
and , pupils other stake holders. Each day I felt I had food for the journey.
Vickness: What did you do as a result of the experience?
Piala: I made more effort to work in partnership with other head
teachers, and consulted the officers more in the matters that seemed
complicated or in what I was not sure of.
I took more time to learn the language better and the culture
in order to understand the people and the context in which I was working, in
view of improving the quality of my services, to better communicate what I
desired and bring more life in the lives of the people entrusted to me. I often
carried these people and situations in our community and personal prayer.
Vickness: What are the things you value deeply about MSOLA? When you feel
best about being a MSOLA, what about yourself do you value? What is the most
important thing that MSOLA has contributed to your life?
Piala: Things I value deeply about MSOLA are the simplicity of life
and the sisterly love that I often experienced and still experience in our
international communities. Our rootedness in Christ, through a life of prayer
and service. The gift of our charism which joins my desire to serve the less
privileged in their uniqueness without discrimination of culture, background,
religion etc. Our cooperation and collaboration at all levels. The freedom and
simplicity in our interactions within and with the people outside, gives me a
sense of fulfillment in my life as religious. Oneness with the people: I feel
that we are very close to ordinary people and live among them.
When I feel best about being a MSOLA is when I am fully
involved in the mission entrusted to the Congregation and living fully our community
life with its joys and challenges.
What I value about myself is my faith that is a driving force
within that energizes me to go on with my journey with the Lord and with
others.
What I feel MSOLA has contributed to my life is the solid
spiritual formation that serves as a foundation for my spiritual life.
Vickness: What is according to you the core value of MSOLA? What values
give life to the Congregation? What is it that, if it did not exist, would make
MSOLA totally different than it currently is?
Piala: The core value of MSOLA; I think is the rootedness in Christ
and his mission.
The values that give life to the Congregation are sisterly love
rooted in Christ’s love, dialogue, commitment, unity and collaboration,
reconciliation, simplicity, human dignity, perseverance in facing challenges.
The instability in our apostolic choices
and involvement it is something we need to reconsider, we pull out of
apostolates when the need is still there. We need enough time to make
discernment and prepare people to take over.
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