An unexpected visit in the midst of COVID 19 pandemic
“The Lord delights in those who put
their hope in His unfailing love. (Psalm 147: 11)
Amid the difficulties of COVID - 19 pandemic,
God’s loving and provident presence continues to show His compassionate love to
the Sisters, poor families, girls and children of the FMA communities in Yangon
Division through the kind visit of German Ambassador to Myanmar, Mr. Thomas
Karl Neisinger.
In the morning of 31st
July, Mr. Neisinger arrived in Auxilium community where the Sisters and students
of Food and Home Management Vocational Training Center welcomed him and his entourage
with joy. With him were Mrs. Mriana Knirschi, Counsellor and Head of Development
Cooperation Department and Mr. Tomasz Schwarz, Beiersdorf (Myanmar) of NIVEA
and Hansaplast Company. They had a tour
of the school and the Sisters shared to them the mission and varied activities
of their community. After a quick coffee and teabreak prepared by the students,
they
proceeded to St. John Bosco Community, Hlaing Thar Yar where the lovely and
excited children waited for Mr. Neisinger’s arrival. He and his companions were
welcomed with joyful songs and dances. Seeing the children, Mr. Neisinger asked
them if they are happy to come to the Sisters’ place. The children with one
accord gave him a thunderous “Yes” and upon hearing this he was moved to tears.
He told the children the value of learning and assimilating everything that the
Sisters taught to them. Moreover, he encouraged them to value, treasure,
appreciate and live the knowledge they have acquired. The Ambassador and his
companions had a great time being the children even to the point of playing with
them. The children brought home with them some stationaries and food items to
be shared with their families.
The Sisters shared to the visitors
all the educative activities they carry out during the school year and showed
the classrooms where the children are taught.
After a quick taste of some Burmese
traditional snacks, Mr. Neisinger and companions went to visit some poor families
of the kindergarten children who are living in the BOC traffic slum area. The
visit gave them a glimpse of the educative and charitable work that the Sisters
are doing to uplift the dignity of the poor children. Mr. Neisinger was
impressed and expressed his great appreciation for the selfless educative
service that the Sisters are carrying out for the poorest and marginalized ones
especially in this difficult moment of COVID-19.
At the end of his visit he assured
the Sisters of his desire to collaborate with them in this mission of helping
the needy ones because he said “The world is like a big human family and we are
asked to unite as one. So if one is in need, another one must help out.” Being
the 30th Anniversary of the unification of Germany this year, the
German government has expressed its willingness to unite not only with the
countries belonging to the European Union, but also to unite with the Myanmar
people.
The Sisters were captivated by the
Ambassador’s simplicity, humility and his heart to reach out to those who are
living in one of the abandoned areas in Hlaing Thar Yar especially in this time
of pandemic.
It was indeed a timely visit in this
time of pandemic that gives the Sisters and the children a sense of hope
knowing that there are people who truly care for the poor and the least.
