Charity Foundation by Jesus
Merciful Sisters of the Holy Cross Ingenbohl
The Merciful Sisters of the Holy Cross Ingenbohl is an international community of Catholic religious women, officially founded in 1856 by Father Theodosius Florentini and Sister Maria Theresia Scherer. For years, she has been supporting projects worldwide and third-party projects in the areas of humanitarian aid, emergency aid, innovative, socially-developing and educational projects. At the center of their actions is the human being. Age, nationality, religion or social status play no role.
Their concern for the gospel and the spiritual values developed from them shape their vocation and identity as merciful sisters of the Holy Cross. They walk as individuals in the footprints of the merciful and crucified Jesus. They commit themselves to live by his example in evangelical poverty, obedience and celibacy.
Crucial to the choice of their missions is the option for the poor. By this they mean the commitment to marginalized, minority, oppressed and underprivileged people. They seek networking and seek collaboration with people and organizations that share the same goals.
In the near future, therefore, a health center will be built in Uganda that is dedicated specifically to pregnant women.
1st project: construction of a health center in Uganda
In Kikyusa, a ward of their Vicariate in Uganda, the sisters working there plan to build a clinic for pregnant women and women giving birth, a much needed extension of the existing health center. Secluded in the countryside, it is the only functioning facility around. Its current building division is far too small and not or insufficiently equipped for emergencies. Many mothers come from distant villages, often on foot or on a motorcycle, not infrequently too late. In the case of complications, they have to be referred to the next largest hospital, 40 or 70 km away, which usually worsens the situation of mother and child. Because of poverty, the transport can not always be paid, then the mothers go home or to miracle doctors, with mostly bad consequences. Many births are still cared for by untrained helpers at home with unhygienic instruments or inappropriate methods at risk of complications. The population is growing enormously and with it the increase of the expected pregnant women.
The construction of a clinic with professional care of mothers and newborns was an urgent concern to help.
2nd project: Priestly studies Uganda
Ivan, b. 1997 comes with his 7 siblings from a very poor family in Uganda. His parents are farmers and they lack the financial means to pay for each of their children's education.
His parents allowed him to attend school from kindergarten to second grade. From the third year of primary education (2006 - 2010), the Sisters of Mercy of the Holy Cross (Holy Cross Sisters) supported him. After completing fourth grade, he began a course at St John the Baptist Ggaba PTC School, which he completed in 2016. Again, he was supported by the sisters. He then took on a paid job in 2017 to finance his diploma. This is a condition for admission to the seminary.
He had a deep relationship with God early on and his greatest desire is to become a priest. That's why we want to fund the entire education from Charity Foundation by Jesus Ivan. On the spot, he continues to be cared for by the Sisters of Ingenbohl, who are among others. manage the financial. Ivan Katunda has a great pleasure in being able to make the education a priest.
3. Project: Construction of a kindergarten and a primary school in Bulimbo, Kenya
In February 2015, the compassionate sisters of Ingenbohl started their activity in Bulimbo.
In addition to daily home visits and discussions with local officials, there was a need to focus on educating children. The church building was renovated and started teaching there. The number of children is constantly increasing.
However, the old parish church is not in good condition and not built to be suitable for a school in the long term. It urgently requires spacious classrooms with modern equipment, as an incentive for teachers and students, for regular and targeted instruction.
The primary purpose of primary education is to prepare young people for full participation in social political and economic prosperity. The government considers comprehensive education as a prerequisite for healthy and social development. For this purpose, various programs have been introduced. The realization grows: Education and training of a child contributes significantly to social development and to the growth of society. The goal is to provide all with primary education.
Challenges:
• Children leave school because their parents have no personal experience of formal education, or they lack the financial resources
• Overcrowded classrooms and lack of teaching aids hinder teaching
• There is a lack of suitable facilities for children with disabilities
• High proportion of children whose parents died of AIDS. They lack the financial support for a good education
• General high poverty prevents fair remuneration for teachers
