Lesotho Province

since 1908

Lived Charism

Four pillars of religious life: Community, Vows, Prayer and Mission have been our way of life as Sisters of the Holy Cross.  Education and Health ministries are the heritage from our pioneer sisters since 1908. Serving the marginalized and raising their standard of life has been and remains our priority.

Today, we interpret and understand the need for Education in its broader sense and can respond in different ways in response to “the need of our time” and the Message of General Chapter 2007, in the following:

Formal Education Informal Education Care of the sick and Promotion of health Empowerment of women Pastoral work Social Concerns (HIV/AIDS awareness, change of behaviour, temporary care of abused children and orphans)

 

Education of the whole person, promotion, protection of and respect for life is the thrust in our Pre-Schools, High Schools and Institutes of Higher learning as well as Health Centres and in pastoral work.  Besides theory lessons, young people in our schools are equipped with other skills such as gardening, cooking, sewing and computer literacy.

 

In our Health Centres and Pastoral work, AIDS awareness and behaviour change are some of our priorities.  At present care of orphans and abused children, Pro-life and Human Trafficking are becoming a major concern for us and we have started responding to these challenges.                     

			After the General Chapter 2007, we started campaigning for the integrity of the environment and promotion of the importance of planting trees around our communities. Together with the local community, we planted over a thousand trees including fruit trees
Every sector of the community was involved in this activity from the students, the policemen and the villagers.

 

In order to give special attention to widows in our ministries, the Widows’ Club was established after the General Chapter 2007.The widows meet regularly to share their life especially problems and challenges that come their way. They receive spiritual guidance and support like counselling and retreats.  They plan how to improve their financial situation in order to alleviate poverty.  It is in this situation where we endeavour to promote life in limit situations by our advice and support in the plans and decisions taken.

Community spirit and Prayer life are initiated and deepened from the early stages of religious formation where young women learn to live and pray as community and individuals. Ongoing formation is facilitated by the Province for all the Sisters of the Holy Cross through workshops and organised retreats.