Salaamidda Maryan

Waan ku salaamayaa, Maryaneey, karaamad baa kaa buuxda, Ilaah baa kula jira; dumar oo dhan adaa ugu barakaysan, waxaana barakaysan miraha uurkaaga, Ciise Masiix. Maryan awliyadeey, Ilaah hooyadiiseey, noo tuko, annagoo dembilowyaal ah, hadda iyo wakhtiga dhimashadayada. Aamiin.

Hooyadey, Maryaneey, Hooyada Masiixa iyo hooyadeenna, hooyada udgooneey, hooyada qurxooneey, hooyada hanuunsaneey, waxaad hibo u leedahay jeceyl iyo wanaag aad adduunka oo dhan ku fidisee; waxaad hanti u leedahay hoygii Ilaaheen iyo hadalkiisa nolosha weligeedee; ubaxa jannada carfiya oo sanuuntiisu na saaqdayeey; gargaarka kuwa gaajeysan iyo garabka kuwa dulmaneey; hooyoy macaaneey hoos ii soo eeg oo maanta hawkar iyo dhibaato ha igaga tegine, hoggaami dadkeyga si ay ku gaaraan hillaaca nabadda Masiixa, Wiilkaaga, iyo ballanqaadka nolosha ee Aabbaha.   Aamiin.

Tukashadii Awli Barnaard

Xusuuso, cadrad barakaysan Maryaneey, in aan weligeed la sheegin, in qof adiga kugu soo cararay, kaalmadaada baryey, magan kuweydiistey, oo kugu hungoobey.  Anigoo taas ku kalsoon, adaan kuu soo roorayaa, hooyooy, cadradda ugu daahirsaneey.  Adaan kuu imaanayaa, anigoo dembi badan leh, oo si calaacal leh hortaada u jilba-joogsanaya, si aad iigu naxariisato.  Hooyada Ereygooy, ha yaraysan baryadayda, laakiinse naxariistaada iiga aqbal.  Aamiin.

Kitaab Tukasho

50,000 Somali children in risk of malnutrition and inadequate sanitation

Somali child living in the ruined Cathedral of Mogadishu

The following article is from Fides News Agency and can be read from its original source here.

"Mogadishu (Agenzia Fides) – In Somalia the famine of 2011 has ended, Mogadishu is rid of militia, in politics there has been marked progress. Never the less the United Nations Organisation and the Somali government continue to ask international benefactors to send aid to the country which they say is experiencing a severe crisis. Humanitarian associations, pressed by the situation of emergency in Somalia in recent years, have had neither the time or the resources necessary for the rebuilding of the country. Many Somalis live in terrible conditions, the lives of 50,000 children are threatened by severe malnutrition. International benefactors, due to the ongoing crisis in Syria and new continual emergencies in South Sudan and in the Central African Republic, have less funds for Somalia, although sanitation indicators in Somalia are more serious than those in the above mentioned countries. There is also concern for corruption and theft in a country where government has no control over the economy. A report from the UN monitoring group for Somalia and Eritrea in the past denounced corruption among government ministers, unlawful appropriation of food supplies destined for aid, bad administration. Some 60% of the people, 3.5 million living in central and south Somalia, are under the control of al-Shabab. The UN fears that the offensive may come precisely in the sowing season here in this region regarded as the country’s basket of consumer goods and essential services and may have a major impact on the next harvest."

If you wish to support the charitable work of the Church in Somalia, which includes food aid and medical assistance, click here to find out how to donate to Caritas Somalia.

Despite reports, return of Somali refugees limited, bishop says - Catholic News Service

The following article is taken from the Catholic Sentinel. Please pray for Somalia and the afflicted people of this country. RCMS

NAIROBI, Kenya  -- While many Somali refugees wish to return home, just a small number have been able to do so because of ongoing violence in parts of their homeland, said Bishop Giorgio Bertin of Djibouti, apostolic administrator of Somalia's only Catholic diocese, Mogadishu.

Despite media reports that refugees are returning home, Bishop Bertin wrote in an email to Catholic News Service Jan. 28 that fears of violence and insecurity in southern Somalia are preventing people from making the long trek to their homeland.

"It is true there is an initial return of Somali refugees from Kenya to Somalia. But it is a very small number," Bishop Bertin told CNS.

"This is due to the fact that many of the Somali refugees in Kenya are from southern Somalia, which is still quite unsafe because most of the rural areas are out of the control of the government forces and of AMISOM," the African Union Mission in Somalia, he explained.

Kenya hosts one of the largest Somali refugee camps in the region.

Kenyan authorities have threatened to send some Somali refugees out of the country because they have been linked to al-Shabaab militants that control sections of Somalia. However, the Africa Union, the United Nations and the international community have resisted this move, saying it's against the U.N. convention governing refugees to forcefully return people to their homelands in the face of violence and insecurity.

Bishop Bertin told the CNS that the Catholic Church with some of its partners has undertaken programs aimed at assisting the "homecoming" of refugees.

"We have just started (with our local partner) ... a small project in Lower Juba for the resettlement of refugees/returnees from Kenya: It is an agricultural project that aims at helping the returnees to restart an agricultural activity," he wrote.

A shake-up in the government in December in Mogadishu, the Somali capital, also has been a setback, delaying efforts by the Catholic Church to renew its presence in the country, the bishop said.

"For the moment, we will continue our presence through our humanitarian support to local partners," Bishop Bertin said. "We have to see if the new government is capable of 'governing,' of giving services, of respecting human rights, including the religious rights, of honestly being at the service of the people of Somalia in rebuilding confidence and reconciliation. The way is still long! But we must persevere with our patience and commitment," he said.

Important Catholic Prayers in Somali: Kitaab Tukasho

Years ago, thanks to the efforts and dedication of missionaries working in Somalia; a Catholic prayer book, comprising all of the most basic and important Catholic prayers, was composed in Somali. Despite the merits of this work, the book had little reach, in the sense that is was not readily available to those who might be interested in it. Given the nature of the persecution of the Church in Somalia, it would be almost impossible to circulate such a work among those who would desire a copy.

However, thanks to the advent of the internet, and thanks to the efforts of a RCMS volunteer, the Kitaab Tukasho has now been made available online! It is our hope and prayer that this book proves to be a source of comfort, light and grace to those who read it and use it as an aid to their prayer life. May it be a source of courage and strength to Somali Christians who live in fear and hiding, and may it be a source of light and grace to those who know not yet the Lord Jesus.

The Kitaab Tukasho can be viewed by clicking here, or by clicking the image of the Blessed Virgin praying on the sidebar to the left. The link will take you off the RCMS blog.

God bless

RCMS

Caritas Somalia

For those of you who would like to know about the work of the Catholic Church in Somalia, and for those of you who wish to support this work, please read this article. Your prayers and financial help for the Church's work in Somalia will be greatly appreciated. For further information about Caritas Somalia and/or to make donations, please see Caritas Somalia's contact details below. RCMSomalia

Organisation Name: Caritas Somalia

Address: Evêché.

B.P. n. 94.

Djibouti,

République de Djibouti

Email: caritassomalia@gmail.com

Phone: +253 21350140

Fax: +253 21354831

Short History of Organisation:

·         Caritas Somalia was created on the 13/02/1980. 

·         On the 01/01/1983 Caritas Somalia was affiliated officially with Caritas Internationalis.

·         On the 17/08/1988 Caritas Somalia was recognized officially by Somalia’s Ministry of Interior as a "Local Association” that has as its goals the help of the poor and the achievement of developmental projects.

·         From 1991 to 2001 the site of Caritas Somalia was in Nairobi, Kenya, from 2001 it moved to Djibouti, due to political and ecclesiastical changes.

·         From 1991 up to now Caritas Somalia has worked in Somalia either directly, with its own personnel, or through local Somali NGOs. 

Description of Programs & Campaigns: 

Through effective relationships with partners and local communities, Caritas Somalia helps to end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity.

Caritas Somalia continues to support local partners to implement multi-sectoral response for the local population and IDPs to respond to damages caused by drought, famine and armed conflict. The areas of intervention usually cover several IDP camps in Mogadishu, theAfgoye corridor and closed villages (Boqoley, Mordinle, Lafoole and Mererey), the town of Baidoa, Berdale and Brava, and some rural villages along the Juba River (Gobwein, Yontoy, Bulaguduud). In Somaliland we have been also supporting a number of projects particularly in the Awdal region.

Caritas Somalia is present in some part of the country through the work of Somali NGOs, born after the outbreak of the civil war. Our mission is to help people survive the conflict status and cope with the drought emergency. Caritas Somalia approaches humanitarian and development programs which directly address the poorest and most vulnerable individuals. In cooperation with our partners, we make sure that beneficiaries fully participate in the activities and have access to basic necessities in respect of their dignity.

Lack of public authorities and economic instability has encouraged the local communities’ private initiative in re-organising the former public services. According to their financial ability, with the support of the international community and the Somali Diaspora, the civil society runs schools, hospitals and supports local business. We encourage the involvement of the community committees in our projects, to strengthen the local governance and promote advocacy for the needs of the poorest people.

With regards to the mission of our Somali partners and regarding our attention in financing activities directly addressed to the most vulnerable people, we evaluate project proposals and we follow up the effective implementation of them.

In particular, we focus on the following areas:

ü  Hunger: we respond to food emergency in providing monthly food supplies; especially to IDPs in Mogadishu and south Somalia. We also support feeding programs in community health centres for children and pregnant women.

ü  Emergency: during the rainy season, our local partners assist flood affected and drought affected IDPs with tents, mosquito nets and blanket distribution in IDP camps in Mogadishu.

ü  Education: we support the fees of two schools in Mogadishu and several in the Somaliland region, in order to give equal opportunity to those who cannot afford an education because of their poor condition. The projects also aim to improve access to schooling for girls and the quality of teachers.

ü  Health: Caritas Somalia funds the construction and the operating costs of three medical centres in the Mogadishu area dedicated to IDPs. The health centres provide medicines, first aid, child health and pregnancy care.

ü  Aid to development: through income generating programs, our partners help local communities in south Somalia in developing agriculture and fishing, improving water supply and sanitation, providing micro-credits to sustain small business; especially addressed to vulnerable women.

Description of Organizational Structure (Number of Diocesan Members, Nationwide Staff and Volunteers):

Caritas Somalia’s head office is in Djibouti.  Caritas Somalia is composed currently of the President, Mgr Giorgio Bertin, and his assistant "Project Manager" Giovanni Parrino.

Other Caritas Partnerships: 

During the drought that struck Somalia in 2011-2012, Caritas Somalia had received funds from many National Caritas branches and from other organisations. 

Our principal partners are: Caritas Mona, Caritas Italiana, Caritas Spain, and Kindermissionwerk.

Merry Christmas from RCMSomalia

“Haddaba dhalashadii Ciise Masiix sidaan ayay ahayd: hooyadiis Maryan intay u doonanayd Yuusuf, oo aanay weli isla aqal gelin, waxaa la arkay iyadoo Ruuxa Qudduska ka uuraysatay. Ninkeedii Yuusuf wuxuu ahaa nin xaq ah, mana doonaynin inuu iyada sumcad xumo u soo jiido, kolkaasuu ku tashaday inuu si qarsoodi ah iyada iskaga fogeeyo. Laakiin intuu weli waxyaalahan oo dhan ka fikirayay, bal eeg, malaa’igtii Rabbiga ayaa riyo ugu muuqatay, iyadoo leh: ‘Yuusuf, ina Daa’uudow, ha ka baqin inaad Maryan afadaa ahaan u qaadatid. Waayo, waxa ay uuraysatay ayaa Ruuxa Qudduska ka yimid. Waxay dhali doontaa wiil, adiguna waxaad ugu yeeri doontaa magaca Ciise, waayo, ummaddiisa ayuu dembiyadeeda ka badbaadin doonaa.’ 

Haddaba waxaan oo dhan waxay u dhaceen si uu u fulo wixii Rabbiga afka nebiga ku sheegay, isagoo leh: ‘Bal eeg, cadradda way uuraysan doontaa, waxayna dhali doontaa wiil, oo waxay magaciisa u bixin doonaan Emmanu’eel, oo loo turjumo: Ilaah baa inala jira.’ 

Yuusuf intuu hurdada ka kacay, ayuu yeelay wixii malaa’igtii Rabbiga ku amartay, oo Maryan ayuu afadiisa ahaan u qaatay oo isagu ma uu garanaynin iyada ilaa ay ka dhashay wiil, wuxuuna u bixiyey magaca Ciise.” Matayos 1: 18-25

A very merry, blessed and holy Christmas to all our readers, supporters and for those who pray for Somalia and the Church in this country. May the Infant Jesus and His Blessed Mother bless and protect you and may they bring that peace we all so long for to you and to Somalia. Despite the Somali Government's ban on Christmas please join me in praying for all those faithful Somali Christians who will nonetheless recieve quietly into their hearts that King Who was born so quietly on that night for us all in Bethlehem. God bless RCMS

The work of Annalena Tonelli is still alive 10 years after her murder

Taken from FIDES News Agency read the original article here.

"Mogadishu (Agenzia Fides) - 10 years have gone by since the killing of Annalena Tonelli, the Italian volunteer who for 33 years had assisted the Somali population affected by tuberculosis. Annalena was killed on the evening of October 5, 2003 in the care home she founded in Boroma in Somaliland (northern Somalia) by two armed men (see Fides 06/10/2003) .

In June of the same year she was awarded the Nansen Refugee Award, the award given each year by the High Commissioner for the United Nations (UNHCR) to individuals or groups who have distinguished themselves for "outstanding service to the cause of refugees".

"I left for Africa determined to shout the Gospel in the wake of Charles de Foucauld" Annalena had told Fides Agency (see Fides 25 June 2002). "I am not a doctor. I have a degree in law even if it is true that I have some certificates and diplomas in medicine. However I am an advisor of the World Health Organization in the field of Tuberculosis Control. I am also a pioneer of the Global Policy launched by WHO in 1993 for the control of Tuberculosis in the world called DOTS (Directly Observed Therapy Short chemotherapy)".

This is how Annalena had described the challenges she faced every day: "TB is one of the first opportunistic infections that HIV patients contract in endemic areas such as Somalia. Terminally ill AIDS patients come to us because they suffer from tuberculosis. While we take care of tuberculosis we also treat all our opportunistic infections that patients contract due to their weak immune system".

In Borama hospital and the school for deaf children she had founded, her work continues, as reported by the documentary made for the occasion by the UNHCR which was recently screened in Nairobi. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 08/10/2013)"

Pray for Somalia!