Sister Mary Cecilia Draru

Sister Mary Cecilia Draru, Zonal Coordinator for the Little Sisters of Mary Immaculate of Gulu, presented a discussion on her personal journey that led to running a school for girls in Uganda. Sr. Draru came from very humble beginnings, born into a large family whose father was a teacher committed to education. She became a refugee while her country was torn apart by war under Idi Amin and she took refuge in the Congo. Once separated from her mother, she was responsible for the family. Until the age of 48, she didn't know peace so she is very aware of problems her young students face. She has vast experience on gender, education and sustainable development in Africa. In 1989, she joined the Little Sisters of Mary Immaculate of Gulu. Her work is with refugees from Sudan, Congo and Rwanda. Since schools won't take child mothers, they founded a school that would provide education and a safe place. They harbor girls that were exposed to violence. The pandemic has severely impacted the support they get to run their program. They are using education as a way to learn how to empower themselves. They are working with young men to resist cultural pressure for early fatherhood and forcing young women. The sisters are working to help this generation break the cycle. Kerry Nix, PDG and Max Feldman from the Newfoundland Rotary accompanied Sister Draru. District 7410 may be looking at this as a project to support next year so stay tuned for more information to help this community.