Celebration for the Blessing and Opening of the CIJ Sister’s St. Damian’s Clinic
A two-year project to develop new facilities for a specialised healthcare clinic in Timor-Leste was officially blessed and opened on Friday, 28th October, 2016.
The clinic is operated by our project partners—the Congregation of the Imitation of Jesus (CIJ) Sisters—an Indonesian order founded in 1935.
Since 1989, The CIJ Sisters have been providing general healthcare and specialised medical services for communities in Baucau, including those affected by leprosy.
Despite efforts to eliminate this often-stigmatised, infectious disease, leprosy remains a significant public health issue in Timor-Leste.
In 2014, the CIJ Sisters appealed to Australian Marist Solidarity (AMS) for support to help them develop a new clinic because the ever-expanding local parish could no longer accommodate it. The CIJs also requested support to build a new convent as their existing residence is no longer available to them.
This project has officially been realised after Señór Gelazio (rep Minister of Health); Bishop Don Basilio do Nascimento, Bishop of Baucau; representatives from CIJ including Sister Yusta, CIJ Superior General & members of her Council; and Br. Tony Clark FMS (rep Australian Marist Solidarity) came together to bless and open the facility.
The AMS team is grateful for the support of our Australian donors and the CIJ Sisters for making this partnership such a success for the communities we strive to serve. Thanks also to the St Francis Leprosy Guild for supporting the medical program costs of the last two years.
Timor-Leste is the focus of the AMS Christmas Appeal in 2016. AMS is on the lookout for additional community support for projects throughout the region. For more information and to check out the projects please visit 2016 CHRISTMAS APPEAL: TIMOR-LESTE