Catholic Nuns in Madagascar Empowering Vulnerable Women, Single Mothers with Vocational Skills

“Our founder, Archbishop Jean-Wolf emphasized the importance of supporting women so they can navigate life’s challenges. He believed that empowering women, especially those in difficult circumstances, was key to helping them find their rightful place in society,” Sr. Rasoamanarivo told ACI Africa on August 25.

The CIM-D/S Secretary General added, “Today, we’ve initiated a program to train vulnerable women, especially single mothers, to help them provide for their children.”

The initiative that is being realized at the Jean-Wolff Multi-Purpose Center in Antsiranana Archdiocese offers training in domestic work, equipping women with the skills they need to secure employment. 

“We conduct interviews and outreach within the community and announce in churches that we have a center where women in need can receive support,” Sr. Rasoamanarivo said.

She added, “Many of the women are young mothers, who were forced to leave school early. We reach out to them through local churches, letting them know that our center is here to help.”

About 40 women are participating in the program, many of whom have limited education, she further said, and added, “Our training is comprehensive. We teach them not only how to manage household chores effectively but also how to use modern appliances like washing machines and refrigerators.”

Sr. Rasoamanarivo continued, “We believe that a well-trained domestic worker can make a significant difference in the homes they serve.”

The technical skills are integrated with spiritual growth and personal development, she told ACI Africa, and explained, “We train them intellectually and spiritually. We focus on communication, prayer, and understanding their faith. It’s about more than just learning a trade – it’s about building confidence and self-worth.”

Upon completion of the two-month training that is conducted three times a week in the afternoons, the women beneficiaries are awarded certificates; they are also placed in local hotels and restaurants as interns, the Catholic Nun said. 

She continued, “We’ve partnered with several establishments in the Dioceses where we are found. The feedback from the employers has been very positive. They appreciate the level of training our women receive, and many have encouraged us to continue and expand our program.”

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However, financial challenges remain a concern, Sr. Rasoamanarivo shared, adding, “We have no external financial resources.”

As a way forward, she shared, “We rely on the income generated from our farming activities. We raise chickens and cultivate rice to sustain our mission. It’s hard work, but it’s necessary to keep our programs running.”

In the August 25 interview, Sr. Rasoamanarivo rejoiced the growth that her Congregation is experiencing, their current number being 271 members, and 16 Novices and 11 Postulants.

 

‘The future of our congregation looks very promising,” the CIM-D/S Secretary General told ACI Africa, and added, “Next year, we will celebrate our 70th anniversary, and we are blessed to see so many young women answering the call of Christ.”

She went on to highlight challenges CIM-D/S members face, saying, “Apart from financial difficulties, one of our greatest challenges is helping vulnerable women find their place in society. We are doing everything we can to support them, and we trust that God will continue to guide us in this important work.”

“Our work is not just about helping the needy. It’s about helping people realize their full potential, spiritually and intellectually. We are committed to serving the people of Madagascar and beyond, following the vision of our founder,” Sr. Rasoamanarivo said.