HEALTHCARE - PEACE - SOCIAL JUSTICE -  EDUCATION - ENVIRONMENT - SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT - PASTORAL WORKS

In Kenya,  our ministries focus on healthcare, social justice and peace, education, sustainable development and pastoral ministry. Members of the Kenya Region work in collaboration with the local church to respond to the basics needs of the poor in the priority ministry areas of healthcare and education.  In Kenya we have a well-deserved reputation for being ministry focused. We minister in hospitals and clinics and provide home-based care for AIDS sufferers.  We administer projects that provide education to street children and orphans, teach in high school and vocational centers, manage libraries in slums, train women’s groups in income generating activities and visit the imprisoned.

We also engage in health ministry in Tanzania,  and place emphasis on children with special needs providing on-going care and therapy. One of our missioners has been active for years in women’s healthcare and has just had an article published in The East African Medical Journal. Another of our missioners serves as the director of the Uzima Center, a program assisting people living with HIV/AIDS. We are involved in the education of  college students, nurses and vocational students as well and are participating in coordinating projects that will result in clean drinking water in a number of rural areas

It is said that those who enter into mission fall into the dance of the living God. Indeed the rhythms of Africa are ones of dance. The patterns betray the plodding agony of families displaced from their homes, the hip shaking joy of life's journey, long-remembered steps of tradition and the bold leaps of faith and hope. The drums and songs call not the foot loose dancer, but everyone, even the uncertain guest to the dance of African life.

In the Andean region we work in partnership with indigenous people, committed to a mission of justice, peace and integrity of creation.   Our 10 MKLM missioners work in addressing potable water, basic sanitation  and the environment.  We also work in legal ministries to assist the poor in prison.  Our missioners are active in AIDS ministry  here as well.  One of our missioners is currently involved in the design and building of custom built wheelchairs while others work with young girls at the Madre de Dios shelter.

In Brazil we respond to basic needs and help to create a more just and compassionate world.  We seek an equitable distribution of resources and pray and work with the poor in a struggle for a just society.  We work for justice and peace with the National and Archdiocesan Prison Pastoral Human Rights and Popular Education center working in the areas of violence prevention, conflict mediation and restorative justice.  Our ministries also include our involvement in local parishes as well as prisons and schools.  Our health ministry involves women’s health issues, community health centers and aid to victims of domestic violence.

El Salvador is a land of coconut and banana trees and 14 volcanoes! In El Salvador we have missioners in urban San Salvador as well as rural areas.  One of our missioners is the coordinator of a national soy program where she educates the people how to incorporate soy products into their diet.  Another missioner is involved in the department of La Libertad where he centers his attention on keeping youth in school and off the streets. He has developed a sports program that keeps them occupied and  safe.   Our health ministries  provide pediatric care and our teaching ministries teach language skills and art.

Cambodia is home to the world’s largest religious structure – Anchor Wat.  It is also home to over 120 killing fields.  The Cambodian people today remember the glory of the ancient past but struggle with the turmoil of the recent past.  It is a fitting social context for Maryknoll Lay Missioners.  Our current ministries include Seedling of Hope HIV/AIDS Program which works with the poor living with HIV/AIDS  to realize their rights and improve their lives.  The youth program  provides home-based care and foster care, educational and vocational training.  We also minister in the Anlong Kngan Resettlement Project which works with displaced people providing housing assistance and healthcare and the Boeung Tum Pun Community Health and Education Project which provides access to basic education, literacy and health education. Our education ministry also extends to higher education where we are involved with the Royal University in the Psychology Department and English literacy.   Our Deaf Devlopment Program was the first in Cambodia to minister to the deaf.  We provide programs in learning Cambodian sign language (which one of our missioners was instrumental in developing) and basic math and job training.