Sr. Orla's visit to MDCCE
The Mater Dei Cente for Catholic Education was delighted to host a visit from Sister Orla Treacy, Rumbek, South Sudan on Monday 2nd March 2020. Sr. Orla, a very engaging speaker, made a deep impact on those gathered.
From Bray, County Wicklow, Sr. Orla joined the Loreto Sisters, after studying to become a teacher of religious education at Mater Dei Institute of Education. In 2006, the Irish Loreto Sisters began their mission in South Sudan after being touched by the plight of girls who were being forced into early marriage and denied the right to an education. Today, Sr. Orla serves as Principal at the Loreto Rumbek Primary and Secondary School for at risk girls who would otherwise be out of reach.
Sr. Orla is a recipient of the 2019 U.S. State Department International Women of Courage Awards, which recognizes women around the globe who have demonstrated exceptional courage and leadership in advocating for peace, justice, human rights, gender equality, and women’s empowerments, often at a great personal risk and sacrifice. In 2019 she was also awarded the DCU Alumni Social Impact Award.
Despite the devastating consequences of war in Rumbek, and the many barriers to girls in the community, Sr. Orla remains filled with hope, and the Loreto Schools stand as a beacon of light for future South Sudanese generations. Today, there are 500 boys and girls in the primary school. The secondary school now has 200 girls from different tribes and clans from all over South Sudan. A big challenge is finding qualified teachers. Finance is also a big challenge. Parents struggle to contribute to their children’s education, and teachers struggle to survive on a low salary.
Thankfully, Rumbek has been relatively secure over the past few years. The ordinary people are tired of the fighting. They want peace, progress, development.
After 10 years, Sr. Orla see South Sudan is her home. She puts it this way: ‘As a missionary, every fibre of my being is challenged in South Sudan. It really is a great place. Beliefs and attitudes I had from Europe have all been challenged in one way or other, and I am constantly amazed’.
Sr. Orla's initiative is one that MDCCE will seek to keep in touch with and support.