Graduation party

The beautiful page written by our friend sister Donata Pacini who has described the delivery day of degrees to the first Physicians graduated from the University. In his words full of participation, joy, love and, even more, in the spirit of the letter one can read the emotion that an event, which has become an often mundane and listless routine here with us, can arouse in those 'young' peoples. The symbolic "delivery" of a wealth of knowledge in the hands of new "recruits" is clothed almost of sacredness, as it used to be with us until not long ago, when not everyone could study and learn but, perhaps because of that, those who could do it were more aware of the value and privilege of knowing.

To each of these graduates, right in the continuation of the partnership with the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Beira Wecare donated the Merck Manual for it to be their trusted companion of many battles for life and health, providing pages of valuable advice and dissolving doubts.

To Donata and the neo Doctors and to those who are still in education,all of us of Wecare we are neighbors, today and tomorrow, to help them build for themselves and their country a better future.

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IRMÃS MISSIONÁRIAS COMBONIANAS

Rua Major C. Monteiro 610 - C.P. 1228 -

Beira August 25, 2007

"You are the bow from which your children as living arrows are thrown forward ..."

They come back in the heart these words of Kahlil Gibran during the long ceremony graduation of our first students of Medicine. I'm sitting next to them, all pricked in their robes, and feel the emotion vibrating in me and in them .... Yes, I hear them just like children: for nearly 7 years I have loved them, followed, assisted, counseled, reprimanded; I've seen them grow: some of them have come callow teenagers and now are vigorous men; I accompanied their lives as much as they have allowed me to enter it; I prayed for them in difficult times and thanked God when things were going well .... Now I look at them, one by one: Elmano, Alfeu, Celso, Beatriz, Deolinda, Kajal, Amir, Mario, Maria di Fatima, Joselina, Eunice, Anita, Domingos: for you are just names, but for me they are the faces, stories, lives that have come into my life, I have consumed energy and have enriched me with new experiences. Now they go, like "arrows flying fast and far" and with them goes a part of me ... May God be with them and keep alive in them the principles we have tried to convey! The ceremony is impressive: they receive their degree, or "bacharel" or "mestre" about 200 students from three faculties of the Catholic University here in Beira: teachers, economists and doctors.

Ours are only 13 (3 girls did not go just at the last examination and will complete their course in a few months) and almost they get lost in the big number, but they have a very particular relevance: they end a long course of seven years of study and are the first doctors trained outside Maputo! The presence of high civil and religious Authorities indicates the importance that this event has in the country. The ceremony begins with the celebration of the Eucharist, in honor of St. Augustine, patron of U.C.M., and is held with solemnity and joy thanks to the choir and the group of dancers that emphasize with the music and appropriate gestures, the various moments of the celebration. Then, it changes rapidly "scenario" and the most important Authorities take to the stage; after the speeches of use, initiates the call: to each name explodes a shout or applause from either side of the great hall, where there are relatives, friends and teachers of the various groups.

Comes the time of ours: they take the stage, receive the diploma and hugs, and they return to their place. Then an intense moment of silence and waiting. What is it now? 900 people are silent and wait ... Here: the new graduates proclaim in unison the oath: since the time of Hippocrates, the practice of medicine was always considered an art and a commitment, governed by ethical principles of respect for life and dignity of the person and now our young people commit themselves publicly to maintain "the noble traditions of medicine". I stand with them and I pray the Lord that they really can exercise their profession with conscience and dignity, even when they find themselves in less favorable conditions. Continue the call of "bachareis" - and they are many - but for me the highlight is now past, the emotions give way to weariness and I wish for it to be the end, to be able to embrace the new graduates and share our joy. The African hymn puts us all to stand up to sing "God Bless Africa ..." and we can finally forget about the protocol and move freely in the hall to meet with relatives and rejoice together. The party goes on - of course - around several tables where you meet doctors and paramedics - who have collaborated in various ways to the training - and groups of Italian, Dutch, English, Germans and Americans who supported the beginnings of the Faculty with human and material resources. Today is celebration for all those who loved and helped the Faculty of Medicine!

Now, the neo-doctors are waiting to be integrated into the National Health Service (which determine each health business) and be placed in a hospital to start working. We have asked the Minister of Health - everything depends on ihim - that 6 of these young doctors were assigned to work in the hospital in Beira, to be able to work part-time with the Faculty: so they will relieve a bit our severe shortage of staff and at the same time will practice teaching: from students, now they have become colleagues and co-workers! For them and for us begins a new journey .... To all the people who have supported and accompanied us in recent years, our thanks and prayer to continue to show solidarity with the Faculty of Medicine so that every year we still can "launch new live arrows" for Mozambique!

Greetings to hall fron sister Donata

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