Photo: CNS Mission Sunday Supplement
As a growing world church, we share responsibility for all those who so urgently need our help. We must not forget the needs of those whose stories do not reach our televisions or newspapers. For many people in Africa, Asia and Latin America, the church is the first place they turn to for help in the fight against hunger, misery and lack of prospects. This is certainly the case in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where small children have to live on the streets or are exploited in cobalt mines. Thousands of children in Congo dig for cobalt every day and in so doing, they risk their lives. This valuable metal is used for a range of products.
The cobalt mines are deep and dangerous and the work is arduous. The dark, slightly shimmering dirt and mud covered rocks cause serious damage to health. The children use their bare hands to pound the rough rocks and they carry heavy sacks of rocks to storage areas. The families that are engaged in this work have no other choice. If they do not work at the cobalt mines, they will starve. Gaston and Felix are two 10 year old boys, who have been working at the mines and hauling heavy sacks of rocks for four years. They have never been to school.
Nothing moves without cobalt. The metal is in our batteries, in our smartphones, e-cars and laptops. The largest mines are located in the Congo. Two thirds of worldwide production comes from there. The country is under the control of a corrupt elite that only wants one thing: to make money, no matter what the price. Approximately 40,000 minors are exploited in the mines.
But there is hope. Sister Jane Wainoi Kabui, Superior of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, saved thousands of children from the mines. The Sisters want children to stop working in the mines and to take action against modern slavery. They have already been awarded for their commitment and honoured as Heroines in the Fight Against Slavery. Sister Jane hopes it will raise awareness for the inhumane working conditions in the mines. Through their efforts, the sisters were able to give many children an opportunity to stop working in the mines and to provide them with an education as well as food and medical treatment, where necessary. Many children have their own bed for the first time in their lives. Through Sister Jane and the Good Shepherd Sisters, the children have hope. Hope for a good future.
Sister Jane is just one example of thousands of missionaries who are living and working with some of the most marginalised and vulnerable communities in the world. Generosity and prayers for World Mission Sunday means missionaries like her can keep loving, serving and sharing God’s love with others.