Pope's Message for the Second World Congress on Pastoral care to the pilgrimages and shrines

To Our Venerable Brothers

Most Rev. Antonio Maria Vegliò,

President of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care

of Migrants and Itinerant People,

and Most Rev. Julián Barrio Barrio,

Archbishop of Santiago de Compostela

On the occasion of the Second World Congress on the Pastoral Care of Pilgrimages and Shrines, to be held in Santiago de Compostela from September 27-30, I wish to express my cordial greetings to you which I extend to our venerable Brothers in the Episcopate, the members of the Fraternal Delegation, the participants in this important meeting, and the civil Authorities who collaborated in the preparation of the Congress. I also express my deferential greetings to His Majesty the King of Spain who has honored this initiative by accepting its Honorary Presidency.

With the theme, "So he went in to stay with them" (Lk 24:29), taken from the Gospel passage of the disciples of Emmaus, you are preparing to study in depth the importance of pilgrimages to the shrines as a manifestation of Christian life and a space of evangelization.

With great pleasure I would like to express my spiritual closeness to the congress participants to encourage and accompany them in carrying out a pastoral task of such great importance in ecclesial life. I will personally make a pilgrimage soon to the tomb of the Apostle Saint James, the "Lord's friend", in the same way that I have made my way to other places in the world which many of the faithful visit with fervent devotion. In this regard, from the beginning of my pontificate, I have wanted to live my ministry as the Successor of Peter with the sentiments of a pilgrim who travels over the roads of the world with hope and simplicity bringing on his lips and in his heart the saving message of the Risen Christ, and strengthening his brothers in faith (cf. Lk 22:32). As an explicit sign of this mission, my coat-of-arms includes the pilgrim's shell, among other elements.

In these historic moments in which we are called, with greater force if possible, to evangelize our world, the riches offered to us by the pilgrimage to shrines should be highlighted. First of all, for its great ability to summon and bring together a growing number of pilgrims and religious tourists, some of whom are in complicated human and spiritual situations, somewhat distant from living the faith and with a weak ecclesial affiliation. Christ speaks to all of them with love and hope. The desire for happiness that is imbedded in the soul finds its answer in Him, and human suffering together with Him has a meaning. With his grace, the noblest causes also find their complete fulfillment. As Simeon met with Christ in the temple (cf. Lk 2:25-35), so too a pilgrim should have the opportunity to discover the Lord in the shrine.

For this purpose, efforts should be made so that visitors may not forget that shrines are sacred places in order to be in them with devotion, respect and propriety. In this way, the Word of Christ, the Son of the living God, can ring out clearly, and the event of his death and resurrection, the foundation of our faith, can be proclaimed completely. Very careful attention should also be given to welcoming the pilgrims, by highlighting, among other elements, the dignity and beauty of the shrine, the image of "God's dwelling... with the human race" (Rev 21:3), the moments and spaces for both personal and community prayer, and attention to devotional practices. In the same way, it can never be stressed enough that shrines should be lighthouses of charity, with unceasing dedication to the neediest through concrete works of solidarity and mercy, and constant readiness to listen, favoring in particular the faithful's reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and taking part worthily in the Eucharistic celebration, making this the center and apex of all the pastoral activity of the shrines. In this way it will be made manifest that the Eucharist is indeed the pilgrim's nourishment, the "Sacrament of the God who does not leave us alone on the journey but stays at our side and shows us the way" (Homily on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, May 22, 2008).

In fact, different from a wanderer whose steps have no established final destination, a pilgrim always has a destination, even if at times he is not explicitly aware of it. And this destination is none other than the encounter with God through Christ in whom all our aspirations find their response. For this reason, the celebration of the Eucharist can really be considered the culmination of the pilgrimage.

As "God's co-workers" (1 Co 3:9), I exhort all of you to be dedicated to this beautiful mission so that through your pastoral care, you will favor in pilgrims the knowledge and imitation of Christ who continues to walk with us, enlighten our lives with his Word, and share with us the Bread of Life in the Eucharist. In this way, the pilgrimage to the shrine will be a favorable occasion to strengthen the desire in those who visit it to share the wonderful experience with others of knowing they are loved by God and sent to the world to give witness to that love.

With these sentiments, I entrust the fruits of this Congress to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Apostle James as I direct my prayer to Jesus Christ, "the Way and the Truth and the Life" (Jn 14:6), to whom I present all those who seek His face as they peregrinate through life:

Lord Jesus Christ, pilgrim of Emmaus,

you make yourself close to us for love,

even if, at times, discouragement and sadness

prevent us from discovering your presence.

You are the flame that revives our faith.

You are the light that purifies our hope.

You are the force that stirs our charity.

Teach us to recognize you in the Word,

in the house and on the Table where the Bread of Life is shared,

in generous service to our suffering neighbor.

And when evening falls, Lord, help us to say:

"Stay with us". Amen.

I impart to all the implored Apostolic Blessing, a pledge of abundant celestial graces.

The Vatican, September 8, 2010.

UNA PRIMAVERA DI SENTIMENTI

Ansensius Guntur
(Sudah dimuat di majalah)

Bersama beberapa TKI di Kaohsiung

Outing dengan komunitas Filipina

Ho avuto la grazia di trascorrere le mie vacanze estive in Taiwan. E’ stata una bella esperienza, una primavera di straordinari sentimenti, di cui mi sento fiero, soprattutto perche’ ho avuto modo di vivere una mia a esperienza ormai prossimo alla mia consacrazione sacerdotale. La presenza scalabriniana in questa "isola formosa" e' iniziata nel 1994 con l’arrivo dei primi missionary, i PP. Edwin Coros e P. Michael Cagna.  L'archvescovo di Taipei sentiva l'esigenza di rispondere pastoralmente il fenomeno migratorio nel paese che diventa fin d’allora meta preferita dei migranti, provenienti dale Filippine, Indonesia e altri paesi dell’Asia. Attualmente, quattro sono i missionary impegnanti nell’assistenza ai migrant e marittimi. Con essi collaborano uno stedente scalabriniano impegnato nello studio della lingua cinese, un sacerdote Indonesiano e vari collaborator laici.  Gli scalabriniani sono presenti nella capital Taipei e a Kaohsiung. Sono giunto a Taiwan, un paese di cui non conosco ne’ la lingua ne’ la cultura.Cio’ mi ha provocato fin dall’inizio un senso di smarrimento ma allo stesso tempo d'eccitazione per conoscere questo nuovo mondo e per affiancare i nostri confratelli nella loro missione fra i migranti. Ho vissuto tante belle e significative esperienze, ma alcune mi hanno particolarmente colpito.

La festa di San Cristoforo a Taipei

Il 29 luglio la parocchia celebrato annualmente la festa del patron San Cristoforo. La gente accorre da ogni parte colmando la chiesa e dintorni. La celebrazione sterna e’ in realta’ come tante altre feste di questo genere, con la Messa solenne, canti e balli tradizionali, lo sfoggio di arti culinarie, ma i partecipanti mostrano soprattutto di essere una “chiesa viva” a un paese dove i cattolici sono appena l’1,4%, mentre il 47% sono non credenti, a cui fanno seguito i buddisti e gli taoisti.

Il centro di detenzione

La visita al centro di detenzione di Taipei e’ stata una seconda esperienza che mi ha colpito profondamente. La visita e’ permessa dale autorita’ solo il mercoledi di ogni settimana. Ho accompagnato in questa occasione i rappresentanti della caritas diocesana e alcune suore che svolgono un fecondo apostolato missionario in citta’.  Ammetto di aver provato un po’ di soggezione al pensiero di entrare in un luogo che, di certo, non gode di una gran bella fama. Tuttavia non ho avuto paura, forse perché prevaleva in me la curiosità di incontrare i migrant ivi detenuti molti dei quail provengono dalla mia Indonesia. Con mia grande sorpresa, all’entrare nelle loro celle, manifestano la grande gioia gridando “Romo” (il termine Indonesiano con cui identificano il sacerdote cattolico). Piu’ grande ancora e sorprendente fu la scoperta che quanti ci identificano come “room” erano quasi tutti musulmani. Ho avuto in quell momento la sensazione di non trovarmi in un istituo di detenzione tata era la loro gioia e l’allegria per la nostra visita. Tanto piu’ che con loro potevo liberamente esprimermi nella mia lingua. Per un emigrante avere un incontro con un compaesano vale molto di piu’ di qualsiasi altra visita. Ho visto tanti sorrisi nei loro volti, come se fosse sparita almeno per un momento ogni altra preoccupazione. Sono tornato, da una parte con tanta gioia e dall’altra con tanta tristezza pensando a quei recluse e alle loro famiglie.

L’Accoglienza al Stella Maris Kaohsiung

Ho trascorso un breve period anche nella citta’ di Kaohsiung, dove la presenza scalabriniana rimonta dal 1996. In questa metropolis, si trova il centro di Stella Maris che accoglie non solo i marinai e i pescatori, ma anche i migranti che si trovano in difficolta’. Ho avuto modo di incontrare tante persone che parlano la mia stessa lingua e per loro l’incontro si trasformava ben presto in un momento intimo e di grande sollievo. Mi ha attirato l’attenzione il clima di profonda serenita’ spiritual che si vive nella cappella del Centro. Ma mi e’ stato anche div era ma significativa sorpresa di trovare una sala riservata per la preghiera dei musulmani, molto numerosi in citta’ e tra i marinai. Nonostante i problem e le preoccupazioni quotidiane e la multietnicita’ delle persone che vi concorrono, la Stella Maris di Kaohsiung ha Saputo creare un atmosfera di vera famiglia.  Ho apprezzato profondamente come i nostril missionary e laici collaboratori siano sempre pronto e disponibili ad aprire le braccia ai marinai e ai migrant, anche nelle ore notturne come spesso accade. Tra i ricordi, mi sovviene di un giovane marinaio arrivato al Centro alle due della note per chiedere aiuto. Ed e’ stato veramente bello vedere la sua felicita’ e tornare al suo paese grazie all’aiuto offertogli.

Nell'arco del tre mesi del mio soggiorno, e’ stata veramente una primavera di sentimenti da custodire nel profondo del cuore, di cui farne tesoro. Spero di tornarci un giorno come missionario scalabriniano.

Mengunjungi para migran di Tahanan Xanxia

Di Paroki St. Kristoforus Taipei

Scalabrinians in the Philippines - Misionaris Scalabrinians di Filipina

In the Philippines the Church has sought to respond to the appeals of the mass emigration of nationals since the 1960s but a real and authentic adoption of a stance at a pastoral level was only engaged in with the arrival of the Scalabrinian Missionaries in Manila and the creation of the Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People (ECMI) in 1982. The first three Scalabrinians arrived in the Philippines from Australia and England in 1982. There are now eleven missionaries ministering to migrants and migrant families and training new missionaries in Manila and Cebu.

Gereja katolik Filipina telah berusaha untuk mencari jalan keluar untuk menanggapi gejolak peningkatan arus emigrasi orang Filipina sejak tahun 1960 tetapi penerapan langkah pastoral yang ril dan autentik baru muncul ketika Misionaris Scalabrinian tiba di Manila dan pembentukan Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People (ECMI) (Komisi Khusus dalam tubuh Komisi Wali Gereja Filipina untuk para migrant dan orang-orang itineran) pada tahun 1982. Ada 3 Misionaris Scalabrinian yang datang dari Australia dan Inggris pada tahun 1982 untuk berkarya bagi para migrant. Sekarang ini ada 11 misionaris Scalabrinian yang melayani para migran dan keluarga mereka dan yang sedang mendidik dan membina calon Misionaris Scalabrinian di Manila dan Cebu.

Scalabrini Migration Center (SMC)

The Scalabrini Migration Center (SMC) was established in Manila, the Philippines in 1987. The center was established to promote the interdisciplinary study of migration-related issues in the Asia-Pacific region. The center, thus, has been conducting and managing migration research since its inception. It has handled not only single-country research but also regional research projects (such as the 4-country study on unauthorized migration in Southeast Asia). In addition to research projects, SMC has designed, implemented and managed international conferences and training programs over the years.

The Scalabrini Migration Center (SMC) dibentuk di Manila, Filipina pada tahun 1987. SMC ini dibentuk untuk mempelajari isu-isu yang berhubungan dengan dunia migrasi di Asia-Pasifik. Center ini telah melakukan banyak penelitian sejak dia dibentuk. SMC telah melakukan penelitian tidak hanya berpusat pada satu negara saja tetapi juga mencakup penelitian di tingkat regional (seperti studi banding seputar unauthorized migration di 4 negara Asia Tenggara). Di camping penelitian-penelitian, SMC juga selama bertahun-tahun telah merencanakan dan menyelenggarakan konferensi internasional dan program latihan.

Scalabrini Center for People on the Move (SCPM)

The Scalabrini Center for People on the Move (SCPM) is a non-stock, non-profit organization that serves and assists overseas workers, seafarers and refugees without discrimination to gender, race, ethnic background, religion or belief. Through donations and voluntary contributions of sponsors and friends, since 1993, the SCPM provides its residents with temporary shelter, preventive education, counseling and orientation, linkages and networking, legal aid and referrals, as well as religious services.

Scalabrini Center for People on the Move (SCPM) adalah sebuah organisasi yang melayani dan membantu para migrant, pelaut dan pengungsi tanpa membedakan jenis kelamin, ras, latar belakang etnik, agama atau kepercayaan. Lewat donasi dan sumbangan sukarela dari sponsor dan teman-teman, sejak tahun 1993, SCPM menyediakan bagi para penghuninya tempat tinggal sementara, pendidikan preventif, counseling dan orientasi, perhubungan dan networking, bantuan hokum dan referrals, dan juga pelayanan religius.

Stella Maris Center

In June 2005, the Apostleship of the Sea of the Archdiocese Manila, opened a very suitable and ample space in Manila for the pastoral assistance to seafarers. The dormitory facilities offer to seafarers 90 bed-spaces and two rooms for couples. In place are a DVD/Cable TV, computers with internet, games, gym facilities, and free cooked rice for their evening meal and breakfast. A completely renovated roof-deck was turned into a most relaxing “garden terrace”.

Bulan Juni 2005, The Apostleship of the Sea Keuskupan Agung Manila, membuka sebuah tempat yang cocok dan luas di Manila untuk pelayanan pastoral bagi para pelaut. Asrama untuk para pelaut ini mempunyai fasilitas-fasilitas yang lengkap. Ada 90 tempat tidur di satu ruangan yang cukup besar dan dua kamar pengantin. Asrama ini dilengkapi pula dengan DVD/Cable TV, Computer dengan internet, games, fasilitas Gym, dan nasi putih gratis untuk makan malam dan sarapan pagi.

Scalabrini Lay Association (SLA)

The Scalabrinian Lay Association Inc (SLA) is a communion of Lay people that shares a common vision, and in partnership with the Scalabrinian Congregation that is committed to the human and spiritual promotion of would-be migrants, their families, and the people on the move. The SLA envisions a society where migration is a free-will decision of every individual, and that the self-respect, the human rights of persons, and the dignity of labours are protected and advanced from the pre-employment, during, up to the post-employment stages.

The Scalabrinian Lay Association (Asosiasi Awam Scalabrinian) adalah sebuah persekutuan orang-orang awam yang membagi visi yang sama dan bersama kongregasi Scalabrinian berkomitmen untuk membimbing semua orang ingin menjadi para migran dan keluarga-keluarga mereka baik untuk bimbingan rohani maupun untuk pembentukan kemanusiaan. SLA melihat dunia yang mana migrasi hanyalah sebuah pilihan pribadi dari setiap individu, dan seyogyanya kehormatan diri, hak-hak asasi setiap orang, dan martabat kerja harus dilindungi sejak perekrutan, saat bekerja dan setelah selesai kontrak kerja.

Exodus Formation Program

In order to help the volunteers and formators of Church-based organizations to respond effectively to the challenges posed by modern migration, since 2001, the Scalabrini Migration Center (SMC), in cooperation with the Episcopal Commission on the Pastoral Care of Migrant and Itinerant People (CBCP-ECMI), has been organizing EXODUS, a week of formation program for agents of migrants’ empowerment. The program has already succeeded in training over 180 volunteers and formators coming from the Philippines and other countries in the last six years.

Untuk membantuk para sukarelawan dan Pembimbing-pembimbing gereja guna menanggapi secara efektif tantangan-tantangan migrasi modern, sejak tahun 2001, Scalabrini Migration Center (Pusat Studi Scalabrini), bekerja sama dengan Episcopal Commission on the Pastoral Care of Migrant and Itinerant People (Komisi wali Gereja Filipina untuk para migrant dan orang-orang itinerant), telah mengorganisir EXODUS, satu minggu program pelatihan untuk semua orang yang ingin bekerja untuk para migran. Program ini telah berhasil melatih lebih dari 180 sukarelawan dan Pembina-pembina yang datang dari Filipina dan Negara-negara lain selama jangka waktu 6 tahun.

Abraham Formation Program

Abraham provides proper formation and training to young religious likely to be assigned to the migrant ministry in Asia. Inserted in the regular formation curriculum of young religious belonging to various congregations, the program offers to deepen the understanding of the care of migrants, from both a sociological and a theological perspective. Special attention is paid to the charismatic dimension of the different pastoral approaches. The formation program consists of three 20-hour courses, distributed in three semesters over three years (2006, 2007 and 2008).

Abraham menyediakan bimbingan yang cocok dan pelatihan untuk para religius muda yang nantinya akan bertugas untuk pelayanan para migran di Asia. Program ini diikuti oleh para religius dari berbagai kongregasi. Program ini memperdalam pemahaman tentang pelayanan bagi para migrant, baik dari segi sosiologis maupun dari segi teologis. Perhatian khusus diberikan pada pendekatan-pendekatan pastoral sesuai dengan karisma scalabrinian. Program ini terdiri dari 20 jam kursus, dibagi dalam 3 semester untuk tiga tahun (2006, 2007, dan 2008).

Pre-employment Orientation Seminars (PEOS)

Pre-employment Orientation Seminars (PEOS), undertaken by the Scalabrini Lay Association (SLA), is an education-information program offered to youth (i.e. college students), who in short time may become Filipino emigrants. SLA deliver six pilot PEOS in six selected educative institutions, assistance students in the definition of their future plans. In coordination and partnership with the respective school authorities, PEOS are given to students in colleges and special institutes (i.e. those providing care-giving and nursing courses). PEOS are considered part of the students’ extra-curricular requirement in the course or graduation.

Pre-employment Orientation Seminars(PEOS), dibawah asuhan Scalabrini Lay Association (Asosiasi Awam Scalabrinian), adalah sebuah pendidikan-informasi yang ditujukan untuk para remaja (untuk mahasiswa), yang dalam waktu dekat mungkin akan menjadi emigran Filipina. SLA memberikan 6 pilot PEOS di 6 institusi-institusi pendidikan terpilih, membimbing para siswa dalam meninjau rencana masa depannya. Bekerjasama dengan otoritas-otoritas sekolah tertentu ini, PEOS memberikan bimbingan khusus untuk para mahasiswa. PEOS menjadi sebuah kegiatan extra-curikuler yang juga menjadi satu persyaratan untuk lulusannya.

The Scalabrinians in Australia - Misionaris Scalabrinians di Australia

From the very beginning (1952) the Scalabrinians in Australia approached the care of migrants as a specific care, but from within the structures of the local Church. While providing pastoral care to people in territorial parishes, they went beyond the parish boundaries to seek and reach out to migrants, particularly through itinerant missions in various parts of the country. Eventually the ministry became ever more specific and qualified, with mission houses and centres for the migrants, the lay apostolate, as for example through the Italian Catholic Federation, apostleship of the sea, villages for the aged, radio programs, media and study centres and, more recently, a specific formation for Lay Scalabrinians. Sensitivity to the change of immigration flows elicited attention to the needs of the Spanish-speaking migrants and later to Filipinos and Portuguese speaking. Likewise, the presence of Sudanese refugees moved the local Church, confident of the peculiar experience of the Scalabrinians, to ask them to attend to the various needs of these refugees. Involvement in offices of the Church facilitated the action for an increased awareness and openness of the Church toward migrants.

Sejak awal (1952) Misionaris-misionaris Scalabrinians di Australia memperhatikan secara khusus pelayanan untuk para migrant, tapi dalam ruang lingkup gereja local. Mereka tidak hanya berpusat pada satu paroki territorial tetapi lebih dari itu, mereka membentuk misi-misi itineran di beberapa bagian negara Australia untuk melayani para migran. Kemudian pelayanannya menjadi lebih spesifik dan qualified dengan terbentuknya rumah-rumah misi dan pusat-pusat pelayanan para migran, gerakan pelayanan para awam, misalnya lewat Italian Catholic Federation (Federasi Orang Katolik Italia), Apostleship of the Sea (pelayanan bagi pelaut), Panti bagi para jompo, siaran radio, media dan pusat studi, dan akhir-akhir ini, formasi khusus bagi para awam Scalabrinians. Kepekaan akan perubahan-perubahan arus imigrasi mendorong para missionaris Scalabrinian juga untuk melayani para migran yang berbahasa Spanyol dan kemudian para migran Filippina dan migran yang berbahasa Portugis. Sekarang ini para Misionaris Scalabrinians mendedikasikan dirinya untuk melayani para pengungsi dari Sudan.

Multicultural Parishes

The Scalabrinian Missionaries minister in the following multicultural parishes: St. Kevin’s, Dee Why, Sydney - NSW with ministry to Italians and Filipinos; St. Therese’s, Mascot, Sydney - NSW with ministry to Italians, Filipinos and Latin Americans; St. Brigid’s, North Fitzroy, Melbourne - Vic with ministry to Italians, Filipinos and Latin Americans and Brazilians; St. Luke’s, Lalor, Melbourne - Vic with ministry to Italians, Filipinos and other Nationalities like Maltese, for example, populating the parish; Mater Christi’s, Seaton, Adelaide - SA with ministry to Italians, Filipinos and Latin Americans.

Misionaris Scalabrinian bekerja di parodi-paroki multietnik di bawah ini: St. Kevin’s, Dee Why, Sydney –NSW (pelayanan untuk orang Italia dan Filippina); St. Therese’s, Mascot, Sydney – NSW (pelayanan untuk orang Italia, Filippina dan America Latin); St. Brigid’s, Fitzroy Utara, Melbourne – Pelayanan untuk orang Italia, Filippina dan America Latin dan Brazil; St. Luke’s, Lalor – Pelayanan untuk orang Italia, Filippina dan orang-orang dari negara lain seperti Malta; Mater Christi’s, Seaton, Adelaide – Pelayanan untuk orang Italia, Filippina dan America Latin. (Beberapa tahun ke depan pelayanan untuk orang Indonesia di Austrilia akan dibentuk. Calon-calon Scalabrinian Indonesia masih dalam tahap formasi; 3 belajar di Italia, 7 di Manila, 2 di Argentina, 2 di Chicago, 1 di Paris).

Ethnic Chaplaincies

The Scalabrinian Missionaries also minister in some ethnic chaplaincies: International Centre - Wollongong - NSW: ministering to Italians; the facility is used also by the German Community with its appointed chaplain; Scalabrinian Mission House - Liverpool - NSW: ministering to Italians and Latin Americans; Scalabrinian Community Lutwyche - Brisbane, QLD: ministering to

Italians, Latin Americans and Sudanese Refugees; Melburne: Spanish, Filipino and Portuguese Chaplaincies; Adelaide: Filipino and Spanish Chaplaincies.

Misionaris Scalabrinians menetapkan satu pastor tertentu untuk melayani beberapa etnik grup: International Center –Wollongong – NSW: melayani orang Italia; facilitas-fasilitas yang ada di sini juga digunakan oleh komunitas orang Jerman; Rumah Misi Scalabrinian – Liverpool – NSW: melay ani orang Italia dan America Latin; Scalabrinian Community Lutwyche – Brisbane, QLD: melayani orang Italia, America Latin dan pengungsi-pengungsi Sudan; Melbourne: melayani para migran yang berbahasa Spanyol, orang Filippina dan orang-orang yang berbahasa Portugis; Adelaide: pelayanan untuk orang Filippina dan yang berbahasa Spanyol.

House for Aged Migrants

Scalabrin

i Village Limited began in 1969 when the Scalabrini Fathers and a group of Sydney businessmen formed a committee to erect a retirement village for aged Italian migrants. At the present time there are 6 villages in NSW and 1 in VIC providing care for a total of over 700 residents. Half of these are accommodated in Nursing Homes, while the rest either in Hostels or in Self Care Units. Scalabrini is privileged in having over 200 dedicated volunteers contributing in a network of support activities. They are an integral part of what we refer to as the “Scalabrini Family” and includes all Board members.

Scalabrini Village di dirikan pada tahun 1969 ketika Para Imam Scalabrinian dan sebuah

kelompok Pengusaha Sydney membentuk sebuah committee untuk membentuk sebuah tempat tinggal untuk migrant-migran Italia yang sudah pension. Sekarang ini ada 6 tempat di NSW dan 1 di VIC yang mampu melayani lebih dari 700 orang. Scalabrini sangat bersyukur karena ada lebih dari 200 sukarelawan yang membantu dalam pelayanan ini. Mereka sudah menjadi sebuah li

ngkaran “Keluarga Scalabrini”.

Italian Catholic Federation

The Federazione Cattolica Italiana (FCI) has been active since 1960. It is made up of 20 sections in four states of Australia and administered by a Central Committee. It has 840 member

s who are practically all of Italian Origin. The federation promotes the religious, social and cu

ltural wel

l-being of migrants. This group has a strong working relationship with the Scalabrinian missionaries both at home and abroad. The FCI, which in its early days focused only on Italian migrants, has of recent times looked beyond its own community and assisted migrants of other backgrounds.

The Federazione Cattolica Italiana (FCI) telah aktif sejak tahun 1960. Terdiri dari 20 sections di 4 states di Australia dan dipimpin oleh Central Committee. Federasi ini mempunyai 840 anggota yang notabene berasal dari Italia. Federasi ini mempromosikan kesejahteraan social, budaya dan religius para migran. Gru pini memiliki hubungan kerja yang erat dengan para Misionaris Scalabrinians baik di Australia maupun di negara-negara lain. Federasi ini sebelumnya hanya berkarya untuk orang Italia tapi akhir-akhir ini mereka juga membantu para migran yang berasal dari latar belakang yang berbera.

Tari Saman di Pesta Rakyat Roma

London. Tari Saman dengan gerakan dan musik yang enerjik menyedot perhatian sekitar 5.000 penonton pada pesta rakyat Festa dei Popoli yang diadakan di alun-alun Santa Giovanni di Roma.

Festa dei Popoli adalah pesta rakyat tahunan digelar pemerintah kota Roma bekerja sama dengan Missionaris Scalabriniani, LSM Katolik terkemuka di Italia, ujar Counsellor Pensosbud KBRI Roma, Musurifun Lajawa kepada koresponden ANTARA London, Selasa.

Missionaris Scalabriniani ADALAH LSM Katolik terkemuka di Italia yang selama puluhan tahun mengabdikan diri untuk membantu proses integrasi kaum pendatang asing dari berbagai negara ke dalam masyarakat di Italia.

Selain menyajikan tarian-tarian tradisional, 42 persatuan kelompok pendatang dari 27 negara, terbesar dari Eropa Timur dan Amerika Latin, Afrika Utara serta Asia Selatan, juga membuka anjungan budaya untuk memperkenalkan kekayaan tradisi dan budayanya.

Negara peserta Festa dei Popolo tahun ini di antaranya adalah Albania, Angola, Brazil, Indonesia, Ekuador, Kostarika, Kolumbia, Madagaskar, Mauritius, Peru, Philipina, Romania, Slovenia, Ukraina dan Venezuela.

Anjungan Indonesia menampilkan berbagai bahan promosi budaya, pariwisata, terutama warisan budaya yang mendapat pengakuan dunia, di antaranya batik, wayang, keris dan Borobudur.

Wali Kota Roma Gianni Alemanno didampingi beberapa petinggi Missionari Scalabriniani tertarik dengan aneka motif batik yang telah menjadi warisan budaya dunia (world heritage).

Poster besar komodo sebagai satu-satunya keluarga binatang purbakala, dinosaurus yang masih bertahan hidup di muka bumi ternyata mempunyai daya tarik besar pada anjungan Indonesia.

Sebagian pengunjung dan wisatawan asing juga tampak asyik berfoto-foto dengan pasangan muda-mudi Indonesia yang berpakaian khas daerah di depan anjungan Indonesia.

KBRI Roma memanfaatkan pesta rakyat untuk memajang spanduk dan membagikan poster mengenai pagelaran budaya Sunda yang akan berlangsung di Universitas La Sapienza, Roma, Rabu.

Selain itu, mempromosikan 25th Trade Expo Indonesia yang akan berlangsung di Jakarta Oktober mendatang. Festa dei Popoli mendapat liputan luas dari media cetak dan elektronik di Italia.

Sumber: Kompas.com – 19 Mei 2010

Minggu-minggu di Bulan Oktober

Oktober hampir berlalu. Banyak kisah indah yang layak ditulis dalam selembar kertas. cerita yang tercipta sewaktu aku bergabung bersama mereka yang ber-paspor asing dan seperti saya mengais nasib di kota abadi Roma. Hari Minggu merupakan hari yang sering dinantikan bagiku. Sudah tiga tahun aku bergabung dalam sebuah grup yang sering disebut "Gruppo Contatto", sebuah kelompok kecil yang terdiri dari para Frater Scalabrinians dan beberapa Muda-mudi Katolik (Mudika) yang berniat mengenal sejumlah komunitas migran yang bernaung dibawah atap para Santo kota Roma. Ada lebih dari 4 juta para migran di Italia dan kebanyakan diantaranya membentuk komunitas-komunitas yang berdasar pada negara asal, bahasa agama dan bahkan kontinen. Di kota Roma ada kurang lebih 14o komunitas migran. Biasanya mereka berkumpul setiap hari Minggu untuk berdoa, menyeringkan cerita hidup ditanah rantau, membagi berita dari negara tersayang, dan juga untuk merasakan lezatnya masakan khas negara asal. Saat itulah kami berbaur bersama. Betapa mengesankan ketika aku menatap pada paras yang berbeda-beda. Begitu aku tersentuh saat melihat wajah-wajah umat Allah yang dengan semangat berapi-api memuji Tuhan dalam bahasa-bahasanya tercinta. Alangkah gembira hatiku menyaksikan tawa-ria mereka yang berada jauh dari tanah pertiwi. Ya, memang dunia kita begitu kaya dengan warna kulit yang berbeda, beranekaragam budaya, bahasa dan cara bertingkah laku.

Minggu Pertama dalam Bulan Oktober

Bulan Oktober mempunyai keunikannya tersendiri bagiku. Di bulan ini kami telah mengunjungi 8 komunitas migran. Minggu pertama di bulan ini kami diundang untuk mengambil bagian dalam pesta orang Filipina yang merayakan 18 tahun terbentuknya komunitas Santa Pudenziana, satu dari 46 keseluruhan komunitas Filipina di kota Roma. Mereka berkumpul di Basilika Santa Pudenziana, sebuah basilika yang sudah ada dari abad ke-3 SM. Pada perayaan penting ini, gereja begitu penuh dengan umat Filipina dan banyak pula yang terpaksa harus tinggal di luar gereja. Perayaan ekaristi dipimpin oleh seorang uskup dari Filipina yang berkunjung ke Roma, Msgr. Argueles. Hadir pula dalam perayaan ini duta besar Filipina untuk Vatikan. Dalam kotbahnya uskup Argueles mengajak umat Filipina yang ada di Roma untuk menjadi pewarta Sabda Allah di tempat mereka bekerja. Nyanyian-nyanyian indah dikumandangkan dalam perayaan ekaristi ini. Akupun ikut menyanyi karena banyak lagu-lagu yang mereka nyanyikan telah kupelajari selam kami berada di Filipina. Setelah misa selesai kami diundang untuk makan siang bersama mereka. Kami duduk bersama staf kedutaan Filipina untuk Tahta Suci. Makanan ala Filipina dihidangkan di meja makan; nasi putih, adobo, pansit, lechon baboi dan beberapa jenis makanan khas lainnya. "Masarap!" kupaparkan kata ini pada seorang Filipina yang duduk di sampingku. "kegembiraan terpancar di wajahnya waktu kumengucapkan kata ini padanya. Waktu berlalu begitu cepat dan tiba saatnya kami harus pamit karena kami harus mengunjungi komunitas migran yang lain. Kami mengucapkan terima kasih kepada P. Romeo yang telah mengundang kami ke sana. Setelah berjabatan tangan dengan mereka, kamipun bergegas pergi.
Sore hari di Minggu pertama ini, sesuai dengan program, kami harus mengunjungi komunitas Slovakia yang berada di pusat kota Roma, dekat sungai Tevere. Setiap hari Minggu jam 4 sore orang Slovakia berkumpul di gereja Santo Girolamo della Carita, sebuah gereja yang terletak di tempat istimewah di antara tempat- tempat penting di kota Roma seperti Piazza Campo di Fiori, dsb. Hari sebelumnya aku telah menelpon P. Juraj, pemimpin komunitas Slovakia, untuk menyampaikan niat kami untuk berpartisipasi dalam aktivitas mingguan mereka. "E' un onore!", sahutnya gembira. Terus terang saja ini bukan pertama kali kami mengunjungi komunitas ini dan juga seringkali kami bertemu dengan P. Juraj di beberapa occassions. Setibanya di depan gereja, kami melihat Katerina yang berdiri menunggu umat Slovakia. Dia tersenyum ketika melihat kami menghampirinya. "Sudah lama kita tak bertemu", dia berkata. "Senang bisa bertemu kembali", balasku singkat. Katerina adalah seorang mahasiswa yang sedang belajar psicologi di salah satu universitas di kota Roma. Aku mengenalnya waktu kami mempersiapkan Festa dei Popoli yang setiap tahun diadakan di kota Roma. Dalam pengantar misa, P. Juraj memberikan ucapan selamat datang kepada kami. Dalam perayaan ekaristi, tak sekatapun yang kumengerti karena semuanya dalam bahasa Slovakia. Tapi aku percaya bahwa Tuhan yang ada di seberang sana mengerti segalanya. Setelah selesai misa, kami di hantar oleh P. Juraj untuk melihat tempat di mana S. Filippo Neri pernah hidup. Setelah itu kami pun diajak untuk mencicipi snack yang telah mereka sediakan. Di situlah kami mendapat kesempatan untuk mengenal beberapa wajah baru; duta besar Slovakia bersama istrinya, Beata yang sementara belajar di kota Roma dan beberapa gadis manis lain yang dengan berani menghampiri kami. Sudah mulai larut malam, kamipun harus balik ke rumah kami. Setelah mengucapkan terima kasih kami berjabatan tangan dan pergi meninggalkan mereka. Di hatiku terpendam kegembiraan yang besar.

THE DIARY OF ONE SUNDAY

On Sunday, September 27, 2009 a beautiful and precious journey is worth written on the piece of paper. My day begins at 06.00 a.m. I opened my eyes from a nice sleep and saw the rays of the sun filtrating from the window half-opened. Putting my bed in order, going to take a bath, getting ready to go to the chapel for prayer and meditation, yes, as usual, this is a rhythm of my daily life. In God's providence I presented all the programs of the day. Sincerely, I have waited for this day to come, a day of the People's Feast in one of the small towns in Italy called Osimo where we have a parish St. Charles Borromeo.
In the morning, at 09.15 I and 5 other friends (Pierre (from Haiti), Agustinus (from Indonesia), Selmo (from Brazil), Brayan (from Perù, Tao (from Vietnam) left from the house bound to the Castro Pretorio Station where the pullman that would take us to Osimo parked. It took us almost an hour to arrive there. We were assigned to accompany the group of filipinos who would participate on the show in this people's feast. Actually, we were in charge of contacting three groups in Rome, namely: Filipino group, Latin America, and Mauritians. Latin American and Mauritian groups prefer to go there on their own car while the filipinos have chosen stick on the initial program to take a pullman.

Our Pullman departed from Castro Pretorio Station at 11.00 o'clock. The pullman has 54 sits but only 36 sits were taken while the others are vacant. While Ivano was driving, I took the microphone to greet all the passengers and give them some indications with regards to the trip. I reminded them of not leaving any dirt and trash on the pullman. I invited them to pray so that we can arrive safe and sound in our destination. There was a brief silence, then, the recitation of Our Father, Hail Mary and the Glory. As I wished them a good trip, they responded with shouts of joy.
Along the way, we enjoyed the panorama of the countryside. The highways were so good and I was wandering on what a great intelligence the architect has in building them. We stopped in the "area di servizio" to have a lunch. We brought our own foods. We had some bread, canned fish, and some fruits. How wonderful was it to smoke Indonesian cigarettes "Gudang Garam" after lunch!

After 45 minutes of break, we continued our trip. We passed by Ancona and Loreto. We arrived at our destination at almost 3 pm. Rosina, Antonella and some other people were waiting for us. They were smiling at us and I hugged them as I approached them. Yeah, I have been here for sometimes and there is so much familiarity in this beautiful place. We went to greet also Fr. Luigi, the parish priest, who was celebrating his 40 years anniversary of priesthood. He was very happy and he shared to us about his life and how the parish is going.
The program would start at 4.30 pm. We still had some time to roam around. I invited my friends to go to visit Elsa's family (peruvian family). Several times I have been to their house. It is very welcoming family. I was very happy to see again Elsa and her children. We stayed there for a moment and they offered us some drinks and some chips to chew. As the time goes, we excuse ourselves in order to be there in the parish to help the ongoing of the Feast.
Late afternoon, the Mauritian group and the Latin American group arrived. I was very happy to see Julio and his company. Every year his group participates the people's Feast (Festa dei Popoli) in Rome organized by the Missionaries of St. Charles-Scalabrinians. I accompanied them to the hall where the other groups were also gathering. They immediately began to prepare all the things needed for their cultural dance. Not long after, the Mauritian group arrived. They were accompanied by Antonio, an Italian whose wife is Mauritian. I and Pierre welcomed them and led them to the same hall where the other dancers were. I chatted with them for few minutes.

We started the mass at 6 p.m. The main celebrant was a representative from the diocese of Ancona. Fr. Luigi and the other priests con-celebrated this Eucharistic celebration. For the procession, there were two representatives of different nationalities in their traditional costums. In his homily, the main celebrant said that each human being is created by God and for that reason we have to welcome him no matter what color he belongs or from what country he comes from. After the homily, three Albanian children were baptized. In this celebration, the choir of youths of St. Charles Parish rendered the mass more lively. Before ending the mass, the representative of the parish council gave the medal of recognition to Fr. Luigi for his 40th Anniversary of his priesthood.
Right after the mass, we had dinner. The dinner was offered by different ethnic communities. I tasted the Peruvian food and drank caipirinha (Brazilian typical drink). We were eating in hurry because based on the program there would be a cultural show while having dinner. I had to go be sure that the groups from Rome are ready. I found the groups were ready to go on the stage.

The first group who went on the stage was the Filipino group. Their first presentation was Cultural dance called "Singkil". This dance comes from one of the provinces of Indonesia called Lanao. They danced very well. Many people applauded.
The Latin American Group who also call themselves "Alpasumac" went on the stage to present the Latin American dance. Their director is Julio Palacios. The name "Alpasumac" has its indigenous origin, in dialect "Quichua", translated as "Sacred Land". This group has represented Ecuador in various meetings, manifestations, international festivals done in Italia. They have been also in some programs of RAI, Italian National Television. From 1996 up to now this association has realized more than 100 artistic shows in a local and international level. Their music is very alive. There were many who danced in their own places as the music played.


After some cultural dances, another group of Filipinos went on the stage for Hiphop. This group is commonly called "KREWAYZ". It was founded on June 2008. Twice they took a first place in a competition in Chianciano and Florence. they have participated in various International events in Italy and in the Philippines. It was one of the best presentations of the night. Many young people were shouting of joy as these filipino guys moved well their bodies in harmony. After Hiphop, they continued with a Holy Family Choral. This is also a filipino group founded on January 2006. The Filipino Groups were amazing. They have made a good show.
The Mauritian groups were also eager to show their talents. They were in four and all of them are females. Just like the Filipino and the Latin American Groups, every year they always participate the "Festa dei Popoli". As they finished their presentation, I approached them to congratulate them for their beautiful dance.


We left Osimo at around 9 p.m. On our way back, we recalled again the short experience in Osimo. There were no so much talks on our way back. Many preferred to sleep after a very tiring day. We arrived in our house in the morning of September 28, 2009 (at 01.45).
I will treasure this day, a day where I can see different faces and enjoying different cultural presentations.

IN THAT DREAMED CITY

Few days ago I took a walk in the center of Rome together with my friend. On our way back home, walking along the street right beside the northern part of the Victor Emmanuel Park, few kilometers from Central Station Termini, on the entrance gate to the park, an elderly woman was sitting on the floor. In front of her there was a small box containing some coins. Beside her we saw a small bag full of her bilongings. She was just looking at the passers-by hoping to have mercy on their hearts for her. She is a beggar. It ain't nothing! It is usual in the big cities! People would utter those phrases when it comes to looking at those kind of people. Yeah...along the streets of Rome we would find many of them. But no...no...no...this elderly woman is so diffferent from many beggars I've met in the public places, in piazzas, on the train, or on diverse streets of Rome. I have been here for more than three years and for the first time I've seen an asian woman begging. What a pity!

I and my friend stopped there for a while. I bended down and threw some coins on the box prepared by her. I looked at her face. She was in her fifties. She looked ashamed as she raised her head up to look at us. "Grazie!" sincerely she said to me. "Niente", I responded. "Can I make some questions to you?", I implored. I was aware that it could be a stupid question a stranger could do. However, there was nothing else in my mind on how to begin a conversation with here. I was driven by a strong desire to crack a conversation. She was moving her head up as a sign of consent. "Where are you from?", I asked her immediately. "Vietnam", she responded. "May I know your name?". She eagerly mentioned her name. For my short memory, I could not memorize her name for so long. Forgive me for not being able to put well in my memory her beautiful and unique name! I began to see her face illuminated as I have tried my best to be with her and to talk to her. We were smiling to each other. "How long have you been here in Italy?" "6 years", she responded. Then, she continued, "6 years...and I don't speak Italian well. I hardly speak and understand italian". I could notice it on the way she was struggling to convey to me what she wanted to say. "Yes, Italian is a bit hard to learn but I tell you that I understood well what you said to me because you express it well and you pronounce the words well", I affirmed her. She was so happy to hear that affirmation. Her eyes were illuminated. After taking some pause fixed her eyes on the ground, she continued to recount her story. "I have worked before...recently I lost my job and I don't find any job anymore. I want to buy a ticket to go back to Vietnam to die there...I don't find any other ways except this one". She looked down again as if she was just ashamed in what condition she ends up. "Signora, I hope that every wish, every dream and every need you have right now will someday come into reality". We shaked hands and we departed in our own way. I wanted to stay there longer but perhaps it would block the way for those good souls who want to offer her some coins.

I took the bus 105 to go back home. I was sitting on the window side. The image of that elderly woman was so clear in my mind. It also recalls me of the many migrants all over the world, especially my countrymen whom the goverment calls "devisa hero". More than 5 million Indonesians are looking for a greener pasture in foreign land. Many of them have told beautiful stories of their adventure abroad, a salary on foreign currency, eating a new kinds of foods, encountaring new experience, seeing famous places around the globe, and so on. Unfortunately, there are also many others who end up their dreams in the big cities striving to survive. Perhaps some would end up their dreams like the vietnamese woman I've seen on that small angle of Rome. Those who don't choose to live that life "begging on the streets" but simply not finding way out. It came to my mind some news of the Indonesian migrants who have undergone the worst experience in their life; the story of Nirmala Bonat from Kupang few years ago who was abused by her employer and whose body filled with iron prints, the tragedy of Nunukan on September-October 2002 where 350 Indonesian migrants were deported from Sabah, Malaysia, in a worst condition and 80 of them died. Few months ago (on June 23,2009) another girl from Giava told her story. She was abused by her Malaysian employer, being beaten and dosed with boiling water and caned. There are still many other dark stories of our "devisa heroes".

The experience that day with the vietnamese woman opens my heart with all the migrants around the world who left their lovely countries to seek for a better life. Some can make it while many others sadly end up their dreams and wishes in unwanted situation. Perhaps many also want to have the last wish, "to die in their own land". I look up to heaven presenting to the Lord all this people in this pilgrimaged world.

INDONESIA PUSHES FOR BETTER MIGRANT-WORKER PROTECTION

Indonesian domestic worker Siti Hajar in a shelter at the Indonesian embassy in Kuala Lumpur on June 23, 2009, recounts the story of her alleged torture by her employer


By Lisa Thomas Tuesday, Jul. 28, 2009

Siti Hajar's face — scarred with red blisters and scabs — told of the horror. For the past three years, the 33-year-old Indonesian domestic worker from West Java says she was abused by her Malaysian employer, being beaten, doused with boiling water and caned. In June, the ongoing violence finally landed her in a Kuala Lumpur-based hospital. Photos of her burned face, distributed by Indonesian television stations and newspapers, sparked outrage throughout the country, prompting Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to make a personal call to her as she recovered in the hospital.

Sadly, Hajar's story is all too common in a nation where over 5 million citizens are working abroad in households and factories across the globe. Indonesia's migrant workers have been reporting both physical and mental abuse for years, particularly in neighboring Malaysia where over two million Indonesians make their living as maids and construction workers.

After the public outcry over Hajar's case, in late June Indonesia temporarily blocked its domestic workers from going to Malaysia to work until the two countries hammer out additional protections to a 2006 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on migrant workers. Indonesia's proposed amendments — including acknowledging workers' rights to wage increases and a day off each week — aim to protect domestic workers better by providing opportunities to build support amongst friends and ensure proper payment. This is not the first time where tensions have boiled between the two neighboring states over migrant abuse, but this time, they hope to reach a full agreement by early August.

The flow of migrant workers between Indonesia and Malaysia is considered one of the world's largest and busiest labor hubs. If passed, these provisions will help protect the roughly 3,000 workers Indonesia sends to Malaysia every month. The vast majority of these work as maids and domestic workers and remit billions home every year, earning them their nickname of "foreign exchange heroines."

The risks for domestic workers are staggering, from verbal and physical abuse to grueling work hours (in some cases, over 100 hours per week), few if any days off, nonpayment of wages, and appalling work conditions. Although more than 2,000 complaints of abuse are filed with the Indonesian embassy in Kuala Lumpur each month, it's impossible to say exactly how many workers are abused each year, largely because the exploitation is carried out in private. It's a problem for domestic helpers across the world, most of whom work in isolation and many of whom arrive via underground channels, out of sight from formal regulations.

Indonesia's actions are only the latest amongst migrant-sending countries seeking ways to protect their people when they go overseas, a shift from a time when financial considerations trumped all. However, some experts say privately that Indonesia's move may be a temporary gesture to please constituents during an election year. "There's greater attention being paid and more reporting and willingness of police and governments to take action in these cases," says Alan Boulton, Director of the International Labor Organization's Jakarta office. "NGOs have been able to bring attention [to] abuse cases."

As sending countries develop economically, they "now feel they have a moral obligation to protect their workers," says Christopher Lowenstein-Lom of the International Organization for Migration (ILO) in Bangkok. The Philippines — one of the world's largest migrant-sending countries — has set up worker-resource centers in destination countries to help distressed workers find help while they're overseas. Thailand, both a source and sending country for migrant labor, also offers consular services for its workers overseas, many who have suffered at the hands of human traffickers.

In the past year, migrant-rights groups and governments have grown increasingly concerned as the global recession has made migrants more vulnerable to abuse. More workers are being taken advantage of by unfair wages or, worse, not being paid at all as companies have folded. Unemployed migrant workers in host countries are also willing to take on increasingly risky work to maintain their incomes or pay back growing debts. And as sending countries continue to battle hard times, the supply of people looking for jobs overseas — even in dangerous conditions — has increased.

While many migrant-sending countries sign MOUs with employing nations as a way to build relations and bridge differences between labor laws, some migration experts are skeptical about their efficacy as typically, MOUs are nonbinding agreements. "They are written in very, very general terms," says Maruja Asis, research director at the Scalabrini Migration Center in Manila. "The implementation has been very problematic." Some experts say that MOUs can even harm migrants because they create a hierarchy of protection based on ethnicity or type of work. Host countries can be selective with which origin countries they will forge MOUs, creating situations in which some workers are better protected than others.

Human-rights and local migrant groups sharply criticized Indonesia's 2006 MOU with Malaysia for failing to include widespread human-rights protections, including a clear minimum wage, a weekly holiday or stringent monitoring mechanisms for labor agencies — often the source of abuse and fraud. Labor and migrant-rights groups hope this summer's revisions will beef up mechanisms to better protect migrant workers. Next summer, domestic workers will also feature high on the agenda at the annual International Labor Conference in Geneva where participants will try to develop international labor rights for domestic workers.

Experts say multilateral and regional forums like these are crucial to help deliver a stronger message about the basic rights of migrants, but they will not solve the vast array of risks that migrants face everyday in the work place. Multilateral frameworks "need the awareness of all sectors to provide protection to migrant workers," says Premjai Vungsiriphaisal, researcher at the Asian Research Center for Migration. Tragically, progress didn't come in time for Siti Hajar. There's hope that it will for thousands of other women like her.