True vocation

Athlone's Sr Helena Harney is hoping for an unprecedented turnout at a fundraiser this Sunday (July 31) her family has organised in Connaughton's of Clonark to help out with the good work she does in Bolivia. A Franciscan nun for 42 years now, Sr Harney has spent her last 17 years working to help those in need in the jungle north of Boliva's capital La Paz. "Thank God support from Ireland makes it possible," she says simply. "I couldn't do anything without all the support I get from Ireland - Irish people are just fabulous. They have such a feeling for helping those who need it most." Sr Helena was born in 1943 in Cornafulla in Athlone, the third eldest in a family of eight - four girls and four boys. "I think I knew from an early age," she says of her decision to enter a religious order. "I had an aunt who was a Franciscan and I really admired her." In 1959 the then 16 year old Helena went to Rome for her noviciate. Three years later she was professed, and it was at this stage she left Europe for her work as a Franciscan in farther flung destinations. The United States of America was Sr Helena's first port of call, and was to be her home until 1990. A year in Boston was followed by a move to Brooklyn, New York for three years and then seven years in New Jersey. During this time she studied at Fordham University and became a teacher, working her way up to becoming principal in a grammar school. Three years in Florida working with migrant workers came next, before Sr Helena got the call to move to South America, first to Peru. "We're always conscious that we should be working with the poorest of the poor; we should be working with those who need us most," Sr Helena says of her move. "When the opportunity came I was glad to do it." For the next four years, she was to work in the northern deserts of Peru. Workings with Mexicans during her time in Florida had allowed her to become accustomed to working with South American people. Peru was still a big change, however. Her work was in a shanty town, where people built their homes in the sand. It was during the reign of President Fujimori, and because he took away price controls Sr Helena says people lost everything from morning to night. "Going to bed they had enough to manage; getting up in the morning they hadn't enough for bread," she says. The parish she worked in had 23 shanty towns, so she helped set up soup kitchens so at least mothers and children could get at least one good meal a day. In 1994 Sr Helena moved to Bolivia, where she has been ever since. "It feels like home now," she says. This 'home' is in Coroico, about 95km north of capital city of Bolivia La Paz. Sr Helena's work is varied, but she says she finds it hugely rewarding. One of the projects she been involved with is a boarding house for children. "Out in the mountain villages kids were only able to go to primary school to the fifth grade," she explains. "I work at a home where we take in these boys and girls from the villages and send them to a school." The school, which Sr Helena is a director of, is home during the week to about 125 young people. "They stay from Sunday night to Friday, then go help their parents on the farm," Sr Helena says. This boarding house is one project any funds raised will help. Without it, Sr Helena says the poor people wouldn't have any place else to go. At the boarding house there is also a farm, where pigs and chickens are cared for and vegetables are cultivated. The children learn farming skills here as well as going out to school each day. "Those who don't go on to do further studies at least can go home with some skills," Sr Helena says. The centre also attends to sick people who come to them, as well as church work. Any funds raised in Athlone will help fund the continuation of this work. It will also help towards salaries for teachers in schools in the mountain villages where there is a shortage of government teachers, school supplies and uniforms for very poor children in the distant villages. Sr Helena, who will remain in Ireland until August 19, says the important thing is taking care of children and their future. "When you get down to it people being able to take care of their children is important. A lot of the time people say people in poor countries are happy. Yes, but they're not happy when their child is sick and they can't afford medication or education. Sometimes we pass things over saying they're happy as they are, but everyone has basic needs. When we can help with that it makes me happy. For that I have to thank the people who have always supported our mission." Sunday night's fundraiser in Connaughton's of Clonark will feature music and spot prizes and Sr Helena herself will also be there on the night. All support on the night is greatly appreciated.