Vincentian Lay Missionaries
Vincentian Lay Missionaries (VLM) Ireland
History
Formed in 2002, the Vincentian Lay Missionaries (VLM) aims to support the building of a future for those most in need in the poorest areas of Ethiopia. It also aims to highlight the global issue of poverty, to advocate and to support action for change. VLM follows a 400 year tradition begun by St. Vincent dePaul among the most neglected in seventeenth century France and who sent missionaries to Ireland and Scotland to work with the most vulnerable communities of that era. We work in partnership with the Daughters of Charity, Ethiopia, our hosts and mentors, in order to provide financial support and technical expertise to projects throughout the Country.
Expansion
From the brochure of the Vincentian Lay Missioners - USA
... "One of the dreams of the Vincentians and Daughters of Charity in the US has been "to explore with an existing Vincentian Family organization to support opportunities for young adults to become engaged in sservice with the Daughters internationally." By exploring a program begun in Ireland by Vincentian Father Michael McCullagh and through collaboration with the Eastern Province of the COngregation of the Mission and the daughters of Charity in Ethiopia, this dream became a reality on July 27, 2005, when the first three Vincentian Lay Missionaries - Kate Linden, Gina Pernini, and Lauren Reiss - left for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with Sr. Mary Beth Kubera.
Mission Statement
To form and facilitate our members to immerse themselves in the experience and culture of the Vincentian mission overseas, so that reflecting on the learned experience, they will, on their return, effect change and transformation both locally and globally.
Activities
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world "(Nelson Mandela)
At present, the focus of VLM's work has been education. We believe that education brings freedom, and we strive to support a number of differenct initiatives with this aim in mind.
Projects
2008 first three reports
Missions supported
Atse Tekle Ghiorgis School - Addis Ababa
- A primary school located in the slums of Addis Ababa educating over 900 students up to the age of 16
Bruh Tesfa Montessori Teacher Training College -Wolayta Soddo (Southern Ethiopia)
- We assist in the training of teachers who in turn will teach kindergarten children in rural towns and villages throughout Ethiopia.
Gebremichael Street Children's Project- Mekelle
- Here we work in education and provide a social skills programme for two hundred boys and girls displaced and made homeless as a result of political conflict. The support we can offer is not only financial but also through the provision of volunteers to support each project with individual needs as, and when they arise.
The material on this pages is heavily indebted to the website of the Irish Province of the Congregation of the Mission
For more information on Vincentian Lay Missionaries
contact
Project Coordinator Mary Hanlon Tel 353 1 8102570 or Tel 353 1 8389708 info@vlm.ie
External links
Vincentian Lay Missioners - USA
Daughters of Charity East Central Province
Jesus in Ethiopia Video produced by Fr. Aidan Rooney CM
