By: Sr. Maria José Carrero Viñas
Allow me to begin this article as Cervantes did in his book Don Quixote. In the region of La Mancha was a village named Almodóvar del Campo where lived a girl who was very loved and awaited, as she was the firstborn of a good and devout family.
At birth, I was named Maria José after my paternal grandmother. I was seven years old when the missionary who had arrived at the parish on World Mission Day explained to us that there were many children in the world who still did not know Jesus and asked, “Who wants to be a missionary?” And immediately, I raised my hand. As the years went by, I finished school, and I faced the important decision of choosing a career at university. My parents encouraged me to pursue what I liked, always aiming to help the poorest people I encountered along the way. That was the only condition they set.
I chose Physical Sciences with the goal of discovering or inventing a device to eradicate the suffering and pain in this world. With this dream, I began my studies. Halfway through my degree, I met the Comboni Missionaries through a university friend. These encounters with youth missionary groups filled my life with light. Blessed Providential encounters! Jesus was inviting me to know him more, to be with Him through His Word, missionary experiences, and volunteering. My way of understanding and seeing life began to change.
What used to excite me—parties, trips—began to no longer fill my heart. This is when I encountered Saint Daniel Comboni, a man who touched my soul and made my being vibrate with his passion for the Gospel and love for the poorest of Africa. I began to remember my dream. As a young person, I wished to live authentically where all people could live as brothers. The Universal Fraternity to which our Pope Francis calls us was realized in the life and mission style of Saint Daniel Comboni. His methodology of “Saving Africa with Africa” through evangelization, hand in hand with human promotion, which involved the formation of leaders in all areas of life, made me say YES… Eureka! I understood it now. I don’t have to invent anything. The device that will improve this world already exists: it is myself, and God is the Energy that through me will heal and rebuild this earth. Each one of us is a sign of the Kingdom of God to create a better future.
God has gifted me with the ability to serve and love Him among minority groups in countries like Kenya and Ecuador for 23 years as a Comboni Missionary Sister. I have been following Jesus in these beautiful Ecuadorian lands for fourteen years. Now, I reside in Santa María de los Cayapas, a small village nestled in the heart of the Chocó jungle in the northern region of Esmeraldas (Ecuador). Accessible only through the Cayapas River, it unveils a foamy trail where people’s canoes glide slowly. This place is home to a diverse population, encompassing the Chachi indigenous people, one of the few surviving groups on the Ecuadorian coast with their distinct culture and identity, Afro-descendants, and migrants from Colombia. They all confront deep social and economic challenges. The lack of robust family structures, coupled with economic instability and the absence of basic services, has pushed young people towards difficult realities, including drug addiction and violence associated with drug trafficking, a menacing threat in the region.
Here lies the Santa María de los Cayapas Fiscal Unit, a school catering to 284 primary and secondary students, comprising 139 boys and 143 girls aged between 5 and 19 years old. It represents the two major indigenous Chachi and Afro-descendant ethnicities in the area, some of whom undertake up to three hours of river travel to attend classes. This educational institution stands as a bastion of education, courageously confronting the inherent difficulties of its geographical location and the constraints imposed by the scarcity of government resources.
Presently, I am dedicating my efforts to promoting education in this challenging context. Our educational institution, established in 1962 by Comboni Father Livio Martini as a primary school and later expanded into a comprehensive educational unit, has been a beacon of hope for countless young people who have found in education a pathway to a brighter future. My role revolves around being a symbol of the Kingdom of God in these marginalized and forgotten communities, serving in education as a delegate of Monsignor Antonio Crameri in one of the schools within the Vicariate of Esmeraldas. I support educational management, coordinate the school’s pastoral team, and oversee administration. Collaborating with teachers, parents, and students, we strive to enhance our educational quality and warmth, rooted in Gospel values. The shared objective among teachers, parents, and students is to nurture highly skilled individuals capable of shaping a different, better future.
The scarcity of resources limits our capacity to expand the teaching staff, and addressing the growing educational demands jeopardizes the growth and education of many Ecuadorian youths. Amidst these challenges, we continue to dream that every boy and girl deserves the opportunity to carve out a future replete with possibilities.
Additionally, beyond the challenges mentioned, it is important to highlight the enormous rewards that working in marginalized and underserved communities brings. Every day, I witness the transformative power of education and love in the lives of these young people. Seeing their faces light up when they discover new ideas or acquire new skills is truly inspiring. Through our commitment to education and service, we are sowing seeds of hope and empowerment that will eventually bear fruit in a more just and equitable society.
My advice to those who feel called to mission or service in needy communities is to always remember the power of Love and Compassion. We will face challenges and obstacles along the way, but with unwavering faith and firm commitment, we can overcome any adversity. It is essential to stay connected to our source of inspiration and strength, whether through prayer, meditation, or community support.
In conclusion, while we face significant challenges, let us keep alive the hope and determination to move forward in our mission to serve the most needy. With love, faith, and action, we can make a tangible difference in the world and contribute to building a brighter future for all.
Thank you for joining me on this journey and for your continued support. Together, we can create a world where every person has the opportunity to reach their full potential and live with dignity and fulfillment. May God bless us all on this noble path of service and love. Forward, with courage and hope!
