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Social Work
Holy Rosary Sisters respond to the needs of the
people they serve, particularly in the rural areas, to become more
self-reliant and self-sufficient. They design programs to bring people
together, to reflect on their needs, to identify steps to become self-reliant,
and to remove obstacles that prevent them from attaining their goals.
Development services are provided to people irrespective of their beliefs,
social class, or cultural backgrounds.
Farmers
Many rural regions benefit from seed and seedlings, water conservation and
sanitation projects, harvest marketing programs, and veterinary care. For
example:
 Sister
Liz McKenna and Sister Holly Chenery work with thirty rural communities
in the Amazon Region of Brazil helping to organize Basic Christian
Communities. They actively support the local rural workers union
in their attempts to organize and unite the farmers to receive
funding designated for "clients of land reform," and
pressure the municipal government to open roads, install electricity,
and provide health care and primary education.
Sister Agnes Canavan trained men in an Agricultural Extension program
in Zimba, Zambia for 14 years; in 2000 the program was handed over
to the local people.
Sister Nora McNamara established the Diocesan Development Services
to help farmers in Igalaland, Nigeria to maintain and improve their
oil palm trees, the area’s premier cash crop.
Three books written by Sister Nora McNamara and
Stephen Morse:
Who Brings Trees to Life
published in 2004 by On Stream Publications Ltd.
Cloghroe, Blarney, Co. Cork, Ireland
email: onstream@indigo.ie
  Developing
On-Farm Research —The Broad Picture
published in 1996 by On Stream Publications Ltd.
Cloghroe, Blarney, Co. Cork, Ireland
email: onstream@indigo.ie
Developing Financial Services— A Case
Against Sustainability
published in 1998 by On Stream Publications Ltd.
Cloghroe, Blarney, Co. Cork, Ireland
email: onstream@indigo.ie
Sister Nora McNamara is one of the founding members
of the Diocesan Development services of Idah Diocese, an NGO operating
in Kogi State, Nigeria , West Africa. The DDS reaches out to all peoples;
Muslims, Animists and the various Christian denominations. Is staff
includes people from faiths other than Catholic.
The DDS currently has four major thrusts:
1. Farmers Self-reliance Program— farmers credit and savings scheme
2. Agricultural Innovations Program— more sustainable methods of agricultural
production
3. Village Development Program— Health Care, Women's Projects, Income
Generating activities
4. Water Development Program— Various water projects including bore
holes, rain harvesting and surface water utilization.
In partnership with GORTA, an Irish agency, they
addressed tree conservation as a step to eradicate famine. Their work
and success has resulted in the publication of the book "Who Brings
Trees Brings Life: People and Trees in Igalaland."
Youth
The sisters’ development ministry includes teaching skills to youth
to help them find employment, set up income-generating projects, and improve
other aspects of their lives.
Women and Families
From the beginning, Holy Rosary Sisters have been involved in family ministry.
Our founder believed that the basis for the growth of Christianity was
the family: a system of emotional relationships that controls how decisions
are made. The founder also emphasized the education of women. Even though
women receive more education today, many are not yet fully involved in
the decisions that affect their lives and their society; the sisters provide
seminars that train people to become family ministers in their communities.
For example, Sr. Noel Mary Adjero, a social scientist, was asked to train
families in the Diocese of Monze in Zambia. The people have been extremely
enthusiastic.
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