Where We Work: SOUTH AFRICA

This site is on hold until further notice. 

Do you have a sense of adventure and a desire to serve in Africa? Would you like to live a simple life style close to the people and share your faith and talents with the poor? Would you like to work on a pastoral team and live in a small community with other lay missioners? If so, we would like to invite you to consider joining us in our mission work near Johannesburg and Pretoria in South Africa.

South Africa: What's it like?
 We would like to build on the work of Kasia Wawernia, a Comboni Lay Missioner, who worked with refugees in Johannesburg for 3 years. She worked on a team with the Jesuit Refugee Service.

Kasia also helped out at the Bienvenu Shelter for Refugee Women and Children, and the Mercy House for Refugees. The Shelter provides a day care center for refugee children and classes in English and computer skills for their mothers. Mercy House provides shelter for about 25 refugees.

The refugees who come to South Africa are fleeing war and persecution in their homelands of Angola, Sudan, Burundi, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Many of the children have been orphaned in the wars and genocide of Central Africa. The Comboni Fathers and Brothers working in South Africa are concerned about the plight of refugees and would be happy to have Comboni Lay Missioners continue this important ministry.

We are currently looking to form a small team of 3 lay missioners to continue this work with the Jesuit Refugee Service. We will be looking for people who have experience working with immigrants and refugees and/or teaching English, computers, or other job skills. Knowledge of French may also be helpful for working with refugees from French-speaking countries of Africa.

After our lay missioner team becomes established in its work with the refugees, we will also explore possible work with AIDS ministry. South Africa, with a 20% infection rate, has the largest HIV-positive population in the world - 4.2 million people.

What Kind of Work Would You Do?

  • Ministry to those suffering from AIDS.

  • Help with social programs and education for "street children."

  • Training support for some of the diocesan offices -- in the areas of administration skills, computer training, accounting skills, etc.

  • Support for some of the diocesan pastoral and social ministries (AIDS Ministry, Women's Promotion, Health Care, Food Distribution, etc.)

What Kind of Candidates Are We Looking For?
We are looking for candidates with some skills and experience in the following areas:

  • Some experience working with parish and/or community groups, and at-risk populations.

  • Skills and talents in education, health care, job training, parish youth ministry, and community development.

What Does The Comboni Lay Mission Program Provide?

  • Preparation: We provide a solid 14-week preparation for mission program at our center in LaGrange Park, IL. It includes classes and workshops in mission theology, skills for cross-cultural living, area studies, methods of popular education, communication and team building skills, mission spirituality, and community.

  • Orientation and Ongoing Support: A Comboni Missionary working at the mission site will serve as a mentor and advisor for the lay missioners. The lay missioners will also be part of a pastoral team made up of missionary priests, sisters, and local lay leaders.

  • Room and Board: Housing is provided for the lay missioners, along with a monthly stipend for personal expenses and for food. (Approximately $100 for personal expenses and $100 for food expenses.) The lay missioners also receive an annual allowance of $300 for professional growth, retreat, and vacation expenses.

  • Health Insurance and Other Benefits: Lay missioners are provided health insurance and transportation to and from the mission site in South Africa. Upon successful completion of their three-year contract, they will also receive $1800 for relocation expenses.

How Do You Take the Next Step?
If you would be interested in serving as a lay missioner for three years in South Africa, please take a look at our Requirements for Admission. If you think you meet the requirements, fill out the Preliminary Form and we can begin to discuss the possibilities.


See other site descriptions: Peru, Guatemala, Kenya, Eritrea






Images from South Africa: