Many years before HEAL became a formal entity, a former colleague of Rev. Leo Okonkwo pressured him to abandon the religious aspect of his mission and focus exclusively on clean water well projects in his home country of Nigeria.
Leo refused, because his work on behalf of poor & marginalized village children included not only providing the health benefits of clean water but also the spiritual benefits of a Christian religious education. This is why he founded the MOJ Sisters (MOJ).
As the primary religious tutors for the Masters, the MOJs complete the circle of holistic education envisioned by Rev. Leo. “At BOMCA/MENPS the principles of faith and knowledge are akin to living out our true calling as servant leaders”, he explains.
Sr. Felicitas, MOJ, knows that catechism is just as important as calculus in forming a true leader and it shows in her work. In her teaching, she has adopted the established MOJ practice of using dramatic performance to reinforce Gospel lessons.
“When I teach the students about obedience, I make them dramatize the merits of obedience and the demerits of disobedience”, she says. Indeed, drama was used in my own religious formation. Back in grade school, I performed in a Passion Play every Lent.
While creatively learning faith through drama, it is most important to grow spiritually with the help of grace. From visiting our students in Nigeria, I can attest to their prayerful, joyful, generous, studious, creative, and God-fearing attributes!
Also, the MOJs, by imitating Christ through a life of poverty, chastity, and obedience, set a powerful example as educators. “With a Reverend Sister as my teacher, I learn that everything impossible is made possible through Christ”, says student Cal Alexis.
As you can see, HEAL is about much more than providing physical necessities such as clean water, as Leo’s former colleague once suggested. Rather, HEAL’s mission is about forming a new generation of Leaders (Mt. 20:26) after Christ’s example.
We hope you share our vision and will join us!