This Wednesday, Fr. David and Mateo from The Prince of Peace mission at Nyangatom, Ethiopia, visited Betanzos, accompanied by Popy (a volunteer for over 13 years), at her workplace: Fundación Hospitalarias Betanzos.

Fundación Hospitalarias Betanzos serves more than 160 people with intellectual disabilities, working for and toward the holistic health of each one of them, providing person-centered therapeutic care that prioritizes wellness and professionalism.

Before their arrival, the participants in the occupational workshops watched some videos about Nyangatom and reflected on them so that, when Mateo and David arrived, they could share their thoughts and concerns.

At the end of the visit and the conversations, as we do every Wednesday, we held a Mass presided by Fr. David, during which we kept in mind above all that, whether from Nyangatom or Betanzos, every life matters, and we must approach each one with love and peace.

Popy García

Friend and Collaborator of the MCSPA

Coming home after a long journey and realizing that something inside you has changed forever. That is exactly what has happened to the two of us.

We arrived in Kenya with doubts, expectations and many questions about what we would find and what we would take away from this adventure. Today we know that there are not enough words to describe everything we have lived, felt and learned during these days.

We spent ten days at Lobur Mission of the Missionary Community of Saint Paul the Apostle (MCSPA), where we had the opportunity to closely experience the projects that sustain the community: nurseries and child nutrition programs, a primary school, healthcare through the clinic and mobile clinic, the construction of water wells and dams, and a school for training young farmers, supporting them so that they may apply at their homes all that they have learned and generate resources for both self-consumption and trade.

However, what has left the deepest mark on us was not only the projects but the people. Being able to live alongside the local community, connect with their culture, their way of life, and listen to their stories has been profoundly transformative. During these days, we shared moments that will stay with us forever: from helping to donate shoes to children, attending lively local masses and baptisms, to assisting at the mobile clinic while nurses cared for pregnant women and vaccinated children.

We want to sincerely thank everyone who accompanied us and made this experience so special, especially Deacon Micheal and Fr. Andrew both members of MCSPA. We realise that this is much more than a community – it is a family, a chosen family, and it was a true gift to be a part of it, even if only for a few days.

We return from Africa more humble, with full hearts and, above all, with a renewed way of seeing the world. Sometimes we go on with our lives without stopping to think that all of this is real, that there are people living realities we could never imagine and who need our help. This journey was a necessary pause, a soul-shaking experience that opened our eyes.

It has been a deeply human, transformative and magical experience.

by Toni & Silvia
Barcelona [Spain]

The 51 staff members of St. Joseph’s Mother and Child Centre (MCC) at Muketuri participated in a training on Child Safeguarding which was facilitated by representatives from the Catholic Archdiocese of Addis Ababa. The training focused on building awareness and strenghthening the responsibility of all workers in protecting children.

The workshop began with the definition of a “child”: any person from birth to 18 years. This was followed by an explanation of the different stages of a child’s development and the importance of responding to children according to their age and needs.

The facilitators stressed that it is the role and responsibility of staff handling and caring for children to do so in a respectful and appropriate manner. They also shared on how to interact with children in ensuring their safety.

In addition, the participants were told the procedures to follow when a safeguarding concern arises, including who to report to and the steps to be taken to ensure appropriate and sufficient action is taken. The staff members were also encouraged to be vigilant and responsible in protecting every child.

Participants were later divided into groups to share their understanding and work experience, creating an open space for discussion and opportunities for learning from one another. All staff appreciated the workshop and expressed their committment  to being more aware, responsible and active in promoting child protection at the Centre and in the wider community.

by Esther Kerubo MCSPA

Muketuri Mission [Ethiopia]

Ángeles Leal’s story is a beautiful testament to hope and perseverance. Members of the MCSPA first met her in Jardines de San Juan Ajusco, an informal settlement on the outskirts of Mexico City, in 2001. When the MCSPA built the San José Mother and Child Centre, they invited women from the neighbourhood who could look after the children in the three pre-primary classrooms. At that time, Ángeles was the mother of one of the children attending the Centre; she was a housewife. She was asked to take charge of one of the classrooms, and along with four other women from the neighbourhood, she was given the opportunity to train as a nursery school teacher. Through her interactions, the camaraderie and the work she carried out alongside the members of the MCSPA, a desire to better herself and help others was awakened in her heart. Her husband and children were part of that dream, which brought them closer together as a family.

Over the years, through hard work, dedication and, as she puts it, ‘what the members of the MCSPA passed on to her’, Ángeles set up a community centre in the neighbourhood, where she cared for and educated pre-school children, whilst also providing learning opportunities for adults. A few years later, she set up a civil association and obtained a degree in Education.

Today, 25 years on, Ángeles continues to sow hope. Every fortnight she travels to Paraíso, a settlement 23 kilometres from Jardines de San Juan Ajusco; due to transport difficulties, it takes her three hours to get there. After a long time, Ángeles has once again answered the call from members of the MCSPA to share her testimony and encourage other women in another community facing severe social hardship.

With simplicity and warmth, she shares her stories and struggles, reminding them that they too can dream, study, grow and build a more dignified life for themselves and their families.

It is deeply moving to see how, over time, the seeds sown with faith, love and effort have grown into strong and fruitful roots that, even after 25 years, continue to bear fruit. Stories like Ángeles’ remind us that every small step and every mustard seed, as the Gospel tells us, can transform lives.

by Rosa Murillo, MCSPA

Andode Mission [Ethiopia]

The MCSPA Mission at Muketuri was blessed with the pastoral visit of Abuna Tesfaye Tadesse on March 12. Prior to being ordained Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) last year, Abuna Tesfaye was the Superior General of the Comboni Missionaries. He was accompanied by Abba Tesema, the priest assigned to celebrate mass at Muketuri.

It was a joyful opportunity to share with the Abuna (Bishop) our work with our workers and collaborators since 2007 at Muketuri and around. During his visit, he toured the classrooms and met the children, and showed a great interest in the preschool education and nutrition program being carried out.

Abuna Tesfaye also met the heads of the different departments: the Directress of the Centre, the program head for malnourished children, as well as the personnel in charge of kitchen, special education classroom, cows, agriculture and water resources in the villages.

The bishop also asked the members of the MCSPA at Muketuri to introduce ourselves – all from different nationalities and with long experience working in Ethiopia. He was happy to see one Ethiopian apprentice of the MCSPA.

A key moment of the visit was the celebration of the Eucharist, presided by Abuna Tesfaye, with MCSPA members and some workers and visitors. In his homily, Abuna Tesfaye expressed gratitude for the dedication and commitment of the MCSPA in Muketuri. He prayed that the missionaries may continue strengthening the presence of the Catholic Church through its service and mission in the area. There is no presence of the Catholic Church for 80 km to the south and 220 km to the north, as the area is mostly Orthodox.

Before leaving the St. Joseph Mother and Child Centre, Abuna Tesfaye visited the classroom for Special Needs Children, where 13 children with different kinds of disabilities are attended to. The bishop greeted them, one by one with great empathy, and blessed them and their baby-sitters. He very much appreciated the care given to these children, as they are stigmatized.

Abuna Tesfaye also visited Maite Iglesias Home, a residence for secondary girl-students that is dedicated to promoting the education and development of young girls for a more hopeful future through learning.

The visit concluded with lunch at the MCSPA Mission House, where the members thanked Abuna Tesfaye for his presence, his closeness to our mission, and for the encouragement to continue serving the community in Muketuri and its environs.

Esther Kerubo, MCSPA

Muketuri Mission [Ethiopia]

A recent eye-care outreach has brought new hope and clearer vision to many people in Tombura County and Ezo County. The campaign reached communities where access to specialized eye care is near to negligible, offering screening, treatment and life-changing surgery.

The surgical phase of the outreach was conducted at St Peter Health Center, where a dedicated team of ophthalmologists from Spain and medical staff worked to restore sight to patients suffering from cataracts and other eye conditions.

During the campaign, 84 successful cataract surgeries were performed. For many patients who had been living with poor vision or blindness, the procedures meant a return to independence and the joy of seeing their families and surroundings clearly once again.

In addition to the surgeries, eyeglasses were distributed to patients in Tombura, Ezo, and Ave Maria. These simple but powerful tools will help many people improve their daily lives: reading, farming, working or caring for their families.

Following the success of the outreach, the medical team has now moved on to Nzara County and Yambio County, where the campaign continues to bring essential eye care services to more communities there.

This initiative stands as a strong reminder that restoring sight does more than treating a medical condition; it restores dignity, independence and hope.

Benjamin Maketa

Junior Apprentice

Ave Maria Mission [South Sudan]

It was a grace-filled and joyful celebration at the St. Joseph and St. Francis Xavier Theological House of Formation at Metro Manila as Innocent Letasi Phiri and Nathan Symon were solemnly installed as Lectors during Holy Mass on March 05. The Eucharistic celebration was presided by Fr Manuel Hernandez and Concelebrated by Fr Alejandro Campón.

The rite marked an important step in their formation and vocation, as the ministry of lector calls them to faithfully proclaim Sacred Scripture and to deepen their love for the Word they share with God’s people. Through prayer, formation and service, they are entrusted with helping the faithful encounter Christ through the Scriptures.

May Innocent and Nathan remain faithful to the Word they proclaim, allowing it to shape their hearts and lead them ever closer to Christ as they continue their path of formation and service to the Church. Let us keep them in our prayers as they grow in their vocation and commitment to the mission of the Gospel.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

Joel Jeremiah

Junior Apprentice

Metro Manila [Philippines]

On 23rd February 2026, we inaugurated the dormitory, toilets and water infrastructure of Nariokotome Girls’ Secondary School. It was a joyful and historic occasion for the entire Nariokotome community … and we were even blessed with light showers!

The event brought together the members of MCSPA at Nariokotome, members of the Board of Management (BOM) of the school, the contractors and the whole school fraternity to celebrate this important event. The ceremony began with Holy Mass presided over by Frs. Zacchaeus Okoth and Antonio Aguirre. During the mass Fr. Zacchaeus reminded everyone of the unity, faith and shared commitment that made the whole project possible.

During the celebration, the principal of the school expressed her deep gratitude to the MCSPA members of Nariokotome Mission, the contractors and the donors whose dedication, generosity and hard work turned the vision of the dormitory into reality.

The atmosphere was filled with joy and pride as students, teachers, and MCSPA community members reflected on the journey that led to this achievement. The inauguration symbolized not only the opening of a new building but also the strengthening of partnership and solidarity within the community. It stood as a testimony to what can be accomplished when people come together for a common purpose.

The new dormitory is of great importance to this secondary school for girl-child. It will provide the girls with a safe, secure and comfortable place to stay in, creating a conducive environment for learning and personal growth. With improved living conditions, academic performance, discipline, and overall student well-being is also promoted.

Ultimately, the dormitory represents hope, progress and a brighter future for the students and the entire Nariokotome community.

Lenny Jilo, MCSPA

Nariokotome Mission [KENYA]

The beginning of the year at Muketuri Mission is marked by the driest month of the year, which is actually the ideal time for excavating and drilling wells in the Wuchale Woreda region of Ethiopia which has been declared a “food-insecure zone”.

For us missionaries, while being able to bring water to these communities is a source of joy and a sign of hope, for the beneficiary families, it is a drastic turning point in their lives – a stark “before” and “after”!

Alemu, an elderly man of 70 years, would stand watching us everyday that we visited his village of Lego: from the moment we marked the water source with a water diviner, to the arrival of the drilling machine, and the start of the drilling works.

I ambled over to greet him, and he said that throughout his life, he has seen people passing through, promising to bring water to his village, but they never returned. Now, it seems that this will finally be fulfilled.

When we reached the aquifer and saw the first burst of water, I looked for Alemu. He was deeply moved; he gave me a strong hug and said: “Now I can die. God allowed me to live long enough for my eyes to see water in the village. Now I know that my wife, my children, my grandchildren, and everyone in this village – who are family to me – will live a new life with clean water available. It is the start of a new stage.”

In Lego, women and children used to walk two hours to collect water from a contaminated water source or three hours for clean water.

This is just one testimony from among many of people who benefited from the water wells drilled this year. Our profound gratitude goes to all who had a hand in making this life-changing shift possible.

Blanca Beltrán, MCSPA

Muketuri Mission [Ethiopia]

Yesterday, we joyfully celebrated the anniversary of our beloved founder, Fr. Francisco (Paco) Andreo, with prayer, remembrance, deep gratitude and a shared community spirit.

The celebration began with the blessing of Paco’s grave, a solemn and touching moment that invited us to reflect on his life and vision, and the legacy he left behind. Following the blessing, an avocado tree was planted at the graveyard site to symbolize life, growth, nourishment, continuity and turning Turkana into a garden. This is a living reminder that the seeds Paco planted through his mission continue to grow and bear fruit in the lives of many.

The day continued with a beautiful mass presided by Fr. Victor Otieno. It was both uplifting and reflective, centred on thanksgiving for the gift of our founder’s life and the enduring impact of his work. The church was filled with children, youth, men and women who came together to celebrate the life of our founder.

In his homily, Deacon Stephen Iyerio, echoing the words from the Letter of James, exhorted us to “find joy in our trials” because endurance in the midst of our trials produces perseverance, and perseverance leads to steadfast faith. Trials are not obstacles to our growth, rather the engine for our growth. God uses the heat of life to burn away the superficial and make us rooted in truth and wisdom.

The MCSPA members present in many countries are living examples of endurance in the face of many trials and challenges who, through perseverance in their faith, are held together and are able to continue their work around the world. This is a habit that Paco instilled in us.

A particularly touching moment during the Mass came when Dr. Ana Mañas, Paco’s oncologist, shared a moving account of her first meeting with Paco as a new patient. He told her that he was a missionary and that being in Africa makes him feel better, and so wished to return back to Kenya to die and be buried behind a beautiful Church.

Through all these memories, we were reminded not only of Paco’s role as a true shepherd but also of his missionary work and compassion.

After the mass, we distributed bread and juice to the children, continuing our founder’s tradition of caring for the children and the most vulnerable. The smiles and joy shared during this time reflected the true spirit of the celebration.

The day concluded with a wonderful lunch shared among the members, apprentices and visitors. It was a time of fellowship, unity, laughter and strengthening the bonds within our community and to welcome those who joined us in commemorating this special day.

May we continue Paco’s legacy and inspire more young men and women to follow Christ.

By Agostinho Barros de Deus

Senior Apprentice,

Nariokotome Mission [Kenya]

And Maggy Gitau

Senior Apprentice,

Kokuselei Mission [Kenya]