Sr. Ann Kelly
Holy Rosary Sisters
Guinea
MaTenneh is one of thousands of women whose
dignity has been restored in the program and who
face the future, in spite of the obstacles, with
courage, hope and confidence. - Ann Kelly
Ann Kelly is a Holy Rosary Sister. Ann is
originally from Galway and is a counsellor by
training. She has been working with her
colleagues in the delivery of a comprehensive
programme of services for refugees from the
Liberian civil war in Guinea, including literacy
and income generation management. Ann profiles
the challenges and successes of the sisters’
work - particularly in relation to women - in
the following account:
"MaTenneh was seventeen years old when her
village in Liberia was attacked by the forces of
Charles Taylor. She and her sister fl ed into
the bush. Her younger brother and sister fl ed
in a different direction. Her parents were
slaughtered. The two young women were in hiding
for several days. Finally, weak with hunger and
thirst they emerged and were captured. They were
beaten and gang-raped and left for dead.
MaTenneh managed to crawl to her sister and
dragged her to the bush. Within a few hours her
sister died. MaTenneh now alone, young, bleeding
and frightened just dragged herself aimlessly in
any direction. Eventually she collapsed. Some
villagers searching for food found her and
carried her to their makeshift place in the
bush. There she received food, water and care.
Finally she and the villagers left for
neighboring Guinea and a life of refuge. By now
it was clear that she was pregnant. She
delivered in a refugee camp in Guinea. Her child
is mentally challenged. When we met MaTenneh we
were struck by the care she lavished on her
small boy. She was totally alone in the camp and
considered ‘damaged goods’ because of the gang
rape. She joined the literacy program and
ultimately the counselling program. That program
has a special group for victims of rape. They
are given priority in the skills program. After
six months training, MaTenneh received a sewing
machine and all the necessary materials to begin
a life of some financial independence. MaTenneh
was so happy that day.
However,
the deep sadness about the loss of her family
continued to depress her. One day en route to
the market to do her sewing she saw two children
getting off the convoy bringing refugees from
Liberia. The children looked malnourished,
frightened and confused but she instantly
recognised her younger sister and brother. She
embraced them with joy and danced with
happiness.
Today she looks after all of them. She sews and
makes a small but steady income. She has gained
selfconfidence through the literacy program. She
can hold her own opinion and manage her
financial affairs due to the business management
module in the program. MaTenneh is one of
thousands of women whose dignity has been
restored in the program and who face the future,
in spite of the obstacles, with courage, hope
and confidence."