Sister Marguerite from Tshisele, giving a place to those who have been silenced by illness

Sister Marguerite provides a safe space to those who have been silenced by stigma

In Kasai (DRC), Sister Margueritte Manshimba, a Carmelite nun from the parish of Saint Joseph, lives in the very heart of the community she serves. She has become much more than a religious sister: she is a pillar of psychosocial support, a community relay and an active accompanist for people affected by leprosy and other neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), especially within the Bomoko support group.

When she speaks of her mission, she is not talking about a profession, but about a calling: "I had not chosen to be a religious; it was God himself who called me to his mission." This call led her to the most marginalised people, whom she accompanies daily, individually and through the Bomoko support group, where she walks alongside those affected by leprosy.

In her community, where life revolves around agriculture, artisanal diamond mining, and petty trading, people affected by leprosy once lived normal lives: they used to be heads of households, farmers, workers. But as soon as they received the diagnosis, everything changed.

Fear of transmission and lack of knowledge lead to rejection. These men and women are isolated, losing their social position and their self-esteem, withdrawing from others. It is often in this state of discouragement that they arrive at Sister Margueritte or that they join, with her support, the Bomoko support group, a space where they are no longer judged but understood.

Sister Marguerite benefited from the training on basic psychological support for people affected by NTDs. She always starts by listening, and since she is living in the community herself, she is accessible and close to the daily lifestyle of those affected by leprosy.

Every day, Sister Marguerite helps an average of 3 people by referring suspected cases to the health centre and guiding people in the Bomoko support group, where they share experiences, learn self-care, and support one another. Sister Marguerite remains present, encouraging and reassuring members while strengthening cohesion within the group. But that is not all, she also visits homes and supervises the distribution of medicines and the clinical follow-up of patients at the health centre.

The change is evident, people who were hiding now agree to join the group and talk about their health issues and suspected cases are referred earlier to health facilities. Moreover, raising awareness in and around church has helped to change their mindset, the community has a better understanding that these diseases are treatable and that those affected should be supported, not rejected.

Even if the challenges persist –including a lack of self-care resources and the physical weakness of some patients– the continuous accompaniment of Sister Margueritte and the dynamics of the Bomoko group help restore hope and dignity to the community.