The Missionvale Care Centre on Wednesday commemorated the second anniversary of the world-renowned Sister Ethel Normoyle's passing.
The centre, started by Sister Ethel in 1988, did this by officially opening a brand-new Youth Development Centre - a legacy of Sister Ethel's dedication to developing the youth of Missionvale.
Described as an accomplished caregiver with an impeccable background of helping the vulnerable and the poor, she passed away in her home country Ireland on 16 August 2021 after spending decades in service of the local Missionvale community.
Determined to pursue her noble course, she set up a school and a basic clinic under a tree, which has since resulted in a fully integrated community centre dedicated to the fight against poverty and HIV and AIDS.
Centre manager Sabrina Lambers said: "It's been difficult to wrap our minds around her not being around, and she definitely left a gap."
"Nobody will ever be able to replace Sister Ethel and her spirit and the love and compassion she gave to the people.
"But what has really been amazing is that all the staff and the community members came on board and agreed that we have to continue her legacy.
"We have to make her proud!"
Lambers said the Missionvale Care Centre is now facing financial challenges bigger than before due to a sluggish local economy as well as the Russia-Ukraine impasse.
She said due to the conflict, many international funders have redirected their funds.
To make matters more challenging, Lambers said "the repercussions of Covid-19 are hitting us now".
"There's absolutely no indication of donors pulling out because we haven't done our job, it's more like people are really struggling and we now feeling it."
Over the years the care centre has been visited by some noteworthy people including Mother Teresa in 1988 and Queen Elizabeth in 1995.
In 1996, Sister Ethel followed in the footsteps of former President Nelson Mandela as a recipient of the Tipperary Peace Award in Ireland.
The new Missionvale Youth Development Centre [Pic: Siyabonga Sesant]
