African Mission Update from Fr. Morman

“We are here to serve the children.”
 
These words are heard frequently from one member of the staff here at the Bismarck African Mission. They provide encouragement and a challenge to stay focused on the mission. 
 
Education program 
 
The heart and soul of Bismarck Mission is the education program for the orphans and vulnerable children that we assist. It is designed to be a support program for school-aged children so they may complete successfully their educational endeavor through secondary school. To be successful, we believe that students must work hard and have a personal investment in their success and future. To help students, we provide funds for tuition, uniforms and school supplies such as calculators, dictionaries and geometrical sets. Each month, the 399 children and youth come on their assigned Saturday to receive their monthly allowance (approximately seven dollars) and an allotment of maize. The allowance and allotment help them purchase school supplies and assist the guardians in caring for them. These Saturdays give us an opportunity to monitor progress in school and to inquire about their well-being. Children must attend school and bring their report card at the end of each term to remain enrolled in the program.
 
Wellness program 
 
The wellness program of the mission had humble beginnings. Originally, it consisted of a yearly blood test for HIV and the administration of deworming tablets. Over the past five years, our wellness program has matured to become a seminar that resembles a yearly physical. Routine screenings for height, weight and blood pressure are done. Blood tests for anemia, malaria, diabetes, H-pylori and HIV are conducted. A deworming tablet is given. Educational seminars are led by alumni of our program; topics for discussion include hygiene, nutrition, problem solving and relationships—all guided by what is appropriate for the children’s age and sex. Each child is seen by a doctor, who receives information from the screenings and blood tests and conducts an examination. Common diagnoses include respiratory tract infections, skin conditions like scabies and fungal infections, anemia, gastric problems and ear and eye conditions. 
 
For those in need of a referral to a specialist, arrangements are made for visits. For example, four children were referred to an ear, nose and throat specialist, and 12 children were taken to an eye clinic for further tests from the seminar held in November 2025. As we continue serving the children and youth, it is becoming evident that a clinic would be beneficial to the overall care provided to our population. A clinic could also be an outreach to the local community.
 
With joy and gratitude, we welcome Dr. Kevin and two nurses, Mellowdee and Wilfrid, who assist with the Wellness Program; they are alumni of the Education Program, and we supported them in their post-secondary studies. They are living testimonies of the hard work of students and the support of Bismarck Mission. After a recent seminar, one student, a boy who is a senior in high school came to me and stated, “I want to be a doctor, a doctor like Kevin.” He has the work ethic and determination to fulfill his dream, and we want to support him.
 
Tutoring program
 
In November 2025, Bismarck Mission conducted a pilot project of mentoring children during the extended school break. Two teachers, Daniel and Lydiah, were hired and covered the subjects of math, chemistry, biology, physics, English and Swahili for students in junior high school and senior high school. One day a week was devoted to primary age students. A total of 35 students participated. Timothy and Naom, siblings, attended every day—they walked for two hours, and often, they were joined by other students along the way. At the end of the tutoring sessions, we visited with the students and teachers—their recommendation was to continue these tutoring sessions during school breaks. In Kenya, these breaks include the month of April, August, November and most of December. We plan to add other subject areas and to hire a teacher specifically for primary grades. We can say that our tutoring program is the seed that has sprouted, the seed that will become our library. Currently, we are reviewing options for our library. It will have books for reading, and it will be a resource center for tutoring.  
 
The first half of 2025, the mission hosted visitors who came for a short while to experience life in the mission. In February and March, Bob Finken, from Douglas, N.D., was present, and in June, a group of four from Corpus Christi Parish in Bismarck came—Fr. John Paul Gardner, Tracy Kraft, Abby Lardy and Sarah Bengston. 
 
Several things come to mind in reflecting on these guests, these short-term missionaries. First, learning a little of the language goes a long way. The basic greeting of “hello” (mambo or jambo), thank you and you’re welcome (asante and keribu) and stating one’s name (jina langu ni_____) can be mastered easily and create a bond of connection with the local people. Often, it is fear of making a mistake or mispronunciation that stands in the way of using a foreign language. Another thing that often surprises visitors is the condition of the infrastructures with potholes and speed bumps. It elicits groans—these hazards become wearisome as they can be bone-jarring. And, when it rains, the challenges of driving on the roads increase greatly. A consolation while driving the highways and by-ways are the children who eagerly greet the passing vehicle and cry out with enthusiasm, “mzungu,” that is, “white person.” Guests marvel at the celebration of Sunday Mass with its music and dancing and processions. One Sunday, I was accompanied by our guests to three Masses each of which lasted two hours. We left at 6:30 a.m. and returned to the house around 2:30 p.m.; they lost track of time and were amazed it was well past two o’clock in the afternoon.  
 
Vocations program 
 
Finally, a beautiful, but fairly unknown aspect of our mission is the vocations program to support young women in discerning a vocation to religious life. There are five young women enrolled in the program who are affiliated with three different religious congregations. Ebisiba and Lineth are aspirants, that is, they have regular contact with a religious community and attend “vocation days” while they pursue their studies. Both, Ebisiba and Lineth, are studying nursing. These two women are dedicated students and good role models; they are grateful for the opportunity given to them. Sister Christine was accepted as a novice in a community in December 2025 and is progressing toward her first vows later this year. She expresses gratitude to the Bismarck Mission as she fulfills a lifelong dream of being a religious sister. Sister Ruth made her first vows with her community in December 2025. Her home is near our shamba; she contacts me frequently to assure me of her prayers. Sister Naomi made her first vows in October 2024. She has been active in fostering relationships with other young women and serving as a mentor for those in their discernment. Each month they receive a small stipend to assist with needs, and they may request additional subsidy for items necessary for religious life. Those in school receive funding to pursue their education.
 
Throughout the course of each week, I hear words of gratitude—from students, teachers and administrators in schools, catechists and parish leaders, village chiefs and others—for the work of the Bismarck African Mission. I believe the words I hear reflect the generosity and faith of the people of the Bismarck Diocese and, ultimately, they are meant for God, Who is the source of life and every blessing.