Sr Miriam Duggan I met Sr Miriam Duggan at the Divine Mercy Conference last February. Subsequently, I invited her to share something of her missionary story in Uganda and Kenya. She readily agreed and we were in touch regularly until the first of the articles was published in Missio Ireland’s summer newsletter, which was dispatched to our donors and other interested parties in early August. Sadly, only days after the newsletter was sent out, Sr Miriam passed on to her eternal reward on the 9th August last. May she rest in peace.
Sr Miriam was born in Limerick and went to Laurel Hill Secondary School. During her last year in school, she felt the call to become a sister. By the time she finished school, she had a job and a salary, and those thoughts had disappeared. About a year later, she felt a stronger call and she joined the Franciscan Missionary Sisters for Africa [FMSA]. After formation, she was asked to study medicine, which was a big surprise to her as she had never considered it before.
When Sr Miriam moved to Uganda, she was one of the first qualified obstetricians in the country. She spent the next 30 years working at St Francis Hospital Nsambya”
She studied medicine for six years at University College Cork [UCC]. When she thought of working in Africa, she was asked to study obstetrics and gynaecology in England, the reason being her congregation wanted to upgrade the training schools in these areas in Uganda.
When Sr Miriam moved to Uganda, she was one of the first qualified obstetricians in the country. She spent the next 30 years working at St Francis Hospital Nsambya, in the capital, Kampala. As a newly qualified medic in Uganda, she faced many challenges due to limited medical supplies, precarious power sources and unfamiliar medical conditions, illnesses and viruses. During her time there, Sr Miriam was instrumental in training midwives and doctors in Uganda and she handed over the running of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology to a Ugandan doctor, whom she had mentored.
Civil war
As the only referral hospital, she was responsible for complicated obstetric cases during a time when Uganda was experiencing civil war. Sr Miriam’s main work was in obstetrics and gynaecology. Because of the situation in the country and senior doctors leaving, she found herself having to cope with many traumatic cases and war injuries. There was a lot of turmoil in the country during those years with coups and counter coups.
Sr Miriam always had a keen eye to see where the need was greatest. She responded to the HIV & AIDs pandemic, she supported the establishment of local clinics to care for patients with HIV & AIDS, as well as the rising number of AIDS orphans. She founded Youth Alive to support young people in making responsible choices and to provide support programmes to help prevent the spread of HIV & AIDS. The Youth Alive programme continues today and has been extended to 21 African countries.
Sr Miriam was Superior General of her congregation for 12 years. She was elected to this post initially in 2001, and she was re-elected for a second term in 2007. This sent her on a journey of visiting FMSA sisters in many African countries. Currently there are FMSA Sisters serving in Uganda, Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Sudan, America, Ireland and Scotland.
The target group for the programme were young people, who were idle in the community, school drop outs, those on drugs and those experiencing a feeling of hopelessness”
After her time as Superior General, Sr Miriam relocated to Kenya. Her main occupation was working with marginalised youths in the slums, motivating them and empowering them with vocational skills so that they were able to secure a job. In these slum areas, life is harsh, with families struggling to put food on the table. The target group for the programme were young people, who were idle in the community, school drop outs, those on drugs and those experiencing a feeling of hopelessness.
Successful
The Out of School Youth Project is very successful as most of the young people who participate find employment and became successful in life. Sr Miriam found it very rewarding to work with the young people and see them succeed. The Programme has helped reduce the risk of young people engaging in harmful activities, such as substance abuse, or criminal behaviour, by providing constructive alternatives. Feedback from families reported improved living standards, due to the increased income and positive behaviour of the young people involved in the programme.
In 2015, she was awarded the Irish Presidential Distinguished Service Award by President Michael D Higgins’
Sr Miriam received many awards in recognition of the work she carried out. In 2006, she was honoured by Harvard University, the Church of Uganda and the Templeton Foundation for her pioneering work with home based HIV prevention. In 2008, she was presented with a recognition award from the President and Parliament of Uganda for her pioneering work in HIV and AIDS. In 2015, she was awarded the Irish Presidential Distinguished Service Award by President Michael D Higgins.
May Sr Miriam rest in peace and enjoy her eternal reward in heaven.
Missio Ireland supported Sr Miriam’s project and continues to support similar projects.