AFRICAN CONNECTIONS
In April 2000, five Alliance Dominicans accompanied Sr. Margaret Ormond of Dominican Sisters International and Sr. Christine from Dominican Sisters, Africa on a mission to Zambia for two weeks to initiate connections with our African Dominican sisters.  The delegates continue to foster linkages between the Alliance and our sisters in Africa and their ministries.  Some fruits of these efforts to date are the sharing of books (religious and text books), computers and e-mail service, "pen friends" among students of Dominican schools, and anti-AIDS collaboration.  Much more is possible as this relationship continues to grow.  The Alliance congregations also sponsored the visit of two Sisters from Zambia to come to visit each of our Motherhouses.

Kathleen Kenny, Op from Springfield spoke of her experience.  "Having been one of the five Alliance members who visited the Dominican Sisters in Zambia in April 200, serving on the African Connections Committee serves to rekindle the fire of my love for our Sisters there and keep us all updated on their many mission endeavors.  The committee currently made up of one from each Akron, Columbus, Great Bend, Houston, Kentucky, St. Mary's New Orleans and Springfield communities, meets twice a year to report updates and plan future steps to deepen our solidarity with our Sisters across the globe.  Rosemary Mwesa, OP from Zambia is currently studying at Ohio Dominican University and living with the Columbus Dominicans.  She has attended our recent meetings and lends in-depth explanation and guidance."

ACTIVITIES SUPPORTED BY THE AFRICAN CONNECTIONS COMMITTEE

The Houston Dominicans began selling "blue" bears to raise funds for medical aid and research for those with HIV/AIDS both in the diocese of Houston and in the Zambian, Africa where the Kavu Clinic treats pregnant women with AIDS to assist them in giving birth to healthy babies who can be HIV free with the right medicine.  The "Holy Bears" project is very successful and has spread to other parts of the country among Dominican groups.

BOOKS FOR AFRICA
Collecting religious and spiritual books to help stock the library for the Sisters to continue their ongoing development.

There will be more news about these project.

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