Bienvenu Shelter: 20 Years of Welcoming, Caring and Empowering

The mission of the Scalabrinian Missionary Sisters in Johannesburg, South Africa, narrates its story of 20 years of welcoming and caring for refugee women and their children at Bienvenu Shelter, through the Book: Bienvenu shelter: 20 years of welcoming, caring and empowering.

Organized by Sr Marivane Chiesa, mscs, Director of Bienvenu Shelter, and in Partnership with CSEM – Centro Scalabriniano de Estudos Migratórios (CSEM), Brazil, the commemorative book brings together elements of the Organization’s history, the result of researches, and many testimonies of people who contribute to the journey of the Organization.

In the words of His Grace Buti Tlhagale, Archbishop of Johannesburg, the Bienvenu Shelter is an important mission, because “it represents the love of God who gives himself, serving and protecting the lives of those in need, people that Jesus Christ chose to represent his love: “I was a stranger and you welcomed me”(Matt 25:35). The Shelter is a living sign of God’s love in our midst. It is an important tool that gives hope to migrants, refugees and the most vulnerable women and their children, it also helps them to integrate into the host community”. (extract from Book’s presentation).