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Sister Gertrude Chipungu Sister Gertrude Chipungu is one of 650 Medical Mission Sisters in 19 nations trying to be present to others in the spirit of Jesus the Healer. Born and raised in Malawi, Africa, Sister Gertrude grew up in a district called Thyolo. Her mother, who was Catholic, was a nurse's assistant in a local hospital. After her schooling, Sister Gertrude also began working in the hospital part-time, and at the Kasinan Health Center. She taught the local language to two of our Sisters. "I saw their life as a life which somehow attracted my aspirations," says Sister Gertrude about the Medical Mission Sisters. "They are for women's development … they are women giving their life for the upliftment of others." She joined our Community in 1987 at the age of 22. Sister Gertrude studied nursing and midwifery in Kenya for 4 years, and then was missioned to Phalombe Hospital in Malawi, where she worked in maternity and delivery for 3 years. She continued her nursing work in Lilongwe, and was involved in setting the agenda for women's issues for the Catholic Secretariat for Malawi.
Furthering her education, Sister Gertrude went to Nairobi, Kenya, to study human development for 3 years. In 2004, she completed a Master's program in Gender Analysis in Development in Norwich, England, before returning to Malawi, where she now serves as Formation Coordinator for the Medical Mission Sisters. "Malawi is one of the countries which has been hit by HIV/AIDS very strongly, mostly as the result of poverty," she explains. The average life expectancy for a Malawi citizen has declined to less than 40 years, and the annual per capita income is only $190. In some families, more than half the members have died of AIDS. Tuberculosis is also on the rise in Malawi, party because of the high incidence of HIV. Sister Gertrude explains, "When you have HIV, your immune system is low, so TB can move in and flourish … not all who have HIV have TB, but it makes them susceptible." In these very difficult circumstances, Sister Gertrude strives to be a healing presence. "When I am in touch with myself, I am able to be a healing presence to the other. That is, I should be able to be in touch with my pain … and as I forgive myself and others, I'll be able to transform that and share it with others around me."
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