(July 30, 2010) The superior general of the Missionaries of Charity founded by Mother
Teresa of Kolkata is currently on a visit to Bangaldesh and has praised the “enormous
efforts” of her nuns and brothers to put smiles on faces of the poor and abandoned.
“It amazes me to see so many happy faces where our nuns are working,” said Sister
Prema who is visiting, June 20-July 31. “It is a matter of great joy that our nuns
are so determined to help these poor, vulnerable and needy people,” said the German-born
nun, the first superior general of the congregation to visit Bangladesh since Blessed
Teresa of Kolkata in 1995. Sr. Prema’s trip is a routine visit to the order’s 13
centres in the country, 12 of which are run by nuns and one the brothers. She expressed
satisfaction for the dedication of nuns and brothers for the poor and helpless, saying
they render all kinds of pastoral services in accordance with the aims and objectives
of the congregation. Sister Prema, however lamented the lack of young volunteers
in the Church serving the poor in Bangladesh. The Missionaries of Charity first
arrived in Bangladesh in 1972 to provide humanitarian aid for victims of the country’s
independence struggle. Currently there are 85 local and foreign nuns and four brothers
working in Bangladesh. On the 26 of next month the world will be marking the 100th
birth anniversary of Mother Teresa.