A Fruit of Enduring Hope: Inauguration of the Blessed Francis Jordan Maternity Health Center
The long-awaited Blessed Francis Jordan Maternity Health Center, managed by the Salvatorian Sisters in the town of Whisky, Kasumbalesa, was joyfully inaugurated on March 7, 2026. This milestone was made possible through the dedicated involvement of Bishop Gaston Kashala Ruwezi, SDB, whose support was instrumental in bringing this vital facility to the locality of Whisky.
During the ceremony, Sr. Astrid, Regional Superior of Congo, expressed the Congregation’s profound gratitude to His Excellency Bishop Gaston. Reflecting on the journey of the project, Sr. Astrid invoked the saying of the founder, Blessed Francis Jordan, stating: “The works of God prosper only in the shadow of the cross” (SD. I/163).
This maternity centre is the fruit of seven years of perseverance amidst significant challenges and limited resources. It stands not as a random development, but as a direct response to the dire needs of the local community. For too long, families in this region faced immense difficulties traveling to distant city centres for maternal care; today, that care is available at their doorstep.
The inauguration was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a formal blessing by Bishop Gaston Kashala Ruwezi. In his address, the Bishop expressed his joy at the realization of the centre, noting that it aligns with the national policy of President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, which advocates for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) to ensure equitable, quality healthcare for all citizens.
Sr. Astrid concluded by thanking every individual who “laid hands” on this project to bring it to completion. She expressed her hope and vision that the local population will make full use of the centre, benefiting from the professional and compassionate services now offered by this noble foundation.