The visit of Bro. Varghese Mandapathil to the Province of East Africa ( Kenya and Tanzania )

This interview was done through specific questions given to Bro. Varghese Mandapathil, The Assistant General in charge of the Province of East Africa. From 01 to 18 November Bro. Varghese Mandapathil visited the communities of the Province of East Africa in Kenya and Tanzania. The interview was aimed at knowing the experience of Bro. Varghese’s first visit to PEA and sharing the reality of the mission of the Brothers of St. Gabriel in these countries.

How has your first visit to the Province of East Africa been so far? Any memorable moments you’d like to share?

My maiden visit to the province of East Africa was a memorable experience. I am impressed by the ‘Great African spirit’ of brotherly bonds in the communities, vibrant spiritual culture, and the celebration of life and spirituality through music, art, and dance.

What are your impressions of the Brothers’ work and community life in this province?

The Province of East Africa is a young and vibrant province with 40 Brothers with Temporary vows. Even the finally professed Brothers are comparatively very young. Most centres are in rural or semi-urban areas, reaching out to the less privileged. They are happy as a community and are focused on their mission in general.

In your view, how is the mission of the Montfort Brothers of St. Gabriel making a difference in the lives of the people here?

The education mission and the Brothers' involvement in forming the student's character in the boardings, as most of the schools are residential in nature, is impacting the lives of the students in our institutions.  

What do you see as the major challenges faced by the Brothers in this province?

Training and equipping the young Brothers to take up responsibility is one of the main challenges the Province is facing. It is also an opportunity to empower the young Brothers to prepare them for the future mission.

Another challenge is to make the communities self-sufficient financially. This will require that the Brothers work hard to impart quality education so that the number of students in the institutions increases substantially to make it financially viable.

What words of encouragement would you give to the Brothers of East Africa to further enhance their mission?

I appreciate the great missionary work being done in Tanzania and Kenya. I wish that they begin a few more ‘Primary schools’ that will help them to be financially self–sufficient. They also need to carefully monitor the existing schools to ensure that they improve the educational standards in these schools and attract more students so that the schools become financially viable.

What new opportunities or areas of growth do you foresee for the Province of East Africa in the coming years?

The Brothers are doing well in promoting vocations in the Province. There are a good number of candidates and first professions in the Province. They are doing well in taking care of the initial stages of formation. It is important to ensure quality over quantity in the initial stages of formation.

How can the work being done here inspire or contribute to the global mission of the Montfort Brothers of St. Gabriel?

The Brothers in Tanzania and Kenya (I visited only these two countries) are trying their best to make the Montfortian Education Mission in these countries special and growth-oriented. They focus on Holistic child-centred education, which aligns with the Global education mission of the Montfort Brothers of St. Gabriel.