Malawi – Africa | Project #23 of 72

When Sister Oliver returned to Tanzania, while awaiting her profession of vows, spazio + spadoni nevertheless supported the launch of the social enterprise in the Diocese of Mzuzu, Malawi, where Sister Oliver was initially due to be assigned. Mzuzu is characterized by extreme poverty; the main source of sustenance is maize cultivation, which accounts for about three quarters of daily calorie intake. By investing in this area, spazio + spadoni enabled the Holy Spirit Sisters Congregation to increase the harvest not only of maize, but also of soybeans, beans, and potatoes, all of which was distributed to people in need in the area in 2023. Because of issues involving the local diocese, Sister Oliver will not be able to go to Malawi; spazio + spadoni has therefore completed the chicken-coop structure in Lekirimuni, and the sister may take charge of this activity. The project has been suspended since the beginning of 2025.

Sister Oliver completed her HIC SUM project training at the Misericordia di Monte San Giovanni Campano. She arrived in Italy on 17 November 2021 with another sister who took part in the project at another Misericordia in Lazio. Thanks to her energy and fresh witness, the very young Sister Oliver immediately formed a strong bond with the association’s young volunteers. This training allowed her to learn the basics of first aid, take a baking course, and learn agricultural techniques that she was expected to put into practice in Malawi, where she was initially due to be assigned. In April 2022, she returned to Tanzania and professed her perpetual vows in May 2023. Contrary to the original plan, Sister Oliver was not transferred to Mzuzu, Malawi, for reasons related to the Congregation’s internal organization. Her service and apostolate take place in Tanzania, in the Diocese of Moshi.