This is a story of our joint NGO Office and how it effectively helps us to realize our mission and deepen our spirituality, those values and traditions so cherished within each of our congregations.  How is it that our paths converge and lead us to form this mutually beneficial relationship?

This graphic shows in which countries in the world the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Society of the Sacred Heart are present. In some countries there are sisters of only one of the two congregations, while in other countries both groups have a presence. Although each of the two congregations is a separate NGO in relationship with the United Nations, we have formed a partnership to live out and operationalize the work in a common UN-NGO Office. We hope that our partnership will grow on the local level, especially in those countries where both RSCJ and IBVM are present.

a Township near the Coal Mining and Steel Works town of Witbank, South Africa

NGOs offering Home Based Care and support to families infected and affected by HIV/AIDS are an essential element of the response to the pandemic in South Africa.

1.  What is an NGO?

NGO stands for ‘non-governmental organization’.  The United Nations (UN) describes an NGO as a “not-for-profit, voluntary citizens’ group, which is organized on a local, national or international level to address issues in support of the public good.”  The Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Society of the Sacred Heart fit this description because each congregation is made up of ordinary women with a common interest and conviction that education holds the key to systemic change in the world.  Neither group is part of a government or business and both work at the local, national and international level.