After years of remote collaboration and virtual exchanges, Cristina Duranti, Director of the Good Shepherd International Foundation (GSIF), and Bianca Rizzo, Fundraising Manager, finally had the opportunity to visit the Good Shepherd communities in Asia Pacific. From February 13th to 24th, they traveled through Hong Kong, Macau, Taipei, and Singapore, meeting sisters and partners to express gratitude for their generosity and to witness firsthand the transformative impact of their ministries.
Inspired by Saint Mary Euphrasia’s words — “If we uphold one another, we can work wonders” — this journey was more than just a visit; it was a celebration of unity and shared mission. In Singapore, they were joined by Onalie Da Silva, GSIF Asia Pacific Manager, along with Stella Avramopoulos, CEO of Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand, and Theresa Symons, long-term mission partner of the Good Shepherd Sisters and former GSIF Asia Pacific Manager, to connect, engage, and celebrate our global Good Shepherd mission.
Connecting with Sisters and Partners in Mission
The visit sought to strengthen relationships with sisters and partners who, while not directly involved in GSIF’s core activities like fundraising or capacity development, have significantly contributed to its mission in other ways. These communities have been particularly generous in supporting emergency appeals, such as those for Lebanon and Nepal, and in funding the start-up of new ministries in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola. This visit has been an opportunity to give thanks and at the same time explore new pathways for global networking, in alignment with GSIF 2023-27 Strategic Plan, which called GSIF to plays a role in facilitating partnerships across all ministries of the Congregation, fostering a shared sense of belonging to a global mission of justice, love, and compassion.
Hong Kong: A Community Rooted in Service
The journey began in Hong Kong, where the GSIF team visited the Aberdeen convent, located in a bustling, rapidly changing district. The convent is part of a larger compound that includes Marycove School and various residential services for girls in condition of vulnerability. Sr. Bernadette Yuen introduced GSIF to the managers of these centers and the chair of the board of one of the services.
These ministries follow a holistic, trauma-informed approach to care, providing education, psychosocial support, and family reintegration programs, all rooted in the Congregation’s values of dignity and respect. The sisters and partners in Hong Kong expressed a deep sense of belonging to the mission and appreciated GSIF’s presentation on its global impact. Further strengthening ties, the sisters facilitated a visit to the Mount Carmel Parish, where Fr. Thomas Law invited Sr. Clare Sin and Cristina to share about the Good Shepherd mission during Sunday Mass. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with generous donations supporting the new GSIF’s Children, Not Workers campaigni n support of programs in different countries offering child protection and promoting community development to eradicate child labour, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking.
Macau: Offering Shelter and Hope
A brief but vibrant visit to Macau, renowned for its unique blend of cultures, highlighted the impactful work of the Good Shepherd sisters in providing a safe haven for women and children who have survived domestic violence and abuse. The community runs a day center and a shelter, offering protection, support and empowerment to women, while raising awareness and fostering healing. During the visit Sr. Rosanna Hung shared her dream of establishing a comprehensive program consolidating the different Good Shepherd activities in the Greater China Bay Area and Cristina assured her of GSIF’s commitment to supporting this mission.
Taipei: A Model of Compassion and Innovation
In Taipei, the team received a warm welcome from 45 sisters and partners, including the chairman, Mr. Ou Chin Der, the leadership team of the Good Shepherd Social Welfare Foundation. As a leading service provider in Taiwan, the foundation operates centers across the island, extending care from urban areas to remote aboriginal communities. Their state-of-the-art services for children, youth, and women in vulnerable situations are highly regarded by both the government and the public. Cristina and Bianca were particularly impressed hearing stories of dedication by the social workers who accompany children in the safe houses, when they had to endure long lockdown periods during Covid. One of them at the time had a two-year old child at home, and couldn’t go back to her for over two weeks. A tangible testimony of zeal and love for the mission.
A visit to the sisters’ house in the serene hills above Taipei provided a meaningful opportunity to meet Sr. Therese Thong and Sr. Fidelma, the pioneers of the Good Shepherd mission in Taiwan. Sr. Fidelma Haverty was particularly moved when Bianca shared with her a message received by a family based in the USA that she helped many years prior adopt a child in Taiwan. Cristina expressed heartfelt gratitude for their dedication to fundraising efforts, which have supported missions in DR Congo, Angola, Kenya, Madagascar, and Burkina Faso through GSIF, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Exploring Taipei’s rich cultural heritage, Cristina and Bianca, guided by Yvy, Peggy, and Kelly —the CEO and deputies of Good Shepherd Social Welfare Foundation —discovered how traditional Chinese culture harmoniously coexists with modern technological advancements. As Peggy expressed at the end of the visit “GSIF not only gave us a sense of support but also reminded us to focus on the most important aspects of our mission”.
Singapore: A Future-Focused Mission
The final stop in Singapore brought together sisters from Malaysia and Singapore, along with dedicated partners from Marymount Convent school, and Restful Waters. The city-state’s rapid urban development and technological innovation provided an impressive backdrop for the Congregation’s engagement with the local community.
At Marymount Convent School, GSIF team was inspired by the passionate commitment of the school’s leadership in upholding Good Shepherd values. By interpreting the values of zeal and compassion combined with robust professionalism, they effectively communicated the Congregation’s mission to students and families from diverse cultural backgrounds. The meetings with staff working in schools and facilities for women and children in GS Singapore were a valuable opportunity for exchange and discussion between the local lay partners and Onalie Da Silva, GSIF regional manager for Asia Pacific and Stella Avramopoulos, CEO of Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand.
Two gatherings of GSIF supporters in Singapore provided a platform to introduce the “Children, Not Workers” campaign, raising awareness and encouraging donations. The response was deeply moving, with many attendees eager to contribute, learn more, and take part in advocacy initiatives that protect children worldwide. Province Leader Sr. Helena Vyatialingam expressed her gratitude and repeatedly remarked how impressed she has been to see how far “GSIF has been able to stretch the Singapore dollars donated in many years, to reach out to some many countries and supporting so many people in need”.
A Journey of Gratitude and Renewal
This East Asian visit reaffirmed the strength of the Good Shepherd global network and the deep generosity of sisters and partners who extend compassion beyond borders, ensuring the mission thrives in vulnerable communities worldwide.
In each community — from Hong Kong to Macau, Taipei, and Singapore — we encountered the same spirit, a shared heartbeat of zeal, compassion and commitment. Saint Mary Euphrasia’s legacy echoed powerfully: “One person is of more value than the whole world.” This spirit of global sisterhood, of supporting one another across borders, is a living force that binds us together — inspiring us to continue connecting, engaging, and celebrating a mission that knows no boundaries.
Together, we connect, engage, and celebrate—united in our commitment to justice, love, and compassion.
