Catholic Sisters in Zambia Enhance Support for Elderly Members

Lusaka, Zambia — As the world observes the International Day of Older Persons on October 1, under the 2026 theme, “The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives,” the focus shifts to what it truly means to age with dignity, safety, and appropriate care.

For the Catholic sisters in Zambia, this issue hits close to home. After decades of teaching, nursing the sick, and supporting families, many of these women now face the reality of needing care themselves.

This poignant reality lies at the heart of the Catholic Sisters Wellness and Elderly Care Network, an initiative that unites Zambia’s congregations to strengthen care for their elderly and infirm members. Supported by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation through the Centre for Catholic Sisters Wellness in Zambia, this initiative operates under the auspices of the Zambia Association of Sisterhood (ZAS).

On May 13, 2026, leaders, board members, and staff gathered at Kasisi Retreat Centre in Lusaka to review the progress of the initiative during a monitoring visit.

Sr. Pauline Tembo, LSMI, who was once a teacher and served as secretary to the Bishop of Mpika Diocese, experienced a life-changing event on January 1, 2016, when her legs failed her. Hospital tests revealed spinal cord damage, resulting in limited mobility ever since. Her story shows how aging or illness can profoundly affect life in a convent, turning simple tasks like climbing stairs or using the bathroom into major challenges.

The Network is dedicated to addressing these issues by ensuring accessible bathrooms, safer living environments, and appropriate medical beds.

Despite the obstacles she faces, Sr. Pauline remains upbeat and prayerful. During the visit, she voiced the gratitude of elderly sisters throughout Zambia, thanking those who have enhanced their care, as well as the Hilton Foundation for facilitating the training of sisters in elderly care. For Sr. Pauline, this support transcends the provision of physical infrastructure; it embodies the essence of living with safety, dignity, and a sense of belonging.

Sr. Victoria Omega Ameh, LSMI, is currently recuperating at the Kasisi elderly care centre, managed by the Centre for Catholic Sisters Wellness in Zambia. After undergoing surgery on her left ankle at Medland Hospital in Lusaka on May 18, 2026, she transferred to the centre three days later, on May 21.

“I take great pride in the Network due to the care I received from the sisters, which has expedited my recovery,” she shares. She attributes her progress to the dedicated nursing staff, including the Network’s Director, Sr. Dorothy Chongo, LSMI; the nurse in charge, Sr. Honester Tambatamba; and the caregivers. Beyond medical care, Sr. Victoria appreciates the spiritual support of being close to the Eucharist, the clean and nurturing environment, and the warm hospitality from the sisters and caregivers. She highly recommends the centre for its mental nourishment, counseling, and the specialized care essential for healing and preparing for one’s “final home.”

During the monitoring visit, a presentation highlighted the Network’s inception following a 2024 assessment of 13 congregations, encompassing approximately 1,100 sisters. The assessment evaluated the health, mobility, and living conditions of elderly and infirm sisters, revealing a pressing need for facilities designed with aging in mind. According to the Zambia Association of Sisterhood, the programme supports 350 elderly and infirm sisters across the 13 congregations.

Many convents were found to lack necessary adaptations, such as support for stairs, grab bars in bathrooms, appropriate toilet heights, and suitable beds and mattresses for infirm sisters. Additionally, common age-related issues emerged, including body pains, infections, dental problems, declining memory, and the need for emotional support.

In response, these 13 congregations received grants in 2024 and 2025 to renovate their convents and purchase medical beds. The Hilton Foundation concluded its grant support on April 27, 2026, after reviewing the final report.

The Network acknowledges that good intentions alone are insufficient. Fourteen focal-point sisters completed a specialized training program in elderly care in September 2025, graduating on January 9, 2026. Among them were Sr. Regina Mulenga of the Little Servants of Mary Immaculate (LSMI) and Sr. Beatrice Mapulanga of the Sisters of Mercy (SOM), who have since shared their knowledge with their respective communities. Sr. Regina also attended an alumni gathering at the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm in Germantown, New York, in October 2025, where she observed practical strategies for ensuring safety, comfort, and nutrition.

“The establishment of the Elderly Care Network in Zambia in 2023 represents a crucial advancement in our mission to provide quality healthcare to the sick and elderly,” she remarked. “The global aging population compels us to be proactive in securing a better future for our elderly sisters.”

Her key takeaway emphasizes the importance of communities anticipating the needs of older members instead of waiting for a crisis to arise. The presentation suggested that trained sisters could ultimately mentor lay caregivers, enhancing family support for elderly relatives while also potentially generating income for the Network.

Registered with the Registrar of Societies on December 3, 2025, the Network has established a robust legal framework beyond individual grants. During the monitoring visit, Sr. Agnes Njeri, SSJ, Program Officer for Catholic Sisters, Africa, at the Hilton Foundation, congratulated the leadership on this significant achievement, urging them to continue their vital work.

The Hilton-supported programme brings together Zambia, Kenya, Ghana, Mexico, India, Tanzania, Malawi, and Uganda. Each country identified sisters to be trained in elderly care at the Avila Institute of Gerontology in the United States, with the expectation that they would share their knowledge on their return.