Tirisanyo Retreat, Diocese of Gaborone

Tirisanyo Catholic Commission, Diocese of Gaborone, retreat for home based care givers

Tirisanyo caregivers  participated in a retreat, reflecting on their lives, and noting that only what is done for Christ in compassion and with care  will last.  The retreat was experienced by the caregivers as consoling, making them grow spiritually through sharing their problems, trying  to let go of selfishness and lack of forgiveness towards others.  They also made renewed commitments to their relationship with God, recognizing that life will come to an end, and committing to live life as though today is the last day of their lives. They spent time in silent reflection, in sharing on their life experiences, in working at understanding the importance of forgiveness of those who have hurt them, in moving towards forgiveness and letting go of pain, in believing in God’s unconditional love.

Some of the pain and difficulty they experience is related to knowing that family members of the sick  sometimes run away from responsibility for caring for those who are sick, placing additional burdens on the home based caregivers themselves; in knowing that some patients consume alcohol and are not adherent to their treatment; in knowing that some HIV+ women become pregnant without having the necessary medical advice and support during their pregnancies.  There are insufficient medical resources for patients in local clinics, and sometimes a delay in enrolling new patients on treatment

Caregivers feel renewed, spiritually motivated and grace-filled,  also having been reminded again of the value of the good work they are doing. God’s work, caring for patients, loving them as God as loved us Patients will benefit from this.