Edited from a submission by the Region of Africa Chapter Communications Team

A historic chapter in the life of the Good Shepherd mission has unfolded in Nairobi. From the October 8 to the 16, 2026, sisters and partners-in-mission from the Angola-Mozambique, Burkina Faso, Eastern Central Africa, Senegal, and South Africa Units gathered at Roussel House for the First Region of Africa Chapter — the first time these five Units have come together as a single, unified Region.

The Chapter carried the theme “Embracing Diversity and Ubuntu, Committed to Justice,” grounded in the words of Galatians 3:28: “… for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” That spirit of unity in diversity shaped every part of the gathering, from its opening ritual to its closing blessing.

A Ritual Beginning, Rooted in Symbol

The Chapter opened with a spiritually rich ritual that wove together the cultures of all five Units. Soil from each country was brought forward and placed into a single African pot, where one plant was set and watered to symbolize the five distinct histories now growing from common ground.

That same gathering saw the official presentation of the Region’s new name, “Región de África,” and the unveiling of its Chapter logo: a graphic symbol of the Region’s emerging identity. Together, these moments marked the formal start of the Chapter process that would guide the days of discussion and deliberation ahead.

A Message to Carry Forward

la Animadora de la Congregación la Hna. Joan Marie López opened the Chapter’s work by thanking the five Unit leaders and affirming the courage it took for their Units to take this bold step toward becoming one Region.

Her words left participants with questions that would frame the Chapter’s discernment:

''How do we become the region that God is asking us to be, for the people whose lives have been entrusted to us? What is stirring in you, Sisters and Partners-in-Mission… What are you hearing? What is God whispering to your heart?”

These questions became the thread running through every session of group sharing and reflection, among both sisters and partners-in-mission, as the Chapter body worked through its agenda.

Discernment, Election, and a New Leadership Team

In an atmosphere of prayer, meditation, and discernment, participants proceeded to elect the Region’s first leadership team. One mission partner present described the experience in these terms:

''We, the mission partners, give thanks to God for the time spent together with the sisters, and we pray that the fruits of these exchanges bring grace to our mission».

With everyone contributing to a spirit of openness and shared pursuit of God’s will for the Region, the new Regional Leadership Team was elected, as follows:

• Sr Zelna Oosthuizen — Regional Leader (South Africa)
• Sr Espérance Suzete Carlos — Councilor (Angola-Mozambique)
• Sr Teresia Kathure Murungi — Councilor (Kenya)
• Sr Jeanne Dibor Ndene — Councilor (Senegal)
• Sr Manel Liyanaarachchi — Councilor, Contemplative (Kenya)
• Sr Consolata Wangari Mungai — Councilor (Kenya)

The team brings experience of congregational and community leadership, contemplative life and formation, education, health care, social work, and child protection. Their ministries include accompanying teenage mothers, supporting women’s and girls’ empowerment, vocational training and prison ministry. Together, they also bring skills in law, mediation, administration, social enterprise and partnership development to support the Region’s shared life and mission.

Weaving a New Region Together

The Chapter drew to a close with a passing-of-the-torch ritual between the outgoing leaders and the new leadership team. In a powerful symbolic gesture, representatives of the five former Units came forward with ribbons representing their histories, gifts, and hopes, which were woven together into a single fabric—a visible sign of the Region’s new, shared identity.

As everyone gathered at the ritual proclaimed together:

''We are many strands, but one fabric. Many stories, but one journey. Many cultures, but one charism. Many gifts, but one mission. Rooted in our charism, united for mission».

Participants described the moment as deeply moving and fraternal—an opportunity to give thanks for the journey completed and to entrust the new leadership team with carrying the work forward in hope, courage, and fidelity to the Congregation’s charism.

What This Means for the Mission in Africa

For Good Shepherd communities, regionalization offers the possibility of drawing on a wider circle of experience and support as they discern leadership, formation, and the needs of sisters. The presence of both apostolic and contemplative experience in the elected team gives expression to the place of both ways of life within the Region’s mission.

For ministries, the new structure creates opportunities to share learning and best practice across countries and plan for continuity in education, care, protection and economic empowerment. Its value will be seen in how these relationships sustain the people and services on which girls, women and children depend. The participation of partners en la misión in the Chapter gives concrete expression to their shared responsibility, bringing their experience of the mission into discernment about its future.

As one partner-in-mission wrote: “We entrust our new regional team to God’s grace, praying that they may exercise their leadership with wisdom, courage, humility, and a heart open to serving all the sisters and the mission.»