By. Sr. Laurencila, FSSA.
Tombura — A renewed sense of hope and resilience was witnessed in Tombura today as the Catholic community took a decisive step toward recovery and rebuilding after years of disruption caused by violence.
Rev. Fr. Santino Makuei, Acting Parish Priest of Our Lady Help of Christians Parish, together with Christian faithful, led a community effort to clean and reopen the road leading to the newly constructed St. Raphael Mother and Child Hospital. The hospital’s completion and operation had been stalled for more than four years due to insecurity in the area.
The initiative went beyond a simple road-clearing exercise. Community members described it as a powerful symbol of renewed life, faith, and determination to restore essential services and normalcy in Tombura. Reopening access to the hospital marks an important first step toward making healthcare available once again, particularly for mothers, children, and other vulnerable members of the population.
St. Raphael Mother and Child Hospital is envisioned as a vital center for healing, dignity, and care for the people of Tombura and surrounding areas. Community leaders noted that restoring access to the facility represents progress toward rebuilding social services and strengthening community life after years of hardship.
Gratitude was expressed to Rev. Fr. Santino Makuei for his courageous leadership, as well as to parishioners who participated in the activity with unity, sacrifice, and a shared love for their community. Their collective effort demonstrated the Church’s commitment to accompanying the people not only spiritually, but also in practical and social recovery.
The action also carried a message to residents who fled Tombura during the conflict and those still living in displacement camps. Community members described the reopening of the road as a sign that Tombura is gradually rising again, with life slowly returning and healing and reconstruction taking root.
Church leaders encouraged families to consider a gradual return as peace continues to be restored, urging them to rehabilitate their homes and resettle step by step. They reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to walking with the people throughout the process of recovery.
Calls were also made for continued collaboration to ensure the completion and opening of St. Raphael Mother and Child Hospital, so that it may soon begin serving the community, especially mothers and children.
As residents reflected on the day’s events, many agreed that the initiative reaffirmed a shared belief that where faith remains alive, hope endures—and that Tombura is on the path to renewal.
