Author Shares Experience at West African Orphanage

Sister Jane Mankaa and The Rev. Canon Elizabeth Rankin Geitz may initially seem an unlikely pair. But the more one talks to the soft-spoken Anglican nun from west Africa and the Episcopal priest from Pennsylvania, the more one sees their similarities - an unwavering faith in God and a fiery passion on behalf of a group of orphans in Cameroon.

Rev. Geitz first met Sister Jane about 12 years ago when she was giving a workshop at her church.  "She came here (to America) with a dream in her heart, a vision in her head and $25 in her pocket," Geitz explained when the two were in Paducah last weekend to speak at Grace Episcopal Church, where her brother, Paducah allergist Dr. Brad Rankin is a member.

When the two first met, Sister Jane was studying convent  management to enable her to start  an order of nuns for the sole purpose of starting an orphanage for the many children in her country who were dying. While getting her education, Sister Jane stayed with the community of St. John Baptist in Menden, New Jersey. "While she was here, they took her to different churches, where she gave a presentation and played her African drums. And I saw her and was immediately drawn to her. I'd never met anybody like her."

The relationship has been very beneficial to the orphans, according to Sister Jane. "Without her, I think we would not have accomplished what we now have accomplished. Before she knew me, the children were sleeping about 8 in a bed but now each child has a bed to sleep on."

Geitz said Sister Jane is giving her too much credit. That, she says, is the result of many people's efforts through an American advisory board she formed for the orphanage.

While on a sabbatical in 2008, Geitz and two other laywomen in the Episcopal Church decided to visit the Good Shepherd Home in Cameroon.  After the long plane ride, it took eight hours by van to make the 200-mile trip to the orphanage. "When we rounded the bend into the home, there were 50 children all dressed up in their Sunday best jumping up and down, screaming, clapping, laughing. Then when we got off the van, they started singing songs, hugging us. They had their little arms around our waists. We were holding the babies. Tears were streaming down our faces. Then they performed for us. They performed songs. Teenagers were playing drums and dancing... I have never experienced anything like it."

Sister Jane explains that the children were happy to welcome the American women into what they see as their home. "We know that these are children that have gone through a lot - their parents dying in their hands. Coming to Good Shepherd is to give them love, love which they could not have somewhere else. ... We take care of them as if they are our own children."

When Geitz returned home, she felt compelled to share their story and ended up writing a book, called "I Am That Child,"  which tells the stories of some of the orphans in their own words. "When I arrived back in the United States, I said, 'What can I really do that might make a difference in these children's lives?' I'd always heard that all we can do is just to use whatever gifts God has given us and use it for the greater good. I was a writer, so I wrote."

The last chapter of her book is entitled, "Joining the Journey." "So when they get to the end, there are 14 ways for them to join the journey with me and become involved in helping the children of this orphanage or helping the people of Cameroon," Geitz said. She notes that one way  to help is by sponsoring a child for $30 a month.

"We have 140 children in two different homes, " explained Sister Jane. "There are 40 children in a special home for special needs children who are infected (with HIV) or who have epilepsy. And we take good care of them in a special way. We have 100  who live in the city of Pamenda."

Sister Jane is quick to explain that the orphans are not up for adoption. "We don't adopt our children because we are a family," she says. "It's hard to give your child away. I love all of them. We keep them."

Some of Sister Jane's 'children' have already graduated from what we would consider high school and are pursuing a higher education. "There are some already in university. They are aspiring to be medical doctors, teachers. Each one of them has a dream, and I believe it will be accomplished."

For more information on the Good Shepherd Home, go to www.abangoh.org.