Sister Maureen Kojoa, Moyo Babies Home

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Sister Maureen embodies compassionate service in one of the world's most challenging environments. As a member of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus serving at Moyo Babies Home, she dedicates her life to caring for children who have experienced the worst of human circumstances – abuse, neglect, abandonment, and the trauma of conflict. 

Sister Maureen's work is complicated by the region's position as a border area. The facility regularly receives unaccompanied minors who have crossed from South Sudan during periods of increased conflict. One particularly poignant case involved a boy they named Justin because he was "just in" when found – part of a group of 18 children gathered by a 20-year-old who had rescued orphaned children whose parents were killed or forced to flee. 

Moyo Babies Home serves primarily infants and toddlers. Each child who arrives carries a story of loss, yet Sister Maureen and her team work tirelessly to provide not just physical care but emotional healing and hope for the future. 

What distinguishes Sister Maureen's service is her unwavering commitment in the face of resource constraints. When funding decreases, she doesn't abandon her mission or seek easier assignments. Instead, she and her team simply eat less and stretch available resources further, never allowing financial limitations to compromise their care for the children who depend on them. 

Sister Maureen has remained in Moyo for ten years, which is significant given that religious sisters are typically moved between assignments every few years. Her extended tenure reflects both the critical need in this border region and her effectiveness in serving this vulnerable population. 

The community deeply respects Sister Maureen, recognizing her not only as a compassionate caregiver but also as a strategic thinker with strong business sense. She approaches sustainability thoughtfully, always considering how to maintain and improve services for the children in her care while navigating the complex challenges of operating in such a difficult environment.