By Rita McInerney

Sister Sponsa Beltran is back in Liberia after spending several weeks in the Atlanta area. She flew home to Cape Palmas abundantly supplied with contributions to improve the lives of children and adults she serves at Our Lady of Fatima clinic and rehabilitation center.

She brought two young Liberians to Atlanta, Otis Gardiner, 24, who has worked with her since he was in the eighth grade and who will eventually take her place at the rehabilitation facility, and Monday Prowd, 9, a "witched child" in native parlance since he was born unable to hear.

Monday was taught sign language at the clinic and came to Atlanta with Sister Sponsa in the hope that something could be done to improve his hearing. When he was examined by an ear, nose and throat specialist, surgery was ruled out. But the doctor did fit him with two hearing aids at no cost.

There was much goodwill shown to her work, the Bernardine sister recounted in a telephone interview just before she departed. A local merchant donated orthopedic shoes for her handicapped children, an organization gave her wheelchairs and other equipment to help the youngsters get around.

When the trio left Atlanta Oct. 12 for the return flight to Liberia, they took with them 15 bags filled with school supplies, clothes and peanut butter.

Sister Sponsa attributes the "many miracles" of the center to the practice of the daily saying of the rosary by the children started in 1989 when war broke out.

"While other towns suffered losses in lives and property, Cape Palmas was spared the bombing. We could feel God's special protection over us because of Mary's intercession."

When there was no food available after the departure of other humanitarian groups, rice and fish would become available at prices three or four times the normal rate. But there were over 500 people starving, the aged, infirm, small children and the handicapped, and the prices had to be paid.

After a peace treaty between the warring factions in Liberia was signed last July, Sister Sponsa decided to return to the U.S. to seek aid in paying off a five-figure debt incurred in feeding so many people.

As she always does, she found a generous response here to her appeal for funds to pay the debt and to purchase more rice and grain for the hungry in Cape Palmas. She returned home overjoyed by the outpouring of generosity and love.

"All we can give in return will be our continued rosary prayers," she promised.