College, sisters share knowledge with women from developing countries

Published: 2006-06-28

ERIE, Pa. (CNS) -- Franciscan Sister Hellen Khisa walked excitedly into an office of the Sisters of Mercy motherhouse with a letter addressed to her. "See, I have friends," she said with a wide grin as she proudly displayed a letter from a fellow student she met last semester in one of her classes at Mercyhurst College. Friends she has, plus an education at the liberal arts college sponsored by the Erie Sisters of Mercy. The sisters provide room and board. Sister Hellen, a member of the Little Sisters of St. Francis, came from Kenya last fall to begin work on a bachelor's degree in special education at Mercyhurst. Her community ministers in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. She is one of about 15 sisters in 20 years who have benefited from a program in which the college makes available two academic scholarships each year for sisters from developing countries. The sisters live on the "international floor" of the motherhouse where they are provided community and support.

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