Br.
Ludwin Speth , born in Vaals, The Netherlands, in 1919, is presently being cared
for in the Beyart in Maastricht after having had a stroke in l999. We talk to
him about his dedicated work for hearing impaired children in Malawi.Interview:
EDUCATION OF DEAF CHILDREN IN MALAWI
MISSION COMPLETED - A SUCCESSFUL HANDOVER
On the video "Mua 2001" I see happily , smiling Malawian children. They seem to enjoy a care-free life notwithstanding their hearing handicap, they chat, sing and dance. A group of African sisters is helping and teaching them. I could not have imagined this more beautiful.
Our work has been taken over by the sisters in a most satisfactory manner. Our mission has been completed. The handover is a success.
Br.
Ludwin Speth , born in Vaals, The Netherlands, in 1919, is presently being cared
for in the Beyart in Maastricht after having had a stroke in l999. We talk to
him about his dedicated work for hearing impaired children in Malawi.
SIERRA LEONE
After my profession as a brother FIC I worked in primary schools in several places in the Netherlands. After that I became prefect in a bargees'children's school in Zevenaar, followed by five years in a similar job in Nijmegen.Care for childrern has always been close to my heart.
In the sixties there grew a missionary revival in our congregation. Brothers left schools in the Netherlands to initiate new mission areas. One of these was tropical Sierra Leone. I went there in l961 with amongst others Toon van Herwaarden and Charles Bastiaenen. The new job in a challenging environment attracted me.
Ludwin could continue his job as prefect in the heat of this African country. He was appointed boarding master in St. Francis Secondary School in Makeni. In fact we had too much work for the small number of brothers. Therefore communitylife did not develop sufficiently. For me this was killing.
NO CLEAR MANDATE
In my life and work later on in Malawi I had learned from this experience. Community life with your fellow brothers comes first, one's apostolic action comes second. In this way a foundation is laid for your own happiness and for the right attitude in carrying out your task.
Looking back on his stay in Sierra Leone Ludwin Speth admits that the task assigned to our brothers was not clearly defined. We had to study at night so as to remain ahead of our students. We were not used to the british education system. All this caused uncertainty for the brothers. Our attitude towards Islamic students caused friction as well. The brothers felt that everyone had the right to profess his own religion with respect for the religious conviction of others.
The bishop however had different ideas. He was somehow fanatic about this. We raised our voices against this discrimination and choose the side of the students. Because of this we were reprimanded by the bishop and we had to promise that in case we saw a moslim boy say his prayers we should dismiss him immediately. This situation became inbearable for the brothers and for brother Ludwin Speth in particular. Ludwin returned to the Netherlands and the FIC left Sierra Leone with pain in the heart, feeling sorry for the students.
DEAF CHILDREN
Back in the Netherlands I was quite honestly speaking in sackcloth and ashes. Had it been sensible to oppose the bishop so strongly. Did not we leave the students in the cold? Did we go to Sierra Leone for nothing. All this pressed heavily on me. Fortunately another challenge turned up: Education of the deaf. My temporary place of residence was the FIC community in St. Michelsgestel. The general council suggested that I should specialize in the education of deaf children and then return to Africa, to a new mission in Malawi. I was taught by Sr. Rosa (Choorstraat Den Bosch) and at the same time I followed audiology lessons at the University of Nijmegen. After two years, I could, reasonably well prepared, leave for my new sphere of work : Malawi. This country has a great number of deaf children. Reason is probably the poor medical services in the country. In some areas these services were in 1970 completely unknown. As a result small hearing problems became big problems. A small disorder or infection not properly treated often resulted in unrepairable damage of the delicate auditory organs.
Ludwin became a member of the Mary-view community and felt supported by Hortensius Meeuws who had been engaged in work with deaf children for some time already. He was very experienced in testing residual hearing. Ludwin also got much help from Hubrecht van de Ven, Herman Tenwolde, Henk van Heck, Thijs Holla, Gerard van Breukelenand all fellow brothers.
SCHOOL AND BOARDING.
The educational situation in Malawi never was all that bright. Handicapped
children were hardly given any attention. There was a class of thirty deaf children,
where besides Hortentius two Malawian assistants were employed.
Another problem was that there was no accomodation for these deaf children who
came from very far and had to be boarded. They did not only need education but
also living facilities. After careful consideration it was decided that the
children would be accommodated in a couple of rooms of the noviciate of the
Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a Malawian congregation. Sisters and novices
were very much charmed by the children and took care of them with great love.
In fact they wanted to get actively involved in the education of the deaf, but
the wish could not (yet) be fulfilled.
When the reign of terror in Biafra victimized many people, religious were persecuted and molested. Some missionaries left Nigeria and came to Malawi, amongst them a group of ten white sisters. They were very willing to help.
After long and laborious consultations it was decided to decline the offer. The sisters were white, middle aged and could not guarantee continuity in the work. It was felt that we should try to prevent children becoming strangers in their own country.
The Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary offered to get involved. We were very happy with that decision. They were indigenous religious, and a flourishing congregation with young members with a great feeling for children in need.
TAKE OVER --- GUARANTEED
Most important in one's missionary life is to make oneself dipensible. The work the one starts ought to be transferable to local indigenous manpower, laymen or religious is Ludwin Speth's feeling.
For a specialized form of education and formation, as the education of deaf children, this is definitely true. One should step back after having carried over knowledge and experience.
The bishop of the diocese in which the FIC is active follows the development of the education of the deaf very closely. He has every confidence in the congregation of sisters which has bent towards the education of the deaf. When the bishop visited the Beyart in 2000 he enthousiastically announced that the brothers had taught and instructed the sisters very well.
They may be doing the work even better than you Ludwin, he said. And recently he informed Ludwin that they do indeed better than Ludwin himself.
Ludwin considers this a great compliment. It has always been our aim to carry over this apostolate to local people in the right way.
In the years we could cooperate with the sisters , I have, based on my experience in Sierra Leone, urged the sisters that their community and prayer life ought to be the foundation of the apostolic action.
Together with my fellow brothers we have given the sisters the necessary professional and vocational training and support, so that they can do their work on high level...
I left Malawi in 1999, partly because my health deteriorated, partly because I felt sure that what we had started could be continued. I saw with my own eyes not only that the sisters did their work with great repute and skill but especially with dedication and love.
The parents of a deaf and physically handicapped boy came and asked what panacea we had used to let their son function normally and laugh again. We did not do anything special the sisters said. We only gave him love and attention. Hearing this and looking at such a beautiful result, makes tears leap into my eyes and I become very greatful.
MALAWI
Ludwin Speth is not very optimistic about the situation in Malawi. In fact things are not going well in this beautiful country. A long period of tyranny is over. People who disagree with government are no longer food for crocodiles. Now there is plenty of corruption. There is terrible poverty and people suffer from hunger. It is surprising that people remain so cheerful and friendly. You don't feel safe in the country. There is plenty of robbery and theft. Our brothers experience that regularly.
Ludwin shows me a picture he got from the bishop when he visited the Beyart. When I don't see things coming off because of my hemiplegia then I look at this picture. It shows African women toiling and moiling for their children. For days they walk accros barren land searching for water for their children. Then I think to myself: may be things are not all that favourable for me, but they have to carry heavier burdens. I am very fortunate that I am so well cared for and looked after. And what is their future. An intense feeling of gratitude keeps me going. We have completely devoted ourselves to this country. Indigenous people take over our mission.
It can't be more beautiful, can it?
Wim Swüste
Source: BERICHTEN VAN DE BROEDERS VAN MAASTRICHT, 2002, nr. 1
Translation: Bro. Rudolf van Oudheusden f.i.c.