My name is Jacinta Ugonma Mahakwe. I am a Nigerian. I come from a large family of ten children, five males and five females. I am the seventh child and third daughter. Both of my parents were civil servants and are retired. My father was an Accounting Officer while my mother is a Nurse/Midwife. Besides being civil servants, my parents engaged in different activities and businesses to cater for our family needs. My parents were concerned with our education and for this, we are thankful to them. My parents taught us to do things ourselves and instilled in us moral and religious values. My family is a Catholic family; my parents were actively involved in the Church and some of my brothers were altar boys during their youth. We spent most holidays together, sharing our different stories and experiences. We have a cordial relationship among us and support one another in different ways. My father died in June 2020 after a brief illness. We trust that he is enjoying eternal life in heaven.

Growing up, I loved taking part in Church activities. I learnt about religious life and started thinking of becoming a Sister during my secondary school education. This led me to have a conversation with two distant cousins, one a religious Sister and the other a religious brother. They furnished me with books and information on religious life, and the Medical Missionaries of Mary in particular. I read about the Medical Missionaries of Mary and was attracted to the Charism of the MMM which was medical.

After my secondary school education, I trained in Microbiology at Imo State University in Nigeria. I joined MMM in August 2005 and had my Postulancy and Novitiate formation. During this period, I learnt about MMM way of life, Charism and Religious life in General. My prayer life, community living, faith, commitment, sense of responsibility and many other values were deepened. I made my first profession alongside my six colleagues on 22nd September 2009. My first assignment was MMM Mile Four Hospital Abakaliki in Eboyi State, Nigeria. I worked in the Laboratory department for two years collecting and examining test samples of patients who came for treatment. Subsequently, I was assigned to MMM Ikeja Community Lagos in 2012 where I worked in the Laboratory for six months before moving to Nairobi, Kenya, for further studies.

At Tangaza University College, Nairobi, where I studied Theology and Philosophy for four years. I learnt a wide variety of skills through theology, such as critical thinking, clear writing, problem solving and analysis of social and historical trends. The time I spent as a student in Kenya studying Theology and Philosophy exposed me to living and engaging in a different culture.

At completion of my studies, I was assigned to MMM Salvador Community, Brazil, in 2016. I returned to Nigeria to process my visa to Brazil and prepared for my final vows as well. While waiting for a Brazilian visa, I worked in MMM Primary Health Care and Maternity Clinic (PHCMC), Abuja. I made my final vows on 24th February 2018, and left for my new mission in Salvador, Brazil on 2nd March 2018.

I worked as a pastoral care agent in our MMM Ministry; Project Consolation. The aim of Project Consolation is to support families that have experienced trauma caused by violent death, in Nordeste of Amaralina, Salvador Brazil and its surroundings, promoting awareness on human rights, the reduction of risk and the culture of peace. I worked with different women groups in the project offering arts therapy, craft skills, massage and participated in a behavioural change program for the youth in schools. I joined the Salvador Archdiocesan Prison Pastoral Care and took part in prison pastoral visits. Likewise, I was a member of the Pastoral Health Care group reaching out to the elderly in care centres and street people. I appreciate and enjoyed the cross-cultural and intercultural missionary experience I had in Brazil. I felt safe working and living among the people despite the violence in the neighbourhood because of their full acceptance and support. I have had the exposure of working in a hospital setting and also in community-based services and so have seen some of the diversity of ways the MMM charism can be expressed in service of others.

In 2024 I participated in the Religious Formation Ministry Programme (Loreto House). This is a one-year renewal programme offered by the Association of Leaders of Missionaries and Religious of Ireland (AMRI). What I enjoy most is helping people find solutions to their problems, protecting vulnerable people from harm or abuse, supporting people to live independently, empowering young women and youth through skill acquisition and participation in behavioral change programs.

When people think of me, they think of the commitment and cheerfulness with which I carry out my activities. They also share that I am easy to work with and enjoy going out to participate in working with the people at grassroots level and advocating for people’s rights and dignity.

Over the years, life has taught me that religious life is not self-seeking but faithful commitment to God’s will in service of humanity. I have experienced joy in giving myself in the service of those in most need through MMM Healing Charism. I find a synergy in living the religious life in community because we care for and give support to one another. Challenges are in every lifestyle, but prayer and community support helps me to sustain my commitment.