Scottish Catholic Observer

A group of 20 from the St Margaret’s community recently travelled to Malawi where they gave Sr Anna Tomassi a standing ovation as she entered Graxia cafe in Blantyre, Malawi.

The pupils then sang some hymns for Sr Tomassi, before music teacher Amy Papiransky performed a number of Scottish folk songs on the fiddle.

Ms Papiransky also performed a song she had written for the Sister and sang Robert Burns’ Ae Fond Kiss.

Former St Margaret’s pupil Lauren Strain delivered a speech on Sr Anna’s inspirational nature, after which all joined in a party, with Scots, Italians and Malawians all doing traditional Scottish dances to fiddle music.

Sr Tomassi and her colleagues signed book copies, which can now be bought in Malawi.

The Sister spoke of how moved she was by the group’s efforts and their support of her Malawian projects, and for the ‘love and kindness they show to an old lady in Malawi.’

“I was deeply touched by the beautiful singing and music, and my workers enjoyed the Scottish dancing,” she said. “I cannot believe the kindness of the people who help with my humble efforts.

“I have the entire community in my prayers.”

The group from St Margaret’s had the opportunity to visit Sr Tomassi’s headquarters at St Pius where they met CCC Trust members.

This was set up to give employment to ex-prisoners by helping to building schools and churches.

The pupils donated projectors and printers to help with the projects on behalf of SSUK as well as clothes and tools, while St Margaret’s teacher Karen Burns paid the university tuition fees for a lawyer working for Sr Tomassi.