by Rod Jones
Sister Rosemary Nyirumbe, one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People last year, will visit Oklahoma City University Oct. 13. Nyirumbe’s visit was rescheduled from last month due to travel difficulties. She will discuss her efforts to help young girls rescued from the notorious and brutal warlord Joseph Kony and his Lord’s Resistance Army. A public presentation will be held at 7 p.m. in the Petree Auditorium in Bass Music Center at N.W. 24th Street and Blackwelder Avenue.
The presentation is free and reservations are encouraged at okcu.edu/sisterrosemary/rsvp.
Nyirumbe is the director of the Saint Monica Girls’ Tailoring Center in Gulu, Uganda. The school helps the girls learn life skills in order to support themselves and their families through such trades as sewing and cooking.
She and the school are the subjects of the documentary “Sewing Hope,” narrated by Oscar Award-winner Forest Whitaker.
Nyirumbe, a member of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, has had close encounters with LRA guerillas, including some instances that nearly led to her demise, while helping victims of the conflicts raging in Uganda.
Her story is captured in the documentary and in a book of the same name co-written by Oklahoma City attorney Reggie Whitten. All proceeds from the book are donated to the Saint Monica school. The documentary is available for viewing on Netflix, and a preview can be seen online at sewinghope.com.
“Sister Rosemary is like Mother Theresa, giving dignity, hope, and life itself to those most in need,” said OCU President Robert Henry. “We are most grateful to Reggie Whitten for bringing her to our campus.”
Her Time magazine profile stated: “For girls who were forcibly enlisted as child soldiers, Sister Rosemary has the power to rekindle a bright light in eyes long gone blank.”
Oklahoma City University is collecting soda pop can tabs and sewing thread for Nyirumbe’s school. Donations of the materials will be collected at the door. Finished handmade goods and books will be available for purchase. There will be a drawing for a Bundle of Hope giveaway valued at $500 that includes a pop-tab tote, handmade jewelry, Sewing Hope T-shirt and an autographed book.
