Sr. Juliana Mwanza was born on 12th December, 1963. She was the daughter of Gerald Chimimba and Eugenia Mwanza. For her formal education, she attended Katondwe Primary School, Matero Girls’ Secondary School and later in 1984 Caritas Girls’ Convent School. She entered religious life on 20th February, 1987 and made her First Profession on 9th September, 1989.
Following her First Profession, she was missioned to Meheba Refugee Settlement, in Solwezi, where she worked in one of the schools as a voluntary teacher. She moved to Kabwe Community in December 1989 where she helped in the sacristy, with the housekeeping and parish catechism classes as well as attending some classes in school.
In May 1991 Sr Juliana was missioned to Nakambala Community. While in Nakambala she did pastoral visitation in the parish.
Sr. Juliana began her teacher training in St. Charles Lwanga Teachers’ Training College in January 1992. On completion of her training in January 1994, she was missioned to Namwala Community to teach at Lubanga Shabongwe Basic School, a place she came to love so much.
She returned to Meheba in January 1998 and taught for one year in Meheba Basic School. The following year when she returned to school she was asked to change classes. She moved to the Primary School to take a special all girls Grade 5 class, as part of an Education Department initiative to promote the girl child. She proved herself to be a self-motivated person. She was loved by her pupils and the staff. Sr. Juliana was also involved in the youth ministry in the parish. She organised seminars and outings for the youth of different parishes. She welcomed everyone who needed assistance especially the poor and aged.
In January 2003 Sr Juliana attended the Spirituality Course in Kalundu, Lusaka. Following her course, she was again missioned to Namwala where she taught in Lubanga Shabongwe Basic School. She left Namwala in April 2008 and was missioned to Nakambala Community where she taught Home Economics and Religious Education at Shimungalu Basic School. She was a committed and joyful person who loved her pupils. Each evening, Sr. Juliana would prepare for the following day’s class by packing the teaching materials and food so that she would not be delayed for work the following day. She was always on time for duty. Sr. Juliana had a sense of humour as she would tease whoever delayed her by saying “Nakumwamba muzaka sala imwe!”
Sr. Juliana was a friend to all in the school and the fishing camp where the school is situated. On her way to school, the children would greet and wave at her and would be smiling. Sr. Juliana would talk to these children and encourage them to attend school. Sister was concerned about the lives of others and always wanted the best for the vulnerable children in Shimungalu fishing village. She cherished our charism of “Service of the Poor”. She would share about the vulnerability of the children she encountered and seek opinion about how best these young ones would be helped. In the school, Sister knew every child by name. For her, the pupils always came first. She taught Grade 8 and 9 and mostly scored IOO% pass. Even after these pupils would have left Shimungalu, Sister would still follow them up to see how they were performing in her subject in their new schools. The progress of others brought her joy.
During her free time, Sr. Juliana would be in the HE Classroom preparing her lesson plans. Teachers and pupils would walk to the HE room for personal advice or just for a chat with her. She was patient and kind-hearted. The children in the school were very appreciative of her and the sacrifice she made. In return, they would offer her fish to roast as a token of appreciation for who she was to them.
In the Parish, during special events, she would assist in giving spiritual talks to the youth and some women groups in Nakambala Parish. She made herself available whenever needed.
Sr. Juliana was a very good cook. She knew what each member of her community liked and would prepare just that for them. She was full of stories and would keep you informed on matters of importance which one needed to know. She was a woman of prayer and was faithful to this even when she was unwell. Her deep spirituality was a source of her inner strength.
Sr. Juliana was a person who loved her family. She always mentioned members of her family by name and tried to attend to their needs when she could. Mwamba’s name was always on her lips.
In the Congregation, she had great respect for authority. It did not matter to her what age the leader was. She was a great support to the members of her community and was always full of humour. She was at home with everyone. She was available to take up any tasks assigned to her.
Sr. Juliana died in the early hours of Saturday 9th July, 2O22 at Coptic Hospital in Lusaka. She is buried in Chikuni Cemetery. Sr. Juliana will be greatly missed by her religious sisters and her family and friends.
SR. JULIANA, REST IN PEACE. MUGONE BWINO MWANA WA MAMA!
