(BICI, January-February 1992, p.23)
Benignus Buckley, a member of the Capuchin Province of Ireland, and a missionary in Zambia since 1959, was recently honoured by the President of Zambia, Kenneth Kaunda, for his work among the Angolan refugees in the country. Benignus has been working in Sioma, a parish near the Angolan border, since 1979. Numerous Angolans have come there seeking refuge, both during the war for independence against the Portuguese (1961-75) and in the subsequent civil war (1975-91).
Despite the immensity of his parish (15,000 sq. km.) and the chronic shortage of transport, Benignus has managed to provide the refugees with food and clothing. He started agricultural programmes and training for women in domestic crafts. Frequent droughts have hampered the agricultural programme, but still the refugees have become nearly self-sufficient.
The colourful ceremony took place in State House, the president’s official residence, on 24 October 1991, the 27th anniversary of Zambia’s independence.