A Special Operation to Evacuate Nuns from “Dar Maryam” in Sudan

Khartoum – Sudanhorizon – Exclusive

The Polish nun, Teresa Lushuka, maintained a broad smile as she recounted her astonishment at Omdurman, where she arrived from Khartoum, specifically from the back of the Lamab neighbourhood in southern Khartoum, where “Dar Maryam” is located, a care home affiliated with the Catholic Church.

Teresa, along with four other nuns and a priest, arrived in the Karari locality north of Omdurman in a special evacuation operation carried out on a dark night in late July by the Sudanese army and the General Intelligence Service. As a result, the nuns were transported from the battlefield to the land of peace.

Teresa, who appears to be in her seventies, maintained a calm and friendly demeanour. She distributed smiles and jokes at her new residence, and in an exclusive interview with “Sudanhorizon” news site, she said: “When I arrived in Omdurman, I was struck by the lights, noise, and vibrant life full of movement,” she said while adjusting herself in a wheelchair. “I could not imagine this life… It seems as if there is no war here,” she added, focusing on the popular Sabrin market in Omdurman, which she found appealing despite its modest and unorganised nature.

Aspects of Suffering

Teresa Lushuka highlighted her suffering since the outbreak of war in Sudan, which she experienced in the Shagara, Lamab, and Azozab triangles in southern Khartoum. She geographically described the areas of Al-Dakheera and Al-Madaras. Today (Monday), she shared her story with “Sudan Horizon” about “Sarah,” a Muslim girl from the Jabra area in southern Khartoum, who would travel kilometres to the Lamab area on the banks of the White Nile to provide some help to the Christian care home with a little sugar and lentils despite the dangers of the journey, including potential stops at Rapid Support Forces checkpoints or sniper bullets from the nearby Abu Hamama area.
Teresa recounted the risks of bringing food to Dar Maryam from the far south of Khartoum via the Kalakla Al-Laffa area, where the small shipments, obtained after long, exhausting efforts and facing severe dangers, were often turned back.

Difficult Days

Father Jacob Telganda, who has served in Sudan for nearly 40 years, said while wiping the increasing white hair on his head and cleaning his large spectacles, “We lived through difficult days… The care home was shelled with artillery from the Jabra area,” he specified to “Sudan Horizon.” He added, “Some of the nuns’ rooms were destroyed, and part of the school was demolished. We experienced the torments of water scarcity and the problems of obtaining it.” While gathering his tears, he continued, “We hosted dozens who joined us in the care home… Sometimes we shared with them the little food we had.”

Shared Struggles

Laughing sadly, Father Jacob added, “We lived for days on ‘Madida,’ a mixture of corn and flour without any additives like salt or sugar!” This, he told Sudanhorizon, included everyone—himself, the nuns, the congregation, and the guests. He continued, “These were tough conditions, but we held on to serve the people. Sudanese people are wonderful, showing inspiring solidarity.”

Jacob pointed out that they received significant help from some traders when cash was scarce. He added that some of these traders risked their lives to reach them, and others from the public when parts of the building caught fire due to shelling, would rush despite the danger to help put out the fires.

Support from the Army

Teresa Lushuka, the seventy-year-old nun, said that those who facilitated their stay and supported them throughout this time were the great support provided by the armed forces, particularly the armoured corps. She confirmed to Sudan Horizon that the Sudanese army men shared what they had with the care home and its residents. Holding back her emotions for a moment, she said, “These men are kind and great, indescribably gentle… They shared their food and drink with us and served us as if we were their own.”
She insisted on mentioning Major General Nasr Al-Din Abdul Fattah, the commander of the armoured corps, whom she noticed was loved by all the residents of the Shagara area and its surroundings due to his humility and dedication to serving everyone.

Teresa noted that on the day of the nuns’ evacuation from the home, she noticed that many residents in the Shagara area and its surroundings had improved their security and living conditions and preferred to stay. She said that the situation was now better thanks to Nasr Al-Din and his men from the first year of the war and the past months.

Professional Evacuation Operation

Jacob returned to the evacuation operation, which he said was meticulously organised and carried out with high professionalism, resulting in success from gathering the nuns and several children in the care home to their reception in Omdurman and transport to a safe location with medical care. Jacob himself followed Teresa’s example and expressed great gratitude to the armed forces in the Shagara area and the General Intelligence Service. He explained how both institutions recently provided energy alternatives that helped solve the water problem at Dar Maryam and the internet service that helped present the care home’s issues to external and internal parties. Jacob said that the General Commander of the Armed Forces and the Director of the General Intelligence Service kept a close watch on the evacuation process until they reached Omdurman.

Here, Sister Serestina Bawa interjected to say, “I have served in several countries and had always refused to serve in Sudan—until I arrived and stayed in Shagara and Lamab,” she said, her voice filled with gratitude and pride. “This has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. I have lived among a great people. Wherever I go, I will ask to return to this country. I have witnessed Muslims and Christians without differences among them,” she concluded with a prayer, “I hope peace will prevail, and may God protect this country and its people.”