At the beginning of 1959, the Bishop of Nyasaland (later on it was called Malawi), met the superior of the Congregation in Amersfoort. He requested the sisters to educate the women and the girls, particularly on the economical household economy. It was also expected to open a hostel for the children.
The request of "Africa is calling" very much attracted the sisters. So many sisters enrolled for this mission, but only six sisters were selected and sent to Nyasaland. The sisters in The Netherlands strongly supported the mission in Africa. They carried out Fancy Fairs and other social actions to succeed this new mission. The "Africa is calling" was echoed in the hearts of the sisters!
On September 13th, 1959 the first three sisters departed from Amersfoort. They were Sr. Annetta Verhoef, Sr. Gonzalina Schwieters and Sr. Rosa Kamphuis. The sisters could not go together, because the temporary place in the bishop house was only available for three sisters. One month later, on October 20th, 1959 the second group with three sisters landed in Nyasaland. They were Sr. Gertrude Walenkamp, Sr. Melania Kraaijkamp and Sr. Werenfrida Adema.
Although the first house in Stella Maris - Blantyre had not been completely built - there was no water for cooking, drinking and bathing - the sisters had moved into this house. They could immediately adjust themselves with the hot weather, lived in a simple way and struggled to communicate in English.
In accordance with the mission goals, their activities were a.o.: starting to teach and open a dormitory for the children, to teach sewing and handwork in some schools, to look after the new building for the school, etc. On May 22nd, 1962 the school "Stella Maris" - Blantyre was officially opened by Governor Sir Glyn Jones.
In the following years, the number of sisters who were sent to Malawi increased. They were open to the needs of the local people; serving the children in Jacaranda Children's Home, teaching handwork for mothers and girls in several villages. The sisters eagerly opened the mission work in a very hot area – Bangula, there was no electricity and far away from the crowded city. The sisters opened a workshop for handicapped people in Sorgin and Kalemba Health Centre in Bangula.
Since 1959 till 2006, there were 27 sisters from Amersfoort who had dedicated their life for the mission in Malawi.
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