I am Sr. Vera Ngwang Ngalim, and I belong to the Congregation of Holy Union Sisters of the Sacred Hearts. I was born and raised in Kumbo, in the English-speaking Region of Cameroon and was raised in a devout Catholic family – though my childhood was marked by the loss of my father when I was only twelve years old. My mother, a woman of profound faith, faced the many social and economic challenges of raising her seven children alone after his passing. Yet despite these hardships, she remained steadfast in her trust in God and passed on to my siblings and me a profound love for Christ and His Church. Although limited resources prevented me from attending a Catholic college, my formation was richly nurtured through active participation in parish life and youth programs. These experiences strengthened my Christian identity and gradually awakened in me a call to religious life – a call I joyfully embraced and continue to live today.
I made my first profession in 2006 and later pronounced my perpetual vows in 2014, inspired by John 15:16: “You did not choose me, but I chose you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last.” As a Holy Union Sister, I have lived in community and served in various ministries, particularly in the healthcare sector. I was trained as a State Registered Nurse and served both as a nurse and as a director of some of our healthcare services and community activism, especially with displaced women and girls. I have also received short-term training in local resource mobilization, counseling, and psychological and spiritual support.
Through these experiences, I was fully immersed in the circumstances vulnerable populations face. Encounters with the sick, displaced families, women and girls, migrants, and communities affected by the ongoing sociopolitical crisis in Cameroon deeply affected me. They have shaped my vocation and strengthened my desire to create inclusive and compassionate spaces where each person feels heard, valued, and included. This experience underpins my vocation, inspiring me to serve with empathy, dignity, and hope. In light of the Holy Union charism of Union, I strive to show God’s love through presence and compassion with all those I meet. Meeting new people, I seek to show them openness and respect, fostering communion where there is fragmentation throughout society. My sisters and I seek to be a witness to a love that embraces all without distinction.
With the encouragement of my Congregation’s leadership and the demands of my ministry, I came to recognize the importance of good leadership and effective management in sustaining our apostolic works. This awareness led me to pursue studies in Leadership and Management at the Pontifical Gregorian University, an opportunity granted by the grace of God and generous benefactors who support have made this master’s degree possible.
My studies are expanding not only my skills but also my way of seeing and serving the whole of humanity. I feel I am growing in my ability to lead with clarity, responsibility, and vision and learning how to make thoughtful decisions, manage resources more effectively, and foster collaboration within communities and ministries. This new knowledge is already helping me to become a more attentive listener, as I hope to become a more discerning leader, and a more faithful steward of the mission that will be entrusted to me.
Living and studying in Rome has also broadened my understanding of the universality of the church. Daily encounters with people from diverse cultures have enriched my appreciation of intercultural dialogue and strengthened my capacity to respond to the complex pastoral, administrative, and human challenges faced in our ministries back home. In a context where resources are limited yet needs continue to grow, this formation is equipping me to serve with greater competence, creativity, and hope.
None of this would have been possible without the generous support of the Gregorian University Foundation. This support is not only shaping my personal and professional formation; it is also creating a ripple effect that will touch the lives of all those I will serve throughout my life. The knowledge, skills, and global perspective I am gaining will enable me to contribute more effectively to strengthening leadership structures, promoting sustainability in our apostolates, and improving the care we offer to the vulnerable – the sick, women, youth, and displaced persons. I am truly honored to be a recipient of a scholarship from the Gregorian University Foundation’s benefactors.