Sr. Rosalia Paliczka works in Mozambique, where people have very few health resources. Moved by compassion, the community seeks every means to help people through natural treatments.
I’ve lived in Mozambique, Africa for many years, but I’ve never seen or attended to as many snake bites as I have here in the north, in the region of Monapo. Here in Monapo, we face challenges every day, and we often find ourselves stretched to our limits. Despite the difficulties, we persist, driven by a deep sense of compassion and duty.
In this mission, the Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit work tirelessly across three parishes, covering around 80 communities in rural areas. Each day brings new challenges and new opportunities to serve. In addition to our work in the parishes, we have established a small herbal clinic on the grounds of our house. Here, we treat the sick with natural medicines that we make ourselves. These remedies address various ailments that afflict the local people, and our efforts extend to caring for malnourished children and orphans, who are among the most vulnerable.
Snake bites and dog bites are alarmingly common in this region. Unfortunately, no public health center nearby has any anti-venom medication or anti-rabies vaccine. This critical shortage means that the local population has come to rely on us for treatment. Even nurses from the local hospital send patients to us, knowing we have developed effective treatments. The severity of a person’s condition depends on multiple factors: their age and size, the species of snake that bit them, the number and location of the bites, the quantity and toxicity of the venom, and the time elapsed from the bite to their arrival at our clinic.
At our clinic, we make a unique medicine known as “black stones” to treat snake bites. The black stone is created from pieces of charred cow bone. When placed on the site of the snakebite, these stones adhere to the skin and absorb the venom. Once the stone has absorbed all the venom, it detaches and falls off. This method is effective due to the highly porous nature of bone, which, when placed on a moist bite site, absorbs fluid through capillary action.
While I cannot confirm whether any scientific studies have validated this treatment, I can attest from experience that no person treated with black stones has died from a snake bite or a rabid dog bite. The combination of God’s mercy, our faith, and the strong conviction of the person bitten seems to make the miracle of healing possible.
Most of the people who come to us after being bitten suffer from severe symptoms such as wounds, swelling, necrosis, pain, and fevers. Depending on the severity of the case, it is sometimes necessary to repeat the black stone treatment. Since arriving in Monapo, I have treated two individuals who were in critical condition, exhibiting neurotic symptoms because the bites were on their faces and a significant amount of time had passed since the bite. I have not heard from them since, but many patients return to the clinic to return the stone and express their gratitude.
Compassion is at the heart of everything we do. It drives us to help and heal in situations where no one else can. This compassion is not just an abstract feeling but a tangible force that compels us to act. We feel it when we see the fear in the eyes of a child bitten by a snake, or the relief in a mother’s face when her child recovers from an illness. It’s the force that gets us up in the middle of the night to tend to an emergency, and the reason we go to great lengths to obtain the materials we need for our treatments.
However, creating these miracles is not without its challenges. We can’t always get the thigh bones or cow leg bones needed to prepare the black stones. This process requires me to be in constant contact with cattle traders, waiting for the opportunity to obtain the necessary bones. When I receive word that a cow is to be slaughtered, I reserve the bones and travel several kilometers to purchase them as quickly as possible. This often involves intricate planning and coordination, but it is a labor of love and dedication.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all those who help and support us in our mission. Your contributions, whether through financial support, prayers, or supplies, are vital to our ability to continue our work. We cannot do this alone. Your help enables us to defend life and bring hope to those in need. O Lord, send your Spirit so that they may be filled with courage and faith!
In conclusion, the work we do here in Monapo is challenging, but it is also deeply rewarding. Each day is a testament to the power of compassion and the resilience of the human spirit. Through our efforts, we not only heal bodies but also touch hearts and souls, bringing a light of hope to the darkest situations. Thank you for standing with us and for being part of this mission of mercy and love.
Sr. Rosalia Paliczka, SSpS – Province of Mozambique
Sr. Rosalia with the community in Monapo, Mozambique.
The snake bite medicine is called “black stone” is used as medicine.
The clinic run by the Sisters treat snake bites.
