Sr Dorothy at the verandah of her new house, built for her by Sabah Credit
By Agnes Chai
June 14 2020
FRANCISCAN Sister Dorothy Laudi, who hails from Tambunan, has been appointed as Administrator to oversee the eight mission kindergartens set up in the sub-district of Paitan, which are managed by the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception.
The petite nun with a big heart and vision for the children of the outback believes that all children have a right to go to school and learn, regardless of who they are, where they live or how much money their family has.
However, she did not start off with this lofty thought when she was posted to the outback of Paitan on her return from overseas in 2005. Armed with her Degree in Early Childhood Education from the Edith Cowan University Perth, Australia, the last place that she expected to be sent was to the remote jungles of Sabah.
However, God works in strange ways, the least in the ways of human beings. Little did she know that she was instrumental in establishing eight mission kindergartens in one of the remotest parts of the State for the four, five and six-year olds.
Students at Tadika Harmoni at Kg Sulit
Today, Sr Dorothy holds a Master in Counseling Psychology and is a registered and licenced counsellor. She also holds a Master in Education, majoring in Teaching & Learning. Before becoming a teacher, she has received training as a catechist in Semarang Indonesia.
Looking back, she recalled her horror of her first encounter of kids of primary-age group who could not avail of primary education because they have omitted the early childhood stage. The problem was straightened out when she personally saw to it that the children concerned received a crash course of the first few years of education in order to qualify for the right class
To ensure quality education provided by quality teachers, the educationist shared the tedious task of seeking both physical and financial support. Towards this end, she tirelessly “begs” for her children so that they may be able to pursue a tertiary education that “unlocks the golden door to freedom” (George Washington Carver).
The passionate educationist shared how she felt when she had to beg for her children. No doubt that there is no dignity in begging. In fact begging is a degrading, humiliating and a most undignified act that one could think of. Most of us fail to realize that we sometimes end up begging in moments of desperation.
She recalled the moments of desperation that necessitate ‘begging’ because there is a need to send teachers for upgrading programs, to pay for their fees, transportation, food and accommodation, and to sit for examinations so that the students would have quality teachers; the moments of desperation when there is insufficient food to feed the hungry mouths; the moments of desperation when teachers’ and workers’ salaries have to be paid, and the moments of desperation when classrooms and school buildings have to be maintained to provide a safe place for the children.
For such moments, begging becomes a cry for love and attention for the children, a cry for someone to understand their need and to respond, a cry for kindness and generosity towards them, and a cry that comes from the hope that Jesus would recognize the little ones as the poor in spirit and that begging in faith will not be in vain.
Teachers attending teacher training course at Sidma College
Convinced of her call to “holy begging”, Sr Dorothy is not ashamed to beg for her children, and come what may, should you encounter this ‘holy beggar’, please do not hesitate to pour your generosity into her bowl. She can be contacted @ +6011-3520 4451.
And neither is Sister ashamed to boast that today some of her existing teachers with diplomas from Sidma College are the fruit of her labour, while presently two of her students are reading Degree in Business Administration and Peruncitan dan Perusahaan meanwhile another two of her Form 5 students have been accepted to Labuan for matriculation.
