CARITAS et Amor – In The Footsteps Of Love, is a weighty tome and one worth it’s weight in gold, a 436 page story of one man’s dedication to children in Africa and India, quite literally a remarkable journey.
Rowan Hand is a well known journalist, through his work for the BBC, RTE; his column Rowan’s Rambles reflects events in Co. Down and beyond and his own life story reads like a film script.
Born in Newry, he did a runner from Abbey Christian Brothers Grammar to labour in a timber yard. His father didn’t think there was much future there and suggested he apply for the navy. Once he’d achieved the Post Master Generals Certificate of Competency in Marine Telecommunications, he was off, an 18-year-old on an adventure of a lifetime and a love affair which began with his first voyage in 1962.
Aboard the SS Chirrup en route to pick up a cargo of bananas, second radio officer Hand paints a vibrant picture of his first impression of Africa: “The colour and sounds, drifting mists, the little chapel of mud, tree trunks for pews, African drums, xylophones made of animal horns, people singing, swaying and praying.”
His love was immediate: he was mesmerised.
“The shining black wet children welcoming these men in their tropical whites!”
It was an idyllic introduction to a place where horrors lurked as he discovered when he returned 40 years later. Between times he developed his career as a journalist on the Frontier Sentinel in Newry, reports of the terrible Biafran War made him think deeply about that troubled continent.
Rowan isn’t one to sit and think for long – he gets up and does. He formed Oxfam Newry and ended up assistant regional director for Northern Ireland. His freelance writing took him to various newspaper and broadcast outlets and he made an impact.
At the BBC he was producing the evening current affairs programme on the day Pope John Paul was shot. With his contacts in Rome he immediately got an eyewitness interview about the attempted assassination; this was used in every major network radio and television programme that evening.
But it was during his time on RTE's Nationwide programme that his life changed when in 2006 it fell to Ronan to accept an assignment to make a documentary on the work of the Cork-based Society of Africans Missions. “And I dedicated the rest of my life to their service in both Africa and India.”
His book is his diary, including many challenges, seeing dead men lying on the dirt track but unable to stop and bury them in case of causing further violence, the charcoal smells of open fires, drying fishing nets, a picturesque road lined with white stones leading only to the breakers of the Atlantic, a slave road where men, women and children were shipped away from their homes to lives of enslavement.
In India working with an Italian Order of Catholic priests, the Fathers of Don Guanella expressed a need for a bus for the children.
“It was October time and, for some reason I said, OK I’ll get you a bus by Christmas. I came back to Ireland and told people on my radio programme and the word got around and, with donations and with a loan from the Credit Union Newry I was able to buy the Mahindra 50-seater bus by Christmas; it now collects children and brings them to the centre for laugher, singing and dancing.”
India was important for another reason – nine-year-old Tony.
“Tony has one tiny right arm, no left arm, a left leg only and he comes up the stairs on his belly using a combination of levering techniques employing chin, little arm and very wobbly leg. He rolls from A to B, paints with a pencil in his mouth and the pencil sharpener between his toes.”
This is a very moving passage in the book. As a result of highlighting Tony’s life in an RTE documentary, the boy eventually got a passport and was able to move to live in England with his adopted mother Margaret Clark who found the boy when he was in the care of Mother Teresa.
Because he was disabled and she was not part of the local community, they experienced abuse in India. In failing health, she returned to England and Tony travelled with her. He was granted British citizenship and still lives with Margaret. He enjoys a fulfilled life, and is an accomplished swimmer – even receiving a certificate from Olympian Duncan Goodhew. It’s obvious that Rowan is hugely proud of the young man who overcame such hardships and turned his life into one so positive.
In Africa Rowan helped establish and develop schools and clinics and made strong friendships, principally with Corkman Fr Donall O’Cathain SMA who lives in the Nigerian bush behind a security fence and padlocked gates at night for safety.
“My leader, my mentor, my friend for the last 20 years,” says Rowan.
Another is Sister Mary Taylor from Belfast, 40 years in Africa and a teacher with much influence.
This book is peppered through with stories of Irish people who have given their time and their love to Africa and India, too many for me to mention. Nor is it possible to tell you all the challenges Rowan faced and adversities overcome.
This beautifully written book and the pictures that bring the subjects to life is only a snapshot of Rowan Hand’s humanity. He’s a man who asks for nothing for himself. The book has been sponsored, is of the highest quality workmanship and all proceeds will go to the schools and clinics he supports – even his Nikon camera was left behind for the children to enjoy.
He has, however, one proud possession, a letter from the office of the Bishop of the Apostolic Vicariate of Kontagora. A long letter of thanks ending: “We would be greatly pleased if you would accept the role of ‘Honorary Ambassador for the Children of Saint Mary’s Schools’ project in Niger State, Nigeria.”
:: Published by Gullion Media Ltd. £30. Available from Elysium, Merchants' Quay, Newry.
