Ta’Ina—The Sisters
p. 35 · Read in the full issue
THE success of the Melanesian Brothers movement has led to the formation of a similar order for Melanesian native girls—the Ta’ina (the Sikaianna word for Sisters).
Six years ago, before the Melanesian Mission white Sisters of the Cross went to Sikaianna, a small group of atolls about 100 miles east of Malaita, the natives were heathens. Gradually, the mission influence asserted itself and the natives turned towards the Church.
Among those who were baptised were two young Sikaianna girls—Marie and Anna who expressed a desire to live consecrated lives, doing for native women what the Brothers have accomplished for their fellowmen. For various reasons, however, nothing was done until three years later Bishop Baddeley took them in the Southern Cross to Siota, Florida Island, for instruction. Now they are back at the Sisters’ school at Sikaianna conducting small kindergarten classes for young native children.
These two young teachers were later joined by three other young girls—Mary, Ruth, and Nesta —and the five brown Sis ters emulating their guardian white Sisters of the Cross, are doing much helpful work for their own Christian people on lonely Sikaianna.