They started their mission in 1911 when Emilia Zammit, wife of Henry Clapp, donated to the government of Malta a hospital that she had built at her own expense. Margaret published her first article in Christian Socialist magazine in 1889; she would soon join the Fabian Society and made her first speech on May Day 1892 in Hyde Park. After the sisters’ conversion to Christian Socialism, Rachel decided that she would support her sister’s budding political career. In 1893 they both went to work for the new Independent Labour Party (ILP) in Bradford, where Margaret would be elected to the School Board for the ILP. They were founded three decades ago in southern Sudan, and named the Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary. But in a region dramatically affected by the South Sudanese civil war, they are usually known by the bright colour of their habits. To most who know them, they are the “Blue Sisters.” According to Sister Ester, the women living at the shelter vary in age and with regard to their level of trauma.

The author also had a small finger in the pie when, as a young lawyer, he was asked by Bonello to research a particular aspect of the test of reasonableness in English Common Law. He relates how he rushed to the university library to research the matter and recalls his excitement when he came across valid material that would help in the issue. When the sisters first arrived in Bangladesh to work in the slums, many Muslims thought that the sisters were trying to convert them to Christianity. In the South Sudanese Diocese of Tombura Yambio, Bishop Edward Hiiboro Kussala has tasked them with providing permanent assistance to the many women, including young girls and teenagers, who have been raped, abused or abandoned amid the violent conflicts that have plagued the region for years. By 1927, the expanded nursery school accommodated 350 children and provided for large classes to be taught all year round in the open air under shelters, built around a garden. The Medical Officer of Health for the London County Council noted that year that the school’s records showed ‘conclusively the beneficial results of the regime there, associated as it is with good food, fresh air, cleanliness and medical treatment on diseased and debilitated babies’.Borg glides through the law with ease, cutting through brambles and explaining without unnecessary verbal excursions. The story is a sad one. I remember it well, but reading the book made me recall and understand better what had happened. The counsel for the government did not agree with such a strong direction from the court and insisted on continuing the case as originally filed. But the government filed a new action the following day along the lines suggested by the president of the court himself. This book is a must for any member of the legal profession. It is, however, also attractive to many others who would not mind following an exciting story intermingled with a gold mine of legal niceties.

Hell was let loose. The saga started. On June 17, 1980, the government filed a court action, claiming that the hospital was to revert to the government because the sisters had refused to acquire the required permit and were therefore unable to operate the hospital.Ranojeet Baroi, 28, has been teaching in this school for almost two years since graduating. He and his three siblings were all students at St. Mary's Infant School.

Cyril Sladden was a patient at Blue Sisters Hospital, Sliema, Malta, from mid August to mid September 1915 after being wounded at Gallipoli. There is a major stigma that falls over these mostly young women who are victims of the violence of war,” said Sister Ester (in the photo), local superior for the small community of the four “Blue Sisters” who help with the recovery of some 100 women in a facility in the town of Yambio, next to the diocesan chancery. In 1980, the government introduced the need for a licence to run a hospital. Sur­prisingly, a condition was introduced in the Blue Sisters Hospital licence that at least one-half of the hospital beds were to be made available to the National Health Scheme. The sisters opposed it. Apart from the fact that it would have been impossible to resolve financially, this would have negatively affected their original contractual obligation to manage the entire hospital. It served initially as a Seamen’s Hospital but, when in 1915 it became apparent that more hospitals were required to cope with the increasing number of wounded men being sent to the island, the Mother Superior and Nursing Sisters offered their services. Being a fine, modern building, the offer was gratefully accepted. A small monetary grant was made and Blue Sisters’ Hospital opened on 6th May 1915 with 50 beds for officers. The hospital was described as a handsome building with spacious wards and corridors, private rooms, and operating and sterilizing rooms. Margaret had long argued that it was impossible to educate a hungry child and her work contributed to the passing of the Education (Provision of School Meals) Act in 1906. Both sisters led a deputation to Parliament in 1907, leading to the compulsory medical inspection of school children.

But later when they came to know from the slum dwellers that we are not doing any conversion and they were accepting us. So this was a big challenge for us," Neri said. I remember considering whether usufruct really applied to the issue as the president of the court had suggested. I was then of the firm opinion that it did not apply. I felt that the contract was a sui generis obligation, not a usufruct. Reading this book, I now find solace that several more enlightened minds were also of that belief. The sisters help some women cope with AIDS, and others to raise their children, many of whom were conceived in rape. According to Sister Ester, “the connection with their children, surprisingly, is a significant part of the healing process, and not part of the trauma, as some tend to believe.” Blue Sisters Hospital was the first private hospital to be opened in Malta in 1911. It was run by the Sisters of the Little Company of Mary (known as Blue Sisters – originating from their distinctive habit which was partially blue). Throughout the book, Borg remains faithful to his goal expressed in the foreword: “The aim of this book covers not only the legal aspects of the saga but also the factual and political side of things.”

Ali said there are many schools in the vicinity, but he sent his son to this school up to grade three and later admitted him to an outside school. Around 150 children from the slums are now students at the school. There is a major stigma that falls over these mostly young women who are victims of the violence of war," said Sister Ester, local superior for the small community of the four "Blue Sisters" who help with the recovery of some 100 women in a facility in the town of Yambio, next to the diocesan chancery. Our goal is to gradually integrate these women into society with the adequate spiritual and mental stability, and with a clear plan for their future,” said Sister Ester.On the following day, the Blue Sisters were escorted in a police minibus to the airport. They were met there by several people who supported the Blue Sisters’ mission which they had carried out with much love for many years in Malta. They were founded three decades ago in southern Sudan, and named the Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary. But in a region dramatically affected by the South Sudanese civil war, they are usually known by the bright color of their habits. To most who know them, they are the "Blue Sisters."