A lay Polish missionary has been killed in Bolivia after the childcare centre she was volunteering at was broken into.
Helena Kmiec, 26, died from stab wounds after robbers broke into the centre in Cochabamba in the early hours of Tuesday 24 January.
Fr Adam Ziolkowski, director of the Salvator Missionary Volunteering group which organised Miss Kmiec’s trip, told Vatican Radio that “she tried to defend herself and she was stabbed repeatedly” on her hands, arms and chest.
He said her screams woke up another volunteer and the attacker ran away, but despite receiving immediate help, she died from her wounds.
Fr Ziolkowski confirmed that Helena and another volunteer had arrived in Cochabamba only two weeks ago to volunteer at the centre run by the Sisters Servants of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mother of God; she had planned to stay for six months.
“She was a kind person and very helpful; she never missed a chance to do something good for others”, Fr Ziolkowski said. He also described her as having a great missionary zeal and great internal strength: “Everyone who knew her was happy to spend time with her.”
According to the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bolivian police have detained a number of suspects.
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