Since the beginnings of the OLA congregation, OLA Sisters have been working in Development. In recent years, there has been a greater awareness and recognition of the contribution of missionaries in the area of Development. OLA’s have contributed their fair share through the years in many areas and continue to do so, working to improve the quality of life of the people with whom they work.

As a missionary congregation who were founded to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ particularly in Africa, the OLA missionary approach has always been very practical, responding to the needs of the people with whom they live and work. Education and Health are core areas of OLA work. This is evident from schools, dispensaries and hospitals which are administered by OLA Sisters offering good quality services to people in many countries where OLAs are working such as in Ghana, Nigeria and Tanzania.