Burkina Faso – Ivory Coast, where others do not arrive

Sisters of the Poor expresses well the charism of a Congregation, which, to live it even more, intensely, from Bergamo it is exit into the world. Along the usual paths, rather crooked in form but very straight in substance… here we are together in Burkina and Ivory Coast.

The nuns, in their African soul, embody the will of the community well. to bear witness to the faith through a tender concern for the least, in many different ways, "with a big and cheerful heart".
Alongside the shepherd's office, the services are very varied and diverse: schools and healthcare; in Côte d’Avo­rio; human development, women's animation, training in Burkina Faso. The summary is in the end: to reach the least in every way, to respond to their most urgent needs. primary schools, promoting their dignity human and spi­ritual. And do it right where a similar presence doesn't yet exist.

Together for something new
Since, in addition to an overflowing good will, there are very few material resources on which they can count, for several months thanks to the help of a dear friend, an expert agronomist and technician who often travels to these countries to contribute to various projects , yes worked together to outline a plan of initiatives that can consolidate and further develop the various animated services.

In Oagadougou, soeur Yolande is responsible for a housewhere some sisters and postulants live. To support the service they have two hectares of land at their disposal, fenced, in which they grow mangoes and small farms of farmyard animals. Little rain, very hot, abundant dust: the water here is precious…
By thinking about tangible results even in the short term, we have together oriented towards various medium-small sized, high intensity initiatives of work: there is a lot of it the necessity in Ouaga, especially among the many displaced people from areas threatened by terrorism and banditry. These initiatives are supported by investments in simple technologies that increase productivity and revenues, obviously taking care of the transfer of the necessary skills.
The first results are the successful start of fish farming in a first pond, together with the self-production of fish feed: worms, "black soldier fly" larvae, herbs and other fodder for farming. The pond is equipped with a PV pump for oxygenating the water, part of which, enriched by fish excrement, will fertilize the plant. the vegetable garden.

Next steps could be (resources permitting): a solar dryer for the fruit produced, microgreenhouses to have vegetables all year round (therefore first fruits), a laboratory where to make and package tomato sauces and more. Turning points to offer good opportunities to lives that ask for it.

In Ivory Coast, the presence of nuns is wide. In Agnibilekou, soeur Sib Ibi Agnes manages a large dispensary now equipped with PCs and modems with which to connect to the network, and therefore to the Telemedicine Service offered by our healthcare friends. In Abidjans soeur Yollande follows the maintenance of the works, among which the schools of various levels are very important and highly appreciated. The challenge is to create conditions to expand them, build new ones, expand the offer for children from poor neighborhoods. There is no shortage of ideas: how to reduce the heavy expenditure on energy, with the installation of a photovoltaic system of adequate capacity of generation and accumulation.


Sermig Re.Te Association. for Development
IBAN: IT29 P030 6909 6061 0000 0001 481

Mauro Palombo
NP April 2024