Already present in Europe, Asia and South America, our Sisters founded their first African community in 1968, in Somo, Cameroon. They then gradually expanded, with the opening of a second community in the country, as well as in Nigeria from 1983. Everywhere in the world, they devote themselves to education, especially for women, health and evangelisation. Here's a closer look at some of their activities.
On 20 April 1968, four sisters left the port of Marseille for Cameroon: sisters Marguerite-Marie Carsana-Chiaradia, Regina Casado, Paul Lamotte and Claire Lesay, Italian, Spanish and French respectively. They soon opened a women's training centre offering courses in general culture, cooking, sewing, housework, childcare cleaning, childcare, catechism... At the same time, visits to the bush were organised in the fifty or so villages around Somo to provide household management and help them learn to read and write.
Setting up in Makénéné
In 1970, the Cameroon mission expanded and a second community was opened in Makénéné, in the north-east of the country. Three nuns settled there. Here too, a training centre for young girls was opened, teaching assistance was given to teachers in state schools, catechism classes were given and a Sister was put in charge of the town's dispensary. Today, Sr Margaret Fuenteh, a medical analysis engineer, is in charge of the laboratory at this health centre, which is part of the network of Catholic dispensaries in the diocese of Bafia. One of the main pathologies currently being treated is typhoid fever, which is diagnosed in 85% of the patients it treats. A bacterial infection which, if not treated quickly, can lead to serious or even fatal complications... Sr Margaret talks enthusiastically about her day-to-day work and reminds us of the importance of prevention: ‘Once we have detected typhoid fever in patients, we usually have to make them and their families aware of the various hygiene measures to be followed in order to limit the spread of the disease. Many people live in places where sanitary conditions are poor (no drinking water, no adequate sanitation, etc.). At church and in schools, we provide information and training on this subject, with simple rules such as washing your hands before meals and after going to the toilet.
25 years of empowering women in Nigeria
As soon as they were established in the country, our sisters also developed actions in favour of women. The Women's Vocational Training Centre is a symbol of hope and autonomy for young girls from disadvantaged backgrounds. ‘Since its creation 25 years ago, it has enabled many women to acquire the skills and support they need to develop both personally and professionally, thanks to its comprehensive training programmes in a variety of fields (sewing, knitting, culinary arts and IT). Many of them have gone on to find jobs, set up their own businesses and provide for themselves and their families,’ explains director Sr Agnes Tadok.
The former students can all testify to the invaluable help they have received. ‘The Women's Vocational Training Centre gave me the skills and confidence I needed to set up my own business and support my family,’ says Blessing, a young graduate of the latest intake to have completed the centre's entrepreneurship programme.
‘Serving, shaping, cultivating, that's the educator's mission’.
Nicolas Barré
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