Friends passing by

Alba "on the road"

Friends passing by

Despite the insecurity, the long distances, and all the other “special attractions” which don’t usually feature on the list of requirements for your average tourist (!), nevertheless, in Bozoum there are always people passing by. In recent weeks we have welcomed Fr. Pesce, twin brother of Fr. Matteo, who in these days celebrates the first year of his arrival in Bozoum. Fr. Marco works in Arenzano, in our Seminary, and during this visit he was able, once more, to see our Mission, meet his confreres, and share with us the beauty of pastoral work. On Sunday afternoon I left for Bangui, stopping off again in Bouar. The road is longer than the one that passes through Bossemptele (600 km, instead of "only" 400 km), but besides travelling on a road in better conditions, it also allows me to greet and meet the communities of Bouar (Yolé and St. Elie) and Baoro. I got back to Bangui on Tuesday morning. Maria Cottone was travelling with me. She will leave in a few days going back to Italy, after visiting (and working, especially with needle and thread) our missions. In the afternoon I stop to visit the Nunciature which is the official representation of the Vatican for Central Africa. It is the "house of the Pope", where those who live and work, live and work not only with the Central African Authorities, but above all to serve the Church in this country. Here I met with the Secretary, Fr. David Charters from England, who after four years will go to New York, where he will work for the Vatican at the UN. I also met his successor, Don Natale Albino from Puglia, who has just arrived full of enthusiasm. On Tuesday afternoon a large group of volunteers arrived: they are fourteen members of the NGO SIRIRI.ORG, from Prague. Most of them come from the Czech Republic while some come from France. We managed to get just a part of the luggage, the part intended for training work, is blocked by customs officers. We hope to be able to get it back in a few days, having nothing to pay for school supplies, intended for teachers and students. This is the "Learning with fun" project, now in its fourth year, with which we are revolutionizing the elementary education. The result is a more participatory approach, together with learning and speaking the national language,  Sango. After a rather short night, at 5 am on Wednesday we left for Bozoum. Thank God it didn’t rain too much in these last days. Frequently the road between Bossemptele and Bozoum (90 km) is in very bad shape. It often remains closed because of the trucks that remain bogged down, sometimes even for a few days. Despite two flat tires, we arrive around 1.00 pm in Bozoum, where the beautiful veranda welcomes us. On Thursday morning the formation of the trainers begins: 26 teachers who, next week, will work together with the Siriri volunteers for the two training sessions that will be held in Bozoum with the participation of around two hundred teachers and in Bouar with about sixty.

Keep up the good work!

p.Marco & p.Matteo

Maria e sr Anne Marie

don David Charters - don Natale Albino