Silence!
As often happens, this week
has also been full of many events, here at the Bozoum Mission. But there is one
thing that I cannot keep and that is silent and I am saving it for the end!
The weekend was filled with
cheer and animation by Fr. Federico, who came from Bangui with 11 young
Carmelites, who are studying Philosophy. After a ride to Bossangoa, they
arrived in Bozoum for a few days of rest and vacation.
The various jobs continue,
thanks to the help of many, and the presence of some precious people who lend
themselves to give us a hand. Tomorrow two of these people will leave, Giulio
Zannini, doctor, and Enrico Massone.
Enrico was a great help to
Fr.Norberto for the church of Kpare, a village 10 km from Bozoum, while Giulio
dedicated himself to the patients of the dispensary.
The renovations of the
warehouse are now finished, which has become a gym for the sports activities of
the young people of Bozoum. This is thanks to the CSI (Italian Sports Center)
of Savona.
Everything would be great, but
there is still the big problem of the exploitation of gold by some Chinese
companies. Many people are convinced that the activities have been suspended
but it's not true!
Despite the promises, the
report of the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry and the analysis of the water
of the Ouham river (which revealed the strong presence of mercury) the Chinese
companies are still in full swing, and extending the extraction sites along the
river.
The water of the Ouham river
is brown, almost dense and this in the middle of the dry season, when the water
of the rivers is rather transparent. This phenomenon is present in the river
even hundreds of kilometers away from Bozoum.
Of the various promises made
(which included 1 school, 2 dispensaries), nothing has been started. Local
authorities prefer to have the building of the grandstands for the national
holiday parade on 1 December instead of the school.
Of the 2 dispensaries, one is
half built for now and the other is not.
Every day, despite the water
polluted by mercury, thousands of people can do nothing but drink, wash and
cook with this contaminated water.
Every day, in the absolute
indifference of the local authorities, hundreds of people (mostly women and
children) go to the various construction sites to try to recover some of the
gold left. Many women are pregnant, carrying small children with them. When you
start to see the damage caused by mercury, it will be too late!
But, please, silence!
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| Il fiume Ouham, o quello che ne resta Le fleuve Ouham, après... |
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| dr Giulio |
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| Kpare |
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| La vecchia cappellina e la nuova... La vieille chapelle et la nouvelle |
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| Piccole cercatrici d'oro Petites chercheuses d'or... |
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| Palestra (CSI) Salle de sport (CSI) |
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