Risks and courageous voices

 

 

 

 Risks and courageous voices

Last Sunday I left for Bangui to follow the work on the construction site of the new convent.

In Bangui I went to the "Mama Carla" center, dedicated to Carla Pagani, founder and soul of "Amici per il Centralafrica". We have a nursery and an elementary school, an institute for teacher training, and a dispensary with ophthalmology, dentistry and many other realities.

Here I met with some friends who I have known for years: Maurizio Pianella, Eric and Giuliano. Maurizio, a dentist from Bologna, is here for a few weeks to offer assistance to future dentists in Central Africa. Eric, from Burundi, is the dentist of this center, while Giuliano Emiliani is a volunteer who lends himself to every service.

I had lunch with them (Giuliano is an excellent cook) and then I took them to visit the building site of the new Bangui convent.

Monday and Tuesday I worked with the carpenters of Baoro, and with them we assembled 40 doors and window frames.

On Tuesday evening, I met the new ambassador of the Czech Republic. He lives in Nigeria, but is responsible for several countries, including Central Africa. We spent some time together, sharing the joys and concerns of Central Africa.

We met with the Bishops and have launched a very strong and concerned message on the situation in the country. Last week the government increased the price of fuel by more than 70%. Insecurity is still very high in many areas of the country (including Bozoum). The (few) roads are a disaster, and the few fixes become an occasion for corruption.  A "sale" of land, mining and forestry concessions to the Chinese and Russians is underway...

The solution? Starting afresh from Christ, abandoning the "friend-enemy" logic, and building hope and the future together.

It's a huge task, and we can't afford to be sidelined!

Le strade
les routes

il cantiere di Bangui
le chantier de Bangui

Louis e Patriot, falegnami
Louis et Patriot, ménuisiers

Giuliano, Maurizio ed Eric