Closing the end of the year full of hope and expectation: that was both the feeling and the conviction we felt when we received the sewing machines on 3 July 2024! These gifts from Codas-Caritas of the Diocese of Maroua-Mokolo in Cameroon are a concrete expression of Article 1 of our Rule of Life: “To give special attention to the least favoured wherever we are sent”.
We continue to give thanks to God and to the Caritas staff and teachers at our Centre who do everything they can to help those in need.
In fact, in the current political, social and economic context of our Far North Region, with the atrocities of the Islamic sect Boko-Haram, we are trying to live our mission as Daughters of the Holy Spirit and, with others, to respond to the cries of the poor, the sick, children, internally displaced persons and girls who do not attend school. In the past, the training Centre for young girls in the Koza community existed but was closed because of insecurity… Thanks be to God, the Centre was officially reopened on 8 January 2024, with 23 ‘learners’ – three girls were married during the year – and 5 teachers. Activities included sewing, cooking, embroidery, knitting, EVA (Education for Life and Love), French and food processing. The main objective of our training Centre is to help these girls and women in vulnerable situations to stand on their own two feet, to be independent and to be able to earn a decent living.
We, the teachers and sisters of the community, are delighted to see these 20 ‘learners’ benefit from the gift of 20 sewing machines from Codas-Caritas in our diocese of Maroua-Mokolo! Each of them stood in front of her machine, smiling broadly as she expressed her gratitude to the donors, teachers and sisters with shouts of joy, applause and a unanimous chant of “To each his own… my share has come…”.
The day ended with everyone sharing a glass of water. Thank you all for your many forms of support. May Christ continue to rekindle our spirit of generosity so that we can always be his loving presence in the midst of our brothers and sisters in every trying situation.
The team of formators (Jacqueline, Amina and André) and the DHS sisters of the Koza community (Monique, Justride, Odette and Christine). Published on 9 July 2024
Photo 1: the group of those who received training
Photo 2: The gifts – The sewing machines
Photo 3: The joy of receiving and the hope of improved living conditions
Photo 4: The team of trainers and a representative of Codas-Caritas
