Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Paspanga (Agenzia Fides) - "A place where they can find a 'safe haven', a place of hope for young people in difficulty who can learn here and at the same time meet spiritual guides with whom they can share their needs". This is the Pelican Educational Center run by Father Augustine Rotshak Gonsum, a priest of the African Missionaries (White Fathers), in Paspanga, a small village between Burkina Faso and Niger, which aims to offer human, social, intellectual and spiritual education.
"Most of our students come from poor families who have nowhere to go to school," the missionary told Fides. "Some are orphans who live with their relatives, without any concrete support. Others have left their villages because of the terrorist attacks and live with their parents and friends. There are also many who, for various reasons, dropped out of school years ago. Young people who have been displaced within the country or are homeless, often alone and without an adult to turn to, also find support in our centre."
But the educational centre is not just a place of learning. "We are also a place of encounter and human development," explains Father Augustine. "Young people of different religions meet outside their places of worship or mosques to tackle different issues together. Throughout the year we hold meetings and gatherings where we talk about peace, reconciliation, social cohesion, interfaith dialogue, ecology and the climate crisis, among others. There are also cultural days where we discuss our values, traditions and customs. We also talk about developing skills, self-confidence and self-esteem and how to integrate into our ever-changing society. We also take in children who have repeatedly failed their BEPC (Brevet d'Etude de Premier Cycle) or BAC (Baccalauréat) exams and help them by giving them lessons according to the national curriculum. We have a library with school textbooks, novels and religious books."
"Of course," emphasizes Father Augustine, "the center is not only a place of exchange and human development, but also retains its spiritual dimension. It is first and foremost a place of encounter with God. We have a chapel that is open every day and where students and other people from outside can enter to pray. Non-Catholic students can also practice their faith freely by using free spaces and rooms." "To achieve all these goals," concludes Father Augustine, "we follow internal rules that guide and direct us."
The "Pélican Center" was founded in 1992 by Father Edouard Duclos, an African missionary. The pelican is the symbol of the White Fathers. When the animal no longer has food, it sacrifices its blood for its young, just like the many missionaries who died as martyrs for the people of God.
The name of the Society of African Missionaries (White Fathers) and the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa (White Sisters) perfectly expresses the vocation of the Order: born in Africa and for Africa, they are a society of apostolic life made up of priests, consecrated lay brothers and religious sisters who work in solidarity with Africans, attentive to their problems and committed to their future. (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 17/6/2024)
