Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
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Bossemptélé (Agenzia Fides) - The Central African Republic (CAR) is still suffering the consequences of the civil war that began in 2013, which has caused deep social disintegration. According to UN reports, violence continues to increase in the country.
Despite this situation, a nursing student at the Jean Paul II Hospital in Bossemptélé, in a note sent to Fides from CADIS Benin-Togo, says: "When the violence intensified, we decided to opt for life in the midst of chaos, trusting that the sky will be blue again." CADIS, an organization of the Camillian Missionaries, seeks to give hope to young people in Central Africa and to rebuild a resilient community. Despite the dangers, the young people have decided to stay to maintain coexistence in Bossemptélé.
The Camillian missionaries explain that, in this context of fear, what is needed are not teachers, but "agents of community resilience", with the language of charity being their main tool. This language teaches, celebrates and nourishes the people through the teaching of nursing, the care of the sick and the celebration of the Eucharist.
The Camillian mission in Bossemptélé received a major boost with the visit of Pope Francis to the CAR in 2015. During this trip, the Pope demonstrated that peace between Christians and Muslims is possible, visiting a pediatric hospital in Bangui, where he celebrated life alongside sick children, and opening the Holy Door in the cathedral of the capital, symbolizing hope for the entire country.
Bossemptélé is a small town of 4,731 km2, with about 26,000 inhabitants, 12 neighborhoods and 35 villages, who live mainly from agriculture, livestock and small trade. The neonatal service of the Saint John Paul II Hospital of the Camillian religious of Bossemptélé is an exceptional and unique work. In fact, the nearest neonatal unit is in Bangui, 300 kilometers away. The nearest hospitals are Bozoum (87 km), Baoro (90 km) and Yaloké (69 km), but none of them have a neonatal department. (AP) (Agenzia Fides. 20/9/2024)
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