the letter received from Fra 'Mario Citterio, the Comboni missionaries , which tells the project that is part of the construction of the school that we dedicate to Guido.
"We have reached the tenth anniversary of the day we started our activities. I think it's right to speak in the plural, yes, because we all have created and given life to this project, which is important for me and I think for all those who from near and far have given generously of their time and, important, their friendship. It starts with a meeting of a ra magpie with a disability because of an illness that we is only a memory. From that moment comes for me and I think all of you for something wonderful. Of course the first thing I wanted to create solidarity at the local level. Being in charge Caritas groups to follow in the parish I have worked hard so that everything does not come from above, but we made a commitment on the spot as far as possible.
So he began a long dialogue that has borne fruit. At that moment I could write to a dear friend, Sandy. I met Sandy during a visit to them was born in Togo and our friendship. I was certain of one thing: whether it is for the good of a person, we must look everywhere. I believe that words that have been dealt a blow Sandro them (a person walking on the knees and look down on others from the bottom up has no dignity). And this, I am convinced, was the reason that allowed us to bring this project forward through the years.
Today we have ten years and I think it is a source of joy and hope for the future. In this first decade of activity many boys and girls have experienced the joy of starting a new life and that we must be proud.
I would like to recall here the first girl, Elise. The path that we started with her was not easy. For me it was a new experience, it is true I was in Africa from 12 ann the but I had never found before this reality. I think the beginning is always difficult, but the moment you put the groundwork to bring the fruits later. For Elise future there could be? A future of poverty and suffering, and so began our adventure. Elise spent ten months in hospital, an extra month of pregnancy, but I am convinced and as a new birth. In these ten months six are the interventions for Elise to give the opportunity to walk, to finally be a person with the dignity that we all have because it is our right. It is also important to say that the hospital was in Togo, as a result another nation, as far as 120 km from Cotonou not an easy task when you consider that Elise had to follow in all, bring food, laundry and all various departments required hospitalization. Here I have to say my thanks to those who have followed all these months Elise regularly moving from Cotonou to be close to Elise. I think this is the beginning of a story that after ten years continues, despite my absence from this beloved Africa. Later we took Elise for years trying to give what every man needs to live. A new stage for Elise and for us all: the school for basic training, learning to read and write, and a profession that makes it autonomous, with the difficulties were not lacking. Today I can say that we have brought life back to Elise, but not limited to her.
The second girl to whom we gave the opportunity to find joy Honorine was with her was not easy, having seen the first time, brought by a social worker I was sure it would go faster, but you must enter the psychology of the person and understand all the years of living in these conditions. Honorine was over twenty years and this has facilitated our efforts. For Honorine it took months of hospital always in Togo. From Honorine onward, however, everything was done in Benin, involving local actors. The choice was an obligation as the physician who had followed and Honorine Elise had moved to Benin. The distance became prohibitive, the Km became 750, with all the difficulties that followed it. Like Elise, Honorine's life has taken a turn but his character and his shyness sometimes make it difficult to follow. The family is near and this is already positive.
By Honorine we come to phase two. Yes, because from that moment on word of mouth, and I will have regular guys ( s) with the desire to rediscover the joy of living .
Their stories are almost all alike, with one difference: the age and the reality of family, sometimes very complex and the result of ignorance. This has several times lengthened the process of rehabilitation.
Pulcerie I'm talking about, for me the most difficult case, but I think one of the most successful with that of Leucadia. The story of Pulcerie began in 2002 and was completed in 2006. When I find Pulcerie for the first time I find myself a beautiful girl, her face a smile that leaves you breathless. Then he had 16 years more than ever determined to defy those who are against him, in that year Sandra comes to see me in Benin and now says we must do something. I think that he is impressed by this smile, and the serenity of this girl you see in the picture. The path is was long, due to ignorance and fear by people who had to be a stimulus for her. So we found that at the decisive moment, the parents refused surgery and the consequences that can be well imagined.
In 2004, I left it all seemed over. It was then that for the first time I saw a tear on the cheek of Pulcerie, and this has left me sad on the one hand, but the other gave me courage.
sure that what he was doing was just for the sake of Pulcerie, in agreement with the doctor and the physiotherapists we have will be undeterred on our way, we had to wait only Pulcerie came to 18 years old when he had a choice without the consent of parents or relatives varied.
We Italy and communications are difficult, at times when I can communicate and ask more and Pulcerie during my visit there in October September 2005 I met Pulcerie and the social worker who was following her for years, has decided to make the decisive step. The obstacles are not the end but missed the tenacity and the desire we all have borne fruit in that we see with our eyes.
The list is long and I think it's important to talk about all certain that the stories, though different, all have the same dominator: love for those who are marginalized, if not abandoned by a company that produces only differences.
Leucadia, a child of an incredible vivacity. One day I find her with her mother, her mother's shoulders and the twins next to her. Mother timid voice dares to ask if you could do something, and the girl who told me 'I want to go to school like my sister', a question that could not remain unanswered. We begin with the journey of her rebirth. For her six months in the hospital, including three in a center for disabled children where he followed and helped in learning to walk. I have seen with my own eyes progress Lefkada, and I myself I was amazed. Just a reminder that after a year and a half running without even using the crutches and school was among the first class. Her that I have with me the memory of a girl who has the desire to tell us all that life has meaning when it is lived in fullness.
Then there are the simplest cases because the presence of parents has been diligent, I speak of Eustache and Alain Akoto, Juanita that three years have been followed, bringing wonderful fruits. The problem is then integrated into the world of work, as we the disabled are marginalized because of his handicap, but as mentioned above there are people who lovingly follow these guys for years (e).
In the side photo are Juanita, in front with white dress, Elise right of the photo, left Rosaline, Rosaline behind Eustache, Alain between Elise and Juanita with the white shirt. This picture expresses the fruits of the activities carried out, although it dates back to 2004, the day of my departure from Cotonou, where is my heart. We find Rosaline which I had not touched a girl who lived in a house if you can call, made from palm leaves and thatch roof to the edge of the ocean. God only knows how much it was hard to follow Rosaline. He did not speak a word French and talk about things like prostheses and medical terms has been a real adventure but had a good outcome. As well as taking physical Rosaline has been followed for years, a basic course to read and write and trained as a seamstress that today allows him to live, but some just think this is the purpose of our project to life. We come to
Valérie; seemed a walk in hospital and the intervention, but there have been complications and have an impact on our finances. The shelter was to be a month, was extended for seven months, complications that have created all of us not a little fear, the wounds did not heal because of a disease typical of Gulf of Guinea. Meanwhile, the father of Valerie, one supporting the family, left us forever with the consequences that followed it, a regular commitment of those who had taken to heart Valérie including doctors and nurses.
We come to Thomas. I do not have with me the photos, but we did a miracle for him: yes, the photos speak more than what is written, you can see for yourself what and how life has changed for this guy, I think it is important to us all understand only one thing: it's nice to see with their own eyes what it can do for the love man.
Regarding the 2008: a year of stagnation was partly due to my commitments I do not have permission to stay in touch with various people who follow the boys. This does not mean that you have not done anything to the contrary, we had two girls that are added to the list: Pigeon and Monique, for them begins a journey that takes them to a normal life, because of school and followed the step that will give them a better future. For them, the cost is € 950.00 and € 720.00 for Colombe for Monique. At this point I would like to say thank you to all my friends to these people through your friends have discovered the joy of living, of seeing the world through different eyes, their smiles I believe they are better than the thanks goes to the many beautiful words.
To end I would like say thanks to those people who assisted in this project, people who shared and share the same ideal, that of giving life. The thanks goes to Fr Fiorenzo Priuli, loved one, he followed Elise, Honorine and Rosaline. Following Dr. Seraphin Gbenou, a doctor with great skill and humanity is busy following up the project. I think thanks go especially to Nestor Hounwanou, collaborator and friend of these guys, who continues his work as a physiotherapist and deals with various prostheses and equipment. Mrs. Colette Attolou social worker who has never discouraged despite the misunderstandings of the various families, and the lack of resources for his work.
Then I remember someone dear to me: Richard Danbenou, former head of Caritas, always available, especially for the transportation of children to hospital. Today, unfortunately, is no longer able, due to an eye disease, unfortunately, is almost blind. do not know how I could continue, but the names have value insofar as the project continues to this day even though there are 7000 km that separate us. A total of fifteen people, single mothers or workers, who generously give their love and their availability for this project that I would call "Sunshine" for the light that leads into the hearts and lives of these kids.
Here before me I have a list of ten boys (s) waiting for our help and I am sure that even today we talk of economic crisis where our hearts still express a desire to bring joy and serenity.
I extend my fraternal embrace for your friendship and your patience with me, which are not always faithful to be the spokesperson of what has been achieved, but the commitments are different and my prayer is that you return again in Benin to be in contact with these treasures of humanity. "
Mario Br Citterio
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