Salesians Continue to Support Displaced People in Goma

Salesians Continue to Support Displaced People at Don Bosco Ngangi

(ANS – Goma, DRC – May 9, 2023) – On Thursday, May 4, in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, the Salesians of the East Delegation of the Central Africa Province in collaboration with the Italian NGO International Volunteers for Development (VIS) distributed food rations to over 300 families of elderly, disabled, pregnant women and lactating mothers who had been received at the site for displaced people set up at the Salesian Don Bosco Ngangi center, north of Goma. The superior of the Central Africa Province (AFC), Fr. Guillermo Basañes, also took part in the distribution of the rations, which included bags of cornmeal, beans, vegetable oil, cooking salt, and soap for each family.

The distribution took place in the multi-purpose hall of the AMANI center, a Swahili word meaning “peace.” As part of the food distribution, the provincial superior addressed the evacuees, recommending prayer, trust, and hope in God and the Virgin Mary.

During the visit to the camp, Fr. Basañes was accompanied by Fr. Jean-Pierre Muhima and Bro. Augustin Mupoyi, director and treasurer, respectively, of the Salesian work in Ngangi. The two Salesians are also members of the Emergency Coordination Team, chaired by Fr. Carlos Balezi, SDB, treasurer and director of the AFC-East project office.

During his visit, the AFC provincial expressed his gratitude to all benefactors who, in one way or another, support the Salesians in this intervention on behalf of the displaced, and also urged “other people of good will to join this initiative that saves lives,” he said. He then also encouraged the young staff members of the emergency management team in the camp to work in synergy with VIS on behalf of the displaced people. And he reminded them of the elements that will make their interventions successful: humility, simplicity, responsibility, and prayer.

Earlier in the day, Fr. Basañes had addressed a “good morning” thought to 60 lay collaborators active in the administration of the work. He wished them a good Marian month and reminded them of the traits pointed out by Pope Francis to young people during his visit to Kinshasa earlier this year, using the five fingers of the hand as a reference: prayer, community, honesty, forgiveness, and service.