Democratic Republic Congo: Stones Turn Into Bread
In Kinshasa, a stone quarry provides work for dozens of people but the work is extremely hard – particularly for the women and children. The site is guarded by soldiers and impossible to approach. We have met some of the workers. It is not only gold and precious minerals that have value. In the Democratic […]
Benin: The Monastery of Notre-Dame de L’Ecoute – The Value Of Time
A contemplative community inserted into the social texture of the village, through prayer and work, gives testimony of the presence of the Kingdom of God. At last, we reached Natitingou, in the heart of the Atakora Mountain Range, six hundred kilometres north-west of Cotonou, the economic capital of Benin. Just outside the city, which is […]
Democratic Republic Congo: A Whole Life Spent For Life Itself
She has helped deliver 34,000 babies. Close friendship with a Moslem Imam, she has lived in the country for more than half a century. She has been a witness to much suffering, but also experienced great hope like that of the new-born child. There is no sign of stress on her face with those attentive […]
Kenya & Borana: Restore Peace
Among the Borana, an ethnic group that lives in northern Kenya, there are three funeral celebrations: the day of the burial, two weeks after the death and one year later. The role of the eldest son. The meaning of the sacrifices. The Borana believe that, at death, the body – nafa – separates itself from […]
South Sudan: Dinka Culture
em>Though known for centuries as the Dinka, they actually call themselves Moinjaang, ‘People of the People’. The Dinka are around 3.2 million people, constituting about 25% of the population of South Sudan, and they are also the largest ethnic group in the country. We look at some cultural aspect of this ethnic group. According to […]
Latin America: The Feast For The Dead
“The daily experience of the peoples of Mesoamerica is that life exists because there is death. Corn, sown in the fields, dies like all the other seeds, to give birth to a new generation of plants. Death is a part of human existence and of the cosmos.” Unlike Western societies, which greatly fear death and […]
Kenya: From The Street To New Life
Napenda Kuishi Rehabilitation is a rehabilitation programme for Nairobi street children, which is run by Comboni Missionaries. It is based in the shanty towns of Korogocho, Dandora, and Huruma in the eastern outskirts of Nairobi. The director of the project talked to us. Kenny was seventeen when he first came to one of our centres […]
Uganda: Marriage As A Clan Affair Among The Buganda
Marriage is one of the most important aspects in the life of Buganda. The role of the in-laws. If the time changed, some characteristics steps are to always remain. Buganda kingdom is the largest of the traditional kingdoms in present day Uganda, comprising all of Uganda’s Central region. Almost 52 clans make up the Kingdom […]
Senegal: Living The Encounter
Father Jacques Seck continues his lifelong vocation – promoting understanding between Christians and Moslems. As for the extremists, he says “Let no one try to divide us”. Despite his 83 years, he walks steadily through the streets of Dakar. People of all ages greet him as he passes with smiles and affection. With his long […]
Sudan: Expecting Nothing
In Nyala, in South Darfur in the south-west of Sudan, mission is just a presence and silent witness; a mission without much visibility or spectacle, in quietness; a mission where one cannot expect great personal gratification. A testimony of a Comboni Missionary. I knew him by sight. He is seen daily in the city of […]
