San Felice Volunteers Celebrate 10 Years of African Aid and Development

Marco and Daniela forfeited their wedding gifts. They got married in the church of Cisano, inviting friends not to buy anything: better to allocate the money to those with little or nothing. The Africa operation by the volunteers of San Felice del Benaco is full of gestures like this. Annunciata says: «Contact with such simple, hospitable, poor but dignified people touched everyone’s heart. It made us realize that we are part of a vast world. Each of us can do something and lend a hand, so that a chain is formed. Unknowingly, it changes their own value system». Stefania: «My husband Fabio and I chose a different kind of vacation. So we went to Guinea. An experience that made us reflect, and brought us a bit of a crisis. Taken by the stressful whirlpool of daily rhythms, we seldom stop to think. There, however, despite needing everything, they are rich inside». Mattia: «I adapted to do a bit of everything: bricklayer, carpenter, laborer, painter. I discovered the beauty of sowing a seed. I am learning to be humble and smaller. In a land where time seems to have stopped, anyone arriving convinced they must civilize is forced into a deep conscience examination».

Remembrances and Projects in Africa

In the hall of the former town hall of San Felice, in the presence of a large audience, the ten-year anniversary of the expeditions to Africa was commemorated, with the projection of the splendid images by Oscar Saletti. «In 1992» – recalls Annibale Bissolati, former deputy mayor – «18 volunteers decided to leave for a distant and unknown land: Guinea Bissau, a former Portuguese colony on the Atlantic coast. Over the years, a longing for Africa involved other people: from Roè Volciano, Salò, Polpenazze, Villanuova, Calcinato, Lonato. So much so that the number grew to 85, all united by the same desire for solidarity: to help a population lacking resources. The ideal period to go is from December to the end of January. Two reasons: favorable climate (no rain and bearable heat, reaching 30-35°C) and, during the Christmas season, more personal availability».

The first intervention, in January ’92, in Mansoa, a town 60 kilometers from the capital Bissau, aimed to build a new 350 square meter multi-purpose building (later used as a sewing school, clinic, bathrooms, meeting rooms), surrounded by a large porch, considered essential in African housing culture. In ’92-’93, in Bissorà, 100 kilometers from the capital, the renovation of an existing building, totaling 430 sqm (housing for missionary nuns, sewing room, and other multifunctional rooms). In the following two years, again in Bissorà, the construction of the parish church of 400 sqm, with a 200 sqm porch and frescoes behind the altar.

Margherita: «I didn’t know which colors to bring. So I chose the brightest and strongest ones. And I painted a huge poilon tree, the sacred plant». In the two subsequent expeditions, the realization of the multi-purpose community house in Bissau: 400 sqm plus the usual 200 of porticos. In 97-’98, in Quelele, the center for the Franciscan sisters (300 sqm): they host girls who study, ensuring them food, accommodation, and coverage of school expenses. In ’99, due to the war, the San Felice group changed course, heading to Brazil, to São Paulo. There, they rebuilt the roof of a nursery and a training center for adolescents. In 2000, back in Bissau, they repaired damages caused by the conflict.

Now, in Mansoa, construction of the house for the nuns in a rough state (load-bearing structure and walls), and in Quelele, the installation of a 3000-liter water tank, supported by a galvanized iron truss structure. There, they fear to dig wells: going underground, they might suffocate, and they blame spirits. Each volunteer must pay for their vaccinations and airfare. The group arranges the purchase of the food necessary for the stay (pasta, cans, water, cheese), and ships it two months early with a container, along with the equipment and materials (sand, cement) needed for the work.

Engineer Roberto Benedetti sends the projects well in advance to obtain the permits. «Seeing you work together» – said Sister Gianna Rosolin – «helped the village people be less egocentric, to acquire a sense of group and community. The testimony of an important value».