AFRICA/MALI - Pastoral activity continues in the community of Kati amid political uncertainty and pandemic

Kati (Agenzia Fides) - Insecurity continues to reign in Mali, despite the existence of a transitional government led by the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Moctar Ouane, which comprises 25 ministries. The most strategic of these, Defense, Security, Territorial Administration and National Reconciliation, have been entrusted to the military protagonists of the coup that overthrew Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta last August 18. "In a general context like this, in the small town of Kati, about fifteen kilometers from Bamako, the difficulties are the same as ever", Sister Myriam Bovino, missionary sister of the Immaculate Queen of Peace (SMIRP), writes to Agenzia Fides.
"The pandemic has also hit Mali - continues the nun - Prevention and awareness of the population continues even if, unfortunately there are many deniers and it becomes difficult to carry it out with criteria. The cases of Covid-19, in relation to the density of the population, are not numerous. In our city, which has 200,000 inhabitants, there are one to two per day. At the women's center that we run here in Kati, we have made masks. After the closure following the disorders that hit the country and because of the ongoing pandemic, schools had reopened their doors but they are now closed again due to the second wave of the pandemic. Here people live on the streets and do not remain locked in at home. Common activities such as markets and shops, have not stopped. Consequently, the apostolate also continues, with the masks for us. We have had to suspend catechism lessons linked to school. We continue to go less frequently to hold catecheses in the village and to provide animation for Christian and non-Christian women. We continue to carry out the activities of our professional center, the realization of wells and animal breeding".
"The Catholic school is very popular, not only by Christian children but also by Muslims, - continues Sister Myriam. Subsidies are lacking to make known the Christian contents and some sects begin to arrive. Women's solidarity initiatives are carried out with those who accept them. For the unemployed, we try to create work initiatives but the instability of the country makes sustainable projects difficult. Unfortunately violence and poaching have increased. In anticipation of this Year of the Family, there will be more encounters and gestures of solidarity towards all", concludes the nun. (MB/AP) (Agenzia Fides, 22/1/2021)

Share:

pandemic

---

---

coronavirus

---

---

pastoral

---

---