Helping Benedictine Nuns with an Agricultural Project in Chad
The Benedictine convent of Saint Agatha, which is in the village of Lolo, in the diocese of Mondou in southern Chad, was established in May 2005. It is the first ever contemplative convent in this mainly Muslim country in central northern Africa.
The first Benedictine nuns to arrive in Chad from the Democratic Republic of the Congo felt it a special grace to be able to take part in the “adventure” of this new foundation. The local population also had great hopes for this new convent, even though most of them knew very little about the monastic life. The young sisters who came to Chad were inspired with the new mission that had been entrusted to them and set to work with great courage and enthusiasm to fulfill it. There was nothing in Lolo initially – no school, no running water, no hospital – and most of the people could not even read or write.
Since then, the six Benedictine nuns who now live in the convent have set up a spiritual center, a kindergarten, and a primary school. And they are also committed to teaching the women and girls to read and write, and to offering a practical vocational education to the girls and young women, who, to this day, are often forced into early marriage. For these women and girls in particular, the presence of the sisters is a great help.
But Chad is one of the poorest countries on Earth, and it has been difficult for the convent to support itself economically. Sister Victorine, the prioress, had previously written to us to explain: “The few resources we receive from outside are not enough for us, and we have difficulty covering the basic needs of the convent: for example, food, medical supplies in the event of illness and clothing, but also providing for the spiritual needs of the convent, such as the training of our younger sisters, retreats, and spiritual exercises.”
And so, with the support of our generous benefactors and a grant of $9,736, we were able to help the Benedictine sisters to set up a small agricultural project to provide for their own support. With the money you gave, they were able to buy agricultural implements, seeds, and a couple of cows. They now have a six-hectare plot on which they grow groundnuts for sale, plus a two-hectare plot where they grow millet and sesame for their own use. Part of the proceeds are then reinvested in the project so it can continue successfully.
Sister Myriam is originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. She tells us, “I am making my first missionary experience in Chad. The community here is young, and so we have to work very hard, above all in manual labor, in order to provide for our own lives and also support the local community with social measures, such as education, access to clean drinking water, and healthcare. I want to express my grateful thanks to ACN for this important support. I have learned how to guide the draught animals and plough the fields, and also how to grow millet.“
Our grateful thanks to all our benefactors for helping the sisters to support themselves in this way!
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