Cabinda (Angola). The Daughters of Mary Help of Christians of the Community Mary Help of Christians of Cabinda, of the Preprovince Queen of Peace (ANG), in 2020 began to take care of a piece of land ceded to them by the Diocese. Since then, they have given birth to various initiatives to safeguard the earth, respecting biodiversity. The FMA entrusted themselves to the help of young people for cleaning and a space has been created for prayer, meetings, retreats, and camps open to the whole Diocese.
The situation of poverty created by the Covid-19 pandemic, however, has led many people to seek subsistence in the production of coal from felled trees. In fact, in this area there is one of the largest forests in the world, Maiombe, and this activity has become a real attack on the environment.
The reserve of the FMA, which is called Mbuco Bosco, that is Don Bosco’s land, has also been invaded several times and the cry of the poor and the cry of the earth can be heard there and all around. The sisters and young people had to protect and preserve this space, reaffirming their commitment in the perspective of Laudato Si’ and transforming it into a prophetic reality in the midst of so much devastation.
On the land of Mbuco Bosco, the FMA together with the young people plant native and fruit trees. Young people also learn recycling techniques, thus creating sources of work. This year, the sisters promoted an Ecological Economy Project, one of the objectives of the Laudato Si’ platform which was approved by the Angolan government and the Industrial Cooperative “Eco Art”, was created with the Social Action Fund (FAS), to reach the most vulnerable young people in the outskirts of cities throughout Angola and fight hunger and poverty.
These initiatives respond to Pope Francis’ appeal to act responsibly, combining forces and dreaming together, to respond to the environmental challenge, to repair the damage caused to the common home, and to ensure a better future for the next generations.
