Context

The city of Nsimalen is located 30 km from Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon. When the Daughters of Charity came there in 1984, it was a large village with a rural population that had little schooling. The territory of the Catholic mission was very extensive, and pastoral needs required frequent trips to reach the people living in the vicinity. The sisters were asked to run the small dispensary where the villagers came to seek treatment, and maternal and children’s services were developed there.

During the planning for a new international airport near the capital in 1991, a large part of the land within this mission was requisitioned for this project (as the airport is 2 km from our parish). What an upheaval for the people who were deprived of land, and who had to go elsewhere! The Nsimalen Dispensary thus saw the number of visits diminish year after year until its closure.

The elderly and the disabled have not left!

It was during our visits to the sick and the poor of the surrounding villages that we encountered very abandoned people who were dying in inhuman conditions. In view of this reality, the community has sought the financial means necessary for the construction of a residence for these elderly and chronically ill people, with the aim of caring for them, surrounding them with affection and giving them what is needed to “help them to live well and to die well,” in the words of Saint Vincent de Paul.

Louise de Marillac Center

Thus was born the Louise de Marillac Center with a 30-bed capacity. Currently we are 4 Daughters of Charity and 4 lay people serving in the residence. The postulants also contribute to the animation of the residents who appreciate the joyful atmosphere and the personalized attention that we offer to each of them. They often express their joy at once again finding themselves part of a large family.

Our selection criteria for admissions are always in favor of the most abandoned, those who no longer have any family or whose children live far away and cannot care for their dependent parent. Residents are cared for until their death, and it is not uncommon that no relatives are present at funerals.

What can we do?

We are not seeking profitability, but rely on Providence, which has always been shown by donors (donations in cash and in kind). To provide our residents with better conditions of care, we hope to be able to purchase anti-bedsore mattresses, special wheelchairs, an emergency trolley, a folding screen and other ancillary equipment, thanks to the friends of the Rosalie Projects.

On behalf of all those who will benefit from your support, a big THANK YOU!