News
CGP - Red thread n.2 - December 1, 2023
Our second joint day at the CEC and the CGP was devoted, as it should be, to economic questions.
Solidarity campaigns in Assumption
Firstly, Father Alex, general treasurer, presented to us the situation of the latest solidarity campaigns in Assumption which makes it possible each year to finance projects for which we cannot find external financing (in particular via the BDS). The solidarity campaign in Assomption then suggests that the internal solidarity of the congregation seek to finance the selected projects. The first circle solicited is made up of the communities of the congregation. Indeed, if many mechanisms of interprovincial solidarity exist within the congregation, they are often very institutional and many religious are unaware of their functioning, or even their existence. Solidarity campaigns in Assomption are intended to be a way for each community to concretely express their fraternity and solidarity. Every year, each community is invited to make a small effort (for example during Lent, but not exclusively) to contribute personally to the ongoing Assumption solidarity campaign. The second circle requested is made up of groups of lay people of the Alliance - or close to the Assumption - and by certain of our works (parishes and educational institutes in particular.) It is therefore the opportunity to organize in our community networks a concrete solidarity campaign in Assumption. We regret that few communities are mobilizing for these campaigns.
In 2022, the project selected by the CGP concerned the financing of a computer laboratory for Assumption High School, in Nairobi, Kenya. The campaign raised $14,826 and the project was completed.
Assumption High School computer laboratory
In 2023, the project selected by the CGP concerned the financing of the renovation of the Nasandratrony presbytery in Madagascar. The campaign is still ongoing.
In 2024, the project selected by the Plenary General Council is to build a dormitory for boys at Assumption High School in Narobi. Capable of accommodating 50 children, the building has a very simple plan and will contain the large room of the dormitory itself, showers and toilets and a bedroom for the supervisor. The total cost of the building was estimated at 42,246 USD. The local contribution would be 6,604 USD. The Adveniat foundation (Paris) has agreed to finance half of the uncovered needs. The remaining financing requirement to be covered is therefore 17,821 USD.
Assumption High School
Other subjects will require decisions in the days to come:
Father Alex presented us with the budget of the Generalate, which is usually balanced by a subsidy from the Province of Europe. A good part of the day was taken up by the heavy work of preparing the interprovincial solidarity budget for formation which helps our provinces ensure the initial formation of our young brothers and candidates.
The day finally concluded with an interesting debate on our lifestyle, based on the question of employees (or not) in our communities, the situations being very different depending on our countries. What emerged from this sharing was the need to continue to progress, while taking into account very different local realities, towards sufficient involvement of the brothers in the usual functioning of our communities.