As the Season of Creation unfolds, reflecting on labor from the past can ignite inspiration for the future. Today, we revisit the incredible journey of the 2022-2023 microgrant recipients from the Laudato Si’ Action Platform, whose projects have blossomed into community transformation. This partnership between the International Union Superiors General (UISG)and Laudato Si’ Movement was crafted to support women religious congregations in Brazil and Francophone Africa, focusing on enhancing community well-being through sustainable initiatives.
Transforming Communities, One Project at a Time
In Brazil, the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters leveraged their grant to intertwine faith with environmental stewardship through a creatively designed educational booklet. Sister Gilbetânia Ferreira de Andrade remarked, “This tool has not just spread ecological awareness but has deepened the community’s commitment to caring for our common home, engaging everyone from young students in Porto Alegre to our religious community across Brazil.”
The Tertiary Sisters of St. Francis celebrate their harvest
Meanwhile, in Cameroon, the Tertiary Sisters of St. Francis embarked on a sustainable agriculture project that not only enhanced food security, but also fostered a healthier lifestyle by reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers. Sister Annette Tangwa shared, “The project’s success has been marked by significant cost savings and improved health outcomes, proving that small seeds can indeed yield substantial harvests.”
Further north, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Sisters of the Divine Savior initiated a fruit tree plantation. Sister Sylvie Thumba highlighted, “This project has done more than just beautify the landscape; it has become a vital source of nutrition and health, promoting food security among the local communities and schools involved.”
Neighbors come to draw water at the Emmaus Monastery. “Everyone was happy and the children came to see as well,” reports Sister Francine Manenga Samba.
In another part of Congo, the Benedictine Sisters of the Emmaus Monastery addressed a critical need for clean water. Their project not only facilitated access to potable water for their community but also for the surrounding areas, significantly benefiting daily lives and health during the dry season. Sister Francine Manenga Samba noted, “This initiative has been a lifesaver, literally. Water is life, and now it flows abundantly, blessing all who come to our monastery and the nearby communities.”
Acknowledgments and Continued Commitment
Many other groups have also contributed meaningfully to their communities, including the Sisters of Charity in Abomey-Calavi, Benin, who developed community gardens, and the Sisters of St. Joseph in Tocantins, Brazil, who enhanced educational facilities with renewable energy solutions.
These endeavors reflect a mosaic of collaborative efforts, where each grantee has taken steps toward ecological conversion, inspired by the vision of Laudato Si’. As we celebrate their achievements, we also recognize the ongoing commitment required to sustain and expand upon these successes.
Moving Forward with Hope
These labors remind us of the power of collective action and the enduring value of small grants. These projects do more than just meet immediate needs—they lead the way toward a more sustainable and equitable world for all.
In the spirit of the Season of Creation, let us continue to support these vital initiatives and carry forward the momentum into future endeavors.
The program partners extend their gratitude to the Hilton Foundation for their generous funding, which has been instrumental in the success of these transformative projects.