GSI ITALIA IS ALSO THAT TIME THAT…

in Burkina Faso, began to help Marie Blaise Somé, a Franciscan nun and her “widows” and her “orphans” who were initially only 17. We helped them to form themselves in the Faa i Tuora association in 2007-2008. Since then, GSI Italia has helped the “daughter” association in the constitution of cereal banks, in the supply of photovoltaic generators, in the excavation of wells, in the provision of small loans of honor, thanks to a past distance support program, which saw the contribution of individual citizens and the involvement of students from schools in Umbria, Marche, Abruzzo and Lombardia.
They told me that when the association reached about a thousand registered women, who, as the social statute said, were to be widows, Marie Blaise was called by the village chief of Dissin, where Faa i Tuora is located. The association was the main social and productive reality of the area due to Italian contributions, and progressively widened the perimeter of the cultivated land and the number of farm animals.
– Marie Blaise, my daughter – the village chief started to say with a serious but resolute accent.
– I am sorry for you that you are a good and willing girl, but I am forced to send you away from the village and close your association.
– But why, sir, what have I done wrong to deserve your reproaches? – the dismayed girl tried to retort.
– I know it because … – the old man snapped, continuing his invective.
– It’s because if I let you do what you do, it turns out that I die murdered. Killed, yes. That’s right. Killed in my bed without escape and when I least expect it – the old village chief muttered in an altered voice, simulating at the same time with the index of his right hand a quick cut of the throat and accompanying the gesture with a grimace that left Marie Blaise even more dumbfounded and astonished.
– And, you understand, I cannot afford it. What do you say?
– I don’t understand what you’re telling me and who may want your death.”
– My wife wants me dead, dear Marie Blaise, my wife. And I’ll explain why and so you understand why it’s your fault – the village chief replied. – My wife told me that you welcome in your association, which I must recognize so well is doing in our as in the other neighboring villages, only women, and I have nothing to object on, but as long as widows … so I ordered you: – or you change the statute or I chase you away. Because doing good is good for me, but if your good does my bad, that’s not, I cannot afford it.
A liberating laughter took the fear out of Marie Blaise’s eyes and face, and so the association’s statutes were changed consensually.
Today, Faa i Tuora has about three thousand associated women and GSI Italia was the main financial supporter until 2016, favoring the improvement of their economic and social conditions through a program of revolving funds. Agriculture, animal breeding and the activation of small businesses are the main areas for the granting of micro-credits.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Fill out this field
Fill out this field
Please enter a valid email address.
You need to agree with the terms to proceed