Not only health care, but holistic personal attention

11 Mar 2006 | Focolare Worldwide

 Ayubu, 42 years old, lives in Akum, Cameroon. His job is raffia bag-making, a craft which is typical of his village. “When I was told that I had AIDS, I felt like a dead man walking. I was two persons at the same time: one was already dead, and the other was a body in motion. Then I was invited to the Club. To my surprise, I saw a lot of people in my own situation, who laughed and talked as if they were normal. Little by little, I came back to life: I wasn’t two persons anymore but one. I became alive again. Even my bags are selling and I am now learning how to create ceramics.”  The “Club” Ayubu talks about is one of the support groups for AIDS patients, promoted by the Focolare Movement in Nigeria, Cameroon, Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This network of “Clubs” in the different districts treats each patient according to a global approach, sustaining the patient, his/her family and other people at risk. The project has been integrated with UN projects. At the XIVth World Conference on AIDS held in Barcelona last July 7-12,2002, the results obtained by the project were presented, namely, the building up of diffusive, self-sufficient, low-cost social welfare networks in local communities. These results were also published in the Conference Proceedings as one of the “Interventions and programmes for improvement.” How the idea was born – The project began in 1992 in a mission hospital in Nigeria, under the guidance of two doctors and a nun who realized that in order to control the spread of the disease and avoid marginalizing those who are afflicted, it was not sufficient to follow the hospital protocol for AIDS patients. The collaboration of health care personnel, family members, schoolteachers, local authorities and traditional healers was necessary to help create a sense of brotherhood and acceptance around HIV-positive persons. Here is the experience of one of the pioneers, Spanish doctor Fernando Rico Gonzales: “For various reasons, in particular due to lack of formation and information, HIV-positive persons often refuse to accept their diagnosis. The deep and hopeless suffering I saw in many of these people led me to talk about this right away with my patients and ask them if they would like to meet with others like them, so that they can help one another with their common problems.” From Nigeria, the experience was repeated in other African countries. Today, around a hundred people are linked to the club of Akum and Bali in Cameroon, including about 20 children. Patients in more serious condition are cared for and visited in their homes. These “clubs” are supported by the NGO “Azione per un mondo unito” (AMU) (tr. “Action for a United world = AMU). To date, €16.048,24 have been raised. The annual budget requires approximately  €18.600. Donations to AMU – Azione per un Mondo Unito may be named to the “Bamenda Project.” from Amu Notizie  issues 1/2004 – 2/2005 and  4/2005, and Living City issue 5/2005

Sports, medals and peace

18 Feb 2006 | Focolare Worldwide

Michael Walchhofer, born in Radstadt, Austria on April 28, 1975, is an Alpine skier. At the Winter Olympics 2006 in Turin, Italy he won the silver medal in downhill freestyle. Walchhofer, who skied in 10th position, remained in the lead for a long time, but in the end he was beaten by seventy-two one-hundredths of a second by Frenchman, Antoine Deneriaz, the 30th skier. Walchhofer made his Alpine skiing debut in the 1999 World Cup series. In the same season he became the Europa Cup winner. He gained his first victory in the World Cup at the combined event in Kitzbühel, Austria in 2003. At the Alpine Skiing World Championship in St. Moritz, Switzerland in 2003, he won the gold medal in downhill freestyle; in 2005 he won the bronze plus a silver in the Super-Giant Slalom. In the 2004-2005 seasons, he was adjudged World Cup champion in downhill freestyle. On several occasions, Michael Walchhofer has openly expressed that what matters most to him – even more than his successful sports career – is his values. Speaking of his family, he said, “The birth of my first daughter was a more touching experience than the highest sports success I have ever achieved.” His tenacious yet approachable manner makes him not only pleasant but also a model for the young. His victory was a great joy for us because he was one of the supporters of Sports4Peace, a sport-oriented project of the Focolare Movement for teen-agers, within its vaster Lifestyle4Peace Project which the Teens for Unity of Austria are promoting in collaboration with Sportmeet, the worldwide network of sportsmen, sportswomen and sports operators who practice sport as an important and positive aspect of their personal life and the life of other people, and draw inspiration from their desire to contribute to building a more united world also through sports.

50 years with Città Nuova

17 Feb 2006 | Focolare Worldwide

In this, our era of globalization, media plays a crucial role. It is not by chance that we speak of “a society of information” that covers the globe. It is a fascinating epoch which is calling everyone’s attention – no one excluded – to the need for a new kind of dialogue among people, nations, cultures and religions. It is precisely in this epoch that God has brought about the charism of unity to contribute to the fulfillment of Jesus’ priestly prayer, “That all may be one.” Città Nuova, one of our first initiatives and the publication that has linked us together since the time of its birth in 1956, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. We cannot help but think of the first mimeographed issues distributed in the valley of Primiero (Trent, Italy), and the joy of the participants in the Mariapolis (which means “city of Mary”) upon receiving the copies. Città Nuova, modest though it was, was the expression of this city. We cannot help but remember its pioneers, firstly, Fr. Pasquale Foresi, then Bruna Tommasi, Vitaliano Bulletti, Gino Lubich, and later on, Igino Giordani, Spartaco Lucarini and Guglielmo Bosselli. Through the decades, the magazine has acquired a dignity all its own, evidenced by the fact that it is published in 37 editions and in 22 languages worldwide. Città Nuova, therefore, is part of the process of globalization. In fact, in some way, it was a forerunner to this process. No one more than the Holy Spirit knows the urgent needs, questions, and problems of humanity, is able to reveal God’s plans for today’s world. Now, the charism embodied by the Focolare Movement comes from the Spirit; this has been repeatedly recognized in the Church by the last five Popes. Therefore, Città Nuova, which is an expression of the Focolare, has something valid to say to many people. Why then has it remained a “small” magazine? Perhaps it is because it has its own distinctive traits; it does not bother to follow the trends that come and go. It is not an entertainment magazine, just one of the many illustrated periodicals in the news-stands. Città Nuova would like to present itself as an organ of opinion to those who, in one way or another, share its ideals of peace, justice, freedom, and truth. How does the magazine respond to the needs of humanity today in the civic, social and ecclesial spheres? In the religious arena, the magazine announces, helps, supports and spreads one of the Church’s current options, indicated by John Paul II in the Novo millenio ineunte: to make the Church-as-communion a reality, through the spirituality of communion. In the civic and social spheres, Città Nuova tries to adequately respond to a new longing of our day, on the heels of recent wars and the upsurge of terrorism: the world is longing for brotherhood. If we look at our own cities, what people yearn for today, what draws their attention is precisely this “new city”; a city where brotherhood reigns making us brothers and sisters to one another, beyond every division. Città Nuovawants to build fraternity, an instrument of dialogue at all levels, an instrument of communion and unity. (from Città Nuova no. 1/06)

[:it]“Non vedo l’ora che arrivi il giovedì”

14 Feb 2006 | Focolare Worldwide

The “Social Welfare Club of Akum and Bali”

14 Feb 2006 | Focolare Worldwide

 On the outskirts of Bamenda, a small town situated in western Cameroon, almost at the border with Nigeria, there are many villages without any doctor. There are however health centers: small structures with about 50 beds, run by religious order priests or nuns and members of lay associations and coordinated by one or more dioceses. The desire to do something more for AIDS patients, and thus break through the isolation created by prejudice and mistaken beliefs, lies at the root of the “Social Welfare Club of Akum and Bali” experience. In the few months following its opening, 25 HIV-positive persons offered to collaborate with the visiting physician by welcoming other people in their same situation. Together with the women religious and lay people who run the Center, they then founded two clubs where the patients could meet weekly. These regular meetings are at the heart of this project: occasions where members can share their experiences of life, reflect, and – for those who are able to – work together. At Akum, the meetings take place every Thursday. They start at 8:30 a.m. with breakfast together where, when available, nourishing food is offered. For example, for four months now, there is a supply of fresh milk (a rarity in those parts), and wholemeal bread. The patients interconnect in a very simple way, with moments for spiritual reflection (the groups include Muslims and Christians, Catholics and Presbyterians), as well as moral and psychological support through the sharing of experiences, hopes and needs pertinent to their respective life situations. A part of the time is also dedicated to small handicraft activities or gardening – modest jobs, but which are very important because they allow the people to feel part of the society around them, to earn a living, and to get nourishment and medicine. In the small clinic at Akum, 296 cases of AIDS were diagnosed in one year. Recent decreases in the cost of medical care have encouraged many people to undergo check-ups. With early diagnosis there is greater hope for a more effective treatment plan.  

Dialogue in the spirit of brotherhood: a challenge to the society of tomorrow

28 Jan 2006 | Focolare Worldwide

 Building up a culture of unity in diversity, to contribute to the unity of the human family: this was not merely a proposal but an actual experience for 250 Christians, Jews, Muslims and representatives of other religions who were present at the Forum held at the Focolare Movement’s “Unity” meeting center “at Rotselaar, near Louvain, Belgium. Dialogue is the road to survival – Albert Guigui, Grand Rabbi of Brussels, cited the biblical narrative of Cain and Abel to emphasize that absence of communication is often the source of conflict. He also addressed the issue of religious fanaticism, saying that a believer is one who puts himself at God’s service while a fanatic is one who puts God at his service. Opposed to fanaticism is the attitude of welcoming the other as he or she is, and not as we would like him or her to be. “Dialogue is the road to survival,” the Grand Rabbi forcefully affirmed. We must go on pursuing the dialogue of the people – Mohammed Boulif, consultant in Muslim economic affairs, underscored the importance of giving preference to what unites us so as to reach deeper knowledge and mutual enrichment. In these dynamics, sincerity is a must. In his address, Mr. Boulif recalled that some of his Algerian Muslim friends have re-discovered in a very deep manner – thanks to their contacts with the Christians of Focolare –their sense of religiosity. He thus underscored the importance of “the dialogue of the people,” as something to be pursued “in a permanent way.” The keys to dialogue – Paul Lemarié of the Focolare Movement’s international Center for Interreligious Dialogue shared highlights of his 25-year experience in Algeria and in other Middle East countries where his contacts with Muslims and Jews had helped him re-discover certain aspects of his Catholic faith. Paradoxically, therefore, interreligious dialogue reinforces one’s own creed as it opens one to the creed of the other. Lemarié then explained how the keys to dialogue can be found in the evangelical art of loving. This “art” is a kind of love that urges a person to take the initiative in loving, to consider the other person as his/her other self, and to love unconditionally and concretely. It is a demanding art that requires constant training; it puts dialogue on such an elevated plane that it is rendered fruitful and always open to new horizons. Education to dialogue to prevent fundamentalism – The forum participants were particularly moved by the stories shared by a group of children from St. Joseph’s School of Uccle (Brussels), who organized a large gathering of Jewish, Muslim and Christian children in March, 2005. Communicate – dialogue – know – love were the steps they indicated to everyone so as to reach true dialogue. Their experience, which was referred to during the round-table discussion that followed, underscored the point that education to dialogue can  (Rotselaar, January 29, 2006)