Sister Germaine and the joy of being able to serve at this Caritas-France organisation, which has a wide range of activities in France and throughout the world: helping the homeless or those in insecure accommodation, educational support, building social ties, access to rights, support for public authorities, emergency situations…
People experiencing poverty participate in these actions, thus promoting the capacity of all to act, so that everyone has access to decent living conditions.
‘My name is Sister Germaine MOLE ESSIMI. I am a former nun of Saint Martha, I come from the province of Central Africa, I am Cameroonian. In France since 21 September 2024, I am enjoying a sabbatical year at the provincial house in Besançon.
I take a refresher course every month in Lyon and I have the joy of being able to dedicate some time to Secours Catholique-Caritas France.
‘There is more joy in giving than in receiving’ Acts 20:35
I’ll use specific examples to tell you about my mission at Secours catholique since 15 October 2024. I’m there four half days a week to welcome people. When they arrive, I’ve already prepared the room: aired it, cleaned it, and put the coffee pot and kettle on. Everything is ready!
The people who come have different resources and needs: some are looking for someone to listen to them or simply a place to sit and drink a coffee. Many young African immigrants come to take French lessons given by volunteers.
I offer tea, coffee, biscuits, chocolates and through all these simple gestures, ideas are exchanged and French continues to be learnt. The young people are proud to be able to say all the polite phrases they have learnt.
On days when there is no teacher, I take his place: reading, conjugation, a story…
I was touched by the gesture of Claude who came because she needed to talk: she had a coffee and then another: she offered me 2 euros, I told her the coffee was free, she told me to offer these 2 euros to someone who needed them. I was able to give them to a Nigerian lady on behalf of another person in need.
Every Thursday, lunch is offered to everyone: volunteers, young immigrants, lonely people and anyone else in the city who wants to come. The rooms are full, the meal is prepared on the spot by a group of benefactors and volunteers. There are no more differences. Everyone is welcome.
I have a lot of admiration for the people in charge of this centre: they are friendly and dynamic. The volunteers are also totally committed.
Everyone shows boundless love. It can be frustrating not to be able to meet the demand for money, but Secours Catholique has a vast network of people who help with the administrative procedures and refer people to support services.
This enriching experience has opened me up to others, to active listening, to the joyful gift of time.
The welcome of Secours Catholique doesn’t solve all the problems, but it is a place of great fraternity.
