Hospitallers Africa AFRICA, KEEP THE LAMP CHAF — FLYER N°7 NOVEMBER 2016 OF HOSPITALITY ALIGHT

The Democratic Republic of Congo help them to recover health and return to their “”, Central Africa, 9 border coun- family". tries. In 1960 he obtained the independ- The Team of CSM earlier is concerned of the ence. The capital 11 million of mental health approach devices for the popula- inhabitants. The DRC has more than 450 tion, especially beacause of the lack of re- ethnic groups with large cultural diversi- sources. Thus appear "antennas": consultation ties. Christianity is the religion more in various districts of the city center. important. Since his arrival to Kinshasa the sisters mobilized their local capabilities in favor of the The presence of the Congregation: mission hospital. Now we can say that the in the heart of mental health . germ of what is now the hospital family is at Called by Cardinal Joseph Malula, the the origin of the Congregation in Kinshasa. Congregation is established in Kinshasa A small group of "mothers" actively collaborat- in September 30, 1989 with the arrival ing in the psychiatric hospital in Kinkole. On of the three first sisters to Kinshasa: April 24, 2005, it was the chosen date to install Ángela, Ma. Covadonga and Andrea; in the "body" to this group which began to grow and, above all, began to arise among them a order to take care of the mentally sick, great desire to live the hospitaller values taking part of the health structure of the and engage actively in the field of mission. Diocese and in their programthem me " External Antennas in the city of Kinsha- health care for the whole year of 2000" sa , ensure the consultations in the very remote of Kinshasa”. The sisters have made a places of the capital. nd tropical health training and practice in January 2009 : opening of the 2 Mental Health Center "Telema-Kintambo" , in the Neuro-psycho-psychiatric Centre another area of the city, offering the same ser- (NPPC), In view to understand the men- vices as Telema-Matete, with the additional tal health in African context. They also forecast shelter to mentally ill from the street learn the local language most spoken in with: drug treatment, food and hygiene. Steps the city. to restore the relationship family. Multipurpose In 1991 : Official opening of the Centre premises for meetings, training, library, etc. of Mental Health Telema-Matete. The Housing for the Group of sisters that will characteristics of the CSM; Building ensure the viability of the project. for : consultations, EEG room, treat- Training and awareness of the families , ment and dispensing of drugs, confer- of the sick and its environment need to be ence room, library and archives. Local accompanied and oriented. The publication of day centers. the "Mental health for all " is one of the In 1993 general plundering in the city, family patient and society means of communi- they lose everything, they only saves the cation. CSM TELEMA! This year starts the pos- International cooperation . The develop- tulancy, flourishing until now. In 2001 ment of the mission is possible, thanks to the Bethany is created, a small extension of joined solidarity forces. Thanks to Benito the TELEMA Center intended to accomo- Menni Foundation gets sponsorship for the date "the mentally sick of the street and schooling of many children. Prayer for the Community and Mission of Kinshasa (RDC)

Oh God, father of believers, you multiply on Earth the sons of the promise, with gratefulness for the doption and for the Paschal mystery, you did your servant Abraham the father of all Nations, as you had promised. Today we are here before you to entrust the work of the Hospitaller Committee of Africa (CHAF). You raised in the Church, the charism of hospitality, we give you thanks for the seed planted in Africa, so that today as yesterday and forever, we commit ourselves like Abraham, out of our self interests, out of our securities, out of our personal projects to enter into the great Congregational Community project in Africa, where everyone wants to be the actors and the steward in its construction. Grant that we may hear Your voice and follow the example of our Father in faith. We ask you today for the community and for the Mission of Kinshasa (RDC) and at the same time we ask the intercession of Mary, Our Lady of the Sacred heart of , Saint Benedict Menni, and of the sisters who have gone before us. Amen.