ANGOLA/ Terreiro (Agenzia Fides) – “We are still in the middle of the dry season, even though we are waiting for the first rain, and we want to use the rain to fill the large cistern in Terreiro. We won’t let the first rain enter the cistern because it brings with it all the dust from the roof,” says Father Martino Bonazzetti of the Society of African Missions, who has been living in the northwest of the country for two years, specifically in Desvio da Barro do Dande, Diocese of Caxito, capital of the province of Bengo.
The missionary reports on the commitments, activities, and projects that animate the community of Terreiro. The parish is centered in Desvio and has a dozen chapels, “some of which are easily accessible, while others are difficult (if not impossible) to reach in the rain. The area is vast, and to get to the chapels, as with many other things, people have to walk a lot,” emphasizes the missionary. “There’s no shortage of activities. In Terreiro, we celebrated baptisms and First Communions. And during the month of the ‘Ferias’ (Vacation), we organized a kind of summer camp with about eighty children and caregivers, some mothers, and a small group of young people.”
“It doesn’t take much to create a good atmosphere here,” adds Father Martino. “Games and activities, a packet of cookies, and a lunch a week before the big lunch on the last day. You don’t need much to celebrate. A balloon, some popcorn, music… and lots of joy.” “
I’ve added a new job to my various ‘roles: ‘banknote repairer,'” he explains. “If a banknote is torn here, it’s often rejected. I brought some non-yellowing tape from Italy, and after I repaired someone’s banknote, word must have gotten around, because every now and then someone comes to me and asks for help.”
“Finally, we are in the process of finalizing the purchase of a property in Zone 6,” the missionary continued. “The Christians of this community also told me about a possible literacy and pre-school initiative. They conducted a census of school-age children; the school is just a few kilometers away. I don’t think everyone is interested, but the number frightens me: more than 450 children. We need to find suitable premises, classrooms, and materials—I deliberately don’t say ‘teaching materials,’ because that’s a big word… and then also ‘teachers,’ that is, young people who attend high school. We will start with that…” Father Martino concludes confidently. (AP) (Source:Agenzia Fides, 16/9/2025)