3. One experience of the SFO from Cameroon to Ethiopia Two consecrated Secular Franciscans – Caroline Banlanjo and Irene Tangwa – members of the SFO Fraternity of Saint Anthony of Padua, in Shisong, Cameroon, travelled to Etiopia by invitation of Br. Angelo Pagano, vice provincial of the General Vice Province of Capuchins of Maria Kidane Meheret in Ethiopia. This invitation had two objectives: to have them share their experience with two young women, Anna and Francesca, who, under the guidance of another Capuchin, Fr. Angelo Antolini, pastor of Embecho, sought to live a consecrated life, and in order to revive the experience of the SFO in other parts of the country. This is how, in summary, Caroline and Irene tell us about the extraordinary adventure that they experienced. The first impact on the village of Embecho happened during their participation in the Christmas liturgy, when they made their first and most interesting discoveries, but the real involvement and engagement with the Ethiopian population began when they met the poor villagers in their own dwellings. People welcomed them with the traditional hospitality of the Ethiopians, but the difficulties were many, such as getting used to the local food and dealing with some of the behaviors and traditional values, new and strange to Caroline and Irene. They were inspired to have a daily Eucharistic Adoration to seek the spiritual strength they needed every day. When the local Christians saw how they made their daily Eucharistic Adoration in the new chapel designated by Fr. Angelo especially for the Eucharistic Adoration, they exclaimed: "Now we understand what Fr. Angelo had told us!" Therefore this humble testimony has renewed in the population the interest for Eucharistic Adoration, especially in the year dedicated particularly to the Eucharist by Pope John Paul II! Some of the things that seemed truly bitter and strange for Caroline and Irene and have taken all their courage were: To visit the impoverished dwellings, shared by humans and animals, and infested with insects and all sorts of impurities, and there to drink tea or coffee, offered amid all the flies, and to eat pieces of black bread while the cows came near and tried gladly to eat it out of their hands. to watch youngsters 17 or 18 years old, standing naked while they suffered the pains of circumcision, and also to listen to the truly shocking experiences of the girls who had endured circumcision, immediately before or after the traditional wedding ceremony; to watch crowds in the local markets, with every sort of merchandise exposed on the dusty ground, the air full of scents and strong smells, while the vendors disputed left and right; to watch full of pity uncircumcised boys half naked, ten years old and younger, who jumped up and down, watching the two foreign ladies with curiosity, with great joy and simplicity, probably because divine innocence is still in them and they are not ashamed to stand naked in front of other people. Returning to Addis Ababa, where the rest of the Ethiopian SFO mission is located, they got seriously involved with the work of orphan adoption of Fr. Maurizio Golino. Nobody can imagine how greatly has the number of orphans increased whose parents are killed by war, hunger and need, and especially right now by AIDS. Hearing the stories of some of the orphans, relating the death of their parents, it’s surprising that even some of them escaped that terrible destiny. Some of the mothers died giving birth because of difficulties caused by circumcision. Some newborns were thrown away in the streets, and recovered, still alive, by the pastors, and taken to the adoption Center. All these above mentioned experiences caused Caroline and Irene to become even more involved with the daily real life of the population in various activities organized in several places; these helped them understand the mentality of the people and to learn how to transmit the SFO values in a way compatible with the new brothers and sisters who found themselves living in such context of primary evangelization. Many of the comments from those who participated of the SFO meetings and shared in some way those experiences, show that the two seminarians, Caaroline Banlanjo and Irene Tangawa, came at an opportune moment, the moment when the seeds were requested. This because Ethiopia is an area of primary evangelization and the people’s mentality is that "the church is for the priests and religious": when the future Secular Franciscans were formed they could carry out the role of the laity in one of the local churches and testify to the Gospel with their way of life, through Christian and Franciscan dimensions. A certain feeling of emptiness exists in people, possibly due to the lack of opportunity to improve their human dignity and their Christian life, that could be filled, if they welcomed and received with love and joy, the beginning of the spirituality of the SFO for the Christian laity. Some observations regarding human dignity follow: An important point is the habit of married children living with their parents. This custom is understood and seen as an expression of love, but from another point of view, this causes lack of interest and laziness about seeking to change their living and dwelling situation. Their lifestyle, in its very expression, could improve if every couple had their own home for themselves and their children. This would promote also the dignity and the unity of the family. The second point is female circumcision. This terribly painful act is very traumatic for the women. Furthermore it causes serious psychological consequences for mothers and their children. The third point is that agricultural activity in Southern Ethiopia is the exclusive task of the men who maintain their families with the produce of the fertile earth, while the women are concentrated only in the activities of the house, depending on the husband for the food. There is the risk of having to face terrible moments of penury if the husband dies. The seed is germinated, that is, the spirituality of the SFO has begun. Now it has need of air, light, sun and fertilizer. This could be task of the spiritual assistants of the SFO in the different areas, who could give assistance and spiritual guidance, because the way in the beginning is uncertain and difficult without a good guide. Formation sessions could also be started and work fields for the members of the SFO, inviting the responsible laity and members of the Fraternities of other countries so they can contribute to an integral development of our brothers and sisters in Southern Ethiopia.
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