Sister Kahongya – Butembo Beni (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
PROJECT 46 of 72
MISSION
Location
Diocese
Butembo-Beni
Country
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Continent
Africa
GPS coordinates
0.13873 29.30088
Time zone
UTC+2
CONGREGATION
Congregation
Motherhouse
Butembo-Vungi
Diocese
Butembo-Beni
Country
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Continent
Africa
Congregation feast day
21 November
GPS coordinates
0.13565 29.29528
Time zone
UTC+2
Contact person
Sister Marie Goretti
Superior General
Sister Henriette Kasayi
TRAINING ORGANISATION
Location
Portopalo di Capo Passero (SR)
Country
Italy
Continent
Europe
GPS coordinates
436.68619 15.13367
Time zone
UTC+1
Start date
Waiting to start
End date
30/08/2021
Tutor
Attilio Nardo
REAL SPACE
Project manager
Sister Marie Louise
Type
Livestock farming
In the Butembo-Beni community, spazio + spadoni will support a small-livestock farming project. The project was suggested by the Congregation, which identified this activity as a means of supporting the entire community. To understand the importance of the project, it is necessary to know the area and place the social enterprise in context. For some time, Butembo-Beni has been the scene of clashes and violence against civilians. The Congregation, which had several communities in the diocese, was forced to close some of them so that the sisters could find shelter in a safe place.
The project at Misericordia Portopalo di Capo Passero initially began with Sister Laurentine, a religious sister who belongs to the community in Noto, where the sisters serve every day. Due to increasing commitments in the diocese, Sister Laurentine had to leave her service and training at the Misericordia. The Congregation always remained connected to the Association and, after Luigi Spadoni met with the Superior General in Rome in May 2025, another sister was selected to come to Italy for training: Sister Kahongya, more simply known as Sister Marie Louise.
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Timeline
2024
25.03 | spazio + spadoni meets the Congregation
Luigi Spadoni meets the Congregation in Noto, and they discuss the organization of the HIC SUM project
03.05 | Start of service at the Misericordia
Sister Laurentine begins serving at Misericordia Portopalo di Capo Passero
6-11.07 | Works of Mercy Training in Rome
Sister Marie Goretti takes part in the training on the riEvoluzione of the Works of Mercy organized and promoted by spazio + spadoni
2025
03.05 | Meeting with the Superior General
During the UISG Assembly held in Rome from May 5 to 9, spazio + spadoni met Mother Henriette, who hosted them for the entire conference at the Motherhouse of the Suore Figlie di Maria Missionarie
August | spazio + spadoni visit to Noto
Luigi Spadoni and Sergio Mura visit the sisters’ community in Noto
11.09 | Sister’s arrival
Sister Marie Louise arrives in Italy, welcomed by the Misericordia di Portopalo and her fellow sisters in Italy.
15.09 | Breadmaking training
Sister Marie Louise begins breadmaking training
30.09 | Agricultural training
Sister Marie Louise undertakes agricultural training
07.10 | Pastry-making training
Sister Marie Louise begins pastry-making training to produce cakes and cookies
13.10 | First-aid training
Start of first-aid training
20.10 | Agriculture and livestock farming training
Agriculture and livestock farming training
30.10 | Computer training
Start of training in computer use
2026
10.01 | Sister’s departure
Sister Marie Louise leaves Sicily and returns to her community in Butembo, Democratic Republic of the Congo
01.05 | Catechesis on the Works of Mercy
Sister Marie Louise gives a catechesis on the Works of Mercy for the young people and adults of her parish, and spazio + spadoni is introduced to the community
Project evaluations
All evaluations
- March 2024
Submission of the project with its budget. - November 2024
Submission of a new budget. - January 2025
Selection of a sister for training in Italy. - March 2025
Submission of a new livestock farming project. - May 2025
Meeting to ensure the project’s feasibility.
Photos and videos
