Sister Odette – Léo (Burkina Faso)
PROJECT 31 of 72
MISSION
Location
Diocese
Ouagadougou
Country
Burkina Faso
Continent
Africa
GPS coordinates
12.23854 -1.56155
Time zone
UTC+0
CONGREGATION
Congregation
Motherhouse
Ouagadougou
Diocese
Ouagadougou
Country
Burkina Faso
Continent
Africa
Congregation Feast Day
8 December
GPS coordinates
12.36787 -1.50183
Time zone
UTC+0
Contact person
Sister Odette and Sister Sophie
Mother General
Pauline Sawadogo
Website
TRAINING ORGANISATION
Name
spazio + spadoni
Location
Lucca (LU)
Country
Italy
Continent
Europe
GPS coordinates
43.81134 10.47286
Time zone
UTC+1
Start date
03/01/2022
End date
November 2024
REAL SPACE
Project manager
Sister Odette
Start date
30 September 2022
Type
Beekeeping
Through contacts with a young member of Economy of Francesco, spazio + spadoni and the Congregation decided to develop a honey-production social enterprise involving the entire Institute. Between 2022 and the first months of 2023, spazio + spadoni supported training in Burkina Faso attended by laypeople and sisters from various SIC communities. They began producing honey and sold it for the first time in the summer of 2023. The aim was to train all the communities of the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception in Burkina Faso in honey production. The social enterprise, initially overseen by Sister Raissa, is now run by Sister Sophie, while Sister Odette lives in a community in the capital that provides hospitality.
Sister Odette belongs to the SIC Congregation (Suore Immacolata Concezione), a Congregation from Burkina Faso. spazio + spadoni first met the sisters in January 2022 at their community in Incisa Valdarno (FI). The sisters immediately identified Sister Odette as the sister who would undertake the HIC SUM project. Since her presence was necessary to support the activities of the community and the parish, tailored training was designed for Sister Odette so that she would not be away from Incisa for too long. Among other activities, she completed approximately one month of training at the Misericordia di Orta Nova. Learn more Sister Odette: “A great need for mercy” Beekeeping as a Path to Development and Solidarity in Burkina Faso
Timeline
2022
03.01 | Partnership with the Congregation begins
The collaboration between spazio + spadoni and the SIC Sisters – Suore Immacolata Concezione begins
31.03 | Training
spazio + spadoni travels to Incisa Valdarno to plan the training for the coming months with the sisters
20.04 | Training
In-person HIC SUM project training at the Casa Madre della Congregazione Missionaria Sorelle di Santa Gemma (LU)
06-09.06 | Training
Technical training by spazio + spadoni at the Convento di San Cerbone (LU)
08.08 | Training
Sister Odette begins approximately one month of training at the Misericordia di Orta Nova
07-11.09 | Convention Fare Spazio al Coraggio
Sister Odette participates in the Convention conceived and promoted by spazio + spadoni at the Convento di San Cerbone (LU)
22-24.09 | Economy of Francesco
Sister Odette, together with the spazio + spadoni staff, participates in the global Economy of Francesco event in Assisi
30.09 | First funding disbursed
Funding required to start training in honey production
08.10 | Training
Training in honey production begins in Burkina Faso, involving sisters from various SIC communities. The training will continue for several months and lead to honey production in May/June 2023
14.11 | Second funding disbursed
Funding required to purchase equipment for honey production
21.11-16.12 | Training
Sister Odette participates in the training course on the Works of Mercy and the Economy of Communion in Loppiano (FI)
29.11 | Third funding disbursed
The funding is intended to pay the second and final instalment of the honey production course
2023
January | Training begins
After the first months of training, the sisters begin the practical activity of honey production, still supported by the training staff
14.06 | Fourth funding disbursed
The funding is intended to cover all budgeted expenses for the Social Enterprise in Burkina Faso
2024
03.03 | Training
The beekeepers' training continues
30.04 | Technical visit by spazio + spadoni
Bernard, the linker for Burkina Faso, visited the SIC sisters’ project in Léo
Project evaluations
All evaluations
- May 2022
The sisters present a project to establish a bakery. Following discussions and assessments, a honey-production project will be developed instead. - June 2022
Sister Odette’s presence at San Cerbone provides an opportunity to discuss the organisation of the Social Enterprise. - July 2022
Assessment of the cost estimates. - September 2022
The funding arrangements are defined. - March 2023
Monitoring. - March 2023
Submission of the report for the first six months. - January 2024
Submission of the sales report. - February 2024
spazio + spadoni meets Sister Odette and Sister Raissa online for an update on the Social Enterprise and to define how to promote the Works of Mercy – OPERA M.
Photos and videos
