Ivory Coast – Africa | Project #9 of 72

Several attempts were made to launch a social enterprise as part of the HIC SUM project. spazio + spadoni initially funded chocolate production, involving a group of mothers, and later honey production, selecting two local young people who received training. Neither activity proved profitable enough to ensure the enterprise’s self-sufficiency. The sisters therefore used the modest proceeds to invest in a poultry farm, which developed successfully over the following months. Additional financial support from spazio + spadoni then made it possible to expand the activity.

In this case, the Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Gemma selected a lay missionary, Lazzarino Placentino, to undertake the HIC SUM project training in Italy and bring what he learned back to the community of Sago in Ivory Coast. Lazzarino began his training at Misericordia di Pian di Coreglia on 30 November 2020, also carrying out several social services. Because of the pandemic, it became difficult to continue at the same Misericordia, which was quite far from the sisters’ Motherhouse where he was staying. He therefore completed and further developed his training, with particular emphasis on first aid, at Misericordia di Marlia, also in the province of Lucca. In July 2021, Lazzarino left for Ivory Coast on a missionary journey lasting several months. Since Lazzarino returned to Italy, Sister Bernadette has continued the HIC SUM project in Sago.

The Sisters of Saint Gemma currently have a mission in Ivory Coast, in Sago, within the Diocese of San-Pédro and the Sassandra Prefecture. The sisters arrived in Ivory Coast in 1999 and joined the Consolata Missionaries, who had arrived two years earlier.

Ivory Coast has a high level of immigration, particularly from neighbouring countries, although everyone retains their own traditions. The greatest problem arises in mixed marriages, because unborn children are not accepted.

In Sago, the sisters run a state-recognised nursery school. The Bishop invited them to undertake this work to protect children because abuse is widespread there (children are often victims of sexual abuse or used in human sacrifices).

In December 2024, Sister Jacqueline also arrived in Sago. She had previously been in Congo and was involved in the first HIC SUM project. In Ivory Coast, she carries out the apostolate with the inhabitants of spazio + spadoni, a group that had already formed and continues to grow stronger. Sister Bernadette, meanwhile, directly oversees the Social Enterprise.

Learn more The Sisters of Saint Gemma Prepare to Celebrate the Mission Jubilee in Ivory Coast Celebrating Mother Gemma Giannini