STAY WITH THE ELDERLY

In the month of April 2023, we, the postulants of the Yaoundé community, had an experience of working with the elderly in the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of Charity. The elderly of this community are cared for by the Sisters and by a large group of recruited people who help them to take care of the elderly. The objective of our experience was to discover another face of Christ. That is why, we went every day for a month.

These elderly were called “babies” by the sisters, but they are more than babies. Before we put ourselves at the service of the “babies” we started by greeting them and visiting them to encourage them and make them smile and also to make them feel always loved, our task was to converse with them and do their healing. We also did household chores such as washing, ironing, making the bed… to prepare the morning coffee and to feed those who were not able to eat on their own. After finishing these little chores, we prayed the rosary with them.

Most of these people suffer from mental deficiency. Therefore, we must be gentler, patient and explain things to them as simply as possible so that they can understand well. Some of them had a difficult character even at mealtime. Some others it was necessary to raise their voice to make them obey and for others still, to speak softly to make them obey and some were also very funny and comical.

This time spent with the “babies” allowed me to perceive how much we can love a person even if we are not related to the person by blood. I have also learned how to accept them despite of their shortcomings.

Diane Noubissi, applicant, Yaoundé