The Struggle Against Desertification
Sister Marie Augustine Ndione, SFP The whole world is concerned about global warming and, in a particular way, the experts and all those who invest themselves in the topic of ecology. Our deserts are growing with giant steps, our water resources and our rivers are drying out, wildfires continue to reach the core of the bushland and the forests. If ecology is truly a political matter, we would wish that our governments would be able to influence the awareness of their populations to reach by themselves a durable behavior change in that regard. Modern technology also has its consequences above all in emerging countries, to the point of making believe that there are no other better models of development to be tried. The poverty of their populations is not lessened, because their consequences on the environment are blatant
This problem, as we know, more critically affects Africa, particularly the Sub-Saharan region where Senegal is. By the way, Senegal is the first country to form a Parliamentary Nucleus for the Protection of the Environment. Good news. . . Several neighboring countries – Mauritania, Mali, Guinea Conakry, Burkina Faso and the Ivory Coast are joining this Nucleus, and for that they gathered together in Dakar on May 7-8, 2007 to find concrete solutions against desertification. The love and respect for creation must stem from the natural contemplation of one’s own environment. That is why on this past June 17, the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, those of us from the elementary school in Samine engaged ourselves in sensitizing our rural community to live out this worldwide invitation in a successful way. With the director of the new local FM radio station, we have initiated a transmission program regarding this theme so that individuals may contribute a concrete gesture. This radio station helps us reach out to places within a radius of several miles.
At the school, we have started a campaign called “One Student, One Tree” on that occasion. Both students and teachers have already begun to find places where trees can be planted. A group of young people from our parish have started numerous plant nurseries in various places to allow each person interested to make his/her contribution to the reforestation effort. This ecological care makes sense so that all creation may grow and bloom in harmony. Our struggle against desertification is but a victory of total love for creation, of respect for its development, and a way to make it possible for all creatures to sing the praises of its Creator and rejoice. © Franciscan Sisters of the Poor |
