English 
In 2025, the jubilee year, everything seems to suggest that humanity is heading towards ever darker times: wars do not cease, international balances are threatened by exaggerated nationalisms, tendencies to refuse to accept immigrants and refugees… Pope Francis in this jubilee has invited everyone to hope: ‘Be pilgrims of hope’, his exhortation. Just where the light seems to go out, the flame of Jesus Christ makes all things rise to new life. There is always hope, Christian hope!
Inspired also by the call to be pilgrims of hope, this year we recount our lives, our small signs of hope along the mission roads that we walk every day in Cameroon, Guinea Bissau, Algeria, Tunisia, Chad, Brazil, India, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Italy, London.
Building a World of Hope for the physically challenged at DJALINGO
Jesus, the Divine Physician, walked through life bringing hope and healing wherever He passed. As His followers, we are called to be Good Samaritans in the various contexts of our lives. His words, full of power and compassion, continue to inspire:
“Rise, take up your bed, and walk.” (John 5:8) “And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and began glorifying God.” (Luke 13:13) “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and it was restored whole, like as the other. (Matthew 12:13)
These words of Jesus were not mere commands; they were lifelines, imbuing hope, comfort, and healing into the suffering, marginalized, hopeless, and humiliated. His compassion restored dignity, courage, and strength, and thus enabled people to rise above their adversities and take bold steps forward.
Misconceptions about physical disabilities create a deep impact in Djalingo. Superstitious people link disabilities with sorcery; thus, such children are stigmatized and neglected. Families desert them, denying them even their fundamental rights and basic needs. Above all, their deeply ingrained reliance on traditional healers often postpones effective medical intervention, which would offer the required care and support.
To counteract these problems, we at Josephine Rodolfi Rehabilitation Centre try to cultivate hope and provide a change toward a better destiny. We continue by encouraging the persons experiencing these limitations toward acceptance and by guiding them as necessary toward appropriate treatment modalities. How we raise vital awareness in either family or community regarding ways of care becomes central to achieving our mission: cure, support a person, and assist in the attitude of inclusion. We stress how nutrition, personal hygiene, education, and medical treatment allow them to obtain a better view of life. However, it’s not the physical structure alone; even jobs that these persons are capable of doing and that are much needed become denied them in discriminatory fashion because of their disabilities.
As pilgrims of hope, we strive for permanent changes in the lives of persons with physical challenges. Our work advocates for education and skill development to enable people to live with dignity and independence. We provide professional training in functional rehabilitation to help them become more mobile and independent. Tailor-made prosthetics and assistive equipment are prepared and provided, and sustainable livelihood projects supported to ensure economic independence in the long term. Regular follow-ups are conducted to monitor progress and challenges, while counselling individuals and families instils in them trust in God’s love and providence.
Through outreach to the community, we try to reduce harmful cultural practices and misconceptions about disabilities. We advocate on behalf of physically challenged persons through statements that express the capabilities and potentials they possess. The idea is to encourage friends and neighbours to show solidarity with these persons and demonstrate a kind attitude toward them, while also involving governments and organizations for a louder impact.
Many times, the local government congratulates us, saying that though the work is their duty, it is our hands and hearts that bring it into existence. With values like compassion, kindness, active listening, and teamwork, each day takes another step on this journey of hope. Hand in hand with the physically challenged, we together show them the dream toward which they can make their future.
We thank God that He has called us to be an instrument of His love and compassion to the poor. We see lives transformed and hope renewed through our efforts. We instil in their minds self-worth and capability, thus giving them the confidence to face life’s challenges and march forward with dignity and courage.
We are pilgrims of hope, firm in our mission of building a world where every person, regardless of physical challenges, would live an independent life and experience the fullness of life. Let us take a step to bring hope together, one step at a time.
Sr. Mary Regi Stephen, Camerun
