English 
“It is not you who have chosen me, but I who have chosen you” (John 15:16)
Just as Jesus fasted for forty days in the desert and the Israelites walked for forty days and forty nights through various trials, I have spent forty years in mission, joyfully overcoming all the difficult moments of life. Indeed, it is God’s mission that I have joyfully undertaken and accomplished.
On January 9, 1983, I embarked on a journey to Cameroon, a dream come true. Upon landing in Douala, I was overwhelmed with joy and a sense of accomplishment. My first community was in Ambam, where I spent a month familiarizing myself with the surroundings, meeting people, and admiring the natural beauty and lush green forests.
Understanding the importance of communication, I immersed myself in learning the local language. After a month, I was transferred to Sangmelima, where we spoke Italian and French in the community, while Boulu was the local language. We visited families and participated in the PMI (Mother and Child Health Care Program), providing health education talks and conducting prayer services. At that time, medical aid was crucial, as children suffered from malnutrition, malaria, and worm infestations, and hygiene was lacking in many families.
In 1986, I was transferred back to Ambam, where I spent a significant amount of time. Our community had a health centre 18 kilometres away, which I visited three days a week. Additionally, I served at a leprosy centre 7 kilometres from the community, attending to the patients’ needs, providing medicines, food, and other essentials. These patients, who came from Guinea Equatorial during the 1971 war, chose not to return to their villages. My duties included cleaning their wounds, teaching hygiene practices, and providing catechism, sharing the message of Jesus, the healer.
Every Sunday, we held mass for them, and in January, we celebrated their feast grandly. I would collect donations from the town, with permission from the district officer, to fund these celebrations. This initiative encouraged people to help the less fortunate, fostering a sense of community and generosity.
The patients worked hard, cultivating manioc, macabo, groundnuts, and vegetables. I learned much from them, including agricultural practices. My involvement in the health centre-built trust with the community, and many patients, both children and adults, sought our care. Severe anaemia in children often required hospital transfusions, and I followed up with visits to ensure their well-being. For those in serious condition or near death, I provided spiritual support, bringing the Holy Communion or arranging a priest’s visit.
I became well-acquainted with the people, their names, families, and relationships. They affectionately called me “Ngon Nthoumou,” meaning “their daughter.” I was deeply involved in their lives, sharing in their joys and sorrows. When someone died, I was informed and participated in the burial ceremonies, which included elaborate preparations.
In September 1994, we received permission to open a health centre in Ambam, addressing a significant need as there were few health care centres at that time. The community was thrilled, and within four months, we treated 4,600 patients. Today, improved roads and government health centres every 10 kilometres with trained nurses and midwives have enhanced healthcare accessibility. Annual vaccination campaigns for children involved house-to-house visits, which were challenging but fulfilling.
I cherished my four decades of service in Cameroon, forming deep connections with the people. Learning their language and integrating into their lives made me one of them. Reflecting on my journey, I am filled with gratitude for the past, passion for the present, and hope for the future. My mission in Cameroon has been a source of immense joy and fulfilment, a testament to the love and resilience of its people. Rooted in gratitude, love, and dedication, my mission continues with unwavering compassion and optimism.
Sr. Janet Nazareth, Province of Vijayawada
