The visit of Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State in the Vatican created a bliss in the village of Akamasoa.

“I came to share with them the joy and bring the presence and affection of Pope Francis. You know that Pope Francis is very close to the poor, he is a great defender of the poor. I think they would feel very comfortable with those people. So it is a little to represent the figure and the word of the Pope, “he explains, talking about the purpose of his visit to Father Pedro Opeka and his protégés.

Oasis of Hope
He especially thanked this Argentinean priest who spent nearly 47 years of his life fighting poverty in Madagascar. “In the name of Pope Francis, we especially thank Father Pedro and all those people who embark on social projects,” says Cardinal Pietro Parolin in his speech.
For 28 years, Father Pedro Opeka has tried to withdraw thousands of families from poverty in Antananarivo, creating Akamasoa. Currently, Akamasoa has 26,000 residents,
13,500 pupils, high school pupils and university students.
30 000 people a year also go to benefit from the nutritional and sanitary assistance. The association has a hundred beneficiaries who have successfully completed their studies.

Father Pedro, the prime contractor of this “oasis of hope”, reminds our leaders that they should not expect “glory” by rendering service to the Nation. “Our leaders refrain from telling the truth. Others are in this place for their glory, and do not fulfill their duty as it should. For me, as a churchman, service is my only motto. If you do not serve the population, what do you have to do for you? It’s an honor to help our children, our youth, our people, “he says. Words to meditate for our leaders.