During the advance of rebel troops on Duékoué, murder, rape, mutilations and acts of humiliation were everyday occurrences. Only the Salesian premises were spared. The Salesian Fr Carlos Berro says: "People respected the nature of the Parish Church and therefore did not enter to commit acts of barbarity." So the mission became a place of pilgrimage for about 30,000 people, who saw in it their salvation.
When the war was over the work of the Salesians did not end. "In Africa it seems the rain will wash it all away. At first glance people may not realize that there was recent armed conflict here, but when you stop to talk to people you find the dramas and see that it is still very present," says de la Fuente.
The Salesian commitment continues now "trying to heal the wounds, listening, asking for compensation for victims, working to reach some kind of social reconciliation, providing training for young people, including those who became aggressors, so that they can earn a living". Mr de la Fuente claims to be in a privileged position "because I can present the work of these missionaries". Due to their work, many people are still alive. And, as Fr. Berro says in the documentary, "this was something to celebrate".
