Reaching out to Africa

Event on Dec. 3 will benefit Sister Cecile Buote’s work in Cameroon

The family and friends of Sister Cecile Buote, missionary sister in Cameroon, invite everyone to an open house and fundraiser at the Rustico Bay Seniors Club in Rustico at 2104 Church Rd., Rte 243, on Sunday, Dec. 3 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Drop in for some good food, entertainment and friendship and share the Christmas spirit with those less fortunate.

Serving the community of Kumbo, in northern Cameroon, Buote works with families, young adults and children.

She directs and supports programs that tackle real issues dealing with the social, physical, financial and spiritual needs of her community. Over the almost 50 years that she has served in Cameroon, she has been directly involved in projects that addressed issues related to the impact of HIV/AIDS on families and orphans, water projects to bring clean water to communities, widowed women and their children, education and training.

Many families often cannot afford the most basic necessities such as school fees, medical care and adequate food to feed their family.

Some families turn to Buote for guidance and support, and because of generous support of the Island community in the past, she is able to offer financial assistance such as paying a percentage of the school fees, proving a bag of corn until the next crops are ready or assisting with and urgent medical need.

The needs of her community, Kumbo, vary from day to day, but the need is always there, and financial support has had a dramatic effect on the lives of so many. In 2016, almost $10,000 was raised.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Sister Cecile Buote, left, and Barah Rousette Dinven, a native of Kumbo, who does the accounting for the local chapter of Chalice, a charitable organization, organized the event.