Greetings from India

Dear Friends of the Fransalians,

It is with immense joy and gratitude to God that I greet each one of you and wish you the blessings of God and pray for all your intentions and concerns.

A Period of Thanksgiving

Our Mission in Chad has just celebrated the silver jubilee of its existence in November 2024. Our Mission in Cameroon was started one year later and therefore the period between 2024 –2026 is indeed a time of twin jubilees for us. We the Missionaries of Saint Francis de Sales join our friends and benefactors to thank God for the great things the Lord has done for the People of God in Chad and Cameroon during the past 25 years. God has blessed his people. God has indeed blessed the humble service of the numerous missionaries who have served this Mission with much devotion and commitment. The Fransalian Family in Chad-Cameroon is experiencing tremendous growth in local vocations promising a bright future for the continued growth of this Mission in educational, health care and developmental works. We thank our numerous friends and benefactors who have stood by the missionaries all these years with their prayers and financial support for the development of these Missions.

Sacerdotal Golden Jubilee

I thank God for the precious gift of priesthood that He bestowed on me 50 years ago. It is a happy coincidence that I could celebrate my sacerdotal golden jubilee during this period of twin-jubilees of Chad-Cameroon Mission. Apart from the many blessings that I have received from God during the past 50 years, I am extremely grateful to God for the opportunity given to me to be an instrument in initiating our Chad-Cameroon Mission and to be part of its growth and development.

HELP FOR SELF HELP: A JUBILEE MEMORIAL PROJECT

Tailoring Machines for the Poor Housewives

As a jubilee memorial I have planned a small project in favour of some of the poor women in our mission centres to make them self-reliant through self-employment. There are many households in our missions struggling to maintain themselves due to lack of employment for the housewives. They do not have the basic educational qualification to seek a job. They are housewives with three or four children completely depending on the daily wages of the husbands. Even the husbands are not always assured of a regular work. Many of these young women are interested in learning tailoring skills and if they have a tailoring machine they will be able to earn some stable income for the family.

I am happy to gratefully acknowledge the good response I have received for my appeal for donations towards this project. A sum of Euro 10.700/- has been collected through our Freundeskreis Verein. I thank each of the donors for their generosity. The project has already been initiated with three beneficiaries receiving the tailoring machines bringing much joy and happiness to the concerned families. The process of identifying the deserving women is going on.

A CHANGE OF FOCUS FOR OUR PROJECTS

I would like to inform you that a change of focus for all our projects has become necessary due to many practical difficulties. As you are aware, my health has been deteriorating since quite some time. All the same I would like to continue the good work with a few selected projects prioritizing them according to their feasibility in our mission context with immediate effect.

1. Suspension of the Program Adoption aus der Ferne / Schuelerpatenschaften

This program has been one of our major initiatives for the past several years. Hundreds of children have been helped to complete their school education both in Chad-Cameroon and in India. Of late the program has suffered a setback. There are only very few individual sponsors who come forward to support a particular child. We find it also very difficult to keep up the individual contacts between the child and its sponsor due to many factors that are beyond our control in the present circumstances. Hence we are constrained to discontinue this program with immediate effect.

However those sponsors who choose to continue supporting the education of poor children in our missions are most welcome to do so. I would like to assure them that their contributions will always be used for the education of poor children in our villages, schools and hostels even though the personal contacts or individual reporting is no longer possible. Those of you who would like to make a general contribution towards our educational programs are also welcome to do so. I thank all our sponsors for their steady support and encouragement for this program for the past several years.

2. Support for the poor children in our schools and hostels

We the Missionaries of Saint Francis de Sales are running 10 hostels/Boys’ Homes for poor children: 7 in India and 3 in Chad-Cameroon. Hundreds of children are given free education and maintenance through these hostels. As we are suspending the Schuelerpatenschaften program, we propose to mobilize funds for the support of these hostels attached to our schools. Since our hostels are meant only for boys, we propose to set apart a portion of the funds collected to help the poor girls attending our schools. Hence I earnestly seek your continued support for the upkeep of our hostels and schools in Chad-Cameroon and in India.

3. Help for Higher Education

This is a program we would like to continue. From the limited resources we receive, we shall set apart a specific amount to help a few most deserving students who pursue their higher studies.

4. Emergency Medical Help to the Poor

This is an ongoing program. We have been able to help quite a few persons who were in emergency need of medical aid as most of the poor do not have any insurance cover. Your contributions towards this worthy cause are earnestly solicited.

5. Help for Self-Help

Help for Self- Help is yet another program that we like to continue. Housewives without any employment is the target group for this program. We hope to initiate projects for them to make them self-reliant through self-employment (eg. tailoring machines, petite shops etc.) .

6. Drinking Water Project in Chad

This is an ongoing program on a small scale due to the paucity of funds. We will continue this program as long as we receive donations towards this project.

Thank you, my dear friends, for your continued support and encouragement for our work in the missions. Our Missions in Chad-Cameroon and in India are flourishing thanks to God’s blessings and your steady support. May God Bless you.

Yours cordially
P. Thomas Cherukat, MSFS

Greetings from Chad-Cameroon Mission

Dear Friends and Well-wishers,

I greet each one of you with the peace and joy of Christ.

Twenty-Five Years of Grace and Growth in Cameroon: A Jubilee of Gratitude

As we reflect on the incredible journey of the Fransalians in Cameroon, our hearts overflow with profound gratitude to God. The year 2025 marks a significant milestone: 25 years since the opening of our Mission in Cameroon, a quarter-century defined by God's unwavering assistance and divine guidance. Looking back, we see His hand in every step, every challenge overcome, and every soul touched.

Tribute to a Visionary: Pater Thomas Cherukat, MSFS

This jubilee year is made even more special as we have just celebrated the Golden Jubilee of the Priestly Ordination of Fr. Thomas Cherukat,MSFS, the visionary and Founding Father of our Mission in Cameroon. Fifty years a priest, Fr. Thomas's dedication, foresight, and tireless efforts laid the groundwork for all that we have achieved. His commitment to spreading the Gospel and nurturing vocations has borne fruit beyond measure, and we are eternally indebted to his faithful service. He truly exemplifies the spirit of Agape, selfless love in action. We wish him all the best and our prayers. He played a pivotal role in the history of the MSFS Mission in Chad and Cameroon. He was the pioneer missionary in Cameroon and was the Mission Superior from 2000 - 2008. Amidst a lot of difficulties, he laid a strong foundation for this mission.

Pater Thomas Cherukat, celebrating the golden jubilee of his priesthood marks a memorable milestone of 50 years of dedicated priestly service. Being the pioneer of the MSFS Congregation in Cameroon speaks volumes about his courage, missionary zeal and vision. His contributions as the first Rector of Suvidya College in Bangalore and as the first Provincial of the South West India Province highlight his leadership qualities and his ability to build up the Missions by guiding people and establishing institutions. Pater Thomas has served as the first Assistant General of the Congregation and the first Director of Mission Development office in Rome extending his services far beyond regional boundaries, shaping the MSFS globally. We are proud of this great Fransalian who is a “father-figure” for all of us in the Chad-Cameroon Mission. He has certainly left an indelible mark. We salute Pater Thomas the great missionary and visionary and thank God for the gift of his person to our Congregation. We wish him good health of body and mind and many more years of fruitful service in the vineyard of the Lord. Ad Multos Annos

A Harvest of Vocations and Unwavering Support

God's blessings continue to pour upon us, manifesting in the vibrant growth of our Congregation in Chad and Cameroon. We rejoice over the gift of four new priests and five deacons this year. Their ordination reinforces our commitment to serve and expand the reach of God's love in Chad and Cameroon. Adding to our joy is the first batch of eleven novices making their first religious profession a flourishing sign of the "boom in vocations" we are experiencing. A new batch of eight candidates have just been initiated into the novitiate. This flow of young men discerning a life of service with the MSFS Congregation fills us with immense hope for the future. It demonstrates a deep spiritual awakening and a desire among the youth to dedicate their lives to God and humanity, a true testament to the fertile ground of faith here.

Our Deepest Gratitude to Our Friends and Benefactors

None of this remarkable progress would be possible without the unwavering generosity of our benefactors. To Agape Freundeskreis, and all our supporters around the globe, we extend our heartfelt thanks. Your continuous financial, spiritual, and moral support has been the lifeblood of our mission. You have enabled us to build schools and hostels, provide formation for our seminarians, care for the vulnerable, and spread the message of Christ's love. Your trust in our mission strengthens our resolve and fuels our efforts every single day. You are truly co-missionaries with us in this sacred endeavour. As we look ahead, we pray for continued grace, more vocations, and the enduring support that allows us to fulfil our calling. May God bless you abundantly for your kindness and partnership in this remarkable missionary journey.

Yours Cordially
Pater Manoj Arackal, MSFS

A REPORT ON OUR EDUCATIONAL SERVICE IN CHAD BY Pater MADJITA TANIBE Joseph, MSFS

1. St. Francis De Sales School and Boys' Home, Bero, Chad

The SFS School at Bero, built by the Fransalians in the diocese of Doba in Chad is a nursery cum primary school. Its purpose is to facilitate quality education and provide learning opportunities for the underprivileged children from Bero and its surrounding areas helping them integrate easily into society. The 2024-2025 academic year of SFS School at Bero ran from October 1, 2024, to May 31, 2025. We had a total of 364 pupils: 120 girls and 244 boys. The overall success rate for the school was 70.93% with boys achieving 84.61% and girls 52.08%. Lack of Parental Follow-up, Student Absenteeism and Student Dropouts are some of the major challenges the school faces. Majority of parents are illiterate and as a result not able to assist the children at home. Attached to the school is the St. Francis de Sales Boys' Home (boarding facility). This year we began with 60 boys. The children are given opportunities for their overall development through the various programs conducted every year. Physical activities, cultural and social events, academic support, excursions, pilgrimages and daily spiritual exercises are some of the programs arranged.

This year we achieved a 100% success rate in academic performance with all the boys promoted to the next class. Notably, the top five students of the SFS School this year were all residents of the SFS Boys' Home. Parents are delighted to witness positive changes in their children. Despite the many successes, we also face serious difficulties such as health issues, adjustment problems and behavioural defects among the boys. We thank God and our many benefactors for making it possible for us to serve so many poor children in their overall growth in education and personality development.

2. Saint Francis de Sales GAKI, Doba, Chad

The Saint Francis de Sales Educational Complex was founded in the year 2018 by the Missionaries of Saint Francis de Sales. Over the past seven years, the school has experienced significant growth in all areas, becoming a leading educational institution in the Doba district. The 2024–2025 academic year officially began on October 2, 2024, and successfully concluded on June 6, 2025. The school enrolled a total of 781 students, comprising 450 in primary school and 331 in secondary and high school. The dedicated and professional teaching staff included 8 teachers in the primary section and approximately 58 in the secondary section.

Academically, the school year was structured with monthly continuous assessments and formal trimester examinations. Each term included a closely monitored, structured evaluation to ensure high academic standards and consistent progress. Beyond routine instruction, the school school conducted conferences on child protection and seminars promoting academic success. These initiatives fostered awareness, personal responsibility, and motivation among students. One of the notable pedagogical innovation was the creation of a student-managed cooperative, an initiative aimed at cultivating leadership, entrepreneurship, and participatory management within the student body. This year, the school achieved a 100% success rate in the primary level. Clear improvements were noted in student discipline, academic engagement, and overall intellectual growth—a reflection of the school’s pedagogical direction and the unwavering commitment of the teaching staff.

A rich program of extracurricular activities complemented academic life. Several cultural and spiritual highlights marked the year. Demonstrating the school's commitment to service and solidarity, students also participated in a charity outreach during the Lenten season. With generous contributions from their families and their own initiative, students collected gifts and supplies, which were then offered to children at a local orphanage. This meaningful activity provided an opportunity for students to practice compassion and live the values of the Lenten observance.

For the next academic year, we require eight additional classrooms. Construction of a building with 12 classrooms is currently underway, and we hope these will be ready by the end of August 2025. We are resolutely focused on making the school a center of academic excellence in the region. With a clear vision, a professional staff, and an engaged student body, the groundwork for this transformation has already been laid. The school extends heartfelt gratitude to all who contributed to the success of this academic year. With renewed energy the school community looks to the future with confidence, determined to nurture each student entrusted to its care in body, mind, and spirit remaining faithful to the Fransalian Vision: “ Education of the heart is the heart of Education”.

3. SFS Boys’ Home at GAKI, Doba, Chad

We express our gratitude to the Lord for His continuous blessings. We are particularly grateful to all our benefactors for your continued support and commendable efforts in the development of children in Chad. During the 2024-2025 academic year, we provided shelter for 85 boys at our residential facility. Despite initial challenges such as a rise in food crop prices compared to the previous year we have successfully concluded the year. The majority of the boys ranked among the top three in their respective classes during examinations. To celebrate their achievements, we presented them gifts during the Christmas and Easter festivities. Comparing this year with previous ones, we have observed significant improvements in our students' character, behaviour, and academic performance. They are striving for excellence and aspiring to become responsible citizens, contributing to the nation's growth.

There is a growing demand for the accommodation in SFS boys’ Home at Gaki. In the course of time we would like to increase our facilities so that we can accommodate at least 150 students in the Boys’ Home. To accommodate more students to SFS school at Gaki we began the construction of tweleve more class rooms in January. We've received significant support from several donor agencies. Currently we are in the process of completing the ground floor. We hope to complete eight classrooms by September this year. Let us unite and be partners for the overall advancement of children in Chad.

4. Comboni School, Doba, Chad

The national policy of Chad recognizes education as a key driver of economic development, with the ultimate goal of improving the living standards of its citizens. However, pervasive issues such as mass poverty, ignorance, and disease hinder the speedy realization of economic and social progress. Responding to this critical need, the Missionaries of Saint Francis de Sales established a school in Comboni parish, Doba diocese. The Comboni parish took the lead by opening both primary and secondary schools within its premises. The establishment of this Catholic school directly responds to the public demand from the faithful. The creation of this Catholic school in the parish is intended to instil in people the value and importance of education. Gradually there is a growing awareness that education is vital for acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary to improve social, political, and economic conditions for the well-being and happiness of individuals and society at large. The 2024-2025 academic year commenced on October 1, 2024. Currently, we have 410 students in primary school across all levels and 771 students in secondary school. We thank our friends, benefactors and donor agencies for helping us to bring education to Chad which is still one of the least developed country in the world.