On the outskirts of Bouake, there’s a remote village home to the Sainte Genevieve Welcome Center of Katiola, a small enclave for children who might otherwise be abandoned due to disabilities, being a twin, having a mother who died in childbirth, or even family hardship. Despite the children’s backgrounds and reasons for being there, Sainte Genevieve is a happy place, filled with youthful energy and overseen by a protective and loving team of adults who consider their young charges a part of the family more than simply clients to be served.

A typical hut/residence in a rural village near Katiola.

We were fortunate to visit Sainte Genevieve after months of planning emails and video conferences with Father Germaine, the Center’s founder, who ten years ago saw a need in his village and filled it – rescuing children at risk of abandonment or infanticide and educating families and the community against this practice which is rooted in tribal culture and witchcraft, in the hopes the practice would change.

And it has.

Katiola and its surrounding villages no longer have cases of abandoned children or infanticide, and the community has embraced the Welcome Center with donations of land for a future larger facility. Since its inception, more than 100 children have been rescued, with many reunited with their families as a result of receiving services, including housing, medical care, education and social services.

Tour leader Alicia enjoys a walk with one of the children from St. Genevieve.

Remarkably, the Center relies entirely on donations. Affiliated with the local Catholic archdiocese, to supplement donations, St. Genevieve currently farms their land and harvests millet and other grains for sale, as well as producing and selling honey, shea butter, and peanut paste.

Our 2019/2020 tour delegation was ceremoniously welcomed by and spent two amazing days with Father Germaine, village elders, and residents of Sainte Genevieve. Through fundraising and donations, our delegation raised $8,000 for the construction of a fence around the Center’s acreage, and brought gifts of medications and hygiene products, school supplies, toys, books and clothing – and yet we were the ones who received the most precious gift – as we were humbled by the community’s boundless welcome of food, music and dance, and invitation into their homes.

Having fun blowing bubbles in the courtyard.

Since our visit, construction began on the fence surrounding the Center’s acreage, and Father Germaine and social worker Abiba Koné are making good use of their donated laptops and other supplies.

We look forward to our continued partnership with the Sainte Genevieve Welcome Center and people of Katiola, as we support their mission to strengthen and reunify families.

Learn more information on Sainte Genevieve Welcome Center and the practice of abandonment and infanticide here.

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