Olaf KANDJIMI, OMI

More than 100 young people gathered together with Oblates in Namibia for the cleaning campaign in response to Pope Francis’ call to pray for our common home, Mother Earth and the Superior General’s August 15th Letter.

Ecological conversion

Pope Francis’ call to care for our common home needs practical implementation in many small ways. It is true that ecological holiness is a call to ecological conversion. It is a call to revisit the fundamental stewardship that God entrusted to humanity from the beginning of creation.

Concrete commitments to care for our common home

The call of our Superior General, Fr. Chicho, is simple but speaks volumes. His message to the OMI family on 15 August 2023 encouraged us to do something within everyone’s reach that could have a significant impact. He further urged young people to help us get down to work with concrete commitments to care for our common home.

More than 100 young people gathered for the cleaning campaign

We, the Oblates of Namibia province, have heeded this call starting with our Mother House in Döbra. The Oblate Youth of Namibia (OMIYON) under Windhoek district has implemented this. More than 100 young people gathered for the cleaning campaign around the Döbra premises, collecting about 100 bags of paper, bottles, tins, plastic, etc. We also watered trees and plants around the premises.

Spirituality at the heart of the exercise

We began and ended with a prayer showing that spirituality is at the heart of the exercise. There were also a few snacks and something to drink to cool the heat of the day. I am in awe at the commitment of the young people, and I urge all Oblates to walk with them under the inspiration of our charism. I saw how together we can walk the talk.

Young people demonstrate their zeal

Hence, I thank the OMI provincial administration of Namibia Province under Fr. Rufus NEKONDO OMI, Missionary Associates of Mary Immaculate (MAMI) Windhoek district, St. Mary’s Cathedral Men’s group, OMI Prenovitiate Community and St. Joseph’s RC High School hostel and school management for their generous support. I also thank the many young people who demonstrated their zeal in caring for our common home.

The cry of the earth is the cry of the poor. May we all let justice and peace flow during this Season of Creation!