“To educate is to sow in souls the seeds of life that will grow in the future.” said Fr. Léon Dehon. With this vision, the Dehonian Laity of Saint Timothy Parish in Sodiko, Bonabéri, Douala, under the guidance of Father Théophile Mbopda, came up with the inspired idea of making children’s holidays more fruitful. Thus was born the project called Useful Holidays. It took place within the parish grounds from July 28 to August 9, 2025, with the participation of 53 children, boys and girls aged 3 to 15, lovingly and patiently supervised every afternoon from Monday to Friday.
Guidance, Education, and Training for Children
This project aimed to enrich children’s vacation time with small but practical and intellectual trainings across various fields:
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Languages: “Learning is not filling a vessel, but lighting a fire.” (Montaigne). This workshop helped the children strengthen their academic foundations and rediscover the joy of expressing themselves with confidence.
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Cooking: A space of autonomy and creativity. As Pope Francis reminds us: “Education is not just filling the head with ideas, but learning to use hands and heart.” The participants greatly appreciated this workshop.
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Sports: Through fraternity and play, the children discovered that sports are a school of loyalty, self-improvement, and solidarity.
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Computer Science: An introduction to digital tools, opening the children to a changing world. “The future belongs to those who prepare for it today.” (Malcolm X).
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Handicrafts: With beads, yarn, and crochet, the children let their imagination flourish. As Maria Montessori said: “The hand is the instrument of the intelligence.”
A Heartfelt Closing
On Sunday, August 10, during the 10:30 a.m. Mass, the children received their certificates of participation. Smiles, songs, and prayers marked this moment of recognition and gratitude. Our thanks go to the generous souls who supported the initiative, to the facilitators for their commitment, and above all to the Good Lord for His grace and faithfulness. As Father Dehon also said: “To give one’s life for others is the most beautiful way to fulfill it.”
A Seed of Hope
Through Useful Holidays, a seed of life, joy, and faith was planted in the hearts of children. Thus, we believe with Father Dehon that “the future belongs to generous souls who know how to give of themselves.”
