The community of the novitiate of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit in CAMEROON decides, at this time of the end-of-year holidays, to organize a communal relaxation outing outside the city of NGAOUNDÉRÉ, TOWARDS THE FAR-NORTH REGION OF THE COUNTRY. This outing was held from December 18 to 26, 2025, during which we took part in multiple events…
On December 18 we, the 6 first-year novices, took the road with sisters Bertine and Marie-Thérèse towards TOULOUM: long journey of 502 kms! … Arrived late at night, we were welcomed by the sisters of the community who, after a good rest, offered us the next day a very first discovery on the visit to the Centre Hospitalier Diocésain de Touloun: paediatrics, imaging, medicine, maternity, the operating room, etc… Then we had the joy of going to Sister Bertine’s family where we spent good times including learning how to traditionally mill millet! We also went to the family of sister Vedette where we benefited, from her mother, from a duck! At the end of the day, we welcomed the second-year novices – Anne, Estelle and Sylvie – who came to join us from their various internship locations! We also had the joy of visiting the parish of Touloum where there is the tomb of one of our first pioneer sisters here in Cameroon: Sister Anne Marie Volant!
The following place of our outing: DOUKOULA, 17, 8 km. There, we participated in the funeral of the father and little brother of sister Pauline Maîsensso whose family, despite the bereavement, gave us a warm welcome. We were also received by the family of Félicité, novice. Then we visited the YVES PLUMEY Center, a French Catholic priest of the congregation of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, bishop and then archbishop of Garoua from 1955 to 1984, pioneer of evangelization in northern Cameroon and Chad, assassinated on 3 September 1991 in Ngaoundéré.
On December 23, the further step in our visits: YAGOUA, 44 km. We are very fraternally welcomed by the family of Angèle SILIKAM, our vice-provincial of Cameroon. The family was gathered for the preparations for the funeral of Sister Angèle’s parents, which took place from December 26 to 27 at the family home. We visited the tombs of his parents by entrusting once again their souls to the mercy of God. We also went to the family of our late sister Jeannette HORBAÏTA to express once again our deep condolences: her mother had just passed away and we went to pray on her grave!
We are on the road to CHAD to discover the city of Bongor by crossing the beautiful border river Logone: we stopped for taking some souvenir photos. In the diocese of Pala, accompanied by Sister Angèle and her brothers and sisters, joy to visit the parish of Bongor and the Jacques Moudeina high school, the first French-speaking African high school created in 1945, before decolonization: it was an establishment of some of our African political leaders.
Once again we breathe the good air of Cameroon at the beach of Vounaloun, on the banks of the Logone river that we cross in a dugout canoe for the very first time without letting ourselves be taken in by fear! We ate fish by the river like the disciples of Jesus at the edge of the lake of Tiberias. After a good relaxing time by the Logone, we are back at Sister Angèle’s house.
We celebrated the nativity of the Lord in Doukoula among the Toupouri people: a very beautiful celebration during which we sang and performed the Toupouri dance steps. On this day blessed by the Lord, we visited some families in the neighborhood including those of Sister Pauline and Sister Félicité; some showed us their generosity through multiple donations!
On the morning of the 26th, we took the road back to N’Gaoundéré.
We thank the formative sisters of the novitiate for this beautiful initiative. We are also grateful to the vice-provincial of Cameroon who accepted the realization of this relaxation trip. Our thanks also go to the sisters of the community of Touloum and Doukoula who welcomed us with open arms, without forgetting all the families who also welcomed us warmly: we felt at home. This outing was for us, not only relaxing but also discovery. Once again, thank you for this opportunity that has been offered to us.
May the Lord fill you with his graces and give you a hundredfold of all your blessings…
This is an unforgettable moment in our community calendar.
The First-year Novices: Alphonsine, Félicité, Myriam, Charlène, Emilienne and Irène
Published on 8 January 2026
Photo 1. New Year’s Eve at the parish of Doukoula
Photo 2. On December 25 in Doukoula
Photo 3. Bongor is the name of the first city in CHAD through which we entered
Photo 4. The novices experience the crossing of the river in a pirogue
Photo 5. Angèle, Pauline, Myriam and Bertine waiting by the river for the return of those who left in a pirogue
Photo 6. Vounaloun beach where we took the time
