13 Houses Jubilee Project of Hope N°8, Central African Republic
In Boganangone, a village in the Central African Republic, hope is slowly transforming lives thanks to an ambitious project launched by the Lazarist Fathers (Pères Lazaristes, the name given to the Congregation of the Mission in some French-speaking countries). Twenty of the most vulnerable families, who lived in dilapidated straw huts, have now solid and durable homes – a concrete step toward dignity and stability.
A village plunged into poverty
Most of Boganangone’s inhabitants live in extreme poverty, without access to electricity or running water. Families fetch water from far away and rarely have any form of lighting. Their daily lives unfold in houses without foundations, windows, or sturdy doors. The project aims to replace these makeshift shelters with semi-permanent houses built with stone and cement foundations, sheet metal roofs, and plastered walls.
Deep-rooted poverty
The causes of this impoverishment are many, and complex: lack of education, poor governance, high birth rates, polygamy, and limited economic opportunities and a reliance on a subsistence economy. Families are often extended: grandparents, children, and grandchildren living under the same roof.
The twenty families involved represent around 150 people. Each family owns a plot of land where their house will be built and will actively participate in the construction by providing stones and sand.
A project for community transformation
This project is not just about building walls, it’s about building a future. The beneficiaries will receive training on health, hygiene, food preparation, and child education. The goal is to trigger lasting change by breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty.
The local Lazarist community of Boganangone, in collaboration with the 13 Houses Jubilee Project, is leading this initiative. These houses will serve as a model for development across the village and symbolize a new chapter: one of self-reliance and empowerment.
Words from Father Henry, 13 Houses project coordinator
What motivated you to start this housing project in Boganangone?
«What motivated us, first of all, is love towards the poor. The deprivation we witness here has deeply affected us; we have suffered from it ourselves. Just look at the crushing poverty that weighs on Boganangone. We said to ourselves: we can do something. Fortunately, the door was already opened through the 13 Houses Campaign. So, when I arrived here in 2023, I put in a lot of effort to make this project a reality.
The village of Boganangone has 3,000 inhabitants, and all 3,000 live in poverty. These 20 houses are just a starting point, a beacon for the rest of the population. »
Why is this project particularly important for the village?
«It’s an initiative that serves as a model, a light. These 20 houses stand out as some of the most beautiful in the village.
Before, the beneficiaries lived in straw houses. Now, they have metal-roofed houses, beautiful homes that attract and inspire. Before construction began, people were afraid to build metal-roofed houses, thinking sorcerers would kill them.
But after seeing these houses completed, they realized it was possible and normal—and they even contributed locally by bringing stones, sand, gravel, and water.
So we see this as an inspiring, illuminating project.»
What stories or testimonies have touched you the most?
«The greatest testimony comes from the group of beneficiaries itself. At first, they thought the project was impossible. Now, they see it’s real. Initially, they thought it was a lie, but now they thank God; it motivates them to do more, to stay calm, and to look toward the future with hope.
Another testimony came from the village authorities. They congratulated me, the Lazarist Fathers, and the 13 Houses Campaign. The village mayor gave a sincere message of thanks, and the sub-prefect also expressed gratitude for this project.
This is a project that brings great hope, widely accepted and appreciated across all social groups.
Now our beneficiaries live in good, clean houses; this will improve their health and help them toward a better future.»
What were the biggest challenges?
« Yes, we faced many financial challenges. We thank the 13 Houses Campaign for their support. Thanks to our collaborators, benefactors, and beneficiaries as well.»
What is your vision for the future of the project?
«Our vision is to continue monitoring and supporting these families, not only through housing but also by helping with medical care and well-being. We want these houses to be truly beneficial in every way.
For the future, we hope to build for everyone, or at least for the most destitute in the village. In the coming years, if there’s another opportunity to help the most in need, we’ll always be open to it.
May the Lord be praised, may the spirituality of our ancestors be proclaimed everywhere, and may our founder, Saint Vincent de Paul, be for the good of all, especially the poorest and most deprived.»
A more stable future
Thanks to this project, 150 people will regain safe housing and a sense of stability. Motivated by renewed hope, families are already engaging in collective farming and parish life. Children now benefit from quality education through the village’s Catholic school.
Little by little, Boganangone is becoming a symbol of hope, solidarity and concrete transformation. These twenty houses, more than just a construction project, represent a true springboard toward a better future for the entire community.
Great work Famvin! 👏