I am Sister Vasantha Mary.

I belong to the Franciscan Servants of Mary congregation, an international congregation. I have been a missionary in Chad since January 2007.

Since I arrived, I have known Father Michel Gimmbaud, a Capuchin priest and director of the Centre for People with Disabilities in Moundou, “Notre Dame de Paix”. It was through Father Michel that I first came to know Dr. Fernando and, later, the Fernando Fonseca Foundation. Since then, this relationship has continued through Fina and her team.

Father Michel and Dr. Fernando were fathers to everyone, angels and a source of hope for people with disabilities. They devoted their lives to the most vulnerable, and their only desire was to help every person with a disability who came to them to stand on their feet again.

Their love for people with disabilities was well known and deeply admirable. I learned many things from Father Michel about serving others.

I worked alongside him to help people with disabilities. I would always accompany them to medical check-ups, operations, rehabilitation sessions, treatments and so on. Whenever I met him, he welcomed me with a big smile and a peaceful face. This gave me even greater joy in helping people with disabilities.

Father Michel entrusted little Chanceline to me. She had undergone amputations of both feet, and he asked me to bring her to Dr. Fernando. I acted as an intermediary, bringing her to the centre and making sure she received the care she needed. She was a very special girl, much loved by Fernando. May Fernando and Father Michel rest in peace.

After their passing, I have continued to act as an intermediary between FFF (Fernando Fonseca Foundation) and those who need support. For the past three years, Chanceline has been living at the social integration centre in Moundou, where she continues to receive support from the Fernando Fonseca Foundation.

Today, Chanceline is a beautiful and very happy young woman.

Thank you for the trust you have placed in me and for contributing to Chanceline’s development and well-being. I remain available to serve.

I give thanks to God for all of you. Your work is deeply valuable. Thank you for your generosity and for your love for the poorest and most vulnerable people throughout the world.

May God bless you a hundredfold. Please be assured of my prayers.