“Pepè Calaias was a man who lived far from the mission and who knew how to take care of the Pygmies who lived in the forest even though he was sick in the heart and lungs. When we went to Ouesso we passed not very far from his home and he was inevitably seated on the side of the road and he always knew the direction to follow to go to help some sick. Once I found him breathing really badly. I had to fight a bit to get him to the hospital, before going to pick up the other sick people. He wanted us to think of others first; he always asked us this: first the others, then him. When he was at the Center for treatment he was with us for a while, he took care of himself, but as soon as he was better, he went home. Incredible but even when he was hospitalized – and I cannot understand how he did it – he knew who was sick and where he was to go and get him! That is why I say that the Pygmies do not need the telephone, they are always informed about everything. Pepè Calaias died in hospital not long ago. He was a very important person, a beautiful and generous soul”.
-Sister Rita