The Father Pedro Phenomenon
In France, Father Pedro Opeka is known for his books co-written with Abbé Pierre and his numerous television appearances in 2017. A few people may have remembered his name in 2013 when he was
In France, Father Pedro Opeka is known for his books co-written with Abbé Pierre and his numerous television appearances in 2017. A few people may have remembered his name in 2013 when he was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. In Madagascar, the man is a true national hero, even a saint to some… At over 70 years old, he has been fighting against poverty for nearly thirty years on the island!
The Beginning of a Powerful Bond
The love story between Madagascar and the Argentine priest of Slovenian origin began in 1970. He first came at the age of 22 as a mason for the Lazarist parishes in Vangaindrano, in the Southeast. Even then, he was committed to helping disadvantaged families, taking part in improving the cultivation of rice, cereals, and coffee. He found his vocation as a missionary and continued his theological studies in France before returning to Madagascar in 1975.
Ordained a priest in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and appointed as a missionary in the Lazarist church on Rue de Sèvres in Paris, he devoted his entire life to the poorest in what would become his adopted homeland. The Lazarist priests, also called the Congregation of the Mission, have the vocation and charism of caring primarily for the poor.
First as parish priest in Vangaindrano in 1975, then as director of the Lazarist scholasticate in Antananarivo in 1989, Father Pedro came to witness true misery and founded "Akamasoa". He followed in the footsteps of the Catholic saint Vincent de Paul, founder of the community, who had experienced both spiritual and material poverty.
"Akamasoa," whose name means "good friends," was the origin of a new village on rocky ground 7 km from the city. Father Pedro succeeded in convincing 70 homeless families to join him. They had been surviving amid the capital's garbage dump, sometimes fighting with dogs and pigs for scraps.
Heroic Accomplishments
He then built wood upon wood at first, then gradually brick by brick this village with the families on land the authorities placed at his disposal. What Akamasoa offers is the chance to recover one's dignity and seize the opportunity to take charge of one's own future. The residents are housed, fed, and have access to medical care. Parents have work, and children are required to attend school.
Since the creation of the first village in 1989, the organization has successfully built 18 villages in the capital and throughout the province, including:
· Antolojanahary village, 60 km from the capital on the Ankazobe road (RN 4).
· Manantenasoa village, 8 km from the capital on the Toamasina road (RN 2).
· Andralanitra village, 8 km from the capital on RN 2.
· Mahatsara village, 12 km from the capital on RN 2.
· Ambatomitokona - Talata Volonondry village, 37 km from the capital on the Anjozorobe road (RN 3).
· Alakamisy Ambohimaha and Safata villages in Fianarantsoa province.
· Ampitafa village in Vangaindrano in southeastern Madagascar.
· Bethany village in Morondava on the west coast.
More than 3,000 houses have been built along with about thirty schools, several libraries, 3 medical clinics, a dental office, basketball and football fields, cemeteries, and more. Approximately 14,000 children were enrolled in 2017/2018 across 6 primary schools, 4 secondary schools, and 2 high schools. This has been made possible with the help of 464 teachers and instructors and 70 social workers.
A Man Devoted to His Mission
460 Malagasy professionals work toward developing the organization. The Malagasy government has even declared that Akamasoa's humanitarian work holds public interest status. It operates thanks to donations, but these seem insufficient as Father Pedro continually leverages his international connections.
The truth is, there are increasingly more homeless people and disadvantaged families who need the priest's assistance. Winning the Nobel Prize (approximately €900,000) would certainly have helped! During his appearances on French television channels in 2017, the man who symbolized kindness and patience seemed to show signs of frustration, criticizing the lack of willingness among Malagasy people to help one another.
Indeed, while the hero continues to receive praise, recognition, prizes, and honors from Madagascar and other nations, Akamasoa remains as isolated and in need as ever. 500,000 disadvantaged people have benefited from humanitarian aid, but millions of others remain overlooked. Certainly, there are many other organizations, but none achieves what Father Pedro and his friends accomplish.
A Story with a Happy Ending?
Today, visiting Father Pedro has become a reason to come to Antananarivo for some travelers, even if you don't necessarily see him when visiting the villages. Many travelers express the wish to visit the Akamasoa village and attend mass celebrated by this priest.
In September 2019, Pope Francis (a former schoolmate of Father Pedro at Colegio Máximo de San Miguel in Greater Buenos Aires) will visit the island and also pay a visit to Akamasoa. Father Pedro Opeka sees this as a sign of recognition and encouragement from Providence. One can only admire his devotion and fervor at over 71 years old!
How much longer will we have this man among us? When will we give him the recognition and support he deserves? When will Malagasy people themselves create many more Akamasoas? It's up to us to restore our dignity and act for our future!
