The project Solidarité-Jeunesse, an MIC ministry in Canada, allows young people to steer toward another country to live a marvelous experience of the gift of self and sharing. After 15 years of existence, Solidarité-Jeunesse is keeping well. The groups are succeeding. The missionary stages are lived with enthusiasm and seriousness. In Quebec as well as in host countries, the M.I.C. Sisters wish to continue investing their time, energy, competence for the full success of this important project. Murielle Dubé, M.I.C. has accompanied groups of Solidarité-Jeunesse in Bolivia and Peru. She relates:

They are: Mylène, Nathalie, Mélanie, Catherine, Isabelle, Maude, Élise, Marianne, Mónica, Marie-Hélène, Caroline, Marie-Ève, Karine, Michelle, Nadine, Johanne, Andréanne, Audrey, Geneviève, Marie-Noëlle, AnnMarie and Émilie. They are young women full of energy. They have completed their college and started or even finished their university studies. Several among them are now working. One day, they heard an interior call. They felt a strong desire to go to meet others... to be useful.... Thus they registered for the project Solidarité-Jeunesse. They then rolled up their sleeves and accepted to undertake a process that would ever change their outlook on life.

Year after year, from September to July, a new group of Solidarité-Jeunesse is organized. Then, the process of formation starts. It takes into account the aspirations of each youth, of the group being formed, of the missionary project which one hopes to live out, and the culture of the people hosting the group. The animator, Jeannine Bélair, M.I.C., believes in the potential of the youth of Canada who want to embark on a journey and whose love is as wide as the world. Sister Jeannine who has seen Solidarité-Jeunesse grow, invests time and energy so that the dreams of solidarity of the youth become a reality. And with what enthusiasm and courage these young women dedicate 10 Saturdays toward the preparation of the project! Rain or shine, they gather together, reflect, express their expectations, study Spanish, and gradually discovering this Jesus who invites them to live a missionary project with Him. It is a personal investment where values of dialogue, of sharing, of solidarity, of interiorization have their place - a group investment where they learn how to live in community.

For four years I participate in the project: Solidarité-Jeunesse. I accompany the youth in the preparation of the missionary stage and in their experience in the field as did Mme. Madeleine Sanfaçon-Tousignant during a few years. From 2000- 2002 we went to Señor de Luren, at Ica, Peru, an orphanage that welcomes boys and girls aged 5 to 17. Each time it was a leap into the unknown - new country, new culture - and concrete involvement in a volunteer service. During six weeks life consisted of discoveries and surprises. The usual landmarks change. We had to adapt, seek to understand. We had to establish relationships. We entered into a rhythm of a different life. Here is how the two groups of Solidarité-Jeunesse summarize their experience in Peru: At the orphanage, we worked on the personal esteem of the children. We wanted that each one knows about having a value before our eyes, that they are important for us, that they are someone. This is why, whatever be the task or activity to which we give ourselves, there was always much attention given to each child.

From 2001 - 2003, we landed in Cochabamba, Bolivia. We worked at the orphanage Salomon Klein that receives children aged 0 - 5 years. Some of us also served at the orphanage Madre de Dios, a service center for young girls and children as well as at the hospital of Cushier of Calqapirhua, in the suburb of Cochabamba. It was a very rich experience. We lived one intense month with the children, attentive to give them something to eat, to play with them, to awaken trust in oneself and in others... especially, again and again, to share much affection with them. Our arms were full as well as our hearts!

Each year, upon returning to our experience, we note how much we have acquired. Truly, we are aware that the assistance extended there is rather modest. However, a certitude remains in us: what counts is not the amount of material gifts but our presence filled with respect. The encounter with the poor people who live real difficulties but remain positive, welcoming, joyful, courageous and generous, challenges us deeply. The way we look at our small or big problem changes. In a letter addressed to us, Isabel says: I am writing you, because I owe you the delightful encounter I lived with the beautiful Peruvians. There are aspects of my life that have changed and I have grown. This trip into the depth of my being gave me the desire of going still further. I can never say enough to you: Thank you! And Melanie affirms: I miss Peru very much especially the children at the orphanage. I often think of them and I hope they are doing well. It's funny that all we have lived together is now a part of myself. In class, at the time of my exposure, I make constant reference to the life of my little friends of the orphanage and I urge my students to mutual aid and to compassion.

Upon returning from the 2003 experience in Bolivia, two important projects challenged the group: the need of potable water for the villagers of San Julian and the urgency of a bridge for pedestrians at Villa Naranjo. Thus they all gave time for the project Solidarité-Bolivie. Neighbors, colleagues and friends were invited to participate in a mutual aid funding to support the work of the peasants. When we love, we stand in solidarity, we want the happiness of the people whom we love!

Aren't these courageous, dedicated, generous young women the new missionaries of our time, ready to make sacrifices to extend happiness to the brothers and sisters elsewhere whom they have already learned to know and love? This is my deep conviction.