Father Bernard Verspieren, a life serving Mali
Father Bernard Verspieren was born in Northern France in 1924. Passionate about agriculture, he decided to pursue his studies in that subject at the Purpan School from which he received his diploma. When he was only 19 years old he joined the White Fathers. Following four years of seminary he was ordained as a priest then left for Mali, then called French Sudan. Thus began a passion, a true love for this country where he would live all of his life.
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His Beginnings in Mali (among the Bobo people):
He began his mission in in Mandyakuy part of Bobo country,. Between the years 1951 and 1959, he built six churches. However, he already had begun to focus on development issues and when John XXIII, the pope “after his heart”, declared, “no evangelization without development, no development without evangelization,” Father Verspieren embarked on an adventure of more than forty years, which would see him involved in areas as diverse as agriculture, health, education, water and even the advancement of women.
He began by creating two schools of agriculture: in Tominian in 1966 and then in Koni. These schools operated under a unique model: he would bring couples for a year to introduce them to modern agricultural techniques before returning them to their village with a plow and a pair of oxen.
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Mali Aqua Viva : « water is life ! »
In 1973 a terrible drought devastated the Sahel and famine caused the death of thousands of people. As requested by the highest authorities in Mali, Father Verspieren created an association in San named Mali Aqua Viva. Under the slogan "water is life" began the most fantastic well drilling campaign that Mali has ever known. More than 4 000 wells were activated by this association, which still exists today. After the holy water, Father Verspieren embarks on the challenge of drinking water!
The first wells were fitted with foot or hand pumps. Then one day in Corsica the Father discovered one of the first solar photovoltaic pumps. What better method could there be for Mali where the sun rarely veils its face? The first solar pump was installed in the country in 1977. The Father would go on to install more than 125 and become the pioneer of renewable energy in Mali.
A tireless builder, he constructed at the same time schools and clinics, creating sister relationships between French and Malian cities, worked with women's groups and an orthopedic rehabilitation center. But more than anything else, his love for Mali and its people is evident in his last accomplishment: Teriya Bugu.
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Teriya Bugu, the story of friendship:
Teriya Bugu’s history begins in the 60s along the Bani River in the shade of a large caïlcédrat. During an antelope hunt Father Verspieren encountered a Somono fisherman from the village of N'Goron named Lamine Samaké. Lamine's family would provide land to the Father, who then moved to the site in the early 80s. From their friendship was born a dream that was to become a reality "Teriya Bugu" which means "village of friendship" in the local language Bambara.
Major builder in spirit, he developed along the Bani a model farm. Orchards, gardens, crops, livestock, fish farming, he tried everything, demonstrating what can be done in Mali with water, will and love.
He also developed in Teriya Bugu a laboratory of renewable energies: solar energy, wind and even biogas continued to be tested and used more than 20 years later.
Under the Father’s influence, the village of Teriya Bugu continued to develop into an oasis which is now part of the heritage of Mali.
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A true father to many Malians
Knight of the Legion of Honor, Father Bernard Verspieren was also awarded the French Order of Merit. In Mali, he was awarded the National Order of Merit and the Ciwara of Excellence.
After more than 50 years in service to Mali and Malians, the father died October 24, 2003. He has left an indelible impression in the heart of people who knew him.
