experimentation. But there was an awakening beginning in 1982. Since that date, we have seen an increase in vocations, even though the number varies from one sector to another. In general, it is an undeniable fact that most of the Brothers believe in the existence of Lasallian vocations.

Our Institute in the context of African cultures
Africa is a continent with thousands of cultures and even each African country is a constellation of numerous cultures. As new scenes for the mission of the Church, these Cultures hold the attention of the Brothers in RELAF. This reality is a leitmotiv of all the Lasallian meetings.

A number of Brothers have been called upon to animate sessions on inculturation. Our schools are truly places where representatives of diverse cultures gather. These schools ought therefore to become places of a real meeting of cultures. In fact, one could say that RELAF is composed of Brothers belonging not only to many different nationalities but to a big variety of cultures. Such is the challenge for the Brothers of RELAF: the call to be an educator in dialogue between several cultural groups and to incarnate the religious life of the Brothers more deeply in the local cultures. The task is huge. Carrying it out demands from us a solid faith and a profound intelligence.

A general outline of the problems of education and pedagogy
Designated by UNESCO as the continent of illiteracy, Africa is facing serious problems in education, and linked with those, difficulties in pedagogy. Education also takes place outside the school, but since it is a question here of the education of the young, we will limit our remarks to school and para-school education. We often hear remarks such as:
“The study level of the pupils is low”, “They are not well educated”, “The school is in crisis”. Many African universities are in a state of tension and conflict. The students are putting up resistance. It is a sign of latent malaise and discontent.

The Brothers ought to be attentive to these troubles in order to mobilise all their energy and their talents to collaborate with society in ensuring that the young receive the education to which they have a right.

Three thorny problems
1. The recognition by the State of its duties with regard to private confessional education. There is at present no recognition of this kind. On the contrary there seems to be a desire to eliminate totally this category of education. For example, government subsidies are paid irregularly or reduced (by 2/3 in the last five years in some countries).
2. The relative youth of the members of the teaching profession and their inadequate formation.
3. Since teachers are not well-paid the teaching profession is not held in high esteem. This is one of the causes of instability in the teaching body.

Changes to be put into practice
Among the Brothers:
To invest considerably in the preparation of formation personnel. The Brother of the Christian Schools is called today to be an animator, a coordinator, a unifier. This presupposes a solid and multi-disciplined formation. Our scholasticates in Abidjan and Nairobi have accomplishing this as their ambition, nourished and motivated by a strong Lasallian spirituality. Our mission is a shared mission, “together and by association” with Lay Lasallians. At the heart of the dynamic possibilities of the Lasallian Family, we ought to give proof of our creativity: Brothers and Lay Lasallians are partners. In this domain, we need to undergo a conversion.

At the level of mentalities:
The changes which affect our African education system demand from us a realistic and effective awareness of our objectives, which includes an experience of suffering. The evil which is striking Africa today is in the mind; we ought to get rid of it. The changes which are called for demand a spirit of innovation and of research.

The Lasallian Family in Africa
● Associations of Past Pupils
Some associations of past pupils which exist here and there in the Region, were very active in the past. To develop amore Lasallian identity, these associations are looking for a better method of organisation. They find themselves in a waiting situation and need the Brothers to assume a new role to awaken a new spirit.
● A formation based on the facts
Since 1987, the notion of Lasallian Family has become more explicit. The Brothers are more aware of this evolution. Certain sectors have taken specific measures. But it was a CLAF session in 1991 which lead to a better understanding and ended in more precise commitments to action. The 17 Brothers and 13 Lay Lasallians present at the CLAF session in 1991 are almost all now the main people in charge of animating the Lasallian Family.
● The members of Signum Fidei
In the RELAF Region there are 8 members of Signum Fidei who have made their consecration. There are 18 other members in Madagascar and Rwanda.
● The Lasallian Sisters
The Guadalupana Lasallian Sisters have 9 postulants in formation in Madagascar.
● The Young Lasallians
There are groups of Young Lasallians in six sectors, helped by a number of young Brothers who are interested in this movement.
● The formation of lay teachers
The need has been felt for a more dynamic policy and programme. Here is a new effort being asked of the Brothers of RELAF: to develop the ministry to our teachers and other lay colleagues in a more systematic way. Some sessions have been organised here and there, but there is a threshold to be crossed between occasional sessions and a deeper and more extensive programme.
● Request for a Regional Commission of the Lasallian Family
It remains truer than ever that we need a Regional commission of the Lasallian Family for a better development of the Lasallian charism in Africa. The sharing of the Lasallian Mission is not something that can be improvised. It needs a sensitization, a conversion but also serious initial, professional and ongoing formation. RELAF should take up the challenge of social justice towards our lay collaborators, and promote and enhance the profession , occupation and vocation of religious or lay educators.