BROTHER FRANCIS AMOAKO ATTAH [1958 – 2022] – by Katie Maidment
Born in Ghana in West Africa, Brother Francis was among the second group of Ghanaians to join the Marist [Society of Mary] order, studying and working in 8 countries over the last 34 years. At the time of his unexpected death, he was Principal of the Marist Education Centre in Pailin, Cambodia.
I first met Francis in 2011, when my late husband Bob and I were part of the first group from the Roman Catholic Diocese of East Anglia to visit Pailin. Our first impression was of joyful welcome, of inclusiveness, of Christian charity in its best and widest sense, and of practical action, of actually doing something rather than talking about it. That impression never changed and, in part, was the inspiration for the formation of Support Cambodia in 2015. So from its inception, Brother Francis has been an integral part of our charity.
At the Marist Centre in Pailin, everyone, whoever they were and wherever they came from was always treated as part of the ‘Marist family’, and accepted into the daily life of the Brother House. Three times a day the whole community gathered around the huge table – Brothers, local staff, students, visitors and volunteers from all round the world, sharing friendship, good food, great conversation with lots of fun and laughter… because with Francis, every day was a celebration…..all united in a genuine love and commitment to serving young people and those most in need.This wonderful environment was simply an extension of Francis, because that was how he was himself and as head of the Marist ‘family’, this was how he saw the Marist mission.This was the mark of the man.
Francis had a gift for bringing people together and apart from being able to easily relate to young people and gain their trust, he enjoyed a very good relationship with local government [he taught English to many of the officials] and through his influence, provision for the area’s disadvantaged families improved considerably.
Apart from teaching and a command of at least 5 languages, Francis had many skills, one of which was cooking….he actually learnt to cook in Manchester! Visitors to Pailin will recall tipsy tart, English breakfast with a Ghanaian twist, and afternoon tea with warm orange cake, served on the balcony with the sun going down and a view over the beautiful Khmer-inspired church…… typical Francis!!
But for all his talents and experience, Francis was, in the very best sense of the word,a simple and humble man – he never thought he knew it all.
In 2015 he decided to introduce a health outreach programme at a remote primary school about 25 miles out of Pailin City and he took us to see the site [Phnom Priel] where there was a large, filthy pond, the school’s only water supply.
When we suggested to him that running a health programme with no clean water might not be a good idea, Francis, after some thought, replied, “You’re absolutely right… we’ll hold the programme back… if you can give us a borewell”. The wells at Phnom Priel were Support Cambodia’s first and the school now has its health programme, water and solar.
There are two points to this story: if it hadn’t been for Francis, our charity might never have done borewells at all [the total to date is 13] but most importantly, Francis was prepared to take advice, even from those with vastly less experience than himself. That too, was the mark of the man.
And of course, everything Francis did was underpinned by an unshakeable Christian faith and the Marist principles or Work, Family and Simplicity.
So, thank you Francis..for your big heart, your wisdom, your compassion, your love of life…and your constant friendship and support for our charity. You have improved the lives of so many, been an inspiration to so many more and your passing leaves a huge hole in all our lives. it was a real privilege to have known you and you will never be forgotten.
Choom reap lee-a Brother Francis….okoon charen……rest in peace…..
with love from Support Cambodia.
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