I am excited to share that on October 15, 2020 a big dream of mine for Association Saint Camille (ASC) came true. In communication many months ago between myself, and the leadership of Les Amis de la Saint Camille, we decided that a pivotal role for me as an American is to increase global recognition of the work.   I set about spending hours on the internet looking for possible awards for ASC.   When I saw the mission and vision of the Guislain award: Breaking the Chains of Stigma, the choice was obvious to me. Gregoire Ahongbonon has been fighting stigma for the “forgotten of the forgotten” for over thirty years.  After a long application process, I was notified by email in July that he was one of 13 finalists out of 50 candidates from 18 countries. At a later date, before the official announcement, we were told he had won – it was so hard not to tell anyone!  I was both joyful and relieved!  The prize money will be used to help move along the construction of the Addiction Center in Dassa, Benin.

In the words of the presenters:

“Grégoire Ahongbonon embodies the spirit of the Dr. Guislain ‘Breaking the Chains of Stigma’ Award, having both literally and figuratively freed those in West Africa from the shame and burden often associated with mental illness,” said Brother Dr. René Stockman, Superior General of the Congregation of the Brothers of Charity and Chairman of the Museum Dr. Guislain.

“Not only has Grégoire and the Saint-Camille Association improved basic care and treatment for those living with mental illness in West Africa, they have also brought dignity and confidence back into these patients’ lives,” said Husseini K. Manji, M.D., Global Head, Johnson & Johnson Science for Minds.

Gregoire said it well in a heartfelt thank you letter to my husband James and me: “This award will give more credibility to our NGO and comfort to our partners. It is a story of humanity for the happiness of the mentally ill, the great beneficiaries”.

The best moment of all was when Gregoire surprised us with a call from Benin.  With mutual laughter of his limited English and our limited French, it was a moment of shared joy and understood sentiment that I will never forget.

To view the ceremony:  https://youtu.be/A7pMkk9rjew

Jocelyn W. Bonner, MD   11-14-2020