In the Haut Sassandra region, also known as Cocoa Belt, is a small town called Issia, located in the middle of Ivory Coast.

The country has an extraordinary variety of fauna (with the emblematic elephant) and flora (forests, savannas) and its hundreds of parks reveal a wide range of colors.

The landmark building in the town of Issia is the Sanctuary. It was founded in 1990 by the Catholic church and stands the foot of the town great rock.

The diocese entrusted the Community with running the sanctuary in 1992.  The Community has welcomed pilgrims, organized full-day spiritual events and livened up the sanctuary ever since.