Vol. 6 Issue 01, April 2017
Shukran: Swahili/Arabic for Gratitude
2017; A Year of Great Progress Dear Friends, Easter Greetings to you. The year 2017 is indeed a year of great progress for the Eastern Africa Province. Together with our partners and collaborators we are making great strides toward the realization of our goals for the next 5 years. After General Congregation 36, the Province embarked on the process of revising and updating the draft Province Apostolic Plan to incorporate insights in the decrees of the Congregation. It is my pleasure to inform you that on April 6, 2017, Fr. Arturo Sosa, SJ, Superior General of the Society of Jesus approved our Province Apostolic Plan 2017 - 2021. Our Apostolates now move into reviewing and updating their own 5 year strategic plans. It is my sincere hope that the dreams and goals outlined in this document will bring our Province, our partners and collaborators in sharing collective purpose of achieving our vision and mission in Eastern Africa and beyond. Furthermore, the Province has been working towards strengthening and implementing its Child Safeguarding Policy. To this end, we collaborated with the Jesuit Mission Office in Ireland, to implement Child Safeguarding Training of Trainers from all the Apostolates in the Province. All Apostolates have since embarked in developing and others updating their existing Child Safeguarding Policies to be in line with the policies applicable within their countries of operation. The Province has also appointed a Child Protection Officer to be handling issues regarding Child Safeguarding. In February 2017, two of our companions were ordained to the diaconate at Hekima College by Most Rev. Bafuidinsoni Maloko-Mana, SJ, Auxiliary Bishop of Kinshasa (DRC). The two were among 21 Jesuits from other Provinces who were also ordained. We are grateful to God for their availability and mission in the Society of Jesus. One more companion will be ordained to the diaconate in April 2017 in Rome. As we celebrate Easter, let us give thanks to the Lord for his mercies and rejoice resurrection event. Let us also remember our brothers and sisters working at the margins to support the poor and underprivileged that the Lord may continue blessing and guiding them to fulfill His mission. We especially pray for our companions in South Sudan who have consistently carried on with the mission despite the recurrent security challenges. I thank you for your continued prayers, support and generosity toward our mission in Eastern Africa. May the Peace and Joy of Resurrection be with you and your dear ones! Happy Easter! Fr. Joseph Oduor Afulo, SJ Provincial
All children need protection to achieve their full potential.
Widening the Scope of Child Protection For the past five years, the Eastern Africa Province has been deeply involved in creating a good environment for children in all our ministries. One of the ways of ensuring the protection of children from all forms of abuse was to develop a “Protocol on Sexual Abuse, Harassment and Misconduct” which appeared as chapter 17 of the revised edition of Our way of Proceeding: Policies, Practices and Protocols. A recent review of the Protocol led to the inclusion and application of the Child Protection Policy to all our collaborators, volunteers, consultants, and support staff in all our ministries. The Province also engaged a consultant who conducted various Training of Trainers workshops across the Province. The Trainers would then play a critical role of Child Protection/Safeguarding focal persons at each of our ministries - schools, social centres and parishes. The first workshop took place in Addis Ababa bringing together JRS personnel; the second was held in Nairobi for three days from 26 - 28 October 2016, gathering potential Child Protection Officers (CPOs) from Jesuit ministries in Nairobi, Dodoma and Dar es Salaam. At Ocer Campion Jesuit College in Uganda the consultant facilitated a review of the existing policy and came up with an action plan. As well, in January 2017, the significance of child safeguarding formed part of the Province Assembly deliberations with an emphasis on the safety and welfare of children in all our ministries. Each ministry was asked to formulate
a specific Child Safeguarding Policy drawing from the Province level policy, diocesan or Bishops’ Conference policies, national as well as international instruments on the rights of the child. Since the Province Assembly, additional trainings have been organized in Dar es Salaam and Dodoma bringing on board over 150 participants from 8 Jesuit institutions: 2 primary schools, 2 secondary schools, 3 parishes and Radio Kwizera. The latest of these trainings took place in the novitiate in Arusha in March 2017 for the second year novices, their formators, and some kindergarten teachers. According to participants of the workshops, their perception about child abuse has changed greatly (after the training), “especially with the realization that children are often abused by people that they trust well.” A participant of the Arusha workshop affirmed that he had “always thought that child protection was only for those who deal directly with children on a daily basis.” The workshop was an eye opener for him. These trainings have helped participants to broaden the scope of Child Protection to include Child Safeguarding which encourages the creation of a conducive and safe environment for children intended to protect them from possible abuse: including emotional, sexual, neglect and physical along with identifying signs that a particular form of abuse may have happened. Continued on Pg.3
About the
Mazzolari Teachers College (MTC)
The Society of Jesus was founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola in 1540 and is today the largest religious order of men in the Catholic Church. We serve in 127 nations on six continents and are organized in administrative regions called Provinces. The Eastern Africa Province consists of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Sudan and South Sudan. Though the province was established in 1986, the earliest missions date back to the times of St. Ignatius in 1557 in Ethiopia. Our works in Eastern Africa include: • Education - through our educational institutions we form well rounded and competent persons committed to a faith that does justice. Our students are aware of the social ills that are present in Africa and they generously give of themselves to put an end to these ills. We train ‘men and women for others.’ • Retreats - for more than 470 years, Jesuit spirituality has led countless women and men to a greater intimacy with Jesus Christ and to a dedication to serve those most in need. We maintain retreat houses in Kenya, Sudan and Ethiopia. In addition, we run mobile retreats in all countries of our province. • Parish ministry - we run 5 vibrant parishes with a variety of pastoral, formation and service programmes. All our parishes give emphasis to ‘community’ and have dynamic Small Christian Communities. • Social Justice and Communication we aim to transform unjust structures and offer hope to the marginalized in society. We reach out especially to refugees, those affected or infected with HIV/AIDS, poverty and violence. Our justice and communication ministries include: Jesuit Hakimani center, African Jesuits Aids Network (AJAN), Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) and Radio Kwizera. Visit www.easternafricajesuits.org for more information on our work 2 - Shukran Newsletter | Vol. 6 Issue 01 | April 2017
On July 4th 2016, Mazzolari Teachers College (MTC) opened its door for the first term with 18 students. Located in Cueibet, Gok State, South Sudan, MTC is run by the Jesuits of Eastern Africa Province in collaboration with the Catholic Diocese of Rumbek (DOR). The College currently trains Primary School Teachers, but plans are underway to expand it to include training for teachers of higher levels. At present, there are 4 Jesuits working at the College; Fr. Victor-Luke Odhiambo, SJ, the Principal, assisted by Fr. Kizito Busobozi, SJ the administrator and a Tutor, Fr. Joseph Rodrigues, SJ, in charge of overseeing the expansion projects as well as a teacher, and Scholastic Aloysius Lubega, SJ, who is a Tutor and is in charge of overseeing the development of the Library. In addition, there is 1 Lay member of staff and 7 support staff. Since its inception, the College has had a long history from the time the late Caesar Mazzolari, MCCJ, Bishop of the Diocese of Rumbek, decided it was better to train teachers of South Sudan in South Sudan instead of Kitale, Western Kenya. Many organizations, benefactors and individuals welcomed the idea and in 2008, the students who were studying in Kitale, Kenya, were moved back to South Sudan. A number of organizations and individuals have since supported the rehabilitation of some facilities at the College. On February 27, 2009, the people of Cueibet Community, under the mobilization of the former County Commissioner, Mr. Kongor Deng Kongor, allocated a 1,000 by 300 meter square
of land where the College has been established. The College offers 2 year fulltime Certificate courses for unqualified teachers who have completed High School or are teaching in Primary Schools with no qualifications, or to teachers who want to improve their educational qualifications. Plans are underway to offer a 3 year full-time diploma course in the near future. Currently, the College has a total of 14 students (2 women, 12 men) as four dropped out largely due to the recurrent security threats. The existing buildings in the College, though very modest in their numbers and in their style, lack some very basic amenities especially furniture. In addition, the College has one classroom block that consists of four rooms and one dorm with a capacity of 20 people. Despite these challenges, the vision of the College has been to have two intakes of 20 - 35 students per year. The College still has a long way to go. We are nevertheless grateful to all who have contributed enormously to the development of MTC. Shukran! By Fr. Kizito Busobozi, SJ., Xxxxx
Ocer Campion Jesuit College; Beyond Academic Excellence Brief Background Ocer Campion is located in Northern Uganda, in Awich village, eight kilometers from Gulu town. The school was established as one of the recovery and rehabilitation projects to help resettle, rebuild, give hope and restore human dignity to the many children and families who had been affected by the infamous Lord’s Resistance insurgency. In 2010, the school opened its doors to the first 35 students who joined a preparatory primary seven class. In addition to the primary seven class, the school runs an Ordinary Secondary level education. The school boasts of over 600 students and this number is set to increase with the enrollment of the Advanced Secondary level students in 2018. The school has excelled academically: for three consecutive years, Ocer has been ranked as the best school in Northern Uganda. Besides, in 2016, Ocer was ranked the 13th best among schools that offer quality education in Uganda.
Recent Developments For the past six years, students have been having their meals under tree shades while others would sit on verandahs near the open cooking area. It was an uncomfortable set up but with the newly constructed dining hall, students have their meals in a spacious and wellfurnished environment. The hall has a capacity of 1,200 students and also has a block used as a teachers’ staff room and a home economics laboratory. This development has not only brought comfort to students, it has also
significantly reduced energy consumption in preparing the students’ meals. The dining hall is equipped with a well-built kitchen with a well laid out dish-washing area, as well as a storage for the kitchen utensils and food products. The school is most grateful to the American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (USAID-ASHA) who supported this development. In addition, construction of a Jesuit house and a new sick bay is near completion. The health facility has separate wings for male and female students with a capacity of 18 patients. To ensure availability of
medical personnel on call, the school nurses will reside within the same facility.
Advanced Secondary section set to roll out in 2018 Currently Ocer Campion Jesuit School runs a primary seven class (the final class in primary education) as well an Ordinary level Secondary school. After Senior Four examinations, students have had to seek out Advanced Secondary level education in other schools, leaving behind the much cherished cultural, spiritual values and a good learning environment that Ocer provides. This is set to change with the introduction of the Advanced Secondary level classes in 2018. In preparation for this long awaited upgrade, a new boys’ dormitory is under construction and is estimated to be complete by end of July 2017. Unlike other student dormitories in Ocer, this one is a two storied block that can host 300 students. Likewise, construction for another girls’ dormitory is planned to start later this year bearing the same architectural design as the boys’ facility. The students are delighted at the upgrade; knowing that they will no longer need to leave their treasured school for A level studies. By Idah Leah Nabunnya, Communications Officer, Ocer Campion
Continued from Pg.1
Widening the Scope of Child Protection Through these trainings, it has become evident that to create a culture of Child Safeguarding there is need to include it as a component of all levels of Jesuit formation in the Province. Consequently,
the May 2017 meeting of Jesuits in Formation will entail Child Safeguarding as one of the topics of discussion for ongoing awareness creation on this important policy. The meeting will
also provide space for open sharing on the practical challenges faced in Child Safeguarding. By Fr. Deogratias Rwezaura, SJ, Socius, Jesuits Eastern Africa Shukran Newsletter | Vol. 6 Issue 01 | April 2017 - 3
Jesuit life and their current ministries. It is very consoling to meet the many interesting men working in this continent who are dedicating their lives for the sake of Jesus and the Church! Finally, I cannot forget to mention the interesting trip we took to Mombasa and Malindi before Easter following the footsteps of St. Francis Xavier. In Malindi, we had the chance to celebrate the Eucharist in the “Portuguese Chapel”, meet the local bishop, swim in the Indian Ocean and spend a joyful time together. The humidity, the heat and the long drive will be forgotten, yet the joy of the experience will remain.
Pilgrims on the way Mwangaza Tertianship 2017 The number of tertians in Nairobi has been growing steadily over the last few years. At the same time, the Mwangaza Tertianship Program, led by Fr. Leo Amani, SJ and Fr. Richard Baumann, SJ, has become more international, attracting Jesuits from all over the world. Coming from India, Italy, Kenya, Malta, Poland, Spain, Tanzania, Uganda, USA and Zimbabwe, the class of 2017 reflects the universality of the Society and the Church. The diversity is reflected not only in our national origins, but also in the diverse ministries in which we had been involved before our arrival to Kenya. The program kick-started in early January when, as we began to prepare for the long retreat, we had the opportunity of reading, reflecting and sharing on the life of Saint Ignatius and our personal biographies. Getting to know who we are and where we come from - geographically, culturally and spiritually did help us bond together, grow in confidence and pray for each other. Following the introductory weeks, we spent several days working on the text of the
Spiritual Exercises. The reflection, led by Bernie Owens on the rules for discernment, helped us to prepare and deepen our desires for the much-awaited experience of the long retreat. After the month-long, grace-filled Spiritual Exercises, we shared during three days the sorrows, joys and inner callings heard during the retreat. Then, we began to work on the Constitutions – for the great majority of us it was the second time, since the novitiate, that we read this foundational text of our Institute –and we had the privilege of listening to Brian O’Leary of the Irish Province, who is an expert on the Constitutions. The Constitutions, we found out, are not just a juridical document, but a truly spiritual expression of our way of proceeding. Another highlight of our time here has been the visits to the different works of the Society of Jesus in Nairobi. Getting to know the many apostolates where Jesuits and lay collaborators are involved has been as enriching as the time spent together in Mwangaza. We also spend time with Jesuits from the nearby Pedro Arrupe Community, who talk for an hour about their
Easter was also a great opportunity for most of us to celebrate the Holy Week, for the first time, in an African context. The Karen parishes, Holy Family Basilica, Kangemi and Hekima were all filled to the brim during these days, a clear sign of the vitality, dynamism and energy of the Christian faith in Kenya. It was truly a consoling experience to share this days with the people of God. Now, we will soon scatter as we will be sent to different places for our experiments (Dodoma, Kampala, Kangemi, Ongata Rongai, Jesuit Historical Institute, Nairobi Hospitals, etc.). It will be the last phase of the program before we meet again in Mwangaza at the end of June to evaluate and wrap-up the whole experience; and then, we will say our good-byes and head back to our respective provinces. New assignments have been already given for many of us in the last few weeks. They are signs of our missionary identity and remind us who we are: pilgrims on the way. So far, then, we can only give thanks for the warm welcome from the Jesuits in this corner of the world - a corner that we can truly call home, since, as we have been reminded, we are pilgrims and the whole world is our home.
By Jaime Tatay, SJ, (Spanish Province)
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Contacts: Kenya: Jesuit Development Office Loyola House P.O. Box 21399, 00505, Ngong’ Road, Nairobi (+254 20) 2444 78/1/3/5/6 Info.aor@gmail.com www.easternafricajesuits.org Tanzania: Jesuit Development Office P.O. Box 1140, Dar-es Salaam (+255) 22 244 3600 Info.aor@gmail.com www.easternafricajesuits.org
Uganda: Jesuit Development Office Xavier House P.O. Box 7310, Kampala, Uganda (+256) 414 510 340 Info.aor@gmail.com www.easternafricajesuits.org
Republic of Sudan: Jesuit Development Office Ignatian Spiritual Centre P.O. Box 1629, Khartoum, Republic of Sudan (+249)85 341855 Info.aor@gmail.com www.easternafricajesuits.org
Ethiopia: Jesuit Development Office Xavier House P.O. Box 30105, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (+251)11 123 6650 Info.aor@gmail.com www.easternafricajesuits.org
South Sudan: Jesuit Development Office St. Peter Claver, Jesuit Community C/o Bethany House P.O. Box 211023, 00505, Nairobi, Kenya (+249)944 286 719 Info.aor@gmail.com www.easternafricajesuits.org
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