Preparing for effective youth ministry

One motivation of the African Jesuits AIDS Network (AJAN) is to support young people in building a hopeful future, in line with the 3^rd universal preference of the Jesuits.  This support targets all youth, including young religious in formation. AJAN is convinced that our society, especially the African continent, cannot develop without investing in the youth without exception. Young people are, and they bring incredible richness to our families, nations, and the entire planet.

In August 2025, 12 Novices, including 8 Jesuit novices and 4 Piarists, participated in the AHAPPY program, which aims at the integral formation of youth. These young men in religious formation interact with other youth, and in their future ministries, they will serve as role models to them. This training is designed to equip them with more knowledge and tools to support other youth, “the today of the Church and society,” as Pope Francis calls them. 

The training took place from August 4th to 8th. The participants were introduced to the AHAPPY methodology, which begins with self-awareness and progresses to the foundation of a virtuous life through topics such as awareness of the world I live in, facing challenges positively, understanding myself to grow, mentorship and effective leadership, decision-making skills, and more.

Our world is filled with various challenges and negative energies that require inner strength to face. Some are so intense that, without being well-balanced and equipped with personal principles, values, and wisdom, one can become overwhelmed and ultimately fall apart or be destroyed. The AHAPPY training provides youth with inner strength and power to protect themselves from negative external energies that could harm them. They become agents of change and take full responsibility for themselves and society with a strong sense of accountability and integrity. After the training, a great sense of satisfaction was evident among the participants.

Awarding of the certificates to the Novices at the end of the AHAPPY training session by Fr. Kyungu Rigobert, the Superior Provincial of the ACE province (Left), Fr. Matambura Ismael, SJ., AJAN Director and Trainer (Centre)and Fr. Edward Ndungu (Right).

On the last day of the training, we received a visit from Rev. Fr. Kyungu Rigobert, the Superior Provincial of the ACE province, who came to celebrate the 90th birthday and 60th anniversary of the religious life of Fr. Edward Ndungu, one of the formators in the Novitiate. He awarded certificates to the newly AHAPPY program trainers.
On behalf of the AJAN team, Happy birthday to Fr. Ndundu! We pray that God may continue blessing him and make him a role model to our novices.

By, Fr. Matambura Ismael, SJ.

AJAN Director and Trainer.