The African Jesuit AIDS Network (AJAN) General Assembly 2025 officially began today in Nairobi, Kenya, bringing together Jesuits, collaborators, and partners from across 17 Countries in Africa to reflect, plan, and strengthen their shared mission. The Assembly, which runs from September 22 to 26, 2025, carries the theme “Linked for Life and Well-being: Shaping Our Common Mission in Africa.”

The opening session featured a capacity-building program for AJAN Directors, focusing on youth, mindset change, innovation, entrepreneurship, sustainability, and resource mobilization within faith-based organizations.

In his opening address, Fr. Ismael Matambura SJ, AJAN Director, drew inspiration from the words of the Superior General of the Society of Jesus, reminding participants that the Jesuit mission is not only to serve but to foster long-lasting transformation in communities. “Our call to sustainable impact is rooted in our Ignatian tradition, inviting us to seek the greater good in all our works,” he affirmed. Quoting Matthew 5:16, he encouraged participants to let their light shine so that their efforts may bear fruit for generations.

The Assembly was officially opened by Fr. José Minaku SJ, President of the Jesuit Conference of Africa and Madagascar (JCAM), who also presided over the opening Mass. In his Reflection on today’s Gospel from Luke 8:16-18, Fr. Minaku reminded participants of Christ’s words: “No one who lights a lamp conceals it…but places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light.”

In his reflection, Fr. Minaku called upon participants to let this Gospel guide their journey through the Assembly. He invited them to reflect deeply on AJAN’s new Strategic Plan, to return to their identity and mission, and to answer the essential question: Who are we exactly? He described the Gospel as a “call to restoration,” especially in a world wounded by darkness. “Let us use this time to restore ourselves as persons committed to the mission of AJAN. The little things we are doing are making a difference, and we should be grateful and proud of them,” he said.

He went on to remind participants that they are entrusted with keeping the light of hope burning. “We are being entrusted to keep the light burning and to pass it on to the next generation. The light does not belong to us—it belongs to God.”

Day one of the Directors’ Capacity Building session was marked by insightful presentations that set the tone for the Assembly. Ms. Mary Wanjugu led the first session on “Mindset for Innovation, Ownership, and Sustainability,” where she emphasized the importance of cultivating adaptive thinking, creativity, and responsibility as critical drivers for the long-term growth of faith-based organizations. She encouraged directors to see challenges as opportunities for transformation and to build ownership within their teams and communities.

Later, Mr. Gerald Owino facilitated a session on “Youth: Project Implementation, Capturing Impact, and Fundraising.” He highlighted practical strategies for engaging young people meaningfully in projects, designing programs that respond to their realities, and developing tools to measure and communicate impact. He also underlined the role of resource mobilization, particularly through youth-centered initiatives, as a means of ensuring sustainability and scaling AJAN’s mission across Africa.

Over the next five days, the Assembly will combine strategic reflection, planning, and team building, culminating in the presentation of a new AJAN Strategic Plan and a symbolic commitment ritual. Highlights will include reviews of AJAN’s mission and values, drafting of strategic objectives, a team-building exercise symbolizing AJAN as a bridge of hope, and the awarding of the AJAN Youth Pilgrims of Hope from the storytelling and poetry contest.

The gathering will conclude on September 26, 2025, with a Thanksgiving Eucharist offering the new Strategic Plan to God, followed by a closing dinner and networking.

By, Dennis Owuoche,

AJAN Communications Officer.