African Jesuit AIDS Network (AJAN) General Assembly 2025, which took place in Nairobi, Kenya, brought together Jesuits, collaborators, and partners from across 17 countries in Africa to reflect, plan, and strengthen their shared mission. The Assembly, which ran from September 22 to 26, 2025, carried the theme “Linked for Life and Well-being: Shaping Our Common Mission in Africa.”

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.”

In his opening address, as he welcomed all the participants, 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.

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

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.

Day 2 of the AJAN Directors’ Capacity Building at the General Assembly in Nairobi was nothing short of transformative. From the very beginning, the tone was set with Mass and an opening prayer led by Scholastic Cyrus Habib, SJ, who invited participants to center their leadership journey in discernment and faith.

The morning session with Ms. Esther Mwaniki reminded everyone that leadership in FBOs cannot remain static. In a world of rapid change, leaders must innovate—not only in technology but in the very ways they approach community needs. Her call was clear: innovation is about imagination, resilience, and the courage to reimagine old problems in new ways.

Ms. Muthoni Kanga then shifted the conversation to sustainability, urging directors to embrace the potential of social enterprises. Too often, FBOs depend heavily on external funding. She painted a vision of faith-inspired centers that also serve as creative enterprises—self-sustaining, mission-driven, and capable of providing lasting solutions for the communities they serve.

The highlight of the afternoon came from Ms. Samantha Waki and Chris Lowney, who spoke about Heroic Leadership rooted in Ignatian values. They challenged participants to move beyond the old stereotypes of leadership as power and control. Instead, they invited directors to think of leadership as service—measured by how well it lifts others, creates accountability, and builds resilience.

Chris Lowney’s message to “drink deeply from your own well” struck a chord. He reminded the group that true leadership begins with inner freedom, reflection, and courage. As he put it, “Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence—and ensuring the impact lasts in your absence.”

The day ended with group discussions and a closing reflection, where participants were challenged to consider how they could apply the knowledge gained in their own contexts—whether by nurturing youth leadership, rethinking resource mobilization, or embedding a culture of Ignatian reflection in daily practice. Using the PESTEL analysis framework, participants discussed in groups how the identified factors affect their respective contexts and shared insights on possible responses. It was a meaningful exercise that left participants with much to reflect upon as they looked toward Day 3.

The next three days of the Assembly combined strategic reflection, planning, and team building, culminating in the presentation of the new AJAN Strategic Plan and a symbolic commitment ritual. Highlights included a review of AJAN’s mission and values, the drafting of strategic objectives, a team-building exercise symbolizing AJAN as a bridge of hope, and the awarding of the winners of the AHAPPY Storytelling Youth Contest 2025.

By, Dennis Owuoche,

AJAN Communications Officer.