The September Edition of AJANews 2025 captures a defining moment for African Jesuit AIDS Network (AJAN) — the AJAN General Assembly 2025, held in Nairobi, Kenya, from 22 to 26 September.

This issue highlights the Assembly’s rich moments of reflection, strategic planning, and renewal of commitment to AJAN’s mission. From the Directors’ Capacity Building Session to the planning of the new AJAN Strategic Plan 2025-2030, the Assembly reaffirmed the Network’s identity as “a body that discerns the calls of the Spirit of God in today’s world,” as expressed by Fr. José Minaku, SJ, President of JCAM, in his opening address.

This edition highlights the visit of Canadian Jesuit International (CJI) leaders — Executive Director Jenny Cafiso and International Programs Coordinator Juan Emilio Hernández — to AFRICAMA House, where they met with Fr. José Minaku, SJ, President of JCAM, and the AJAN Secretariat team led by Fr. Ismael Matambura, SJ.

Their visit deepened collaboration between AJAN and CJI, focusing on reviewing the Building Resilience in Women and Young Girls in Africa (BRWGA) project, shared priorities, which seek to empower women and girls by creating opportunities, helping them break free from vulnerability, and cutting the cycles of poverty. The encounter underscored the global Jesuit commitment expressed in the Second Universal Apostolic Preference (UAP) — to walk with the poor, the outcasts of the world, and those whose dignity has been wounded, in a mission of reconciliation and justice.

Also featured this month is the commendable work of the Jesuit Urumuri Centre (JUC), whose Environment Conservation and School Feeding Project has expanded significantly. Launched as a pilot in 2022 with 14 schools, the program is now being rolled out to 29 additional schools. Fruit trees — including papaya, oranges, passion fruit, and avocados — planted in school farms are not only helping to feed students but are also reinforcing the government school feeding program and answering Pope Francis’ call in Laudato Si’ to care for our common home.

By, Dennis Owuoche,

AJAN Communications Officer.