On Wednesday, December 22, 2021, the large Christ Roi parish hall of Mangobo in Kisangani welcomed students from 3th, 4th, 5th and 6th classes of the humanities of St Ignatius College for a video-forum organized by the Director of the Maïsha Center as part of the Ignatian Jubilee Year.

The video recounted the life of St Ignatius of Loyola as is in the Pilgrim’s Story. It was surprising to realize that many students attending this college did not know the Patron Saint of their school, let alone the Jesuit Fathers. One could read on their smiling faces their wonder when the speaker revealed to them that the fathers of the parish of Christ-Roi are Jesuits and ‘sons’ of Saint Ignatius of Loyola.

“Seeing all new things in Christ” is the theme of this Ignatian Year, explained the Director. The representative of the students of the college expressed a wish that the students can take Christ as the only reference for their life. Inspired by Ignatius’s experience of God, he invited them to let themselves be transformed by God instead of letting themselves be lulled by the world which is constantly changing.

The second activity of the day concerned the protection of our “common home”. A conference on “climate change and environmental protection” led in turn by the Director of the Maisha Center and Mr. Felly Bombata, teacher of the college, was the opportunity to draw the students’ attention to the good. -based on the protection of our environment. Climatic problems are linked to human actions and behaviors with respect to nature. It is man who is at the center of many activities that promote climate change.

Creating awareness about the protection of the environment, community participation, discouraging gas emission activities, and encouraging reforestation all help to fight climate change. This is how the Maisha Center contributes to the invitation of the Holy Father regarding the “Laudato Si Platform for Action”.

It is not only the students of Saint Ignatius college who have benefited from Maisha’s activities -In Saint Gabriel, the young people of the KA group (Kizito-Anuarité) gave a good example to others by collecting the rubbish abandoned all around their parish. It is an example for others to follow as it is something they do regularly.

Our beneficiaries also benefited were trained on the manufacture of pineapple juice, ginger juice, cocoa wine, and pineapple wine.

In fact, for the first time in its history, Father Provincial has sent a candidate for internship at the Maisha Center. It is about Premices MUMBERE who completed his secondary studies in agro-industrial technique

The goal of this training is to help these people to become financially independent by carrying out small activities that can bring them a small income to fight against increased dependence, given their situation. 5 destitution and great precariousness amplified by the presence of the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the end of the training, the beneficiaries each received a package of food for New Year’s Eve 2022.

December 2021
ANGWAMBI KUKYA Toussaint / Maisha Centre