Appointed by the Provincial of West Africa in accordance with the Regional Superior of Rwanda-Burundi Region, Fr. Desir\u00e9 Yamuremye is now the new Director of the Centre Culturel Loyola (CCL) and Centre Esp\u00e9rance Loyola (CEL), in Lome, Togo. A Jesuit from Burundi, Fr. Desir\u00e9 was ordained ten years ago and has served at several capacities. For those who know him very well, he is known as the Founder and first Director of Yezu Mwiza- a well-known Centre in Burundi, committed in the fight against HIV and AIDS in Burundi. Fr. Desir\u00e9\u2019s voice of reason has echoed in the ears of many in Burundi when he served as a Member of Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) as well as Speaker and Commissioner of Communication and Public Relations. Many Commissions in the Ministry of Health in Burundi are familiar with his efforts to write proposals submitted at the Global Fund to support AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis activities in Burundi. <\/p>\n
With a history of conflict and war in Burundi, not that would stop Fr. Desir\u00e9 to quench his thirst for knowledge! A first Master\u2019s Degree in Sociology was not enough! Certainly, not even his second Master of Arts Degree in Moral Theology which he was recently awarded in Roma. \u201c\u2026the knowledge I have gained especially on neuroethics has shed light on various issues of identities and reconciliation in Burundi\u201d said Fr. Desir\u00e9 on importance of his second Master\u2019s Degree. <\/p>\n
Interacting with young adults at the Centre Culturel Loyola (CCL) through sport and music, he says, is a great tool to communicate HIV prevention messages amongst the youth in Lome, Togo. \u201cIt is also a great platform to spread the message of peace and reconciliation especially because conflict, war and HIV are inseparable\u201d said Fr. Desir\u00e9. With his direction, he hopes to advocate for the dignity and right of People Living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) and orphans and access to health care for fullness of life. \u201c\u2026health care is not only about medical care but also psychological and moral care against stigma in the community especially in the Church\u201d said Fr. Desir\u00e9. <\/p>\n
As he takes up leadership role at Centre Culturel Loyola (CCL) and Centre Esp\u00e9rance Loyola (CEL), one thing that will not escape his mind is the need to work with young people and the need for Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV. \u201cWe have to focus our HIV prevention messages and strategies to young people as a key population when dealing with HIV and AIDS\u201d said Fr. Desir\u00e9. He strongly believes that doing so, would protect a future generation which is free from HIV. <\/p>\n
Fr. Desir\u00e9 foresees donor fatigue and the need to come up with innovative solutions and strategies to address HIV and AIDS as challenges that lies ahead. \u201cI come from Burundi. I also anticipate cultural challenges but I hope to take every step as opportunity\u201d said Fr. Desir\u00e9.<\/p>\n
During his tenure, Fr. Desir\u00e9 hopes to bring about the spirit of innovation and dynamism and hopes to connect Centre Culture Loyola (CCL) and Centre Esp\u00e9rance Loyola (CEL) as social apostolate of the Society of Jesus in Lome, Togo. \u201c\u2026My dream is to make these two centers a model of collaboration between Jesuits and lay people just like the kingdom of God, where Faith, Charity and Hope abide\u201d said Fr. Desir\u00e9.<\/p>\n
Taking every new day as a new call of Jesus Christ in His Church, His Word, and the Society of Jesus is what motivates Fr. Desir\u00e9 every day. He sees each new day as a new call to make the difference and try to achieve the content of Matthew 25 \u2018The Parable of the Ten Virgins.\u2019<\/p>\n
As we concluded the interview, Fr. Desir\u00e9 noted that perhaps, AJAN needed to rebrand to African Jesuit AIDS and Health Network (AJAHN) since Jesuits in Africa continue to play a greater role not only on HIV and AIDS but in the entire field on Health. He left us with Kirundi proverb to think about: \u201c\u2026amagara aruta amajana\u2026\u201d translated as \u201c\u2026Health is important than money.\u201d<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Appointed by the Provincial of West Africa in accordance with the Regional Superior of Rwanda-Burundi Region, Fr. Desir\u00e9 Yamuremye is now the new Director of the Centre Culturel Loyola (CCL) and Centre Esp\u00e9rance Loyola (CEL), in Lome, Togo. A Jesuit from Burundi, Fr. Desir\u00e9 was ordained ten years ago and<\/p>\n