Greetings and Happy New Year 2025!
As we step into this new year, we are reminded of God’s enduring love and guidance, which continue to light our path. The African Jesuit AIDS Network (AJAN) is deeply grateful for the incredible support of our network throughout 2024. Your generosity and prayers have been a testament to God’s message of compassion and solidarity.
In 2025, Pope Francis has announced a Jubilee Year for our Universal Church, marking the 2,025th anniversary of the Incarnation of our Lord. With the theme “Pilgrims of Hope,” this Jubilee calls us to reflect on our journey of faith and to renew our commitment to spreading hope and love in a world in need of healing.
Thus, the Jubilee Year 2025 presents a unique opportunity to inspire and engage the younger generations in the life of the Church. By empowering them as agents of change, hope, and renewal within their communities, we affirm their vital role in building a brighter and more compassionate future. AJAN has been at the forefront of this mission, walking alongside young people to nurture their potential and ignite their creativity through the Jesuit Youth Social Entrepreneurship Action Program (JYSEA).
Launched in 2024, the JYSEA program serves as a valuable extension of the AJAN HIV and AIDS Prevention Program for the Youth (AHAPPY). Through tailored Training of trainers (ToT) sessions, workshop and mentorship initiatives, AJAN has supported and equipped more than 1,200 youth and vulnerable people in 13 countries in Africa with the skills and tools needed to address challenges in their communities, fostering social innovation, society transformation and sustainability.
AJAN, present in 17 African countries, does much more, with a focus on combating HIV and AIDS, supporting integral development of young people, and caring for our planet. The network’s intervening areas include medical treatment, psychosocial support, community outreach empowerment programs, value-based education, and youth-led social entrepreneurship programs. These centers implement the AHAPPY program and youth led programs, equipping young people with knowledge and values to prevent HIV and promote responsible living. They provide holistic care, including medical treatment, psychosocial support, counseling, and community outreach.
From supporting initiatives that address unemployment to creating opportunities for young entrepreneurs to contribute in coming up with solutions to major challenges facing their communities, AJAN’s efforts have empowered young people and vulnerable people to live out their faith through meaningful action. These endeavors not only build stronger communities but also exemplify the spirit of the Jubilee theme, “Pilgrims of Hope.”
We invite you to journey with us once again as we strive to bring Christ’s healing presence to those we serve. With your support, we are filled with hope for new opportunities and boundless possibilities. Together, inspired by faith and the spirit of the Jubilee, we embrace this moment with gratitude, optimism, and renewed commitment to our mission.
May God bless us all as we embark on this year of grace and purpose, walking forward as true Pilgrims of Hope.
By, Dennis Owuoche,
AJAN Communications Officer.
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