On 29th October 2025, African Jesuit AIDS Network (AJAN) Secretariat in Nairobi was thrilled to welcome Mr. Chris Lowney, Board Director of Common Spirit Health and renowned author of Heroic Leadership and several other influential books and articles. This inspiring gathering reshaped the spirit of collaboration, bringing new horizons not only to the AJAN Secretariat but also to the entire network of Jesuit Centres across Africa.

Mr. Chris met with the AJAN Secretariat team led by Fr. Ismael Matambura, SJ, AJAN Director, together with Mr. Gerald Owino, Managing Director of The Grass Company, and Mr. John Fisher Odingo, AHAPPY Coordinator at St. Aloysius Gonzaga Secondary School, at Africama House in Nairobi, Kenya. Meanwhile, several AJAN Centre Directors joined virtually: Fr. Pascal Nduwimana, SJ, Executive Director of Service Yezu Mwiza (Burundi); Fr. Osarodion Solomon, SJ, Associate Priest at Holy Catholic Church (Liberia); Fr. Charles Kubanabantu, SJ, Director of Centre Maisha (DRC); and Ms. Ornela Emefa Pakou, Resource Manager of Centres Sociaux Loyola (Togo).

During the meeting, the Centre Directors shared inspiring highlights of their ongoing work in different countries. From Liberia, Fr. Solomon spoke passionately about their commitment to empowering young people with entrepreneurial skills and leadership formation to help them build a hopeful future. In Burundi, Fr. Pascal emphasized the innovative use of mobile clinics to reach remote communities with healthcare services, ensuring that “health for all” becomes a lived reality. Centres Sociaux Loyola in Togo, represented by Ms. Ornela, shared about their health testing centre, which promotes preventive healthcare and community wellness, especially among vulnerable populations. In Kenya, Mr. John Fisher highlighted the continuous accompaniment of young people at St. Aloysius Gonzaga Secondary School through the AHAPPY programme, which nurtures holistic development, self-awareness, and social responsibility among students.

After the presentations by the centre directors, the AJAN Director gave an overview of the network’s mission, highlighting key programs such as the AJAN HIV and AIDS Prevention Program for the Youth (AHAPPY) and the Jesuit Youth-Led Social Entrepreneurship Program (JYSEA), which are being implemented across 21 centres in 18 African countries. The ensuing discussion with Mr. Chris, which also drew insights from Mr. Gerald’s work, centered on empowering young people, AJAN’s dedication to accompanying them in their growth, fostering holistic development, and exploring ways to integrate the values and principles of Heroic Leadership within AJAN’s leadership framework.

The meeting concluded with meaningful agreements of collaboration between Mr. Chris and AJAN. To strengthen AJAN’s leadership approach and align it more closely with the Ignatian spirit, AJAN will receive permission and discounted access from the publishers to integrate and adapt Heroic Leadership theories into its training materials. Furthermore, to bolster AJAN’s entrepreneurship and capacity-building initiatives, Mr. Chris pledged to provide free, coordinated, and impactful fundraising consultancy and training. This support will help AJAN build stronger partnerships and open new pathways for funding in both health and social entrepreneurship.

Mr. Chris presenting signed copies of Heroic Leadership to Fr. Ismael Matambura, SJ, AJAN Director and Ms. Pascalia Sergon AJAN Capacity Building Officer, on behalf of the network.

Mr. Chris presenting signed copies of Heroic Leadership to Mr. Gerald Owino, CEO, The Grass Company and Mr. John Fisher Odingo, AHAPPY Coordinator, St. Aloysius Gonzaga Secondary School.

The session, rich in inspiration and mutual learning, culminated with Mr. Chris presenting signed copies of Heroic Leadership to Fr. Ismael Matambura, SJ, AJAN Director, and Ms. Pascalia Sergon, AJAN Capacity Building Officer, on behalf of the network. Copies were also presented to Mr. John Fisher Odingo for St. Aloysius Gonzaga Secondary School and Mr. Gerald Owino for The Grass Company.

This encounter not only strengthened bonds within the AJAN family but also ignited a renewed sense of shared mission—to lead with courage, compassion, and creativity in transforming lives across Africa.

By, AGI PETER ONAH, SJ.,

AJAN Liaison Officer.