This was a training that took place at the Institut de Théologie de la Compagnie de Jésus (ITCJ) Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The training began on August 11 and concluded on August 15, 2025. It focused on sharing the work that AJAN carries out as a Jesuit apostolate of the Jesuit Conference of Africa and Madagascar. AJAN engages in many apostolic activities, especially those that touch the social fabric of African society, including: training and accompanying young people to create and implement projects/ provide employment for the unemployed; adopting a holistic approach in health interventions, particularly regarding HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections; conducting research and publications; and strengthening institutional capacity.

For me, the training was very fruitful because it opened new horizons regarding the serious concerns of my personal life as well as those of others, beginning with my Jesuit companions and extending to society at large. I was moved by the call to take serious care of our bodies as given to us by God, the Supreme Creator. This call is something we must transmit to others, especially the young people we encounter in our different contexts. Knowing that I am a beloved creature of God gives me another strength to love and honor my body as a holy temple. My body is not only cherished by me but also by the Lord, my Creator, and by other creatures. This is a special invitation to take care of my body and that of others. It is also a call to pass on this message to others.

The notion of awakening ourselves—whether intellectually, spiritually, or physically—directed my attention to the special care I must give to developing the human person in all its dimensions. This will help me to fully accompany young people in their integral development and support them to flourish in different areas of life alongside their biological growth.

The training session on drug use in the context of HIV and AIDS and its effects in our society sparked in me a new conviction: not to remain indifferent to the problems facing young people in society today. This means speaking openly with our young people about the concerns and challenges they may encounter. Doing so will help them find adequate and appropriate solutions to life’s challenges. Moreover, the consequences of these problems, especially for those directly affected, should also concern us because we all share the meaning of life, and it is our duty to care for our neighbors as beloved creatures of God. In this way, we must love one another.

The training also helped me deepen my understanding of values and principles. Values are generally associated with the different laws of society, and since laws can change from day to day, values can also evolve. However, principles are more personal, so each person can have their own principles that serve as a foundation to guide their life, and these are difficult to change. These notions of values and principles guide us in better accompanying our young people in the process of personal discernment so that they may become key agents of change in our society.

In summary, the training was very beneficial for me, and I gained much that is useful both for my own life and for the lives of others. If possible, I recommend that AJAN, beyond Jesuit formation houses and Jesuit works, extend this training to other institutions—whether religious, secular, or even governmental—so that together we may share a common vision of accompanying our young people to better shape their future.

By, Kayiranga Prudence, SJ

Jesuit Trainee, ITCJ