In September 2025, the African Jesuit AIDS Network (AJAN) was honored to welcome Canadian Jesuits International (CJI) Executive Director, Jenny Cafiso, and International Programs Coordinator, Juan Emilio Hernandez, during their visit with Jesuit partners across Africa. Their time with us reflected not only the bonds of Jesuit collaboration but also the shared commitment to building hope and resilience among vulnerable communities.

On 27 September 2025, Jenny and Juan Emilio met with Fr. José Minaku SJ., JCAM President and the AJAN Secretariat team led by Fr. Ismael Matambura SJ., AJAN Director at AFRICAMA House in Nairobi, Kenya. The discussions centered on the transformative impact of the Building Resilience in Women and Girls in Africa (BRWGA) project, a joint initiative that has empowered hundreds of women and girls across the African continent.

(Photo on the Left) Fr. Ismael Matambura SJ., AJAN Director together with Juan Emilio Hernandez at AFRICAMA House (Photo on the Right) is the Fr. Ismael Matambura SJ., AJAN Director, Ms. Pascalia Sergon, AJAN Capacity Building Officer having lunch with Canadian Jesuits International (CJI) Executive Director, Jenny Cafiso, and International Programs Coordinator, Juan Emilio Hernandez.

The project, generously supported by CJI, has been implemented in eight AJAN Centres spanning four countries—Burkina Faso, Togo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Zimbabwe. Its holistic approach has combined seed grants, technical skills training, and the provision of essential materials for income generation with the renovation and equipping of centres to improve their ability to serve beneficiaries more effectively.

From its first phase, the project has already borne remarkable fruit:

• 308 women and girls (and one street boy) were directly reached.
• 100% of those in need of skills training received instruction in entrepreneurship, garment making, cookery, literacy, financial literacy, and soft skills.
• 169 women and girls were supported with seed funding in cash or materials to launch income-generating activities—over 54% of the total beneficiaries.
• Nearly 99% of those funded have started small businesses, a testament to their determination and the effectiveness of the support received.

Sustainability remains a cornerstone of this initiative. Several centres have facilitated the formation of self-help groups where women pool weekly savings from their businesses to strengthen their financial resilience. For instance, the self-help group at CVX Kingabwa in the DRC has impressively saved 735.7 USD within just six months of their first funding tranche—a clear sign of long-term impact.

The momentum of this mission was further felt on 30 September 2025, when St. Joseph Development Programmes (SJDP), Kangemi, kenya, was honored to receive the CJI delegation led by Jenny. The visitors toured various programmes; Upendo and Uzima, interacted with beneficiaries, and witnessed firsthand the dignity and hope restored through AJAN’s grassroots work. For both staff and beneficiaries, their presence was a source of encouragement, solidarity, and renewed energy.

At AJAN, we are profoundly grateful to Canadian Jesuits International for their unwavering support and to our local partners for their dedication on the ground. Together, we continue to nurture a more caring and compassionate African generation, committed to building resilience, justice, and the safeguarding of life across our networks in Africa.

By, Mr. Dennis Owuoche,

AJAN Communications Officer.