Students taking an exam at Mazzolari Teachers Training College run by the Jesuits Eastern Africa Province. Photo: AOR
On International Youth Day, August 12, Canadian Jesuits International (CJI) reaffirms its support for its international Jesuit partners who work with the youth, particularly from the poor and marginalized communities of Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
In this year’s commemoration, we highlight the work of the Jesuits Eastern Africa Province (AOR), a CJI partner i, whose project in South Sudan, Sowing Seeds of Transformation, aims to develop sustainable livelihoods for local communities by giving them access to quality education and other opportunities to enhance their capacity for peacebuilding and advocacy.
AOR, through the support of CJI and other members of the Xavier Network, runs a secondary school, a teacher training college, and an agricultural institute. It also conducts vocational training, justice and peace initiatives and pastoral programs.
South Sudan continues to face enormous political, social, and economic challenges following its birth as a new country in 2011. Decades of civil war displaced hundreds of thousands of people, young and old, and many continue to struggle with poverty, unemployment, lack of education and other basic needs.
CJI-supported programs have offered critical support to South Sudanese communities living on the margins of society, especially young people (18-35), who represent 70% of the population.
Learn more about AOR’s Sowing Seeds of Transformation project