Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Nairobi (Agenzia Fides) - The African Jesuit network against AIDS (AJAN) has just celebrated its ten years of life. In fact the network was set up by the Conference of Major Superiors of Africa and Madagascar (JESAM) in 2002 to coordinate and expand the response of the Society of Jesus to the pandemic situation that hit the continent. According to information sent to Fides Agency by the General Curia of the Jesuits, based on what has been achieved to plan for the future, in past months AJAN organized two seminars. In the first it launched a special program for HIV prevention in the context of the integral development of young people. The second took into account the programs in the broader context of social injustice that causes AIDS, and focused on a response that emphasizes the autonomy and dignity of people.
"For AJAN this anniversary is a time to thank and evaluate what has been done. It is clear that the network has reached a number of important objectives, many due to the untiring enthusiasm and courage of the two coordinators, Fathers Michael Czerny and Paterne Mombé, and their collaborators. I cannot stress enough how much we were helped by the generosity of foreign donors and Jesuit confreres. We have much to be thankful for," said Fr Michael Lewis, S.J., president of JESAM, but added: "The next decade poses new and difficult challenges. The common perception now is that HIV/AIDS is a chronic controllable condition and easily curable with modern antiretroviral drugs. If this is true in developed Countries, this does not happen in Africa and Madagascar where the Jesuits and their collaborators help poor people who often do not have access to proper care." (SL) (Agenzia Fides 26/09/2012)
