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On June 28-29, 2021, Service Yezu Mwiza was honored to welcome Father Ismaël Matambura, S.J, Director of African Jesuit HIV/AIDS Network (AJAN). This visit allowed the Executive Director of SYM, Fr. Védaste NKESHIMANA, S.J to make a guided visit to Father Ismaël in different services and to take part in some activities that are done there.

Together with the Projects and Programs Coordinator, Christy ININAHAZWE, SJ, the AJAN Director also had the opportunity to visit the field in Kamesa, where beneficiaries had come to obtain their ARV drugs from the PODI. At the same time, a medical team from SYM was present for other services such as viral load testing.

Fr. Ismael, S.J., addressed a message to the beneficiaries explaining that he is proud of the work done by Service Yezu Mwiza for the vulnerable. Thus, he asked them to allow SYM to accompany them, because without them there would be no reason to exist, and asked them to follow the treatment as prescribed by physician, and then one day arrive at a generation without HIV.
Beneficiaries thanked the AJAN director for the visit, they say, “we feel encouraged when we see that we are not alone in our fight against the disease”

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Visit of AJAN Director to SYM Fr. Ismaël, S.J also met one of the groups among these beneficiaries who integrated the Income Generating Activities of SYM through NUREM project. The members of that group explained to him that they started with the petty avocado business and the profits received enabled them to start pig farming as well. Again, they constantly thank Service Yezu Mwiza which spares no effort for their well-being. After this visit, Fr. Ismael, S.J., wished to express himself on the reasons for his visit and what he kept from it:
“As a new director, my first goal is to know all the members of AJAN network that I lead. I knew Service Yezu Mwiza on paper, but through my visit I was able to get in touch with the people who work there. The second thing is that I met my collaborators, but also shared the experience of what is done in the field because by sharing the experience, we inspire each other. SYM has just inspired me to do my job well, which is to accompany all the members of the network.
In this Ignatian Year, all Jesuits around the world are mobilized around one theme "Seeing all things new in Christ"; currently, with SYM we want to implement a new program for youth, which we have called "AHAPPY" AJAN HIV&AIDS Prevention Programme for Youth.
This program focuses on integral development; equipping young Africans with the knowledge, skills and values to develop their potential and be healthy and happy people, able to resist HIV.”

“After seeing for myself the work of Yezu Mwiza Service in field, my pride as a Jesuit, director of the network, is to see that Service Yezu Mwiza, which is a member of AJAN, is giving joy to those who have lost hope of living in Burundian community,” he concluded.

AJAN Director meets with SYM beneficiaries in the fieldAJAN facilitates and coordinates Jesuit efforts in the fight against HIV and AIDS in Africa through networking, communication, capacity building, advocacy, resource mobilization and fundraising.