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This Saturday, November 20, 2021, as part of the Ignatian Year, the Association of Jesuit Fathers of Burundi organized an open day under the theme “From the conversion of Saint Ignatius of Loyola to ours: 1521- 2021”.

The activities of this day were divided into three parts: firstly, a conference on the life of Saint Ignatius of Loyola; secondly, a visit to the stands of all the Jesuit works in Burundi, notably Service Yezu Mwiza (SYM), the JRS (Jesuit Refugee Service), the Jesuit communities (Saint-Esprit and Kiriri), the chapels, the schools (Lycée du Saint-Esprit and ECOFO Saint-Louis de Gonzague), and the Spiritual Emmaus Centre of Kiriri; and thirdly, was a session of collective games such as football and basketball.

Photo of participants during the conferenceDuring the conference, Father Charles NIYIGENA, SJ gave a presentation to the audience on the life of St. Ignatius of Loyola; a large part of this presentation focused on the journey of conversion of Ignatius. The speaker invited everyone to make use of what he/she may have retained in the conversion of St. Ignatius that can lead him/her to a transformation to follow Christ.

After this presentation, it was time to visit the stands to know the different works of the Society of Jesus in Burundi. At the stand of Service Yezu Mwiza, one of the works of the Association of Jesuit Fathers of Burundi, the visitors were amazed to see the activities that SYM is implementing in the promotion of global health within the communities, especially after hearing the testimonies of SYM’s beneficiaries who were on site. They recounted how they were saved by the actions of Service Yezu Mwiza.
We can mention for example this mother on PMTCT, proud to have given birth 5 hiv-free children; but also, another beneficiary who, as he testified so well: “ I am one of the first beneficiaries of SYM; when I came, my health was impaired, and Service Yezu Mwiza provided me with regular medical and psychosocial follow-up from that time until today. More than 12 years have passed and I am well thanks to the care I have received from this centre”.

The Executive Director of Service Yezu Mwiza, Father Védaste NKESHIMANA, SJ explained to those who visited SYM’s stand that this work mainly assists the poorest people in the most remote localities, these people unable to seek treatment by providing them with comprehensive care. It also indicates that in order to increase the package of services offered to the population, SYM intends to open from the beginning of December, other services namely pre-natal consultation and vaccination.

SYM’s Executive Director explaining to visitors at the Stand, one of the beneficiaries giving his testimonyThe public enjoyed this open day rich in images, which allowed the public to know more about the Jesuit achievements in Burundi as indicated by one of the people who visited the SYM stand. “ I used to hear Service Yezu Mwiza by name, but today I got sufficient information and happy to hear that this work provides assistance to the vulnerable and also ensures a global support in the communities”.
The day ended with a series of games including football and basketball.