Testimonies

In this experience I learned that it is essential to listen to the messages of wisdom of the peoples, of the spirituality of the earth, of women as tender resistance in order to continue fighting to proclaim the harmony of good living, feeling the life that brings us closer and protects us.

I am not a specialist on climate matters or, for a matter of fact, on any matter particularly. So how on earth did I become the Ecology Advocacy Officer at the Jesuit European Social Centre (JESC)?

Ignatius Ismartono SJ is the Director of Sahabat Insan (Friend in Humanity), an apostolate for Indonesian migrant workers and victims of human trafficking.

I am more than grateful for these extraordinary years, and to the whole JRS family for the love that makes what we do possible.

We are Naty and LuisFer and we invite you to the Caravan for Hospitality for a journey in Latin America. We write you these words from the city of Cúcuta in the border region between Venezuela and Colombia. This border is a meeting place among peoples who share history, wealth, diversity, and conflicts—millions connect here in many different ways.

Despite these challenges, we are confident as our community leaders closely guide us amid such difficulties. Eventually, we continue praying to the Almighty there will be peace in our lands. We at APC continue to serve the communities of Upper Pulangi as we dream that the Pulangiyēn children can find hope in their studies.

For many years I have ministered to the landless poor in India, the Dalits and tribals whose lands have been taken from them in a country where 10% of its population control 80% of the wealth. A grassroots social movement have been working tirelessly to restore the dignity and the land that was stolen from the poor.

At the beginning of this experience, I must confess that it was not easy to see among those lined up the human beings with stories to tell, with dreams and aspirations, with the desire to start living a 'normal' life again, and with friends and relatives left behind who knows where in the world.

I am Bèterbèteon Charles SOMDA, a Jesuit from Burkina Faso. I am currently on a mission in the Central African Republic. I am involved in several educational and social activities with the youth and students of the city of Bangui.

Luis is from a rural town in Guatemala. He didn’t start school until he was 11 years old and at the time cleaned boots to pay for school fees. Later (at age 13), he started harvesting coffee. Once he was 16, a Christian nonprofit started to help him with the school fees and helped him graduate.