The Wau Meeting: 2025
By Fr. Silas Kemboi, SJ
It is never too late for an update! After visiting various apostolates across the country, the team gathered in Wau for a three-day meeting.
On the first day, each apostolate met to review its strategic plan, with the guidance and support of JDO and the Xavier Network team. I also had the opportunity to meet and interact with each apostolate. My focus was to learn about their ongoing safeguarding initiatives, the challenges they face, and their plans for the future. It was a truly enriching experience — I was inspired to see how our companions in South Sudan are, in many ways, ahead of most apostolates in the province in promoting safeguarding.
The second day centered on the theme of sustainability. The discussions were lively and engaging. Many of us were particularly impressed by JDO’s ongoing efforts to promote sustainability. They are leading by example. We remain hopeful that, in time, our apostolates in South Sudan will become fully self-sustaining.
On the final day, we examined the findings of a baseline survey conducted across our apostolates late last year. This survey followed an external needs assessment carried out in December 2023, which had identified gender inequality and violence as significant issues affecting participants. The survey findings were presented and discussed, and a committee was formed to explore how best to implement some of the recommendations.
Fr. Philo, SJ, also presented on the PCCP (Promotion of a Consistent Culture of Protection) program. As many know, our Loyola School was chosen as a pilot site for this initiative. According to him, the PCCP implementation was a success and could serve as a valuable model for other schools across the province.
We are deeply grateful to those who support our various works and all our companions and collaborators who continue to work tirelessly to make our apostolates and communities safer spaces for everyone.
