Inauguration and blessing of the Jesuit Community residence in Bonga, Ethiopia
By Andrea Uduma, SJ
About The House
Commencing construction in August 2023, the completion of the residence took place in July 2024. The structure boasts a robust foundation capable of supporting multiple floors. All rooms are equipped with ample windows for proper ventilation, with the living room and office featuring window-door fittings.
The residence comprises the following:
Ground floor: Living and dining area, kitchen and pantry, changing room with shower facilities for workers, laundry room, community office, visitors’ lounge, community chapel and sacristy, public restroom, three self-contained rooms, and an under-stair storage area.
First floor: Four self-contained bedrooms with balconies, three additional self-contained bedrooms, a community storage space, a communal TV room.
Challenges faced
Road conditions delayed the completion of the Jesuit Community residence by nearly three months, with a two-kilometer stretch posing difficulties for material transportation despite government assurances.
Language barrier: Communication challenges arose due to language differences, with Kaffinya being preferred over Amharic in Bonga. The Jesuits faced difficulties as English was their primary language, impacting interactions with the local community and government.
Rainfall impact: Inclement weather disrupted construction activities, leading to delays in the completion of the Jesuit community residence.
Compaction issues: Compaction during construction proved challenging due to excessive rainfall saturating the soil, hindering proper compaction.
Site accessibility: Limited transportation options necessitated Jesuits to walk approximately 4.5 kilometers to access the construction site, navigating through challenging terrain.
The Inauguration Ceremony
The residence was inaugurated by Bishop Rodrigo, SJ, on July 23rd 2024, in the presence of Bishop Markos, CM, the Vicar Apostolic Bishop of Jimma-Bonga. Fr. Provincial and representatives from the development office also attended the ceremony. Government officials, religious figures, and priests were among the attendees. Many people from the local community joined and the weather was good, without rain as it is a rainy season in Bonga. All prayed that God may hold the rain till the function was over. God seems to have paid heed to the prayers. The ceremony started at about 11 AM with an opening prayer, cutting of the ribbon, and the blessing of the house by Bishop Rodrigo. It was also an ample opportunity for the guests to take a look at the rooms in the building. A few of them took the opportunity to test the functionality of the toilets. Brief speeches were given by various stakeholders, including local government representatives and the architect. Fr. Provincial in his speech applauded the Jesuits in Bonga for a work well-done. However, he encouraged them to stand firm as they proceed to the next phase— that’s the construction of the school. He emphasized that the school is supposed to be open to the poor and that they are the rightful owners of the school. It should empower the local community.
After the blessing, Bishop Rodrigo led in hanging the portrait of Pope Francis on the wall, Bishop Markos hung a portrait of himself, Fr. Kizito hung a portrait of Fr. General Aturo Sosa, and Frs. Mardai and Endashaw hanged that of St. Ignatius of Loyola.
The next event was sharing the meals in a typical Ethiopian way–with strong tots of natural Ethiopian coffee served along with the food, after which people departed the venue—marking the end of the ceremony.
