JRS Adjumani

Dear Friends, today we are gathered here in Pagiriniya settlement is not to celebrate thirty years of the refugees of our South Sudanese friends but to thank God for all the JRS had during these thirty years to accompany, serve and advocate the voice of our refugee friends through various persons, events, donors and stakeholders but more specifically from you.

We recall our journey with gratitude.

In 1991, Fr. Mike Evans SJ as the First Regional Director of JRS for East Africa was initiated by then Jesuit Superior General to begin JRS service in Northern Uganda as there was a large influx of refugees.

With this great desire to work in northern Uganda, Fr. Mike Evans met then our Bishop of Arua, Frederick Drandua – His Lordship blessed JRS to initiatives in Pastoral and Educational fields.

In 1992, Fr. Richard Gross SJ was the first Jesuit to explore the possibilities of JRS works in Adjumani and he was joined by an energetic group of Jesuits and religious sisters – We remember Fr. Richard Gross Cherry, Virginia Hasson our pioneers.

In 1993, Fr. Celso Romanian an Australian Jesuit Father became the First Field Director of JRS in Adjumani and he was blessed with Srs. Maureen Lohrey, Dorothy Shevlin to work with. We remember Fr. Kifle Wansamo who was a Jesuit Regent at that time who joined the first batch.

We began in pastoral care and education with Jesuits, Sisters and so many lay persons.

With gratitude we remember, Dutch Donor Agency Cebemo for its great support for Education and Development. Also, Caritas Netherlands for emergency provision.

Within a short span of time JRS Adjumani became the model for projects then to set up in Rhino Camp, West Nile and Kiriyandongo, North of Kampala.

We remember late Bishop Paride Taban who triggered JRS to take up on Secondary Education. Bishop Taban even offered his Education Coordinator Mike Floey for support. That made way for building Alere Secondary School and library by JRS. With deep sense of gratitude, we remember Br. Wilmot who was the builder who even carried stones to build.

Fr. Edward Howard with Sisters oversaw pastoral care – visiting refugee friends at home and supporting them in their needs.

During these years, JRS empowered the refuge community with a preferential option for girls’ education, Teacher Training Programs and Peace Education to understand conflict, to reflect on how it affects people in war and post-war situations.

JRS Kampala had its birth in 1998 with an urban project.

On 14^th of December 2008, our journey concluded in Adjumani as our refugee friends returned home. Fr. Frido Pflueger then Regional Director of East African JRS in his final Eucharistic Celebration with our returning home refugee friends, encouraged them to keep alive in their communities what JRS has passed on to them and re-build a country where people can live in dignity, freedom, and peace. Fr. Frido did not forget to thank the host community, “You, people of Uganda have given one of the best examples of how refugees can be received, as there are many countries which are resentful towards them”.

JRS accompanied all our refugee brothers and sisters till they reached home. JRS never wished that they will return again.

Here we shall pause for a while to give thanks to God and all who supported JRS in these crucial years.

For those who passed on, May Eternal Rest be upon them

With deep joy I remember, there are with us who still journey with JRS from those days, Kakayo Dominica, Mary Asiyenzo, Eruwaga Paskazio, Buga Charles and Victor Adibako.

Then the Second Phase of JRS began in 2017.

JRS Kampala and Adjumani are a grown trees and continue to accompany, serve, and advocate for you with our Educational, Mental Health Services, Livelihood and Pastoral works.

Dear friends, JRS prayer is that God will not give us the grace to celebrate 31^st year in Adjumani as we hope and pray that you will go HOME.

If you stay back, JRS will commit to be with you to accompany.