JRS Adjumani, Uganda

Dear friends, greetings from Pastoral Department of JRS Adjumani, Uganda. The Pastoral Department has been extending warm pastoral care to our refugee brothers and sisters in the 6 chapels under JRS pastoral care. Regular Sunday masses, youth accompaniments and animation and different trainings are all avenues of serving and accompanying the catholic Christian communities here. In the recent weeks there has been an influx of many refugees especially youths and young adults from South Sudan. Pastoral department of JRS provides pastoral care to refugee in three refugee settlements. Assisted by 18 catechists and some women church leaders, many children are also being accompanied and introduced to the catholic faith. However, these refugee Settlements in Adjumani faces significant challenges in youth leadership development due to limited access to education, lack of economic opportunities, and social instability. Many young people lack essential skills such as critical thinking, effective communication, and problem-solving, which are crucial for positive community engagement and personal growth. This gap in leadership skills hampers their ability to contribute meaningfully to their community and affects their future prospects given that the youth are a strong driving force of emulation. The pastoral department has conducted a two-day (10^th and 11^th of September 2024) leadership training for the youth leaders. This training has empowered the youth to be pastoral agents, to become proactive leaders, drive positive change, and create a more resilient and prosperous community. It was also blended with ignatian spiritual insights of examen and discernment. The Training was conducted by Fr. Victor Awity, SJ and Sr. Rebecca Abiyo MSMMC. I take this opportunity to welcome you to Adjumani.

God Bless you all.