As we enter the Season of Creation on 1 September — a time in the Catholic Church dedicated to prayer, reflection, and action for our common home — we pause to give thanks to you, our faithful supporters.

Your generosity makes it possible to accompany communities in Cambodia, where ecology and education come together to form a legacy of hope.

Rooted in Ignatian spirituality, the Season of Creation calls us to recognise God’s presence in all of creation. St Ignatius urged us to find God in all things — the trees, the rivers, the soil beneath our feet. Late Pope Francis reminded us in Laudato Si’ that care for creation is an essential expression of our faith.

At Jesuit Mission, we live this call through programs that protect the environment, reduce inequality, and nurture the next generation of leaders.

Mr Sombo reflects

One such example is the story of Mr Sombo, 58 years old and Principal of a High School in Kampot Province, Cambodia. For three decades, he has guided generations of students, and for just as long, he has tended to the school’s gardens, planting trees and flowers that create a peaceful, life-giving environment.

Partnering with Jesuit Mission, since 2022, Jesuit Service Cambodia’s Ecology Program has worked Mr Sombo and his school to foster care for creation.

Together they have planted over 500 trees, introduced a clean water filtration system to reduce plastic waste, and encouraged students to grow vegetables and reconnect with the land.

“The trees we plant today will provide lasting memories and a peaceful environment for future generations.”

Mr Sombo

Students have also joined mangrove planting and coastal clean-up activities, learning how their actions protect biodiversity and sustain their communities.

Reflecting on these years of progress, Mr Sombo said, “I have two years left before my retirement, and I want to continue dedicating my time and energy to the school and its students.”

He shared his hope for the future, saying, “The trees we plant today will provide lasting memories and a peaceful environment for future generations — a place where students can sit under the shade, feel the cool breeze, and remember the legacy of a leader who believed in education through ecology.”

This Season of Creation, we give thanks for leaders like Mr. Sombo, for the students who nurture the Earth with their hands, and for you — our supporters — who make this mission possible.

Together, we are planting seeds of hope that will continue to grow for generations to come.