Programs Archive – Page 4 of 4 – Jesuit Mission

Loving Care

The Jesuit-run Loving Care Program provides holistic care to adults and children living with HIV or AIDS in China.

In February 2013, China announced that 98.99% of the rural population (10 of the total) live below China’s national poverty line of RMB$6.3 a day (AU$1.27) (The Economist, Feb 2013). This is below the international poverty line. Although only 43% of China’s population live in rural areas, this equates to over 500 million people.

Over 30 years ago, Spanish-born Jesuit, Fr Luis Ruiz SJ, first encountered persons affected by leprosy (PALs) in Taikam island, Guangdong province in China. This first encounter was the beginning of Ricci Social Services, a social services network created by Fr Ruiz to bring relief, dignity and social justice to the poor and marginalised people in Mainland China and Macau.

Since then, Ricci Social Services has reached many of the most remote places in China to provide fellowship, care and love to some of China’s most vulnerable people living with Leprosy in isolated locations, and others living with HIV or AIDS.

With support from our supporters in Australia we have partnered with Ricci Social Services for over 13 years. In 2018, Jesuit Mission is supporting the Loving Care program in Hunan Province.

People living with HIV and AIDS in Hunan Province are provided with palliative hospice or home care through the Loving Care program. There is no other centre like this in the Province.

This program is run in coordination with the local government Centre of Disease Control and in partnership with the Providence Sisters. The sisters are the primary caregivers.

Donate

Program details

The goal of this program is to work together with the local government, the local Church and other NGOs to heal people who have faced discrimination, harm, neglect and abandonment because they may have HIV or AIDS.

The program helps people living with HIV and AIDS, their families, and broader society to be aware of their dignity and value, and supports them individually and as a community to rebuild their relationships.

“Year after year, you have helped us to continue this journey to the frontiers and to the margins of humanity, being with and serving those in need, learning from them, forming community with them. Nothing of this can be done without your friendship and support.”
Fr Fernando Azpiroz SJ, Director Ricci Social Services

The centre offers a community environment where patients can receive hospice care, or short- or mid-term care to help them recover their health and live in dignity. Children living with HIV and AIDS in rural China face significant discrimination and stigma in their home villages and are often not welcome in their local school.

The centre provides a safe family environment that will help rebuild patients’ integral health, access to education, and restores their relationship with society. Once children’s health has improved, the program provides follow-up outreach care and support to ensure children remain healthy and are partaking in school.

Mr Yin’s story

Mr Yin was admitted to the Loving Care Centre, in a comatose status with high fever for more than 40 days. He was a drug addict.

He says the most profound finding for him in Ricci Social Services Centre was that “there is still Love in this World”.

“There is still Love in this World.”
Mr Yin

Mr Yin had already given up and refused to take any antiviral drug when he first arrived. He was only willing to start his treatment again after the staff at the Centre consoled him for hours.

Mr Yin says he used to be the most malicious guy among all those who lived at the centre, especially amongst drug addicts. But now, he knows he is loved with all the care and compassion from the sisters every day.

For Mr Yin, the Loving Care Centre is his home now. The sense of belonging and the responsibility in this family gradually drove him to change his way of living.

Mr Yin feels he is beloved like a child in the family. This love makes him feel safe, helps him grow and lets him transcend… He gives thanks to all those friends who help him, even though they don’t know him. These benefactors with love are the most precious angels in his life.”
Sr. Jacqueline Guo, RSS staff

He is now more than 50 years old. Last year he managed to stop taking methadone (the heroine substitute). He finds it is always a great blessing everyday he can wake up in the morning. Mr Yin, and the staff say if it was not for the centre, he would have died long ago.

At the centre, he met his wife. She is also an HIV patient. Her patience and acceptance changed him a lot. He liked to tease that if they were married from the very beginning; they might have lived as a normal and happy family. Therefore, he cherished very much this “half-way” serendipity.

This couple do not care how long they could live together, but the quality of their sharing on this journey. They know very well they have each other. Both of them are now working at the centre workshop producing handmade soaps. They also play key roles in taking care of the children and other patients at the centre.

Your generous support will help people who have been marginalised from their communities regain a sense of belonging and hope for the future.

April 13, 2018
Teaching Education

Instituto de São João de Brito (ISJB), a Jesuit-founded and run teacher-training institution, educates over 400 students each year. Graduates will become educational leaders who will spearhead the formation of future generations of Timorese.

As Asia’s youngest country, Timor-Leste remains one of the most disadvantaged countries in the region. After a long history of subjugation by the Portuguese and Indonesians, Timor-Leste’s fight for independence came at great cost for the people.

Timor-Leste gained independence in 2002, however, was left without a government, official language, currency or legal system, and few formally qualified personnel. The nation lost 20% of its primary school teachers and 80% of its secondary teachers. In addition, 90% of schools were destroyed.

Timor-Leste currently faces significant challenges, including high youth unemployment and 50% of the population living in extreme poverty. Moreover, there is a shortage of qualified secondary-level teachers across the country.

Third year student Jesuina (second left) with her peers.

The Jesuits in Timor are actively assisting the Timorese Government in reforming the secondary education system. Through the generous support of our Jesuit Mission family, including Australian Jesuit and Companion schools, the Jesuits in Timor-Leste have created and brought to life two major education institutions: an Institute for Secondary Teacher Education, Instituto de São João de Brito; and a secondary school Colégio de Santo Inácio de Loiola (Loyola College).

The two academic institutes are located directly adjacent to each other making practical teaching and observation sessions easy for students to partake in.

In 2016, the teacher education institute (ISJB) accepted its first intake of trainee teachers. Students across three years, are completing Diploma or Degree programs with a major in teaching English, Portuguese or Religious Education.

In 2019, the Mathematics department was introduced into the academic program. Furthermore, the school is also considering expanding its faculty, with plans to introduce Psychology and Sociology of Education into the curriculum in the upcoming year.

The students come from all parts of Timor-Leste, which is critical to the success and long-term impact of the program. When the well-qualified teachers return home, they will lift the quality of education locally, and in-turn nationally.

Donate

Program details

Since the official ground-breaking ceremony in February 2017, construction of the new Institute progressed swiftly and the 2018 academic year for all students commenced in the new permanent home. The campus has 12 classrooms; a custom-built library filled with Portuguese language books, as well as many Tetum and English books. There is also a computer and technology lab, with a customised audio lab for language practice, listening and recording facilities, and translation training.

Enabled by the generosity of our supporters, we are proud that Jesuit Mission is one of the key partners of this paramount project.

The Jesuits in Timor have collaborated with the Ministry of Education, other Catholic schools and the education sector more broadly to ensure the curriculum and education programs meets the needs of the country. The Institute will form secondary school teachers who are competent, who can think deeply and critically, and who have a deep-seated understanding of the social, political and cultural contexts that shape schools in Timor-Leste.

Through exposure to current teaching in theology, moral theology, personal development and Ignatian Pedagogy, all graduates will be armed with the confidence and skills to accompany young Timorese on their own education and leadership journeys.

Inspiring students to become men and women for others strongly underpins all facets of the teaching program. Student fees are approximately US$400 per year, but this does not cover the actual costs of the program, so all students are on some type of scholarship.

Jesuina’s Story

As a CSIL graduate, Jesuina is part of the alumni program and is embracing the education she is receiving at ISJB. Here she receives a subsidiary for her studies.

This has been transformational for her and her family as she has been able to ease the financial burden from her mother, who has been raising the family on her own since Jesuina’s father passed away.

“I hope I can be a good teacher and a quality teacher that can make change for my country.”
Jesuina

Studying English and English teaching at ISJB, Jesuina sees that the international language can help facilitate opportunity and growth for future generations of Timor-Leste, especially for those people living in the rural areas.

“For my practical experience I chose a public school in my hometown. I want to teach and empower marginalised communities there,” Jesuina says.

Thanks to your support, young Timorese like Jesuina are the embodiment of hope and change in their home country.

From being formed in the Jesuit ethos at ISJB to be ‘men and women for others,’ the students participate in regular community outreach and are choosing to support their communities in need.

April 7, 2018
Leading Education
After opening its doors in 2013, Colégio de Santo Inácio de Loiola (Loyola College) is now home to over 830 students.

As Asia’s youngest country, Timor-Leste remains one of the most disadvantaged countries in the region. After a long history of subjugation by the Portuguese and Indonesians, Timor-Leste’s fight for independence came at great cost for the people.

Timor-Leste gained independence in 2002, however, was left without a government, official language, currency or legal system, and few formally qualified personnel. The nation lost 20% of its primary school teachers and 80% of its secondary teachers. In addition, 90% of schools were destroyed.

With a long tradition of educating men and women for others, the Jesuits knew they could accompany the Timorese to rebuild their future by arming their people with high quality education institutes.

Through the generosity, companionship and solidarity of our supporters, including thousands of students, teachers, parents and friends across the Australian Jesuit and Companion school and parish network, the Jesuits have been able to bring this ambitious education project to life.

Located 45 minutes’ drive from Dili, the secondary school Colégio de Santo Inácio de Loiola (Loyola College), and a teacher’s training institute, Instituto de São João de Brito, are the two backbone institutions of the Jesuit Education Project.

Students at Loyola College forming a giant ‘Obrigado’ (meaning ‘Thank You’ in Portuguese).

As one of our nearest neighbours, Timor-Leste is a priority country for Jesuit Mission and we are proud to support this pivotal project which is forming young people to become men and women for others and contribute to the development of their young nation.

After opening its doors in 2013, the secondary school is now home to over 830 students across Years 7 to 12. As a Jesuit institution, the Ignatian pedagogy forms a central part of CSIL curriculum methodology and instruction. There is a strong commitment to forming young people in service of others and to live with conscience, compassion, competence and commitment.

Formation of the whole person is prioritised with extra-curricular activities including music, sport, performance, dance, the arts, retreats, counselling and other support integral to the whole school curriculum.

Students continue to thrive:
- In 2022, CSIL had a 100% graduation rate for its Year 12 students, with 158 students graduating. Of these, 83 were admitted to National University of Timor Lorosa’e (UNTL) and Instituto Polytechnic of Betano.
- In May 2023, CSIL was awarded the Medal of Merit of the Order of Timor-Leste, by the President of the Republic of Timor-Leste, Dr. José Ramos-Horta, at the Noble Palace in Lahane, Dili.
- Around 60% of the students are female.
- Outstanding performance in academic and sports competitions at local and national levels
- Teachers champion the gifts and formation of all students.
Donate

Program details

The College has six blocks of five classrooms, a recently extended multi-purpose hall, big enough to hold the whole student cohort and their families, a new administration building block, a library, a cafeteria and staff faculty rooms. Enabled by our Australian family, we are thrilled that Jesuit Mission has been one of the key partners of this vital project.

It is inspiring to see the College activities move so far beyond concrete, roofing and paint, to provide the home, facilities and skilled educators needed to nourish the deepest desires of Timorese youth and future leaders.

Since the first students commenced Year 7 in 2013, a key priority of the College has been to include students from the surrounding neighbourhoods which is home to many families living in poverty.

Every year local students in Year 6 at the local government school are encouraged to join a tuition program to increase their knowledge and skills and strengthen their chances of passing the entrance exams. They are then provided with extra support throughout their schooling at the College.

All students at the College receive subsidised tuition fees, a type of scholarship, as the Jesuits aim to keep the fees low so all students with determination and zeal are able to join the school.

Thanks to your generosity CSIL alumni are also able to apply for a Scholarship Program that supports students pursuing higher education goals in Timor-Leste.

Esco’s Story

17-year-old Esco is thriving at CSIL. Now in her second last year at the school, CSIL has become a sanctuary of learning and self-discovery.

“I don’t have a favourite subject because I genuinely like them all.”
Esco

“After school, I would love to become a tour guide in Timor-Leste,” Esco says. “I’m drawn to the idea of traveling and showing the world the beauty of our homeland.”

What made CSIL unique to Esco were its principles and focus on character development and spirituality. “This school doesn’t just teach us academics, it helps us discover who we are. CSIL offers numerous activities and organisations to participate in,” Esco says.

One such endeavour is her membership in the student council, a platform that enables students to become future leaders and develop management skills to help organise activities for fellow students.

Esco is also excited about the recently constructed extension hall. “It’s a fantastic space that allows us to showcase and improve our talents and gifts,” she says enthusiastically. “Whether it’s music, drama, or more, this hall encourages creativity and self-expression.”

As Esco continues her journey at CSIL, she embraces the opportunities for growth, both academically and personally. Her time at the school is moulding her into a well-rounded individual, ready to step into the world as a tour guide, a scholar, and a leader.
March 6, 2018
Dare to Dream

With Xavier Jesuit School, the Jesuits have built a school that is a model of hope for students, for the community and for all schools in Cambodia.

For over 30 years, the Jesuits have accompanied and served Cambodians who are war-disabled, displaced, disadvantaged and living in poverty.

Today, the impact of the deadly Pol Pot regime lives on as 65% of Cambodians are under 30 years of age. Just 1 in 4 children finish high school and youth unemployment is high.

The Jesuits are committed to improving the quality of education in Cambodia, and established the Xavier Jesuit School in 2015. Located in the north west in one of the poorest provinces in Cambodia, the Xavier Jesuit School is home to four education projects. It includes a Community Learning Centre (for remedial and extra tuition for kids from local public schools), a primary school (kindergarten to Grade 6), a middle school (Grades 7-9); and high school (Grades 10-12).

Every year around 100 teachers participate in formation training to enhance their educational understanding and approaches. Thanks to your support, recently construction has finished for new bathrooms and a canteen for roughly 300 students in the middle school.

Donate

Program details

“The most important thing for me when I teach the students is being aware of my responsibility as a teacher. So I should provide a good education for our students. Most of all, I hope they can shape their own dreams well.”
Saonit, teacher at XJS

As with all Jesuit schools, formation of the whole person is central to the education program. Students learn through an inquiry-based model, rather than the traditional rote-learning program, and they partake in a full range of cultural, art, music and physical education programs.

Those families that can afford it are invited to make a small contribution toward school fees, but there are many who can’t, so a scholarship fund has been established.

Jesuit Mission supports the students in Grades 7 to 12 who are on full scholarships which include their living costs, school fees and all school materials. These scholarships target students who want to learn but are unable to access education due to lack of funds or because they live in remote villages.

The scholarship program aims to support 80 students (50 girls and 30 boys).

Rany’s Story

Before receiving a scholarship to Xavier Jesuit School (XJS), Rany never imagined she’d have the opportunity to complete her schooling.

Like many in her rural community in northern Cambodia, Rany’s family has faced many challenges. With little education, her parents worked tirelessly to provide for the family, often crossing the border to work in Thailand for extended periods.

“If I wasn’t in this program, I may have already stopped studying.”
Rany

But thanks to the scholarship she received four years ago, Rany is now getting the education she needs to build a pathway out of poverty for her and her family.

Now in Year 12, Rany has been thriving at XJS, regularly receiving class honours. She plans to go on to study Khmer Literature at university and one day become a middle school teacher.

“I hope I can return to my village and share my knowledge,” she says. “I want to do this because I know not many kids in my village have the opportunity to learn.”

March 6, 2018