London Marathon
Once again the Jesuit Missions team of 25 runners will be joining some 35,000 runners taking part in the London Marathon on Sunday 22nd April 2007. Alan Fernandes, Assistant Director of Jesuit Missions tells us who is running and what the money raised will be spent on.
Our runners come from the UK and beyond, some from Jesuit parishes and schools, and others who have a concern for the work overseas and want to make a change in the world.
On the team this year is Marlon Innis, a young Jesuit from Guyana, who is currently studying in the UK. Marlon has first hand experience of the needs of the Guyana Region and hopes his running will help to spread an understanding of his country. The Wombles will also be tackling the course, with Ian Caldwell and Marius Liebenburg as Orinoco and Great Uncle Bulgaria.
THIS YEAR’S TEAM
Sarah Dale
Gavin Breetzke
Mary Chillet
Marianne Cronin
Sebastian Gordon
Bryan Hewitt
David Hurst
Marlon Innes SJ
Bruce Cheesman
Michael Breetzke
Katherine Jeffrey
Laurence McKell
Philip Mitchelmore
Dumisani Ntuli
Samuel Williams
Megan Sutherland
Helen Weetman
Paul Wilson
Tama Walker
Ian Caldwell
Marius Liebenburg
Alexander Avganim
Theodoro Kapikinyu
Some of the places where the money will go
Zimbabwe
Normal society is fast collapsing in Zimbabwe with current inflation going through the roof, most civil servants are on strike and even teachers do not earn enough money to feed their families. The Jesuit response to this current crisis is to continue with their famine relief programme and to try and manage their schools, missions and parishes, with a special care for the most marginalized in society. Whilst we hope and pray that the situation will change, the harsh political realities suggest otherwise.
The Society of Jesus is still the only agency in the country that takes glue-sniffing, homeless children from the streets, providing them with shelter and the possibility of education. Along with many other agencies, we seek to help the AIDS orphans and we continue to make a contribution to education through our schools.
The Society of Jesus is still the only agency in the country that takes glue-sniffing, homeless children from the streets, providing them with shelter and the possibility of education. Along with many other agencies, we seek to help the AIDS orphans and we continue to make a contribution to education through our schools.
GUYANA
This year is the 150th anniversary of the arrival of Jesuits in Guyana, South America. Their priority is still working with the Indigenous Amerindian peoples of the South American rainforest. Future planning for the region is the foundation of a church secondary school to serve the educational needs of these people. In the past the Society of Jesus has supported
the Amerindian people through projects such as the formation of small co-operatives to help their products reach a wider market.
SOUTH AFRICA
The exciting initiative of the South African Jesuit Region is the opening of ‘The Jesuit Institute’ to study and reflect on the contemporary issues affecting the emergence of a post-Apartheid democratic society. The Church is keen that a Christian voice be added to the debate of these important issues. Already the Jesuit Institute has run courses on AIDS awareness and spirituality.
As well as the work of the Jesuit Institute, the Jesuits in South Africa continue their involvement in parishes, chaplaincies and outreach programmes.
As well as the work of the Jesuit Institute, the Jesuits in South Africa continue their involvement in parishes, chaplaincies and outreach programmes.
ZAMBIA
Zambia is the country in Africa that has made the most progress as a result of the economic benefits of debt relief. The country still faces many problems and challenges, but now the indigenous resources of the country can be applied to solving these problems. The Jesuits are playing their part by developing a whole variety of projects. >
LOYOLA PRODUCTIONS - this is one of the Zambian Province’s latest apostolates. It is run from St Ignatius Church as a non-profit organisation, providing media production and consultancy services. To do this they need funds to transfer to a more spacious house and purchase new equipment.
KASISI AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE (KATC) is currently undergoing a programme of research to help small-scale farmers produce organic products without the need for expensive western imports such as fertilisers and machinery. They train farmers from all around the country.
CHUKUNI RADIO EDUCATIONAL BROADCASTS (which has been helped by Marathon funds in the past) provides educational programmes for rural children who cannot get to a school. Last year these children achieved better results than most of those in state education.
Zambia is the country in Africa that has made the most progress as a result of the economic benefits of debt relief. The country still faces many problems and challenges, but now the indigenous resources of the country can be applied to solving these problems. The Jesuits are playing their part by developing a whole variety of projects. >
LOYOLA PRODUCTIONS - this is one of the Zambian Province’s latest apostolates. It is run from St Ignatius Church as a non-profit organisation, providing media production and consultancy services. To do this they need funds to transfer to a more spacious house and purchase new equipment.
KASISI AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE (KATC) is currently undergoing a programme of research to help small-scale farmers produce organic products without the need for expensive western imports such as fertilisers and machinery. They train farmers from all around the country.
CHUKUNI RADIO EDUCATIONAL BROADCASTS (which has been helped by Marathon funds in the past) provides educational programmes for rural children who cannot get to a school. Last year these children achieved better results than most of those in state education.
