28 JCAM 2023 Annual Review “This period offered me the invaluable opportunity to immerse myself in a professional communications environment and gain hands-on experience of the workings of JCAM, particularly through the perspective of how Words from some of the par琀椀cipants of the capacity-building training:communications strategies, content creation and management project the image of the organisation to the larger Society. Through observation and attending weekly meetings, I also witnessed the coordination within JCAM’s works and how communication strategies are developed, refined, and executed to deliver effective communication solutions. This also allowed me to engage in brainstorming sessions and Fr. Jean-Claude Bindanda Kiala, SJ, Director, Maisha strategy meetings aimed at identifying target audiences, Centre, Kisangani, DRC. defining key messaging and aligning communications efforts with achieving set goals. This skill will undoubtedly come in handy to enable me to create more focused and “Guided by the motto “Allies for the promotion of life!” impactful communication strategies. I also had the Centre Maisha’s mission is to defend life through the opportunity to participate and carry out media relations promotion of physical, spiritual and moral health, and and coverage during the African Faith Leaders’ meeting on protection of the environment to fully live out the integral navigating contemporary crises like debt, and climate development of the human person. For us, indeed, we can change which took place from 7 -8 August in only live by the name that defines us “Maisha” - a Swahili Nairobi, Kenya.” word for “Life”, and to fully be immersed in the new mission, my journey to Kenya’s capital was one worth undertaking. The training sessions tailored around the AJAN HIV and AIDS Prevention Programme for Youth (AHAPPY) strengthened my capacity to assist in the conservation and expansion of Maisha Centre. The sessions with the AJAN team around project management - writing and submitting proposals, and the techniques elaborated for strategic communication by the JCAM Communications team laid a background for my participation in lectures at Tangaza University College, field trips to the St. Joseph the Worker in Kangemi, St-Aloysius-Gonzaga High School in Kibera all in Nairobi and the Nyumbani Village in Kitui County located in the Eastern part of Kenya. Following these experiences I feel energised and equipped to continue the mission given to me, one of being in service to the people of Kisangani, for the glory of God. As I embark on my mission back home, I Fr. Benedict Mayaki, SJ – Jesuits Global Curia will be forever grateful to the Director of AJAN Fr. Ismael Communications Rome. Matambura, and his team for the intense program, the testimonies and feedback from the 22 social centres spread across 17 African countries”
Jesuits Africa - Annual Review 2023 Page 29 Page 31