WORD OF DIRECTORS

A word from our leaders

George Pattery SJ

Afghan ‘issues’ began to bite on me, when as Provincial of Calcutta, I initiated the process of sending two talented young Calcutta Jesuits to the Afghan mission. Eventually Maria Joseph and Sahaya Jude joined the mission and rendered yeomen service.

Thomas H Smolich SJ

The 15th anniversary of the JRS and Society of Jesus’ commitment to Afghanistan is an opportunity to give thanks for the gift of accompaniment, service and advocacy. Our work throughout Afghanistan, and especially our work with the Hazara community in Bamyan and surrounding areas, is inspirational and very much needed.

Hector D' Souza SJ

When the Supreme declares …

The Almighty called

Abraham to believe

Moses to liberate

Muhammad to inspire

He gave a brave heart and audacity to

Antony Santiago to break new grounds

Noel Oliver to explore and expand

Abdurahim Karimi to guide and prompt

Peter Balleis SJ

January 2002, the Taliban Regime had fallen only two months before, when I visited Afghanistan for the first time on an assessment mission for the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS). The south part of Kabul was in ruins.

Edward Mudavassery SJ

The media often gives a skewed view of AGH people, as if all of them were dangerous and fundamentalist. My experience has been very opposite especially with our clients. They were warm, friendly, young people were intelligent and eager to learn, especially the girls and young women.

P.S. Amal SJ

I believe that JRS Afghanistan is the handiwork of God. In the midst of painful experiences in Afghanistan, God remained with us and kept our hope alive. We experienced the reward of this hope at the release of Prem from captivity.

Stan Fernandes SJ

Our lives are a reflection of the choices we make – influenced by those who have graced our journey. Pedro Arrupe’s call, to reach out as Jesuits to those on the margins, inspired me to join Santiago and Noel in the frontier Afghan mission, in 2006. We came to serve the people of Afghanistan with love

Louie Albert SJ

It gives me an immense joy and happiness to know that the

JRS-JCSA mission steps into 15th year in serving displaced and war-torn people. Down the years, I have heard about, listened to friends, scanned through literature and watched videos on the Afghanistan mission of Jesuits. When I landed there for the mission of accompaniment as Regional Director, I witnessed lots of success stories.