“In South Sudan, everything makes a difference, even a smile.” Those were the words that were said to Fr Joseph Afulo SJ, Provincial of the Eastern Africa Province by a Jesuit working in the region. Fr Afulo visited Ireland last week, and met with us in Irish Jesuit Missions where we discussed the progress and challenges of the six countries in East Africa where he oversees the work of the Jesuits, and in particular the ongoing difficulties faced by people in South Sudan.

Syrian refugees in Lebanon are being required by law to dismantle all hard structures using materials other than timber and plastic sheeting they have constructed in informal camps by the end of June. The ordered demolitions will have a devastating impact on the lives of more than 25,594 people throughout Lebanon who live in self-build hard structures within informal settlements. In one example, the town of Arsal hosts more than 5,000 Syrian families and 15,000 children who are now facing homelessness.

Friday, June 7th will be a very special day for Loyola Jesuit Secondary School (LJSS), when 49 girls and 48 boys will be its first ever graduates! LJSS is located in the rural town of Kasungu, Malawi, 120km north-west of the capital Lilongwe. It is an all-boarding, co-educational school with 479 students - 243 girls and 236 boys.