Indian Jesuits seek support to help rebuild schools in Afghanistan

(January 21, 2010) Indian Jesuits working to rebuild the educational system in Afghanistan have been asking for the support of the global church for their mission, reported the Asian church news agency UCA News. "We are making a tremendous difference in the lives of Afghan people. We would like the entire church to be part of this mission," said Jesuit Father Stan Fernandes. The Society of Jesus is the only Catholic male religious congregation working in Afghanistan and faces the constant threat of violence. Jesuits teach in three universities based in Kabul, Bamiyan and Herat at the invitation of the Afghan government and also have a teacher training programme. "We are primarily teaching English in the universities," Father Fernandes said in New Delhi on January 20. In the past four years, the Jesuits also have taught biology, computer technology and management, he said. "We are there. But our support has to come from outside," the priest said. "Life is every expensive in the cities, travel is also expensive as most of it is by air,” and road travel is "very dangerous." The Sisters of Jesus, Mary and Joseph and the Christian Brothers collaborate with the Jesuits by sending personnel for short periods. Jesuit Father Maria Joseph has been appointed adviser on technical education to the Afghan government's Ministry of Education. The Jesuits' efforts have helped the government launch the National Institute of Management and Administration in Kabul. The Jesuits' Afghanistan mission began in May 2002 but was abandoned when the situation became too volatile. The efforts resumed in 2005, when Jesuit Father A. Santiago and Brother Noel Oliver started teaching at Herat University, near the Iranian border.