Message from the Pedro Arrupe World Association (PAWA), the “social arm” of the World Union of Jesuit Alumni/ae

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The 8th “Arrupe dollar” campaign (”Arrupe euro” in Europe), aimed at Jesuit alumni/ae and their associations, was launched this year on February 5th, the anniversary of the death of Father Pedro Arrupe (former Superior General of the Society of Jesus and the founder of the Jesuit Refugee Service, with which the PAWA has been in collaboration for its programme in the Great Lakes Region in Africa over these past years).

In 2008, thanks to donations collected from alumni/ae and their associations (which both have brought 11.322 euros), the campaign contributed to financing various programmes (for 7.640 euros), notably its two- programme in Cambodia (Aloysius funds : university bursaries for 6 poor students : 3.840 euros) and Sre Ampil funds (orphan sponsorship) : 300 euros) and allowed to continue the Upendo programme in Africa via the African Jesuit Aids Network (AJAN) which provides relief to victims of the pandemic and their families (3.500 euros).

“The African Jesuit AIDS Network has been able to strenghten and coordinate the efforts of many individuals, give respectability to the Church’s involvement in resisting the pandemic spread of AIDS and, above all, accompany with dignity many of those suffering from its effects.”
(Rev. Fr. Peter-Hans Kolvenbach S.J., Superior General, January 2007)

” …In the face of suffering and extreme need, all human beings are father or mother, brother or sister, relative or friend. All are children of God, as we were taught from childhood. And by reading the signs of HIV and AIDS, these times are again a privileged moment to act lovingly and compassionately like God.)”
( excerpts from the book “Linked for Life”, published by African Jesuit AIDS Network)

We would like to thank in advance all the Jesuit alumni/ae and their associations throughout the world that have not participated in the preceding campaigns to consider doing so in 2009, considering that, as Jesuit alumni/ae, we are 3 million worlwide: one dollar per person (or one euro) is a small sum for each individual, but combined with the contribution of all, it will allow the PAWA to provide on your behalf much more aid in favour of the neediest ones. Please, take also note that in 2009, we are invited to attend the 7th World Congress of Jesuit alumni/ae in Burundi (Great Lakes region of Africa) : on this occasion, the PAWA has the will to speed-up its programme for Africa. Please help it to achieve that goal! Thanks a lot in advance.

Bank references of the Pedro Arrupe World Association in Luxemburg :
ING, 52 route d’Esch L-2965 Luxemburg;
Account : Association Mondiale Pedro Arrupe n° 11 263 648
Iban number: LU26 0141 1263 6480 0000 (Euro);
Swift code: CELLLULL

Laurent Grégoire and Eric de Langsdorff, PAWA Vice-Presidents