Loyola Jesuit Secondary School (JLSS) in Malawi!  When Fr. John Guiney SJ of the Irish Jesuit Mission Office visited Kasungu in August, he saw what was an empty field only one year ago, is now a busy construction site.

Fr. John Guiney SJ visits a Field of Dreams in Malawi.

Dreams are coming true for Loyola Jesuit Secondary School (JLSS) in Malawi!  When Fr. John Guiney SJ of the Irish Jesuit Mission Office visited Kasungu in August, he saw what was an empty field only one year ago, is now a busy construction site with over two hundred workers building classrooms, library and IT rooms, dormitories, administration offices, kitchen and dining room, conference hall, sports fields and so much more. September 2014 will see the first students enroll at the new school.

But Jesuit education takes place in more than physical buildings alone.  Already preparation is being made to assure that students, teachers and staff will all experience an environment that promotes excellence in achieving the vision and mission of LJSS.

So that all of us – supporters in Ireland, planners and builders, workers and donors, future students and teachers – are aware of the contribution LJSS wants to make to Malawian society, let’s take a moment to remind ourselves of the vision and mission:

The vision is a community of LJSS graduates who are people of conscience, competence, compassion, commitment who are aware of their responsibilities to transform Malawian society in line with the Christian values of justice and equality.

The mission is to provide secondary education to young Malawian women and men that embodies intellectual and spiritual excellence, life-skills, character development and community service responsibilities for all students and staff.