My Readiness to Learn
Meeting with the staff working at the Jesuit Historical Institute in Africa was an expression of hospitality, joy, and desire to impart the knowledge to myself and the other three energetic young men who accompanied me to do their apostolates at the Jesuit Historical Institute in Africa (JHIA). I consider this as an opening gate for my apostolic service.
Working there was an opportunity for me to learn how to edit various newsletters for publications so that people could read our articles for the edification of their souls. The openness and readiness to allow me to work with people are crucial in my life.
By Erick Macha, S.J.
My Experience at the Jesuit Historical Institute in Africa (JHIA)
First, I would like to thank Fr Didimus Shirima, S.J. for sending us to JHIA to do Apostolate but for me, it was more than Apostolate since I require a lot of experience and motivation. Also, I learn. how the Jesuit Historical Institute of Africa works and when it was started. Secondly, I’m grateful to the staff of JHIA, Geoffrey the Administrative Assistant, Philip, the Librarian, and Denis who is the ICT and Digital Archives Manager for the support and care they gave us not only as a Jesuit but also as their young brothers. I learned a lot from each one of them and that will leave a mark on my journey. All of the staff at JHIA had the zeal to make sure all of us were learning something new out of our interest even though at first I didn’t understand it.
During my time at JHIA, I was able to learn different things including the IT department which I had a lot of experience since it is my profession. I learned how IT can make life easy in this digital era by having a nice integration of systems within an Institute. This place motivated me to see how many Jesuits have written their books and articles within Africa.
The following are the experiences I had throughout my stay at JHIA: –
- How to store book details in the systems and shelves. During the time I was in the school, I didn’t understand well why we needed to give the book back to the Librarian and not just to pit anywhere. Because it happened I borrowed a book and I returned it but the system was showing I did not return it because I just returned it without informing a librarian.
- I learned how the computer servers work and how to install them. Also, I did some computer and system maintenance. This applies different mechanisms depending on the problem that I was troubleshooting.
- How to enter bar code numbers within the system for identification.
- Also, I learned how the Jesuit Historical Institute of Africa preserves different African cultures and stories.
- Last but not least I learned how knowledge is so unique and expensive to acquire it. One should pay a lot of money sometimes to acquire it.
Elias Henry Galashi, S.J
Working at the Jesuit Historical Institute in Africa
I had the privilege of working at the Jesuit Historical Institute in Africa as a volunteer. ‘JHIA’, as it is popularly known, is quite a busy institution because the staff collects a series of different Jesuit documents from different Jesuit provinces in Africa and Madagascar. Aside from that, different students come to do their research or use the space for their private studies. Something unique about the institute is that it has a collection of ancient African artifacts such as sculptures, scrolls, and written literature.
As a volunteer, I was taught how to preserve any form of written literature by either binding it or by preserving it in a safe room. I was also taught how to catalog both hard-copy and soft-copy books into various acceptable formats.
I was quite impressed by how the staff are constantly updating their collection, both in hardcopy and soft copy, for those using the online platform. I testify that this institute is resourceful based on the number of reading materials they have and some ancient artifacts they have. I highly recommend it to people who have an interest in knowing how the Society of Jesus was established in Africa and how it is developing up to date, as well as to those who aspire to join the Society of Jesus.
Nicholas Oyoo, S.J.
A Widening Horizon of Knowledge
For the couple of days that I tiptoed to the Jesuit Historical Institute in Africa (JHIA) for my apostolic program, new ideas and skills were added to my reasoning. It was a great pleasure to meet the staff and work closely with them. The staff inspired me by their commitment and dedication to their duties. I will not forget the new skills such as barcoding, binding of books, and cataloging that I acquired during this encounter. On the other hand, this adventure led to the discoveries of ancient information about culture, religion, and the political world that widened my knowledge in a well-rounded aspect.
In conjunction with this, I would like to express my deepest appreciation to the Jesuit Historical Institute for allowing us to do our apostolate in the facility and by hospitalizing us in a special way that saw us being treated as kinsmen. It is my pleasure to adventure the so-called Jesuit Historical Institute in Africa and interact with the various self-enriching books addressing political issues, theological issues, ethical issues, philosophy and religion, and many others. Although time seemed to be short, the little that this institute imparted on me will remain an oasis to fetch knowledge when needed, especially in my life as a Jesuit.
Thanks, and God’s blessings to the good staff at JHIA.
Michael Omondi, S.J.
