We seek together the face of Christ who renews all things

These were the words Irene Nakayenze shared on December 3rd — an update filled with gratitude, resilience, and hope. In just a few lines, Irene captured what PACTPAN’s Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security Program makes possible: nourishment for families, education for children, and dignity rooted in self-sufficiency.

I first met Irene in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, during the III Pan-African Catholic Jubilee Congress on Theology, Society, and Pastoral Life. As introductions were being made, Irene approached me with youthful energy, her pink braids framing a warm and welcoming smile. As she shared why she had traveled to attend the Congress, she unknowingly gave me my first true confirmation of why I was there.

My intention in attending the Congress was to better understand the work and outreach of PACTPAN across Africa. Until then, my understanding had been shaped largely by my participation on the board. Irene’s story transformed that understanding from theory into lived reality.

She spoke with deep gratitude for the support she and her family receive through PACTPAN’s Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security Program, thanking me as though I personally had delivered what they needed. As she shared her story, it was clear that Irene had faced significant hardship — and that compassion, perseverance, and faith are woven into who she is.

Irene is from Uganda and is a friend of Fr. Alex Ojacor, a fellow PACTPAN board member. She is the mother of two children, one nearing graduation from primary school. Over time, Irene also opened her home to five additional children who had lost their parents. Three were welcomed in after their mother, an active member of their church, passed away, leaving them displaced. The remaining two are older — one nearing completion of high school with dreams of becoming a photographer, and the other aspiring to pursue a career in medicine.

As a single mother now raising seven children, Irene carries a tremendous responsibility. She ensures not only their daily survival, but also their opportunity to dream and to plan for the future. Through PACTPAN’s Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security Program, Irene has been able to teach the children how to plant, weed, fertilize, and harvest crops — skills that will ensure they always know how to feed themselves.

The theme of the Congress, “We seek together the face of Christ who renews all things,” is lived out in Irene’s daily work. Her commitment to these children reflects Christ’s renewing love, made visible through faith, perseverance, and practical action. Through PACTPAN’s programs, that love is strengthened and sustained.

Uganda, often referred to as “The Pearl of Africa,” is known for its rich landscapes and natural beauty. Yet many Ugandans continue to face poverty and income inequality, with limited access to the benefits of the country’s natural resources. Irene’s story reflects this tension — and shows what becomes possible when PACTPAN’s Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security Program responds with tangible, community-centered solutions.

Since the Congress, Irene has continued to share messages and photos with PACTPAN. The children are preparing soil, planting maize, beans, and soybeans, and caring for the land to ensure better yields. The harvest not only provides food security, but also enables the family to purchase much-needed scholastic materials.

As Irene celebrated her soybean harvest in her December 3rd message, I was profoundly reminded of how our collective work through PACTPAN is not only helping to feed families, but doing so in a way that upholds dignity and hope. In moments like this, we are given the grace to see our faith in action — Catholic Social Teaching bearing fruit in everyday lives. What begins as donor support becomes nourishment, education, and the opportunity for families to thrive through self-sufficiency rather than dependency.

Through programs like this, and through compassionate leaders like Irene, PACTPAN’s mission comes to life — bringing light, dignity, and lasting hope to communities across Africa.