In the presence of Fr Eric Mairura, SDB, and Marco Fulgaro, members of the Missions Sector, the two groups took part in a simple session of formation, sharing and revitalisation of the regional journey, led by the Regional Coordinators for Mission Animation (RCMA), Fr Jose Padinjareparampil SDB, joining from Nairobi, Kenya, belonging to the East Africa Province (AFE), and Fr Privat Fouda, from Yaoundé, Cameroon, a member of the Equatorial Tropical Africa Vice-Province (ATE).

The presence of the two Regional Councillors, Fr Innocent Bizimana, SDB, and Fr Alphonse Owoudou, SDB, was particularly enriching; they addressed messages to all the PDMAs, encouraging them in their work of missionary animation.

Fr Mairura SDB presented the General Council’s new working style and the key points of the six-year term plan, whilst Marco Fulgaro focused on illustrating some statistics regarding Salesian missionaries sent out over time and a summary of the questionnaires relating to the process of rethinking discernment, formation and the accompaniment of missionaries, as well as briefly presenting the 2026 Salesian Mission Day, on the theme “Open Hearts, Living Mission – Salesian Missionary Solidarity”.

The next meeting of the joint initiative is scheduled for 24 June 2026, when the two regions will come together; in the meantime, work continues on drafting and revising the provincial plans for missionary animation.

Much progress has been made since the 1980 Africa Project and, in keeping with the slogan of the 150th anniversary of the Salesian missions, after giving thanks and reflecting, the time has now come to revitalise the missionary charism.