JRS Cambodia

Last year was exciting for “caring for our common home” in JRS Cambodia. Banners carrying the message of Pope Francis have been displayed to more than 5000 visitors to our Mindol Metta Karuna Centre. Here, we have also continued our composting and waste disposal practices, as well as installed more renewable energy-powered lights.

People with disability and other vulnerable families have been trained in more environmentally friendly home gardening and agriculture practices, including hydroponic systems and organic fertilizers.

In May and June, eight students from Boston College and some faculty came for three weeks of practical research on plastic and waste disposal gardening practices and river/lake protection. This culminated in a beautiful ceremony with our Bishop Kike Figaredo, many Jesuit Priests and Buddhist monks, and the surrounding villagers. A special tree in our green and beautiful grounds was “ordained” as a sign of protection for the forests, and we planted more forest trees in our meditation grove.

We also network with other groups, especially Jesuit Service Cambodia, which conducts special days with high school students, including Xavier, a Jesuit School in Cambodia where youths are encouraged to get a global view of justice issues and see links between environment, displacement, and poverty.

Father Jub, a JRS AP member since 1985, has established “Harmony in the Forest” in Preah Vihear Province, and we have participated in that and brought groups there.

Many JRS team members have set up their own sustainable, eco-friendly home gardens, and a special place has been reserved for an experimental garden in Metta Karuna.

A new labyrinth has been planted where guests can walk prayerfully in gratitude for the gift of Creation.