As a concrete sign of commitment to the Jubilee Year of Mercy, the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) launches the Mercy in Motion advocacy and fundraising campaign with the aim of expanding and strengthening our education and livelihoods programmes.

Mercy in Motion reflects the words of Pope Francis: “mercy is not an abstract idea, but a concrete reality… We are called to look beyond, to focus on the heart to see how much generosity everyone is capable of.”

Refugees face a variety of barriers trying to access education, from overcrowding in schools to xenophobia in host communities. Their fundamental right to education is often lost. Among refugee children globally, only 36 percent go to secondary school and less than one percent can pursue a higher education.

JRS focuses serves the most vulnerable, where the need is greatest. For this reason, Mercy in Motion focuses more heavily on youth – secondary and university education, as well as vocational- and teacher-training programmes.

As part of the campaigns, JRS created video testimonies of refugees to show the impact that quality education can have on them and their communities.

Artists in Motion: Art for Change

Weaver in Motion: Antonia’s Tale

Cyclist in Motion: Filmon’s tale

Tailor In Motion: Rebecca’s tale

Student in Motion: Valerie’s tale

Rapper In Motion: Alino’s tale