Francisco Guarner commends 19 swimmers who will cross the Madura Strait to raise funds for fisherwomen and coastal communities affected by climate change.
ITALY — Francisco Guarner, president of the World Union of Jesuit Alumni (WUJA), has expressed his support and prayers for the Xtreme Impact 2026 team, which is scheduled to cross the Madura Strait on November 1, 2026. The mission is more than a physical challenge; it is an act of solidarity with coastal communities facing the effects of climate change.
In a video message addressed to all members of the Xtreme Impact team, Guarner said that Jesuit alumni communities around the world were following their journey with concern and keeping them in their prayers.
“As you prepare to head to Madura, I want you to know that we are thinking of you and keeping you in our prayers,” Guarner said.
According to Guarner, the mission carries a meaning that extends beyond athletic achievement. It represents solidarity with communities confronting rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and the wider impacts of climate change.
He also emphasized that caring for the environment cannot be separated from caring for fellow human beings, especially those most vulnerable to environmental destruction.
Referring to the message of Pope Francis, Guarner stressed that caring for the Earth, our common home, also means protecting those who are most vulnerable.
“Caring for our common home also means caring for the most vulnerable,” he said.
Raising Funds for Fisherwomen
Xtreme Impact 2026 is an initiative of alumni of Canisius College Jakarta, organized through the Canisius College Alumni Association’s Class of 1992 (CC92). The initiative is part of the “100 Actions for 100 Years of Kanisius” program, ahead of the Jesuit school’s centenary in 2027.
Nineteen amateur swimmers are scheduled to cross the Madura Strait to raise funds for fisherwomen and coastal communities in Timbulsloko Village, Demak Regency, Central Java. The area faces coastal erosion and tidal flooding, which disrupt daily life and threaten local livelihoods.
The organizers have set a fundraising target of 1 billion rupiah (approximately US$60,000). The funds are intended to support climate-resilient infrastructure, including floating roads and bridges, clean water facilities, and Omah Iwak, a seafood production and processing center.
The seafood processing facility is expected to help fisherwomen increase the value of their products, create economic opportunities, and strengthen their families’ financial independence.
The strait-crossing challenge thus serves as a way to raise public awareness while mobilizing tangible support for communities affected by environmental change.
Solidarity Beyond the Physical Challenge
Guarner praised the participants’ courage and confidence in undertaking the mission. He said their efforts reflect the values of humanity that emerge when people are willing to care for and support others.
He also expressed his pride in the team members who have chosen to take part in the solidarity initiative.
His message aligns with the objectives of Xtreme Impact, which measures success not merely by whether the swimmers complete the crossing, but also by the benefits their efforts can bring to the communities they seek to support.
In addition to fundraising for coastal communities in Demak, the Xtreme Impact program also includes plans to provide free cataract surgery for up to 150 underprivileged patients in the Indonesian Navy’s Second Fleet Command area in Surabaya, East Java.
The program is planned in collaboration with the Indonesian Navy and Erha Clinic, with support from a hospital ship.
Together, these initiatives seek to connect an athletic challenge with economic empowerment, healthcare assistance, and environmental stewardship.
Prayers and Support from the Jesuit Alumni Community
In his message, Guarner urged the participants to prioritize their safety throughout the mission. He prayed that God would accompany them, strengthen them, and fill their hearts with courage and a sense of security.
He also reminded them that they were not undertaking the mission alone. They were receiving prayers and support from many people, including Jesuit alumni communities in Indonesia and around the world.
“May you feel that you are not alone, but are surrounded by the prayers and support of many people,” he said.
Guarner expressed his hope that all participants would complete the journey safely and successfully. He also conveyed his greetings and friendship to Jesuit alumni in Indonesia, concluding his message with a blessing for everyone involved.
“May God bless you all,” he said.
The support underscores how global Jesuit alumni networks can provide a platform for translating the values of education, fraternity, and faith into concrete action. Through Xtreme Impact 2026, Canisius College alumni are seeking to turn solidarity into tangible assistance for communities facing environmental and economic challenges.
Ultimately, the success of the mission will not be measured solely by whether the swimmers cross the Madura Strait, but also by the extent to which the funds raised and support mobilized help fisherwomen and the coastal community of Timbulsloko build a safer and more sustainable future.
