(MissionNewswire) The Salesian “Amarrando Redes de Solidaridad” (tying solidarity networks) project, carried out by the Salesian Planning and Development Office of the Blessed Artemide Zatti Province of Northern Argentina, is heading into its ninth year. The objective of the project is to promote mutual collaboration among the various Salesian houses that belong to the province.

Project activities begin during the school year with project staff gathering information about Salesian programs that are most in need and then presenting the information to Salesian center directors, heads of educational centers and other Salesian employees in order to facilitate support and assistance among the Salesian centers.

In this first phase, a video is shown that presents some of the work that will benefit from a collaboration. Some families that are paying tuition to attend Salesian schools are able to offer an additional monthly donation in order to help fund these collaborative projects. This donation is a way for families who have the means to help give back and support those who don’t.

Recently, the “Amarrando Redes de Solidaridad” project launched a video presentation about its work with the Salesian San José Vocational Training Center in Salta, Argentina. In 2015, the center started a new educational program through the Salesian house Ángel Zerda in agreement with the Ministry of Education.

Launched to meet the needs expressed by unemployed youth and adults as well as those with incomplete studies, the San José Vocational Training Center offers short courses with immediate work opportunities and skills certification.

In the first year, 150 students, both men and women between the ages of 18 and 35, participated in coursework. The students came from poor neighborhoods in Salta and struggled with complex challenges such as criminal records, dependencies or past family violence.

In this Salesian center, vocational and technical training has become an instrument and an opportunity for educational, social and productive reintegration and a way to improve the quality of personal and family life for the students.

“The center currently offers young people courses in plumbing, painting for construction, electricity and advanced electricity. The courses we offer are short and provide a quick exit, so that the young can work immediately,” says Gimena Carrizo who works at the San José Vocational Training Center.

Daniel Núñez, who is enrolled in the electricity course, says, “This is a great opportunity for us, a complete course for young people who need it. Right now, it’s a great benefit for me because I do not have a job.”

Salesian programs across Argentina are primarily focused on education. Salesian primary and secondary education in the country prepares youth for technical, vocational or university study. Other programs help meet the basic needs of poor youth and their families by providing shelter, proper nutrition and medical care, helping youth to engage in their education and have hope for the future.

More than a quarter of the people in Argentina live in conditions of poverty with no formal employment and poor-quality education, according to the World Bank. The country’s high school dropout rate is close to 37 percent and youth account for a third of those unemployed. Almost 12 percent of children aged 5 to 17 are working instead of in school and 20 percent need government assistance. Many face malnutrition, a lack of clean water and sewage and inadequate housing.

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Sources:

ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS)

ANS – Argentina – “Tying Networks of Solidarity”: project to support projects for young people

World Bank – Argentina