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Salesian Lay Missioners Program Director Visits India, Cambodia to Assess Needs

(MissionNewswire) Adam Rudin, director of the Salesian Lay Missioners program of Salesian Missions (and resident of New Rochelle), recently returned from India and Cambodia where he toured a potential new site for lay missioners as well as visited Salesian centers where lay missioners are currently stationed. The purpose of the visit was to assess needs and develop future plans.

Rudin visited three cities during his trip. In Agartala, India—a potential new site for Salesian Lay Missioners—Rudin toured the Salesian-run Ferrando Rehabilitation Centre. This rehabilitation center is a place for young people with visual, hearing, speech and physical disabilities. Rudin noted that in all his visits he saw how hardworking, studious and positive the children were.

“The children there are a special group,” says Rudin. “Despite all the challenges they face, they are such happy children and this happiness is really infectious to everyone around.”

In Deodurga, India, Rudin visited a Salesian boarding school and site for educational programming. He was most impressed with the use of technology in this very remote village—including the use of SMART Boards (educational interactive whiteboards).

In Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Rudin visited the Don Bosco Vocational and Training Center for Girls. This Salesian-run training center provides girls from impoverished villages as well as the city an education and job training so these girls are better able to provide for themselves and their families. During his drive through the city, Rudin witnessed the stark contrast between the lives of girls at Don Bosco and the girls who remained on the street—where many are still at risk and fall victim to prostitution and abuse. He was able to see first-hand just how great a difference the Salesian center made for girls in Cambodia.

“Donors and supporters who are unable to see the Salesians at work in other countries with their own eyes should know that there is really some amazing work being done around the globe with all races, religions, and social classes,” says Rudin. “Their donations really make a difference and I am blessed that I got to see it with my own eyes and share the experience.”

Salesian Missions (headquartered in New Rochelle, N.Y.) is the U.S. development arm of the international Salesians of Don Bosco. Salesian Missions funds, develops and supports programs and services for at-risk youth in more than 130 countries including India and Cambodia. The Salesian Lay Missioners program is a volunteer program that aids the Salesians in their various work around the globe. The lay missioners serve one or two years at a time, caring for and teaching the world’s poorest children. The youth programs focus on helping them become self-sufficient by learning a trade that will help them gain employment. For more information, go to www.SalesianMissions.org and www.SalesianLayMissioners.org.

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