Salesians engage youth in meaningful work, conservation efforts

(MissionNewswire) The Salesian Missions provincial office in Johannesburg launched the Hydroponics Eco-Ubuntu project to instill a green mindset within communities in South Africa by facilitating accessible and practical green interventions. The promotion of hydroponics, a soil-less farming technique that maximizes resource efficiency and minimizes environmental impact, is an important part of the project.

The Salesian Institute Youth Projects, located in Cape Town, serves as a hub for the implementation of the project’s initiatives. Through hydroponics and solar training programs, youth are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving green economy.

One of the project’s achievements is the integration of hydroponics into education and employment pathways for disadvantaged youth. Under the Salesian Institute Youth Projects NEETs (Not in Education, Employment or Training) Youth Employability Program, youth are actively involved in the roll out and implementation of hydroponics projects in their communities. By engaging youth in meaningful work, the project not only addresses unemployment but also fosters a sense of ownership and pride in environmental conservation efforts.

The project extends its reach to the Learn to Live School of Skills learners, offering them invaluable hands-on experience in hydroponic farming. By cultivating produce using hydroponic systems, these students learn practical skills while also developing a deeper appreciation for sustainable agriculture.

Gabriel Hamuy, NEETs program manager, said, “As we continue to champion the cause of environmental sustainability, the impact of the project reverberates far beyond its immediate communities. It serves as a model for grassroots initiatives that harness the power of education, innovation, and collaboration to create a greener, more inclusive world.”

A Salesian said, “The Salesian Hydroponics Eco-Ubuntu project is more than just a cultivation of plants. It is a cultivation of hope, resilience and unity in the face of environmental challenges. By nurturing both the land and the people who tend to it, the project paves the way for a brighter, more sustainable future for generations to come.”

Since 1910, the Salesian Institute Youth Projects has been helping homeless, unemployed and impoverished youth in Cape Town, the second-most populous city and legislative capital of South Africa. Through the organization’s programs, Salesian missionaries provide shelter, education and workforce development services, meeting the basic needs of the youth they serve while helping them break the cycle of poverty.

Poverty is extensive in South Africa with more than half the population and more than 63% percent of children living below the poverty line, according to UNICEF. A significant percentage of the population struggles to survive on less than $1 a day. The country is plagued by high crime rates and violence against women and girls, and it has been the hardest hit in the world by the HIV/AIDS crisis.

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Sources:

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

ANS – South Africa – Cultivating Sustainability: The Salesian Hydroponics Eco Ubuntu Project

Salesian Missions Southern Africa

Salesian Institute Youth Projects

Salesian Institute Youth Projects Facebook

Salesian Missions – South Africa

UNICEF – South Africa