Programs help girls become leaders in their families, communities

(MissionNewswire) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian organizations and countries around the globe in honoring International Day of the Girl on Oct. 11. The day, first held in 2012, was established to promote equal treatment and opportunities for girls. It is an acknowledgment by the world that there is a disparity in the way rights of girls and boys are protected and promoted.

The United Nations has noted, “Today’s generation of girls is disproportionately affected by global crises of climate, conflict, poverty and pushback on hard won gains for human rights and gender equality. Too many girls are still denied their rights, restricting their choices and limiting their futures.”

Salesian missionaries living and working in more than 130 countries around the globe are focused on achieving gender equality through educational programs targeted specifically for girls.

Father Michael Conway, director of Salesian Missions, said, “Salesian schools and centers foster safe learning environments for girls and encourage them to continue to advanced education and skills training so they can become leaders in their families and communities.”

To mark the International Day of the Girl, Salesian Missions is proud to highlight programs around the globe that empower girls through social and educational programs.

DR CONGO

Oeuvres Maman Marguerite, a network of Salesian centers located in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo*, received a shipment of meals consisting of rice, soy, dehydrated vegetables and vitamins through a partnership between Salesian Missions and Rise Against Hunger, an international humanitarian organization growing a global movement to end hunger. The shipment provided meals for five Salesian centers, feeding 600 youth during the second half of 2023.

Magone Girl’s House, which provides shelter for at-risk girls who are unable to be cared for by their parents, was one of the programs served. The network of three girls’ homes cares for young women and enables them to study in the city’s primary and secondary schools.

The Magone Girl’s House faces serious financial issues. It struggles to ensure food security, sufficient health care or the cost of school fees. In addition, there is a lack of drinking water in the neighborhood so the goal is to drill a well in the future to obtain drinking water on-site.

GUATEMALA

Young women from the Salesian Talita Kumi centers, located in San Pedro Carchá, Chisec and El Estor, Guatemala, are growing healthy food in a sustainable way. One of the fundamental principles of the centers is the application of sustainable practices for the prevention, protection, management and conservation of the environment.

A Salesian noted, “By growing vegetables, fruits and greens for their own consumption, the 700 boarding students not only ensure a nutritious diet but also promote self-sufficiency and respect for nature. As part of this process, they produce bokashi organic fertilizer, a fermented compost made from food scraps, ash, silty soil, garden waste, animal manure and other biodegradable materials.”

The use of this fertilizer has enriched the soil quality within the facilities, improving its biological composition and fostering long-term sustainable agriculture. Beyond its environmental benefits, this practice strengthens the students’ sense of ecological responsibility and commitment to a greener future.

The Salesian explained, “The efforts of Talita Kumi students demonstrate that environmental education and community action can create a positive impact on both people and the planet. By growing their own food and regenerating the soil through sustainable methods, these young women become agents of change, inspiring their communities to adopt eco-friendly practices.”

INDIA

The Jaigopal Garodia Government Girls’ Higher Secondary School in Choolaimedu, India, has a new STEM lab thanks to alumni from Don Bosco Egmore and Grundfos Pumps India Pvt Ltd. A group of 1997 alumni wanted to ensure that the school had an enhanced learning environment for its students.

According to an article in the Hindu Newspaper, the school has designed a three-year hands-on program for 50 students in grades 6 and 7, focusing on basic to advanced STEM concepts, including physics, electronics, robotics, AI and aerospace. Students will have sessions with industry experts and participate in industry visits as part of the program. They will also be given career guidance in grades 10 and 12 and be eligible to apply to LMES Foundation’s college education scholarship program.

Deepu Anthony, one of the Don Bosco alums, said in the article, “This program is an experiment we are carrying out with Jaigopal Garodia Government Girls’ Higher Secondary School. Analyzing the measurable outcomes, we will see how this program can be taken to other state government schools. We decided to bring LMES Foundation on board as the implementation partner, as its parent company, LMES Academy, is engaged in establishing STEM labs in private schools. The foundation has also been conducting a one-day STEM education orientation for the schools.”

UKRAINE

Salesian missionaries were able to construct a new soccer field for students at Blessed Klymenty and Andrey Sheptytskyi in Lviv, Ukraine*, thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. The donation impacted more than 400 students who regularly use the field.

The previous field was in such disrepair that it made it difficult for the students to play at all. It was filled with mud and was uneven. The soccer goals lacked netting, so when a goal was scored youth had to chase the ball.

A Salesian said, “The new field is bringing a new life for the students who are more enthusiastic about playing soccer and using the field. Since the beginning of the school year, Salesian priests and soccer coaches have actively conducted soccer activities on the field next to gymnasium. They organized a class schedule to ensure fair playing time for all. In the morning, students are using the field and after midday, the field is utilized for youth from the Salesian Pokrova Parish.”

Close to the gymnasium is a modular city of Mariapolis, where people who have been internally displaced are living. Among them are youth who are interested in sport activities. The goal is to reach out to these youth so that they can access the new field. Salesians will also rent the field to raise the funding needed to cover maintenance costs.

###

Sources:

DR CONGO: 600 youth receive meals through Salesian Missions, Rise Against Hunger/Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

GUATEMALA: Young women grow food using sustainable practices/Photo courtesy of Don Bosco Green Alliance

INDIA: Don Bosco Egmore alumni donate STEM lab to girls’ school

International Day of the Girl

Salesian Missions

UKRAINE: Students have new soccer field thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions/Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

*Any goods, services, or funds provided by Salesian Missions to programs located in these countries were administered in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control.