MYANMAR: Don Bosco Youth Center supports vulnerable youth
Most of youth attend local school
MYANMAR
(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries have run the Don Bosco Youth Center in Mandalay, the second largest city in Myanmar*, since 2014. The city has been crushed for years by the weight of civil war and most recently a devastating earthquake that continues to impact millions of people. Many youth have been left orphaned or without a family, living on the streets without anyone to protect them.
The Don Bosco Youth Center provides support for 60 youth from difficult backgrounds, including youth from single-parent families and orphans. Most of the youth attend a local school and depend entirely on the Salesian community for their daily needs. The center is run by four Salesian priests, two cooks and a volunteer.
Before the March 2025 earthquake, the center had organized short vocational training courses in electrical wiring, computer skills and motorbike repair. When the earthquake severely damaged the buildings, Salesians were forced to suspend classes.
Although the Myanmar Mary Help of Christians Vice-Province offers regular financial support, missionaries continue to struggle with rising costs for health care and education. Because of the financial difficulties in which they live, Salesians in Mandalay have asked for help to continue food support for 60 youth between the ages of 8-18.
“This support is a valuable help for our mission. It allows these children to continue to grow up in safety, dignity and with hope,” said Father Zeya Aung, a Salesian missionary who wrote to the Salesian Mission Office in Turin, Italy, explaining the situation.
Despite the challenges, Salesian missionaries continue supporting the most vulnerable, and efforts have expanded to the creation of a long-term global aid plan to help people rebuild their lives after the earthquake.
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Sources:
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Salesian Missions – Myanmar
*Any goods, services, or funds provided by Salesian Missions to programs located in this country 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.
