Students at schools, refugees receive meals

(MissionNewswire) More than 4,800 youth at Salesian schools in Uganda have access to better nutrition through a partnership between Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, and Rise Against Hunger, a nonprofit that helps underserved people worldwide achieve food security and resilience through nutrition, education and economic empowerment. Youth at Salesian schools and at Don Bosco Palabek received the meals in the first half of 2025.

At St. Joseph Vocational Training Center, meals supported students during their studies and large-scale events like Women’s Day and the Don Bosco sports tournament. As a result, the school was able to redirect funds toward learning materials. Students showed better concentration and performance, and community members expressed appreciation.

At Don Bosco CALM, daily hot meals were served to hundreds of youth, including weekend rations for boarding students. The center also distributed take-home meals to neighboring households and held two sessions on dietary health and food safety for caregivers. As a result, school attendance rose from 87% to 95%, and there was a 9% improvement in end-of-year exam pass rates. Malnourished children reached healthy BMIs, and parents reported financial relief as a result of the meal support.

Meals were also distributed at Don Bosco Palabek for children and youth in the early childhood development program and the vocational training center, helping maintain program stability amid broader food shortages. The camp managed to sustain school operations during a regional food crisis. The meals boosted morale and educational continuity and enabled the center to allocate funds toward education materials and facility improvements.

Finally, at the Don Bosco Vocational Training Center in Bombo, the meals helped the school avoid a food crisis during school sessions, attracted new enrollments due to improved student welfare and fostered community bonds through inclusive meal-sharing events. The center also supported poor local families with the meals and began expanding vocational education offerings.

Frank, a student at Don Bosco Vocational Training Center, is currently studying metal fabrication and wishes to be a professional welder. Frank comes from a very poor family and is an orphan who lives with his siblings. Due to financial constraints, they could only afford to have one small meal so that everyone could have something to eat.

Frank said, “Ever since I started receiving Rise Against Hunger meals, my life has really greatly improved because I no longer miss any important meal.’’ He said that his grades and those of other students are better because students now go to class with the right energy after receiving lunch.

When asked about his hopes for the future, Frank said, “In the future, I want to be a welder who provides the best quality services for my customers. With that career path, I hope to create financial freedom for my family so that none of my family members has to suffer from hunger again.”

Salesians at the schools work primarily with boys who are homeless and those who have been orphaned, battered, and neglected. They also provide support for other youth and children who are vulnerable, including those who are HIV/AIDS positive. All of the children are in school with some attending Don Bosco Primary School, Salesian secondary schools and vocational training institutes.

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Rise Against Hunger

Salesian Missions – Uganda

World Bank – Uganda