Goal is for youth to live healthier, happier lives

(MissionNewswire) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian organizations and countries around the globe in celebrating International Day of Happiness, which falls each year on March 20. In 2011, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution that recognized happiness as a “fundamental human goal” and called for “a more inclusive, equitable and balanced approach to economic growth that promotes the happiness and well-being of all people.”

The day is coordinated by Action for Happiness, a nonprofit movement of members from 160 countries, and is supported by a partnership of like-minded organizations. It was founded as a way to inspire, mobilize and advance the global happiness movement. In 2015, the U.N. launched the 17 Sustainable Development Goals that seek to end poverty, reduce inequality and protect the planet — three key aspects that lead to well-being and happiness.

“While education may be the Salesians’ primary focus, the goal is for youth to live healthy and happier lives,” said Father Michael Conway, director of Salesian Missions. “Salesians know that when youth can access education, they are able to live out their dreams, build a safe net of peers and trusting adults, and plan for their futures.”

In celebration of International Day of Happiness, Salesian Missions is proud to highlight Salesian programs that educate, empower and support youth.

MALAWI

Salesian missionaries completed construction of a new multipurpose hall at the Don Bosco Secondary School in Nkhotakota, Malawi, thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. The project is enhancing the educational environment and activities at the school.

The new hall will impact 420 students and all those who use the St. Paul’s parish, as well as youth from the local oratory. In addition, Salesians created a school library for the students.

A Salesian noted, “Thanks to this project, the school will benefit from the library and now have a place for assemblies, eating meals, playing games, sharing talents, socializing, studying and more. We are grateful for the support that was provided to us.”

With the funds, construction included leveling the ground around the hall structure to put in a slab. The building was constructed with room for 300 plastic chairs and 200 stools.

One of the beneficiaries is Kruza, who became the prefect of the library. With access to books and hours spent in the library, she has improved her grades, especially in science where she struggled the most. Her teacher was surprised that she improved from being a C to B student.

SYRIA

Salesians were able to help support children at two orphanages in Aleppo, Syria*, thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. Both an Armenian orphanage housing 30 children and a Muslim orphanage hosting 50 children, aged 6-18, were supported through the ongoing project.

Volunteers engaged the children in activities such as sports and games, cultural and educational sessions, psychological workshops, interactive theater performances, and a carnival day. Children also had access to individual counseling sessions to begin or continue therapeutic support in a safe, confidential setting. Each child was also taken to choose a new pair of shoes.

Orphanages in Aleppo are critically under-resourced and face overwhelming challenges including overcapacity, staffing shortages, and limited funding to meet even the most basic needs of the children.

A Salesian noted, “The Orphan Project represented a powerful humanitarian initiative that delivered essential care and emotional support to orphaned children in Aleppo — regardless of their religion, background or community. Amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis and socioeconomic instability in the region, this project has served as a beacon of hope, offering these children not only essential resources but also dignity, love and belonging.”

UKRAINE

Salesian missionaries with the Salesian Lyceum in Lviv, Ukraine*, were able to use donor funding to install a volleyball pitch thanks to funding from Salesian Missions. The pitch was set up over the summer and ready for the start of the school semester in September 2025.

More than 400 students were impacted by the donation and have been able to now play volleyball during their physical education classes and afterschool activities. UNICEF reports that since the start of the conflict with Russia, more than 1,600 schools have been impacted by the bombing. Education has been interrupted for many students and they are no longer able to access coursework or have leisure activities with their friends.

The Salesian Lyceum has been meeting these needs for many students, many of whom have been internally displaced in the country. Some of the students are orphaned and in the care of relatives or the Salesians.

Father Taras Bayovskiy, headmaster of the Salesian Lyceum, said, “I am grateful that we now have a volleyball pitch. What we have available for students is limited, and promoting a healthy lifestyle through sports activities without adequate sports infrastructure has always been a challenge for us. We now have a soccer field, a volleyball court and modular locker rooms. These facilities enable us to participate in three student sports leagues including soccer, volleyball, and rugby.”

WEST AFRICA

Salesian missionaries in the Our Lady of Peace provincial community were able to provide 209 scholarships to youth who are disadvantaged thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. The Antonio César scholarship program took place in Benin, Burkina Faso, Gambia, Guinea, Mali* and Senegal.

According to the UNESCO Statistical Institute, sub-Saharan Africa has the highest rates of exclusion from education. More than a fifth of children aged about 6-11 are out of school, a third of children aged about 12-14 and nearly 60% of young people aged about 15-17. The region faces a growing demand for education due to its steadily increasing school-age population. Girls face greater exclusion from school than boys of the same age.

Youth receiving the scholarships were aged 8-25, and they were either orphaned or from families that could not afford their schooling.

A Salesian explained, “We want to ensure that all youth have a chance to gain an education, particularly girls who face greater disadvantages in accessing education. Salesians provide education and social development programs to support poor youth and their families. It is our goal to connect all youth, despite their disadvantages, to education where they can gain skills for later employment and to succeed in life.”

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Sources:

Photos courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

International Day of Happiness

MALAWI: Don Bosco Secondary School has new hall thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions

Salesian Missions

SYRIA: Orphan Project brings support, joy to children thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions

UKRAINE: Students access new volleyball pitch thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions

WEST AFRICA: Donor funding from Salesian Missions provides scholarships for 209 students

*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.