BRAZIL: Salesians celebrate 80-year anniversary of youth center in Pará de Minas
Youth in vulnerable situations gain employment skills
BRAZIL
(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries in Pará de Minas, in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil, celebrated the 80th anniversary of the Saint Dominic Savio Salesian Youth Center, which began as the Colonel Benjamin Ferreira Guimarães Institute. The institute, serving youth who are at risk and vulnerable, was named after the industrialist Benjamim Ferreira Guimarães, who wanted to convert his professional success into support for youth.
On March 3, 1946, in makeshift camps among the construction sites, an oratory opened its doors to 32 boys. By the end of the year, the attendance had risen to 140 boys, demonstrating the need for local youth to find a place of safety, education and social support.
Over the next eight decades, the institute functioned as a school, where academic learning went hand in hand with technical and moral education. In the workshops youth learn skills to become shoemakers, tailors, carpenters and bakers. They not only learned useful skills for their future, but also began to contribute to the upkeep of their own homes.
At the same time, agricultural production and animal husbandry taught the value of working the land. Two distinctive figures were educators at the time. Father André Roque conducted important botanical experiments with sorghum, and Father João Bertoldi provided technical expertise in the orchard.
Today, the Saint Dominic Savio Salesian Youth Center operates as a philanthropic organization dedicated to strengthening family and community ties. The center offers computer, music, sports, art, judo, academic support and entrepreneurship workshops for youth in vulnerable situations.
A Salesian noted, “With the support of the St John Bosco Province and a vibrant network of past pupils and collaborators, the center is celebrating its 80th anniversary, reaffirming itself as a beacon of hope for youth and families in vulnerable situations.”
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Sources:
ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS)
Salesian Missions – Brazil
World Bank – Brazil
