WORLD DAY AGAINST CHILD LABOR: Salesian Missions highlights educational investments that help keep youth in school, safe from child labor
Day brings attention to global extent of child labor
(MissionNewswire) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian organizations and the international community in honoring World Day Against Child Labor. The day has been celebrated on June 12 since 2002, and it brings attention to the global extent of child labor and the action and efforts needed to eliminate it.
Child labor is associated with lower educational attainment and later with jobs that fail to meet basic decent work criteria. Those who leave school early are less likely to secure stable jobs and are at greater risk of chronic unemployment and poverty. Many of those who leave school early, particularly youth between the ages of 15-17, are engaged in work that is hazardous and classified as the worst forms of child labor.
Father Michael Conway, director of Salesian Missions, said, “Salesian programs rescue children from labor, and ensure they have their basic needs met and are enrolled in school. Children need hope for the future and the skills to later find and retain stable, safe employment. We support those efforts by providing scholarship funding and ensuring Salesian schools have what they need to provide high-quality education for youth.”
In honor of World Day Against Child Labor 2026, Salesian Missions is proud to highlight educational investments that help youth remain in school instead of being forced into child labor.
INDIA
Don Bosco Nava Nirman in India provided 32 girls with scholarships thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions.
Don Bosco Nava Nirman, located in Muniguda, India, provided scholarships for 32 girls thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. The school was developed in 2010 after the Kandhamal violence in the region in 2008. One of the greatest contributions Salesians make in the region is through their education, especially for youth who are poor and marginalized.
A Salesian noted, “We have been concentrating on the education of girls and young women, which is an urgent need in this area. Generally, girls are marginalized by the parents as well as the society at large as they are not seen as potential earners in the workplace. Our entry into the education of the girls is in a way an attempt to transform this general perception. Today, through support provided to us, we are able to educate many girls through our scholarship program.”
Donor funding helped to offset the cost for hostel fees, as well as academic fees and book purchases. Although the school received funds for 26 scholarships, it was able to make scholarships available for additional children. In total, 32 children received financial support for their education.
ISRAEL
Scholarships were possible for 106 students at the Salesian School in Nazareth, with support from several Salesian organizations including Salesian Missions.
Salesians in Nazareth, Israel, were able to provide scholarships and psychosocial support for youth thanks in part to donor funding from Salesian Missions. The project was funded through the Don Bosco Network with support given by several Salesian organizations including Salesian Missions.
Through the project, Salesians provide scholarships to 106 students who are enrolled at the Salesian School in Nazareth. They were also able to provide 78 hours of psychosocial support to 50 staff and around 170 young students (grades 1-6) affected by war and unrest in the area.
The scholarships were provided to students, including 39 female students, in the form of school fee deductions. The students are from families severely impacted by the broader socio-economic challenges affecting the Arab community in Israel, many of whom experienced job loss, business closures and reduced income as a result of the conflict.
SOUTH SUDAN
St. Vincent De Paul School in South Sudan launched gender equality initiatives with donor funding from Salesian Missions.
Youth attending the St. Vincent De Paul School, run by the Salesian sisters in Gumbo, South Sudan*, have improved sanitation and access to workshops, along with a new equality club, thanks to donor funding. The funding was provided by Salesian Missions. Donor funding helped with the construction of new bathroom facilities for girls, strengthening gender equality in the school community.
While construction was happening, teachers implemented regular hygiene and gender equality awareness sessions. From March to September 2025, the sessions were delivered during daily school assemblies. In total, 24 awareness sessions were conducted, covering topics such as personal hygiene, hand-washing practices, oral hygiene, safe use and maintenance of toilets, menstrual health, body changes, and maintaining a clean environment at school and at home. More than 1,100 students participated in these sessions.
In addition, an equality club was established and became active during the academic year. The club reached 53 students from grade 3 until grade 7. The club promoted equal participation among boys and girls in the school and strengthened gender-sensitive practices. A total of 14 leaders were appointed to motivate their peers and support the implementation of the planned program. Under the guidance of teachers, the club organized mixed sports tournaments, gender-themed debates and shared responsibilities for school duties. These activities fostered collaboration, encouraged balanced participation and promoted positive gender roles across the school community.
Charity Poni Lino, one of the teachers at the school, said, “Life in Gumbo is challenging and it is not easy as a teacher. I see that most people struggle even to pay school fees, but we know that education can change our future. My wish is to study hard and become a doctor so that I can help others girls and my community.”
WEST AFRICA
Donor funding from Salesian Missions provided scholarships for 325 students in West Africa.
Salesians were able to provide scholarships to 325 youth thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. The youth came from 18 communities in countries in West Africa, including Benin, Burkina Faso, The Gambia, Guinea Conakry and Mali*. The Antonio César scholarships covered schooling, supplies and support for transportation.
One of the youth supported through the program was 16-year-old Nathan. He is a student at St. Jean Bosco in Cotonou, Benin. Nathan lost his father when he was young and lives with his mother who has few resources.
Nathan said, “For a long time, I thought that my school journey would stop due to a lack of resources. I didn’t believe I’d be able to continue my studies, let alone be able to attend professional training. But everything changed thanks to the scholarship that I received. I was able to complete my secondary education and obtain my baccalaureate. I am now pursuing professional training with the firm desire to succeed and learn a profession and one day be able to support my family like they have supported me.”
He added, “This scholarship transformed my life. It gave me hope, confidence and a real direction to follow. I would like to express my deep gratitude to the school and to all partners and benefactors who make this project possible. Thanks to you, young people like me can dream again and especially believe in a better future.”
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Sources:
Photos courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)
International Labour Organization – World Day Against Child Labor
WEST AFRICA: Donor funding from Salesian Missions provides scholarships for 325 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.
