Project strengthens school’s financial sustainability

(MissionNewswire) St. John Bosco Secondary School, located in Ngozi, Burundi*, has started a mushroom farming project to improve the nutrition of its students and strengthen the school’s financial sustainability. The project comes at a time when the institution is facing increasing challenges due to the country’s economic situation and rising poverty levels, which have affected both families and educational institutions.

The school currently has 946 students, 70% of whom are boarders, creating a significant demand for nutritious balanced meals.

A school leader explained, “Mushrooms are easy to cultivate and highly nutritious. This project will help us provide healthier meals to our students and ensure that the school can continue offering quality education despite the economic challenges we face.”

Many students come from families who are vulnerable and depend on the institution not only for education but also for their daily well-being. Ensuring that boarding students receive a rich and balanced diet is essential for their physical growth, academic performance and overall development.

For years, St. John Bosco Secondary School has relied on income-generating activities such as agriculture and animal breeding to supplement its resources. However, these activities have increasingly come under pressure due to the difficult economic situation. The mushroom project is expected to complement these existing initiatives.

Founded in 1962, the school helps shape youth into responsible citizens and prepares them for higher education and future leadership roles. As the institution looks to the future, the mushroom farming project is an investment in the health, education and future of nearly 1,000 Burundians who depend on the school for opportunities to build better lives.

Burundi has seen more than a decade of violence and conflict, contributing to widespread poverty according to UNICEF. Children are some of the most severely affected by the country’s rampant poverty. Fifty-three percent of children under the age of 5 suffer from growth stunting caused by inadequate food, low-quality diet, poor infant feeding practices, poor household management of childhood diseases and the general decline of the country’s health system.

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Photo courtesy of AGL Planning and Development Office June 2026 Newsletter

AGL Planning and Development Office June 2026 Newsletter

Salesian Missions – Burundi

UNICEF – Burundi

*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.