Goal to increase school attendance, achievement

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries in Mexico facilitated the “Accompanying I Go” project to support 100 youth at four Salesian youth centers thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The goal was for greater school attendance and achievement for youth, both during and after the project.

The youth chosen for the project faced educational delays that were identified by their schools. Many youth participating lacked academic support within their family environment.

Salesians provided guidance and support to youth through recreational activities, group activities, and dialogue sessions. The project fostered an environment of trust, respect, and participation, enabling youth to express their emotions and develop the skills needed for healthy interactions with their peers.

A Salesian noted, “Overall, the project had a positive impact on the development of academic, athletic, and cultural skills and, above all, on socio-emotional growth, imparting lessons that the youth can apply to their daily lives, both at home and at school. The results highlight the importance of providing supportive environments that foster holistic development and promote social interaction based on respect and inclusion.”

The Salesian added, “We also observed greater group cohesion, which helped reinforce values ​​such as empathy, solidarity, responsibility and teamwork. Youth participated consistently and showed genuine interest in the activities. Furthermore, the bond between facilitators and participants was strengthened, creating a safe space where every youth felt heard, valued, and supported.”

Lorenzo Arturo Montelongo, aged 10 and from Ciudad Juárez, was one of the participants. Ciudad Juárez is a border community, and its population consists largely of domestic migrants arriving from other Mexican states in search of job opportunities, alongside foreign nationals who come to the city aiming to cross the border into the United States.

Youth in the community face challenges in accessing an education. Due to work commitments of their families, many youth spend time without adult supervision, putting their safety at risk. This is particularly concerning given the city’s rate of violence, the easy availability of substances and the organized crime groups that target youth for criminal activities because they arouse less suspicion.

Montelongo said that he had a positive experience during the project. He was able to expand his circle of friends, strengthen his interactions with his peers, and enjoy activities that sparked his interest and motivation.

Mexico has seen remarkable improvements in its poverty rate. More than 8.3 million people were pulled out of poverty between 2022 and 2024, according to the World Bank. That marks a nearly 18% drop in people living in poverty in a country that has long struggled with high levels of economic precarity and unemployment. The number of people living in extreme poverty dropped 23% while those in moderate poverty dropped more than 16%, according to the report by Mexico’s National Institute of Statistics and Geography. Today, one in three Mexicans still lives in poverty.

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Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Mexico

UNICEF – Mexico