Students collect and donate food to support other Salesian students living in conditions of poverty

(MissionNewswire) Students from the Salesian Technical School IPES collected food to donate to the families of students involved in the “Building Bridges” project at the Salesian Center for Adolescent Workers. The project, focused on the municipality of Cachoeiro de Itapemirim, Brazil, was developed by the Salesian Center for Adolescent Workers.

This was the second time the project donated food items. The first donation was provided to 20 students in vulnerable situations who were involved in a 10-month training course to prepare for the workforce.

“Feeding projects such as this give youth a chance to pay it forward and help others in need,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Salesian students are dealing with much more than focusing on their studies. Many lack basic needs such as food and shelter that are critical first steps in gaining an education. Programs like this ensure youth have what they need to have a brighter future.”

Salesian missionaries in Brazil provide education, workforce development, and social services throughout the country and specifically focus on children with disabilities within several programs. Missionaries help to meet the basic needs of poor youth, including street children, and provide them with an education and life skills to gain employment, break the cycle of poverty, and lead productive lives.

According to the World Bank, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on Brazil with poverty tripling in 2021. Nearly 17 million people fell into poverty in the first quarter of the year and the poverty rate now is higher than it was a decade ago. Researchers estimate that 12.8 percent of Brazil’s population, some 27 million people, are now living below the poverty line.

Inequalities also exist in access to education and educational efficiency. These inequalities are greatest for children and youth who are poor, live in rural areas or who have an incomplete compulsory education. Salesians working with poor youth and their families in Brazil develop programs and provide youth with opportunities for furthering their education and skills.

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Sources:

ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS)

ANS – Brazil – Second edition of “Building Bridges” Project

Salesian Missions – Brazil

World Bank – Brazil