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CAMEROON: Salesian Missions obtains funding from Loyola Foundation for purchase of truck for Salesians working in Yaoundé

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries working in Yaoundé, the capital city of Cameroon, have purchased a 4×4 Toyota Hilux truck to provide Salesian staff better transportation and accessibility in the region. This purchase was made possible by funding Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, received from the Loyola Foundation. The truck was purchased in January 2019. In February, the truck was registered, insured and put into circulation.

Since the purchase of the truck, Father Zilly Xavier, provincial delegate of Youth Ministry, has been able to honor his appointments without trying to find other ways to get around. He can respond to appeals and meetings as well as conduct required pastoral visits. He confirms that the truck is in excellent condition and is ensuring better accessibility throughout the area.

“The services that I am able to do with this truck are many including canonical visits to the Salesian communities, formation sessions with pastoral agents, celebrations in the religious communities or in the parishes and the participation in animation meetings of youth ministry at the Salesian level or the local church,” explains Fr. Xavier.

Salesian missionaries are committed to their work in the communities around Yaoundé which are often difficult to access in good weather but in rain, nearly impossible. Without proper transportation, Salesian missionaries struggled to reach neighborhoods and perform mass along with providing other social development services for the people in the area.

“We are thankful to Salesian Missions the funding for this truck that permits Fr. Xavier to do his job in the adverse climatic conditions and in places of difficult accessibility. Now he can provide his service to the province, to the local church and to groups who request it,” says Father José Maria Sabé, director of the local Salesian planning and development office.

Forty percent of Cameroon’s 23.7 million people live below the poverty line and human development indicators remain low, according to the World Food Programme. Poverty is the highest concentrated in the Far North, North, Adamaoua and East regions. In northern regions, people are often affected by natural disasters and below average harvests which contribute to a continuing cycle of poverty and hunger. The World Food Programme has noted that the number of people facing food insecurity in Cameroon is estimated at 3.9 million, including 211,000 severely food insecure.

Salesian missionaries in Cameroon provide education and social development services to poor youth so they are able to gain the training needed to find and retain long-term employment. They in turn are then able to give back to their families and communities.

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Sources:

Salesian Missions

World Food Programme