SPAIN

(MissionNewswire) Bosco Global’s 2025 report “Heroes of Hope” highlighted that through 59 projects in 16 countries the organization has impacted more than 51,000 people who are vulnerable. It further highlights the Salesian mission and a shared conviction that solidarity knows no borders.

A Salesian noted, “The report’s publication comes at a time when the importance of international cooperation is being called into question, following recent agreements signed by regional governments. The National NGO Coordinator and the network of Regional Coordinators of Development NGOs, of which Bosco Global is a member, are promoting a campaign of public cooperation policy as a tool for eradicating inequalities and poverty worldwide.”

At the presentation of the report, Father Fernando Miranda, president of Bosco Global and superior of Spain’s Mary Help of Christians Province, said, “In the face of those who present a false dilemma between addressing local needs or supporting those living in situations of poverty and exclusion in other parts of the world, we continue to maintain that solidarity knows no boundaries. It is time to build fraternity, to recognize ourselves as one human family and to respond together to global challenges.”

In 2025, Bosco Global promoted 37 international cooperation projects, 20 initiatives in Education for Transformation and Global Justice, and two volunteering programs, reaffirming its commitment to promoting human rights, education, equal opportunities and the building of communities capable of transforming their own circumstances.

Through the international Salesian network, Bosco Global also supported children affected by the wars and continued to work alongside communities suffering the consequences of protracted conflicts.At the same time, it continued to promote projects that strengthen access to vocational education, youth employability, agroecology, food security, entrepreneurship and quality education.

In Spain, education has continued to serve as a tool for fostering critical and engaged citizenship. Thousands of youth and education professionals have taken part in initiatives focused on protecting the environment, gender equality, a culture of peace, cultural diversity, the prevention of hate speech and the defense of human rights.

A statement about the report read, “At Bosco Global, we would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people and organizations whose commitment and involvement have made the work carried out throughout 2025 possible. Thank you for continuing to believe that, as Father Miranda said, cooperation is an investment in humanity, justice and peace, and for demonstrating, every day, that another world is possible. May this report also serve as an invitation to continue to be agents of hope.”

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Photo courtesy of Bosco Global

ANS – Spain – Agents of Hope: Bosco Global presents its 2025 Report

Bosco Global – 2025 Heroes of Hope Report

Salesian Missions

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INDIA

(MissionNewswire) Students from Don Bosco High School, located in Borivali, a suburb located in northwestern Mumbai, India, participated in a beach clean-up drive organized by the Science and Nature Club and held in July at Gorai Beach.

Twenty-five estudents and five teachers took part in cleaning up the environment. Before embarking on the drive, students learned about environmental responsibility, safety measures and the importance of preserving natural ecosystems.

A Salesian explained, “Setting out from the school at nine in the morning, the students arrived at Gorai Beach to restore the beauty of the shoreline and spread awareness about responsible waste management. A meaningful interaction with members of the local Koli community gave them valuable insights into how plastic pollution affects marine life, fishing activities and the livelihoods of coastal families. The discussion encouraged students to reflect on the role each individual plays in protecting the environment.”

The Salesian added, “Equipped with gloves and collection bags, the young volunteers diligently gathered and segregated plastic waste, bottles, wrappers, and other litter strewn across the beach. Their efforts not only rejuvenated a part of the coastline but also demonstrated that every responsible action, however small, contributes to a cleaner and healthier planet.”

The drive concluded later that morning and the team returned to school with a renewed commitment to environmental stewardship, civic responsibility, and sustainable living.

The Salesian concluded, “This was more than a cleanliness campaign. It was a powerful lesson in action, compassion and collective responsibility. Through this initiative, the students proved that true change begins when young minds choose to care, act and inspire others. As these young eco-warriors left footprints on the sand, they also left behind a lasting message that protecting our planet is everyone’s responsibility, and every effort creates a wave of change.”

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Don Bosco Green Alliance

Don Bosco Green Alliance – Waves of Change: Young Eco-Warriors Clean Up Gorai Beach

Salesian Missions – India

World Bank – India

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BURUNDI

(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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Sources:

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.

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RWANDA

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries, located in Kigali, Rwanda, have begun the distribution of ProFuturo replacement technology toolkits to participating schools to strengthen digital education for youth across the country.

The distribution provides schools with replacement digital learning equipment to ensure the continuity and sustainability of the ProFuturo Digital Education Program. The initiative provides tablets, computers and supporting accessories to schools that have been implementing the program over the years.

Since its initial rollout in 2019, the ProFuturo Digital Education Program has worked to integrate digital tools into classrooms and reduce the educational gap in vulnerable communities across Rwanda. The program was launched in partnership with the Rwandan Ministry of Education, the Rwanda Basic Education Board and strategic partners including the Salesians of Don Bosco, World Vision and UNHCR.

A Salesian explained, “The replacement of aging equipment is a critical step in maintaining the effectiveness of digital learning environments. By providing schools with updated devices and accessories, the initiative ensures that teachers can continue delivering engaging lessons and that learners can access interactive educational content without interruption.”

The goal is replenishing outdated equipment in 31 schools and to directly reach 300 teachers and empower over 13,000 students every year. By replacing these crucial resources, the Salesians and the ProFuturo program are ensuring that students and educators maintain access to the reliable tools they need to succeed in today’s digital landscape.

Salesian missionaries provide a range of educational and social development services in Rwanda. Youth who are poor are able to access programs including health services, nutrition, education and general support services that help them to lead healthy productive lives. Salesians first arrived in the country in 1953. Today, there are six Salesian centers in Rwanda.

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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 – Rwanda

UNICEF – Rwanda

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INDIA

(MissionNewswire) The Academic Commission of the Salesian Province of Tiruchy in India has welcomed 50 new teachers who will be serving in Salesian schools. Salesians organized an induction day to introduce the teachers to the Salesian educational mission and deepen their understanding of St. John Bosco’s Preventive System.

The event was started by Father Victor Antonyraj, vice-provincial, who highlighted the relevance of Salesian teaching today, emphasizing its contribution to the education of youth through values and human development. Sessions were led by Father Jeyan Joseph, who explored the Salesian educational heritage by explaining the preventive system, founded on the three pillars of reason, religion and loving kindness. He reminded participants that teaching in a Salesian school is first and foremost a vocation, which requires supporting youth through their presence, dialogue, encouragement, trust and sincere educational care.

A Salesian noted, “During the sessions, participants also reflected on the challenges of contemporary education, with teachers being encouraged to integrate new technologies with student-centered teaching methods capable of fostering critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration, while not losing sight of character education and the integral development of the person.”

Concluding the program, Fr. Joseph urged the teachers to cultivate a genuine and caring presence in their students’ lives, reminding them that, even in an era of technological and social change, the closeness of an educator remains one of the most effective tools for supporting growth.

Access to professional training and workforce development services is highly valued in India. India’s youth face a lack of educational opportunities due to issues of caste, class and gender. Almost 44% of the workforce is illiterate and less than 10% of the working-age population has completed a secondary education. In addition, many secondary school graduates do not have the knowledge and skills to compete in today’s changing job market.

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

ANS – India – The Salesian Province of Tiruchy welcomes 50 new teachers to Don Bosco’s educational mission

Salesian Missions – India

World Bank – India

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(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries in Lebanon* continue to support youth and their families who are facing insecurity, displacement and deteriorating living conditions. At the beginning of March 2026, the resumption of clashes between Israel and Hezbollah, against a backdrop of growing regional tension, led to the displacement of people in various parts of the country. Families from villages near the border with Israel and from neighborhoods hit by the attacks have sought refuge in El Houssoun, where the Salesians are coordinating relief efforts alongside the local authorities.

Salesians have been supporting 24 families, made up of 116 people, including 42 children and 12 people who are elderly. These families were taken in after fleeing areas affected by bombardments and clashes. Many families arrive having lost their possessions, their means of livelihood and the security of their homes.

A Salesian explained, “We provide comprehensive assistance for two months to the 116 people taken in. The program includes food and water for three meals a day, hygiene products, access to electricity, gas, and the internet, cleaning supplies, first-aid kits, basic medicines, and logistical support. In addition, social and recreational activities have been organized at the oratory for youth, one of the groups most affected by the violence and displacement.”

The 24 families receiving assistance reflect a particularly difficult situation. Most are households comprising several members, including children, elderly people and widows who depend on their extended families to get by. Repeated displacement, the loss of savings, a lack of documents and family separation increase the risks to their safety and have a severe psychological impact.

Salesians in the country also run youth programs, schools and social centers. The Don Bosco Technical Center in Jbeil has 400 Lebanese students, the Angels of Peace School in Beirut is attended by Iraqi and Syrian refugee youth, and El Houssoun Youth Center organizes activities for youth from different communities and promotes intercultural and interfaith dialogue.

In doing all this, Salesians are working alongside technical staff, educators, volunteers and security personnel, always with the aim of supporting displaced families and ensuring they can get through this difficult time with greater protection.

Given their presence in the community and firsthand knowledge of what’s happening on the ground, Salesians are perfectly positioned to provide support during a humanitarian crisis. During the 2024–2025 war between Israel and Hezbollah, the Salesians launched the Salem (Peace) initiative where they assisted displaced people and strengthened their capacity to respond to new crises.

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Photo courtesy of Misiones Salesianas

ANS – Lebanon – The Salesians step up emergency aid for displaced families

Salesian Missions

World Bank – Lebanon

*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.

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(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Institute is a recognized welfare and charitable organization which comprises 50 facilities and services, mainly in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of France. Committed to helping youth who are vulnerable, it devotes particular attention to children and older youth facing social difficulties. More than 1,200 staff members are involved in these social care homes for children.

Most recently, the organization has opened a social care home for children, named Don Bosco 87, in Saint-Junien, in the western part of the Haute-Vienne department.

In France, of the 392,000 youth receiving support from Child Welfare Services, 57% are placed outside their family home. In Haute-Vienne, the number of placements, up by 45 % since 2014, has prompted the department to fund Don Bosco 87.

The facility comprises three separate sites, located in the municipalities of Saint-Junien and Saint-Brice-sur-Vienne. The first block was opened in February 2025 and with the new facility the Don Bosco Institute can now accommodate up to 34 children aged 3-18.

The children are divided into age groups with eight places for independent accommodations for older youth aged 16-21. There are also two foster families providing personalized support.

To enable youth to grow up in the best possible conditions, a team of 43 professionals supports them. These are educators, nurses, care workers, cleaners and others. Youth receive academic support, learn to live independently, develop social bonds and access mental health support.

Malick Kaouane, the center’s director, said, “Every child carries with them a unique story — sometimes difficult, often marked by upheaval, but always a source of hope. We believe that every child possesses within them resources, talents and an inner strength that asks for nothing more than to be expressed.”

Renan, a specialist educator, noted, “The Don Bosco 87 provides a special setting with its small units. Youth can grow up in the open air, just a stone’s throw from the school, and supported by a dynamic and committed educational team.”

Salesians held a special opening ceremony to launch the new center. Youth and educators were there with numerous political representatives, magistrates and social care professionals, alongside Caroline Ballon, president of the Don Bosco Institute.

Don Bosco Institute, which originally began as an orphanage in Gradignan has been caring for the most vulnerable children since its inception in 1856.

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

ANS – France – Opening of the “Don Bosco 87” Children’s Home

Salesian Missions

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(MissionNewswire) Salesians in Ukraine* have published a bilingual book “My First Day of War”, a collection of documentary accounts by students and teachers at the Vsesvit Salesian High School in Zhytomyr, Ukraine. Published in Ukrainian and English, the book is a collection of personal memories of what was experienced on Feb. 24, 2022, which was the first day of the war.

The project was conceived and coordinated by Natalia Nahalevska, an Italian teacher and deputy head of studies at the school. She encouraged the students to share their memories so that their experiences of the first days of the war would not be lost.

Nahalevska explained, “I realized that, as time went on, many details and experiences linked to the first hours and days of the war would gradually fade from memory. That’s why I suggested to the students — obviously only those who wanted to — that they put their memories down on paper. Almost all of them wanted to take part. I still remember a little girl who, after finishing her story, took a deep breath and said: ‘Phew… I finally feel better’. At that moment, I realized that many children were carrying those experiences with them in silence, deep in their hearts, without ever having spoken of them before.”

This book includes photographs, excerpts from correspondence, handwritten letters from the children and drawings. Each page traces the chronology of events and captures the various emotions — fear, uncertainty, hope, solidarity and faith — felt by the children during those first days.

The project took almost a year to complete. Thanks to the joint efforts of pupils, teachers and benefactors, this publication has become a valuable record of the experiences of Ukrainian children. It is also an important expression of the Salesian educational mission, which supports youth and fosters in them a spirit of faith, hope and love, even in a situation characterized by the great challenges posed by the war.

Since the beginning of the war, Salesian missionaries in Ukraine and around the globe have supported thousands of people with projects and activities aimed at alleviating the situation of people affected by the war.

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

ANS – Ukraine – “My First Day of War”: a book that brings together the memories hidden in children’s hearts

Salesian Missions

UNHCR – Ukraine

*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.

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SOUTH AFRICA

(MissionNewswire) The Salesian Institute Youth Projects, located in Cape Town, South Africa, has graduated 15 young men and women in its four-month accredited tailor’s program. The “Stitch Ahead Sewing Program” provides youth with marketable skills for sustainable employment in the textile and manufacturing sectors.

A Salesian noted, “In just four months, these young people combined technical proficiency with creativity, demonstrating that they are ready for both formal and informal employment in the textile sector. The final month of the course focuses on an incubation phase, where students developed their own sample products and pricing strategies — a crucial step in building entrepreneurial thinking alongside technical skill.”

The graduates marked the occasion by showcasing a range of their own original products. Trained in the cut, make, and trim methodology, graduates also received psychosocial support, intervention, and referrals where needed.

The Salesian added, “Beyond their own achievements, the graduates demonstrated a strong sense of citizenship. Despite often coming from challenging circumstances, they produced beanies, feeding cloths and burping cloths for donation to the Christine Revell Children’s Home in Athlone. This is a remarkable act of generosity from youth who know what it means to need support.”

The program was made possible through the generous support of local and international funders, including the Mauerberger Foundation Fund and the Next Foundation from South Africa, as well Don Bosco Mission from Italy, the Van Kesteren Foundation from Switzerland, and Robert Knitt and Associates from Germany.

The Salesian concluded, “To every sponsor, facilitator and supporter who made this graduation possible — thank you. These 15 graduates are proof that investment in people always pays the highest return.”

Since 1910, Salesian Institute Youth Projects has been helping youth who are homeless, unemployed or poor in Cape Town, the second most populous city and legislative capital of South Africa. Salesians provide shelter, education and workforce development services, meeting the basic needs of the youth they serve while helping them break the cycle of poverty.

Poverty is extensive in South Africa with more than half the population and more than 63% of children living below the poverty line, according to UNICEF. A significant percentage of the population struggles to survive on less than $1 a day. The country is plagued by high crime rates and violence against women and girls, and it has been highly affected by the HIV/AIDS crisis.

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Atlantic Sun – Transforming lives: 15 graduates celebrate success at Salesian Institute Youth Projects

Salesian Institute Youth Projects – Transforming Lives: 15 Graduates Celebrate Success at Salesian Institute Youth Projects

Salesian Institute Youth Projects

Salesian Institute Youth Projects Facebook

Salesian Missions – South Africa

UNICEF – South Africa

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ARGENTINA

(MissionNewswire) Salesians were represented at the 20th edition of “Caminos y Sabores”, known as “The Great Argentine Market”, a leading gastronomic and cultural fair in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Don Bosco for Young People, the local Salesian Mission Office, set up a pavilion to sell products made in Salesian agricultural technical schools. Wines, olive oil, yerba mate, dulce de leche and cheeses were showcased.

According to the event organizers, the four-day fair had more than 100,000 visitors, the participation of more than 500 producers from across the country and 40 guest chefs. The event combines gastronomic and cultural aspects, representing Argentina’s diverse identity.

A Salesian explained, “Students took part in the production process of the things sold as part of their education. Don Bosco for Young People has been taking part in this fair for over 10 years. We allocate the proceeds from the sale of these products to support initiatives carried out in Salesian centers across the country. This helps to fund education, vocational training, and social and pastoral activities, as well as the missionary work in Argentine Patagonia.”

The central theme of the Salesian pavilion was the 150th anniversary of the first arrival of Salesian missionaries sent by St. John Bosco in 1875 to Argentina. While at the fair, the team from Don Bosco for Young People received visits from prominent figures, current staff of the organization, graduates of Salesian educational centers in Argentina and other countries, and the families of graduates.

Gonzalo López, a representative of the Salesian Carlos M. Casares Agricultural Technical School in Del Valle, took advantage of the opportunities for discussion and meetings with representatives from other institutions to showcase the school’s range of products.

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

ANS – Argentina – Don Bosco takes part in the “Caminos y Sabores” fair

Salesian Missions – Argentina

World Bank – Argentina

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ECUADOR

(MissionNewswire) The Chicos de la Calle Salesian Project Foundation–North Coast celebrated the conclusion of the collaborative project developed in partnership with the Salesian Polytechnic University based in Quito, Ecuador. The initiative, which lasted five months, strengthened the educational, community, and pastoral work that the foundation carries out with youth and their families in Salesian centers in Santo Domingo and Esmeraldas.

The project consisted of several activities. The university’s psychology department held workshops for youth, promoting emotional well-being and strengthening life skills. The education sciences degree program provided education and reflection opportunities for educators and mothers, reinforcing the holistic support provided to those involved. The multimedia design department created a community mural that will remain as a symbol of Salesian identity and mission.

The project’s closing event took place at Mother of the Savior Reference Center in Esmeraldas, where university officials, lecturers, students, educators, beneficiaries and families came together.

During the program, lecturer Ricardo Moreno, from the multimedia design degree program, emphasized that every element of the mural was created through a participatory process, resulting in a genuine joint effort.

The mural features St. John Bosco as its central figure, flanked by key figures from the Church and the Salesian Congregation such as Pope Leo XIV and Father Fabio Attard, rector major of the Salesians. They are alongside various Salesians and laypeople who bring the Salesian mission to life by supporting youth in need and contributing to the development of the Salesian project in Esmeraldas.

The artwork also represents the essence of Don Bosco’s Preventive System, through the courtyard where youth grow alongside their friends, the school that educates, and the church that transforms. Also represented is the Afro-Esmeraldan cultural heritage reflected in the marimba and music, symbols of the local population’s identity.

Father Robert García, director of the foundation, expressed his deep gratitude to the Salesian Province and the university for believing in this initiative and making the project possible. He acknowledged the commitment of the lecturers and students in the multimedia design course, who devoted a week’s work to creating a mural that will remain as a legacy of hope and identity for the Salesian work.

During the closing ceremony, he said, “Don Bosco taught us that education is a matter of the heart. Today you are showing us that art educates, evangelizes and transforms lives. This mural not only beautifies our spaces, but tells our story, reflects our mission and will be a source of inspiration for future generations who are part of this Salesian house.”

Certificates were also presented to participants who took part in the workshop and the drawing competition.

Salesians provide social development and educational programs across Ecuador to help youth who are poor gain an education and the skills for later employment. The skills they learn ensure they are able to care for themselves and their families while being contributing members of their communities.

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Salesians of Ecuador

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

ANS – Ecuador – Collaboration project between UPS and the Costa Norte Salesian Project: a legacy of art, education and hope

Salesian Missions – Ecuador

UNICEF – Ecuador

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ITALY

(MissionNewswire) The 2026 edition of the Salesians of Don Bosco’s Summer Camp in Vasto, Italy, ended in July. Over the summer, the Salesian oratory became a hub for more than 700 youth who took part in games, workshops, educational activities and moments of prayer over the course of four weeks.

The initiative was made possible by 120 youth leaders and 80 adult volunteers who, together with the Salesians and educators, dedicated their time and energy to the development of the youth attending the camp.

The theme of the 2026 edition, inspired by the animated film Kung Fu Panda, underpinned the educational program, encouraging participants to live fully in the present and to rediscover the value of genuine relationships.

A Salesian explained, “Behind the success of the initiative was a great deal of preparatory work, involving months of education and joint organization between activity leaders, families and the educational community. We appreciate the time and dedication of our volunteers and supporters.”

More activities are planned for the rest of the summer. Older youth will be able to register for Trisport, an evening tournament for older youth and adults that includes soccer, volleyball and basketball matches, as well as wildcard games.

Salesian programs across Italy help youth who are unable to attend school and others who drop out to work at the few jobs available to them. A growing number of children work as laborers on farms and others have turned to the sex trade to help support their families. Those in poverty often live without adequate shelter, hot water, regular meals and healthcare.

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

ANS – Italy – Smiles, friendships, games, prayer, workshops and great challenges: the Vasto Summer Camp has come to an end

Salesian Missions – Italy

World Bank – Italy

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COLOMBIA

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries are responding with support and aid for earthquake victims as they assess damages at Salesian centers in the wake of a devastating 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck Colombia on Aug. 10, 2026. The earthquake has left widespread destruction, impacting Salesian institutions and thousands of people.

The epicenter of the earthquake was in the department of Chocó, causing serious damage to several Salesian institutions. In a letter, Father José Ariel Guerrero Castro, provincial, noted, “Assessment work is continuing to verify the extent of human, social and material damage, while support is being provided to families, staff and young people associated with the Salesian centers who have also been affected by the emergency.”

Initial reports indicate that 10 of the Salesian province’s 18 communities have sustained damage that is hindering the provision of their educational, pastoral, social and parish services. Among the most severely affected are the four Salesian centers in Cali, the missionary centers in Condoto, Tuluá, Popayán, and Ibagué, the Salesian College in Dosquebradas, and the Pedro Justo Berrío Salesian College in Medellín.

The San Pedro Claver Province of Bogotá has reported damage to the Salesian centers in Tumaco and Buenaventura. Several buildings, particularly the older ones, have sustained structural damage that will necessitate the temporary suspension of in-person activities until safe conditions can be guaranteed for the entire educational community. This is particularly difficult for the local population as these territories are characterized by high socioeconomic vulnerability and impacted by armed conflict. These communities have historically faced significant gaps in access to basic services and adequate living conditions.

From the first hours of the emergency, the Salesian province activated its response protocols to provide support for the affected communities, conduct technical damage assessments, and prioritize relief and recovery actions. At the same time, efforts are underway to secure resources and coordinate with national and international cooperation agencies to address the most urgent needs, restore safe conditions, and ensure the continuity of the Salesian educational, pastoral, and social mission.

Fr. Castro added, “Given the scale of this emergency, the San Luis Beltrán Salesian Province calls on national and international cooperation agencies, Salesian provinces, the Don Bosco Network, mission offices, foundations, companies, benefactors, and all people of goodwill to join forces in support of the affected communities.”

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Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

ANS – Colombia – Earthquake hits ten communities in the San Luis Beltrán Salesian Province in Medellín

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World Bank – Colombia

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SOUTH SUDAN

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries continue to support people in displaced and vulnerable communities in Tonj, Maridi, Kuajok, Wau and Don Bosco Gumbo in Juba, South Sudan*, as violence in the country persists. South Sudan became an independent country in July 2011, but the long-awaited peace has not materialized for the majority of the population. Violence, internal conflicts, food insecurity, floods and a lack of essential services have forced millions of people to flee their homes.

The Salesian Mission Office in Madrid is currently active in South Sudan. Ara Tena, a volunteer, sums up the work in the country as a presence that combines emergency relief with development.

At Don Bosco Gumbo, the Salesians have been supporting people displaced by the conflict by providing shelter, food, basic services, and assistance to people who are vulnerable, such as single mothers, orphans, and the elderly. In recent months, they have also increased emergency aid in the refugee camp.

Tena said, “We have just completed an emergency operation in the Gumbo refugee camp, where we distributed plastic sheeting to cover tents and food supplies, as part of the ongoing support we have been providing for years.”

Alongside this humanitarian response, development projects aim to reduce dependence on aid and create opportunities for the future. In the Tonj area, Salesians are working with vulnerable rural communities to improve their nutrition through sustainable agriculture. The initiative also includes awareness-raising activities on Hansen’s disease and a peace-building component integrated into all Salesian projects in the country.

In Tonj and Maridi, Salesians are focused on providing technical education for young women. A facility already exists in Tonj, while in Maridi there are plans to build and equip a technical education center specializing in cooking, food preservation, sewing and dressmaking.

For Tena, this type of work addresses a clear priority. “We believe it is necessary to empower women, especially economically, so that they can generate their own income and improve their social status. In a country where gender inequalities remain deeply entrenched, vocational education can pave the way to self-reliance for women and families living in situations of extreme vulnerability.”

In Kuajok, the Salesian Mission Office, together with Boscoaid, has developed inclusive, equitable and high-quality educational projects for development and peace-building. Salesian projects include a scholarship program for youth that will support more than 1,000 students from 10 selected Salesian schools.

“We understand that everything we do for peace and peaceful coexistence is fundamental, because South Sudan is a country that has never known peace,” concluded Tena.

Salesian missionaries in South Sudan are dedicated to providing programs and services across the country. Salesian missionaries provide education, social development services, nutrition programs, and health clinics for poor youth and their families. For some, the education offered at Salesian schools is the only opportunity to gain an education and the skills necessary for future employment.

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Misiones Salesianas

ANS – South Sudan – Fifteen years of independence and a Salesian mission supporting millions of displaced people

Salesian Missions – South Sudan

*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.

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SOUTH SUDAN

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries continue to support displaced populations inside South Sudan* as well as refugees who have fled to neighboring Uganda at the Palabek Refugee Settlement, which is home to nearly 100,000 people, most from South Sudan. Roughly 83% are women and children. Many arrived after fleeing with nothing but the clothes on their backs, having lost family members, homes, schools and livelihoods.

Salesians are providing education, shelter, vocational education, protection, humanitarian aid and peace-building activities. Salesians live in close contact with the refugee population and understand the needs directly. They are able to create services and programs that fit the needs of the population.

Father Ubaldino Andrade has been supporting the refugees in Palabek for years. He said, “War is a destructive experience. It destroys not only homes but also hearts. Everything is left behind; everything vanishes from one day to the next.”

Salesian missionaries in South Sudan are dedicated to providing programs and services across the country. Salesian missionaries provide education, social development services, nutrition programs, and health clinics for poor youth and their families. For some, the education offered at Salesian schools is the only opportunity to gain an education and the skills necessary for future employment.

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Sources:

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

ANS – South Sudan – Fifteen years of independence and a Salesian mission supporting millions of displaced people

Salesian Missions – South Sudan

*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.

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(MissionNewswire) Jugend Eine Welt (Youth One World), the Salesian Austrian Development Agency, was represented at the 10th Austrian World Summit, the international climate conference hosted by Austrian-born former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. The conference was held in Vienna and Wolfgang Wedan, global emergency relief coordinator of Jugend Eine Welt, participated as a partner of the Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative.

A Salesian explained, “Jugend Eine Welt used the opportunity to bring the perspective of the worldwide Don Bosco network into the international climate debate through discussions with representatives from politics, civil society, the church, and development cooperation who were present.”

The key message delivered was that ecological transformation can only succeed if youth have access to high-quality education and vocational training. The expansion of renewable energy, sustainable infrastructure and climate-resilient livelihoods requires well-trained professionals while at the same time creating opportunities for millions of youth.

Further, Jugend Eine Welt highlighted Don Bosco projects that have already been supported and implemented locally thanks to the partnership with the Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative.

One example is the installation of a 30-kWp photovoltaic system at a Don Bosco School in Mangalagiri on the east coast of India. The system significantly reduces the school’s energy costs and makes it possible to invest the resulting savings directly into educational and social programs for disadvantaged youth. At the same time, the project contributes to the reduction of CO2 emissions over decades.

Another supported program took place in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, through the project “Active Climate Protection at the Bosco Children Center.” With this support, work within the existing eco-clubs was strengthened, promoting awareness of climate protection, sustainability, and practical environmental skills among youth.

Pope Leo XIV sent a special message through his video address to the participants of the Austrian World Summit. In it, he emphasized that the climate crisis cannot be viewed in isolation but is closely linked to social and economic challenges. In doing so, he echoed key concerns of the encyclical Laudato Si’ and underscored the inseparable connection between the protection of creation, social justice, and the dignity of every human being.

“Climate protection is always also a question of justice,” explained Reinhard Heiserer, CEO of Jugend Eine Welt. “Young people in the Global South need access to education, training, and sustainable future prospects. The experiences of our Don Bosco partners show that ecological responsibility and social development can be achieved together.”

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Photo courtesy of Don Bosco Green Alliance

Don Bosco Green Alliance – Austrian World Summit: Jugend Eine Welt brought the Don Bosco Voice into the International Climate Debate

Salesian Missions

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ECUADOR

(MissionNewswire) The Salesian San Felipe Neri community and the Salesian Project of Costa Norte Foundation through its office in Esmeraldas, Ecuador, have distributed fishing equipment to a number of fishermen along the banks of the Esmeraldas River. The official donation distribution took place at the Mother of the Saviour Reference Center.

The initiative responds to the urgent needs of informal Indigenous fishermen whose livelihoods have been severely affected by the infestation of the black crab, which has significantly reduced fishing activity and has had a serious impact on the economy of dozens of families in the province.

A Salesian explained, “For many households, fishing is the primary source of income, making the decline in catches a direct threat to their daily sustenance and economic stability. Through this intervention, we are providing support that will enable fishermen to resume their work and gradually restore their livelihoods.”

The equipment was presented by Father Marco Paredes, vice rector of the Salesian community, together with Samuel Lozada, project technician of the foundation. During the ceremony, they reaffirmed their commitment to supporting local communities in their recovery process, with particular attention to those living in situations of greater vulnerability.

The initiative was made possible thanks to the support of the German Pöschl Foundation, which is dedicated to social welfare activities. The foundation’s contribution has enabled assistance to reach families in need, promoting sustainable local development and offering renewed hope to communities affected by the crisis.

Salesians provide social development and educational programs across Ecuador to help youth who are poor gain an education and the skills for later employment. The skills they learn ensure they are able to care for themselves and their families while being contributing members of their communities.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Ecuador – Fishing Equipment Distribution Supports the Economic Recovery of Families in Esmeraldas

Salesian Missions – Ecuador

UNICEF – Ecuador

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SPAIN

(MissionNewswire) The Salesian School, located in Úbeda, Spain, announced that its Gémina 3D project has received international recognition by winning one of the Scientix Cultural Legacy Awards 2026, which honors excellence in preserving the cultural heritage of European cities and municipalities.

At the end of April, teachers and year 10 students presented Gémina 3D during the international STEM Discovery event. This is one of Europe’s leading initiatives promoting STEM education and educational innovation. The competition is coordinated by the Scientix community and the NBS project, under the patronage of the European Commission and its European Union education agency. This year, some 9,000 projects from more than 50 countries were submitted across several categories.

The Salesian students’ project was a blend of digitalization and history and was carried out in collaboration with the Archaeological Museum of Úbeda. The main objective was to create a highly realistic digital replica of the museum, combining the virtual reconstruction of its architectural spaces with the scientific documentation and 3D digitization of some of the most representative artifacts in its collections.

A Salesian explained, “Students spent several months creating a three-dimensional model of the museum building using the original architectural plans, on-site measurements and extensive photographic documentation. At the same time, they digitized museum objects using photogrammetry and 3D scanning techniques, complemented by historical research and the cataloguing of the artifacts studied.”

The project also introduced students to the working methods commonly used in museum studies and cultural heritage conservation. Official cataloguing models were used to prepare the research records, while the Spanish Network of Museum Collections catalogue enabled students to become familiar with the tools regularly employed.

The initiative was further enriched through the integration of resources from Europeana, Europe’s leading digital library of cultural heritage, creating links between the collections of the Archaeological Museum of Úbeda and other European heritage collections. This international dimension helped students understand their local heritage as part of a shared European cultural legacy.

Gémina 3D forms part of the Lábaro 24 School Heritage Research Group, a Salesian school initiative involving year 10 students dedicated to the study, research and promotion of the local historical and cultural heritage. Each year, through this group, students take part in practical projects in which research, technology and commitment to heritage conservation become essential tools for learning.

The Salesian noted, “The international recognition represents a significant endorsement of the work carried out by the students and highlights the value of educational methodologies that successfully integrate the humanities with STEM disciplines. It also places the archaeological heritage of Úbeda and the school’s innovative educational approach at the heart of a European network of best practices.”

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Sources:

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

ANS – Spain – Salesian school in Úbeda receives international recognition for its “Gémina 3D” project

Salesian Missions – Spain

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TOGO

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries held a medical clinic at Foyer Don Bosco, located in Kara, Togo, for the second time. Chinese medical providers offered medical consultations for youth who attend programs there. The doctors were welcomed by the home’s staff and by the youth who received medical examinations, health advice and appropriate treatment, when necessary.

At the end of the event, the managers warmly thanked the team of practitioners for their willingness to help and their commitment to the well-being of the youth. The visit demonstrates openness to initiatives that promote the health and development of the residents.

A Salesian noted, “The visit by this medical delegation was a significant milestone for the children’s home, reinforcing the work being done to promote well-being and care. It also highlights the importance of cooperation and the sharing of experiences in the field of healthcare.”

More than 80% of Togo’s rural population lives in conditions of poverty making the country one of the world’s poorest, according to the World Bank. Children in the country suffer the most, with close to 50% of those living in poverty under the age of 18. One in eight children will not reach their fifth birthday, and the number of children who drop out of school because their parents cannot afford to educate them is high. Children are also often forced to work in exploitative and dangerous conditions to help support their families.

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Photo courtesy of Embrace Newsletter January-March 2026

Embrace Newsletter January-March 2026

Salesian Missions – Togo

World Bank – Togo

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SPAIN

(MissionNewswire) Salesian institutions across Spain are continuing their educational activities throughout the summer with a wide range of recreational activities for youth. These programs are a continuation of the educational and pastoral work that the Salesians carry out throughout the year in schools, youth centers, parishes and social initiatives.

The summer programs include summer camps, educational courses, technology camps, international exchanges, and activities centered on the Itinerary of Education in the Faith and more. It is estimated that the Salesian summer initiatives will attract more than 20,000 participants.

These initiatives combine the work of professionals with the involvement of volunteers, many of whom were themselves participants in these socio-educational programs years ago.

A Salesian said, “One of the cornerstones of these programs is the commitment of 3,700 young leaders and Salesians. They devote a significant part of their holidays to organizing activities and supporting groups. Their work is entirely voluntary and constitutes one of the largest youth volunteering networks linked to the educational and pastoral sectors in Spain.”

During the summer months, the young leaders also take part in training programs, such as courses to obtain qualifications as youth leaders or recreation coordinators. This year, Turin, Italy, will host the National Camp Bosco, a gathering of youth from the Salesian Youth Movement from across Spain and Portugal at the sites where Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello lived. Close to 700 participants are expected.

One special experience for youth leaders is missionary volunteering. Around a hundred young adults will travel to countries in Africa and Latin America to support the Salesian centers in these regions. Destinations include Equatorial Guinea, Honduras, Peru and Angola, among others.

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Photo from Salesianos.info

ANS – Spain – More than 20,000 children and young people will take part in the Salesian Summer thanks to the commitment of 3,700 activity leaders

Salesian Missions – Spain

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VENEZUELA

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries and youth who are part of the Salesian Youth Movement have mobilized to bring relief, comfort and hope to people most affected by the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela*. Two powerful earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, struck the north-central region and the capital, Caracas, causing widespread destruction.

Among the hardest hit areas is the State of La Guaira, about 20 kilometers (approximately 12.4 miles) from Caracas. According to official figures released by the Ministry of People’s Power for Communication, hundreds of buildings were destroyed or severely damaged, and there are countless people who have died, been injured or who remain missing.

A Salesian explained, “In response to the emergency, members of the Salesian Youth Movement have organized an extensive solidarity campaign, supported by Salesian schools, educational communities and works throughout the country. On July 1, volunteers began delivering assistance to the most severely affected communities.”

The volunteers met for a prayer service led by Father Jorge Elías Ghazal, provincial of the Salesians in Venezuela, who encouraged the volunteers with words of faith and hope. He also highlighted the extraordinary solidarity that has emerged throughout Venezuela during the emergency, with countless civic, ecclesial and institutional initiatives supporting those in need.

Following the prayer service, the volunteers sorted and prepared donations received from Salesian schools and communities across the country before setting out in teams to different assistance centers. They distributed hot meals, medicines, drinking water and essential supplies to families who had lost everything.

Through this commitment, the Salesian Youth Movement and the Salesians of Venezuela are supporting those most vulnerable. Salesians around the globe have also answered the call, setting up solidarity campaigns to help support these relief and recovery efforts.

To give to the special Venezuela Earthquake Fund from Salesian Missions, visit https://salesianmissions.org/lp/venezuela-earthquake/ .

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

ANS – Venezuela – Hope Takes Shape Amid the Rubble

Salesian Missions – Venezuela

*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.

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SIERRA LEONE

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Fambul, located in Sierra Leone’s capital city of Freetown, is one of the country’s leading child-welfare organizations. It has been on the forefront of efforts to help save young women who have faced abuse and prostitution and to rehabilitate children living on the streets and reunite them with their families.

The organization’s Hope Plus program provided essential support to youth in the first quarter of 2026. This impacted 10 younger students and 30 youth attending the Salesian Vocational Skills Training Center. Each student received food, financial assistance, and clothing to help them continue their education and skills training.

A Salesian explained, “Hope Plus is designed to bridge the gap for youth who need support to stay in school or complete their vocational training. By providing these essentials, we help remove barriers that might prevent them from reaching their full potential. We believe in these young people and their ability to create better futures for themselves.”

During the distribution, Father Edwin Tangie shared encouraging words with the youth. He reminded them to keep working hard toward independence, emphasizing that they should not depend on anyone but instead shape their own lives for greatness. He encouraged them to set clear plans and work toward achieving them, whether monthly goals or bigger aspirations for 2026 as a whole.

Don Bosco Fambul is a national leader in child protection, operating the largest interim care and therapeutic centers for abused children in the country. Since it was established in 1998 to rehabilitate and reintegrate child soldiers, it has grown to support the country’s most vulnerable children and youth through two main campuses in Freetown.

Young people in the country face significant challenges in accessing education. With too few teachers and many school buildings destroyed in the war, resources are thin. Persistently high illiteracy rates mean that an estimated 70% of Sierra Leone’s youth are unemployed or underemployed.

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Sources:

Embrace Newsletter January-March 2026

Don Bosco Fambul

Salesian Missions – Sierra Leone

UNICEF – Sierra Leone

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IVORY COAST

(MissionNewswire) The Don Bosco Child Protection Center, located in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, provides temporary alternative child careand works to promote and defend children’s rights. The center provides accommodation and education for youth in vulnerable situations.

One of the first ways youth connect with the center is through its outreach patrols. This allows Salesian staff to maintain a presence on the streets and gives staff a first-hand assessment to how many youth are in need each day.

Once a youth connects with the center, staff engage in significant research to understand the youth’s background including their current educational level, family situation and what they have experienced living on the street.

A Salesian noted, “It’s important for us to gain a better understanding to better provide an individual with care and ensure they have what they need to thrive in the center.”

While at the center, Salesians provide activities that play a vital role in the overall rehabilitation. This is especially important for youth who have been living on the street and have been trafficked, abused or neglected. These activities help reduce trauma, build self-esteem and resilience, promote teamwork and discipline without coercion, prevent risky behavior by channeling energy in a positive way, and create safe spaces conducive to building trust, and providing psychosocial support.

Once youth are at the center, reuniting them with their family becomes a goal. The Salesian noted, “Family reunification is a complex process. We provide capacity-building workshops for guardians to equip them with knowledge of child psychology and current child protection legislation. This is followed by short stays with the family. The aim is to give the youth, now reintegrated into their family, every opportunity to develop in a peaceful environment.”

According to the World Bank, 46% of people in the Ivory Coast live in conditions of poverty — with 12% of the population living in severe poverty on less than $1.25 a day. The Ivory Coast has one of the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rates in West Africa.

Salesian missionaries continue their work providing shelter, education and social development services to youth and their families. They also work with the victims of war to heal the country’s deep wounds. They listen, help victims seek compensation and work for social reconciliation between opposing groups. Salesian missionaries are also providing training for youth, some who had been aggressors during the war.

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Sources:

Embrace Newsletter January-March 2026

Salesian Missions – Ivory Coast

World Bank – Ivory Coast

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INDIA

(MissionNewswire) DISHA Don Bosco, located in Kawant in the state of Gujarat, India, recently held a two-day camp to help tribal residents from remote areas access critical government welfare services. The camp was held in the villages of Vagudan and Nanavanta. A total of 263 people from eight villages benefited from the camp.

A Salesian explained, “The camp aimed to support disadvantaged tribal families facing difficulties accessing government benefits due to limited awareness, documentation and procedural barriers. By bringing services to the villages, it bridged the gap between welfare schemes and marginalized communities.”

During the camp, the DISHA Don Bosco team  helped people apply for or correct ration cards, enroll in the Widow Pension Scheme and Old Age Pension Scheme and more. Staff guided them through the procedures and ensured accurate completion of applications, helping them navigate administrative barriers.

Local officials noted that staff from DISHA Don Bosco succeed at promoting social inclusion and, through such camps, ensure that tribal communities have access to benefits and services designed for their development and well-being.

India has the world’s fourth largest economy but more than 22% of the country lives in poverty. About 31% of the world’s multidimensionally poor children live in India, according to a report by the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative.

India’s youth face a lack of educational opportunities due to issues of caste, class and gender. Almost 44% of the workforce is illiterate and less than 10% of the working-age population has completed a secondary education. In addition, many secondary school graduates do not have the knowledge and skills to compete in today’s changing job market.

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Sources:

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

ANS – India – DISHA Don Bosco Camp Helps Tribal Beneficiaries Access Government Welfare Schemes in Kawant

Salesian Missions – India

World Bank – India

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SPAIN

(MissionNewswire) The Salesian Vocational Training Center in Pamplona, Spain, hosted the “Technical Days on Mechanization”, a two-day event held in June, which focused on the work that the “Cradles that Save Lives” project.

Teachers from Salesian vocational training centers in 11 cities took part and shared the work carried out so far. They also discussed future possibilities for collaboration with the Medicine Open to the World organization.

The project was launched at the Salesian Vocational Training Center in Pamplona in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and was subsequently extended to Salesian centers across Spain during the 2021–2022 academic year. To date, 15 Salesian centers have joined the project.

The project is providing life-saving incubators for premature babies or those in need of special care. More than 300 cradles have already been produced and delivered to 37 countries around the world, primarily in African nations such as Senegal, Zambia, Chad, Cape Verde, Mozambique, and Cameroon. The latest six cradles were taken to refugee camps in the Sahara. The incubators from this project have also reached Asia and the Americas.

The incubators are low-cost, feature an innovative design and are made from affordable materials. They are produced in collaboration with students at Salesian vocational training centers.

During the presentation of the event, José Luis Villota Cosío, principal of the Salesian Vocational Training Center in Pamplona, highlighted the importance in sharing processes and methodology, and the intrinsic value of helping students realize their work has enormous significance for people.

A Salesian explained, “The two-day event served to discuss the challenges and opportunities each center has faced in manufacturing the incubators, as well as in securing funding. Teachers also learned about changes that have been implemented to produce an improved incubator model.”

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

ANS – Spain – Salesian centres of vocational formation gather in Navarre for the “Cots that Save Lives” project

Salesian Missions – Spain

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RWANDA

(MissionNewswire) Salesians in Rwanda at the Don Bosco Youth Education for All have launched the “Laudato Si’ in Action: Caring for Our Common Home” initiative, a campaign designed to combine environmental education with practical community actions. The project is being implemented by the Salesian Planning and Development Office with support from the Salesian Mission Office in Madrid.

Father Servilien Ufitamahoro, director of the Salesian Planning and Development Office, engaged staff in discussions focused on Pope Francis’ Encyclical Laudato Si’, emphasizing the urgent need for environmental action. These introductory sessions encouraged staff to reflect on environmental challenges affecting communities and to explore practical ways through which the Salesians could contribute to environmental protection and climate resilience.

The initiative was officially launched on June 10, 2026, at Don Bosco Muhazi, bringing together members of the education community, Don Bosco Muhazi Green Club members, teachers, and representatives of the Salesian Planning and Development Office.

Speaking during the launch, Felicien Dusabimana, coordinator of the Salesian Planning and Development Office, stressed that environmental stewardship is a responsibility that extends beyond school boundaries. He said, “This is the time for everyone to make an effort, not only at school but also in their birthplace and respective districts.”

He noted that many students at Don Bosco Muhazi come from different regions of Rwanda and therefore have an opportunity to spread environmental awareness and sustainable practices within their own communities.

A key highlight of the event was the handover of environmental tools to the Don Bosco Muhazi Green Club. The support included watering cans, hoes, wheelbarrows and other materials that will facilitate practical environmental activities. The equipment was provided through the support of the Salesian Mission Office in Madrid.

Participants also engaged in practical activities including plastic waste collection, tree planting, and a learning session at Lake Muhazi, where they reflected on the importance of conserving natural resources and protecting ecosystems.

At the end of the event, Don Bosco Muhazi Green Club members committed themselves to becoming ambassadors by promoting environmental awareness and leading practical conservation initiatives both at school and within their communities.

The initiative will continue throughout 2026 across selected Don Bosco centers in Rwanda, combining environmental education, biodiversity restoration, waste management, water conservation, and youth-led environmental action.

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

ANS – Rwanda – From Reflection to Action: Salesians in Rwanda Launch Laudato Si’ Campaign to Empower Young Environmental Stewards

Salesian Missions – Rwanda

UNICEF – Rwanda

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INDIA

(MissionNewswire) The Salesian-run Self-Help Group has opened the Namma Kadai–Women’s Grocery Store, which the women in the group run and manage. The store was opened at Don Bosco Youth Village, located in Tiruchi, a city in Tamil Nadu, India.

The grocery store, created through shared vision and pooled resources, aims to generate income and foster local self-reliance and entrepreneurship. The Self-Help network impacts more than 1,300 women in 94 groups across 35 villages.

Father Ricopar Royan, provincial economer, blessed the shop, and Emily Richard, former mayor of Tiruchirappalli Corporation, formally inaugurated it. In attendance were Self-Help Group leaders, members, local residents and invited guests.

A defining feature of the project is its community-based business model. All 1,300 members pledged to purchase their household groceries at the store, creating a dependable customer base and ensuring the venture’s long-term sustainability. The store, which primarily serves the members’ families, also welcomes the public to expand its market reach and impact in the wider community.

Twelve leaders visited successful retailers and adapted those insights to fit the needs. Members invested in the project, financing it entirely from their own resources. In a display of collective commitment, the women chose to forgo the annual distribution of uniform sarees traditionally provided to all members and instead directed those funds into the venture. They also mobilized additional capital from the network’s collective savings.

A Salesian noted, “The enterprise already provides employment opportunities by appointing four women to manage daily operations, including procurement, sales, bookkeeping and the distribution of grocery items to members. Beyond creating jobs, the initiative reflects a transformative shift in rural women’s roles from beneficiaries of development programs to active entrepreneurs and business owners. The store will distribute profits annually to members, ensuring economic benefits remain in the community and contribute to the welfare of participating families.”

The Self-Help Group’s leaders describe the project as a symbol of ownership, self-reliance and sustainable development. They hope their model will inspire similar community-based enterprises elsewhere.

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Sources:

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

ANS – India – 1300 Women Turn Collective Dream into Reality with Community-Owned Grocery Store in Tamil Nadu

Salesian Missions – India

World Bank – India

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ITALY

(MissionNewswire) The Salesian Vocational Training Center in Olbia, Italy, is reopening its doors to provide vocational education and support to youth entering the workforce. After several years of closure, the CNOS-FAP (National Center for Salesian Works-Formation and Professional Updating) in Sardinia is resuming its activities with practical, high-quality and accessible educational offerings. The center is relaunching with three fully funded three-year vocational education programs in plumbing and heating systems, electrical installation, and catering and hospitality.

A Salesian explained, “All of the programs are completely free of charge. Families will be able to enroll youth in vocational training courses without any registration or attendance fees, providing them with a genuine opportunity for personal growth, professional development and career orientation.”

To present the renewed training offerings, the center has organized two days for prospective students, families, and anyone interested in learning more about the center and the education offered. Visitors will have the opportunity to tour the facilities and workshops, meet the instructors, receive information about the available programs, and explore the opportunities offered by Salesian vocational education.

The Salesian explained, “The new training courses are aimed at students choosing their educational path after lower secondary school, those considering a change in their current studies and families facing important decisions about their children’s future.”

These courses combine classroom learning, practical workshop activities, and extensive workplace experience, gradually introducing students to professional environments and employment opportunities.

The plumbing and heating systems program will prepare students to install, maintain, and inspect hydraulic, heating, air-conditioning, and sanitary systems. This technical and hands-on field is increasingly important in relation to energy efficiency, safety standards and building maintenance.

The electrical installation program will equip students with the skills needed to work with residential and industrial electrical systems, including installation, management, maintenance, and testing. It is a rapidly evolving sector closely linked to new technologies, home automation, safety systems and the growing demand for qualified technical professionals.

Finally, the catering and hospitality program is designed for those interested in developing skills in food preparation, culinary processes, plating and service. This sector is particularly strategic for Sardinia and the Gallura region, where tourism, hospitality, and food services play a vital role in the local economy.

CNOS-FAP promotes vocational guidance, professional training, continuing education and employment services throughout Italy.

The programs are part of the Sardinia Regional Program ESF+ 2021–2027, “At the Service of Dignity”, supported by the European Social Fund Plus. They lead to the professional qualifications established under the Italian national framework for vocational education and training.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Italy – The Salesian Vocational Training Centre Reopens in Olbia: Three Completely Free Training Programmes for Young People

Salesian Missions – Italy

World Bank – Italy

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SOUTH SUDAN

(MissionNewswire) The Salesian Province of the Sacred Heart of Jesus 2025 Missionary Campaign in Ecuador has raised funding to strengthen the Salesian mission in Maridi, South Sudan*. The funding has provided support to ensure educational access for youth who are poor in one of the most vulnerable regions on the African continent.

A Salesian explained, “The aid sent from Ecuador helps to support three schools run by the Salesians, institutions which operate without state funding or financial support from the local church. In the current academic year, the schools have exceeded 1,000 enrolled students, a figure that reflects growing confidence among families in the Salesian educational approach. In the previous year, enrollment had not even reached 800.”

The stability of school fees and arrangements made to help families cover the costs of their children’s education by paying with agricultural produce or livestock has allowed more youth to attend school. Furthermore, efforts have been made to improve teachers’ working conditions, including raising their salaries.

The most significant impact for students is seen in the lives of those who are now able to continue their studies thanks to scholarships funded.

One recipient is James, aged 14, who lost his parents in his early years and was raised by his grandmother. Despite financial difficulties, he has always stood out for his outstanding academic commitment.

He said, “Last year, I was only able to pay the school fees for one term. I covered the other terms by helping out with odd jobs at the mission so that I could carry on studying. This year, thanks to the donors’ generosity, I’ll be able to continue attending school.”

Thomas is another recipient. Until recently, he had never attended school. After being separated from his parents, he lived temporarily with various relatives and would go to the Salesian mission to tend the vegetable garden, in exchange for a meal. His situation led the Salesians in Maridi to set up a special class for youth like him who had never had access to formal education. The goal was to facilitate accelerated learning, so that these youth could be reintegrated into the mainstream system.

Today, Thomas is in his first year of primary school. Despite the challenges posed by his family circumstances and a lack of financial resources, he continues to attend lessons and work toward building a different future for himself.

In addition, the contributions received in South Sudan from the missionary campaign have enabled progress on the construction of a perimeter fence around one of the schools to enhance security.

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

ANS – South Sudan – James and Thomas: the story of two children who are able to study thanks to the support of the Salesian Missionary Campaign in Ecuador

Salesian Missions – South Sudan

*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.

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INDIA

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Animation and Research Kendra, located in Palam, New Delhi, India, has successfully reached nearly 30,000 students across India through its nationwide DAAD Revolution Program, which works to promote kindness and social responsibility with youth.

The Don Bosco organization conducted the DAAD Revolution Program in Ranchi, Jharkhand, during April and May 2026, engaging 13,771 students from 42 schools and educational institutions. Combined with earlier programs conducted in Punjab and Rajasthan in March, the movement has directly impacted 29,602 students nationwide.

A Salesian explained, “The program was launched in response to growing concerns over the erosion of human and moral values in society. The initiative seeks to counter rising trends of violence, corruption, dishonesty, intolerance and self-centeredness by encouraging young people to become agents of positive social change.”

The acronym DAAD stands for “Do An ARK a Day”, with ARK referring to “An Act of Random Kindness.” Rooted in the values of love of God and love of neighbors, the movement encourages students to perform at least one act of kindness every day and make compassion a regular part of their lives.

Through interactive sessions, students were encouraged to cultivate values such as kindness, forgiveness, justice, equality, inclusiveness and social responsibility. The program highlighted how simple acts, such as helping classmates, respecting parents and teachers, supporting friends during difficult times, assisting those in need, and offering words of encouragement, can create a ripple effect that positively transforms families, schools, communities, and society.

A key message of the program is that kindness transcends barriers of caste, religion, language and social status. By fostering mutual respect and solidarity, the movement aims to build stronger communities and contribute to a more harmonious society.

According to the organizers, the program’s long-term vision is to mobilize millions of youth across India and to create a culture in which genuine human and spiritual values guide personal and social conduct.

The Salesian noted, “The students’ response was overwhelmingly positive. Participants actively engaged in discussions, shared practical ways to promote kindness in their daily lives and expressed their commitment to becoming ambassadors for positive change. Organizers noted that the students’ enthusiasm and sincerity reflected values of honesty, service, respect, empathy, and concern for others.”

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ANS – India – DAAD Revolution Inspires Nearly 30,000 Students Across India to Embrace Kindness and Social Responsibility

Don Bosco Animation and Research Kendra

Salesian Missions – India

World Bank – India

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CHILE

(MissionNewswire) The Salesian Educational Center (CEST), located in Talca, Chile, took 12th-grade students in the electrical technology program to the CELEO Ancoa Electrical Substation, located in the municipality of Colbún. The goal was for the students to broaden their understanding of the strategic role the electricity sector plays in the country’s development and in building a more sustainable future. The students were able to see firsthand how the energy that powers thousands of homes and services is transmitted.

A Salesian explained, “We wanted to allow our students to complement their professional training through direct knowledge of the processes associated with the transmission and distribution of electrical energy, which are essential for ensuring a safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly supply.”

The students were supervised by Professor Lucas Olave, program director, and Professor Juan Carlos Abarza. The visit was made possible thanks to the efforts of Luz Clarita Caneo, head of public relations and communications at CELEO, who coordinated the reception and the tour of the facilities. The event was attended by Carlos Muena, the regional minister for energy of the Maule Region, along with professionals Paola Bruna and Andrés Rodríguez.

The regional official highlighted the importance of exposing youth to real-world work environments and strengthening the link between technical and vocational training and the needs of an energy industry that is moving toward higher sustainability standards.

During the visit, students learned about the substation’s operations, the protection and safety systems that safeguard electrical operations, and procedures related to power distribution and its connection to the National Electric System. They also observed the work performed by specialized technicians in the field and the importance of efficient operations to optimize the use of energy resources and contribute to sustainable development.

One of the most significant moments was meeting members of the work crew who had studied in the electricity specialization at CEST. The alumni shared their professional experiences, the challenges facing the industry, and the job opportunities offered by a sector increasingly committed to energy efficiency and environmental stewardship.

Olave noted, “The visit allowed us to reinforce the knowledge acquired in the classroom and understand the importance of substations within the national power grid. The students recognized the vital role these facilities play in ensuring a safe and reliable power supply for homes, businesses, and community services.”

Cristóbal Vilches, a student, appreciated the experience for the opportunity to understand the comprehensive operation of the electrical system. He said, “We were able to see high-voltage electricity and understand that our education involves learning how it is generated, how it is transmitted, and how we can contribute to making the entire system work.”

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Don Bosco Green Alliance – CEST Chile’s Visit to Power Substation Strengthened Technical Learning

Salesian Missions – Chile

World Bank – Chile

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SENEGAL

(MissionNewswire) More than 1,000 students from five schools in Tambacounda, Senegal, are taking part in an initiative that combines environmental education, food sovereignty and community participation. The “Formation for the Creation of Agroecological Gardens for Women and Young People in Tambacounda” project, promoted by Bosco Global in Spain, has been funded from the Tenerife City Council. The project is already making progress with awareness-raising activities in schools and education in agroecology.

A Salesian explained, “The project has a very clear focus on agroecological education, improving vegetable gardens and the environment. The aim is to strengthen the community’s economic opportunities and its capacity to care for the land in the face of climate change, as well as to improve family nutrition. The goal is to support self-reliance led by women and young people in the community.”

The project also involves 60 women and 40 youth, in addition to the students and teaching staff from the participating educational centers. The Tambacounda region has great agricultural potential, but also faces numerous challenges linked to soil degradation, water scarcity and climate variability.

The initiative began December 2025 with a series of sharing sessions among the participants. This provided an initial opportunity to get to know one another, organize and receive the necessary materials to start work in the agroecological vegetable gardens. Since then, women and youth have been deepening their knowledge of sustainable horticultural techniques with the education received. They are also bringing this new knowledge back with them to their communities.

The Salesian noted, “When a young person learns new farming techniques, or when a woman strengthens her independence, or when a group of students discovers that caring for the land means caring for life, the whole community takes a step forward.”

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ANS – Senegal – Women and young people in Tambacounda sow the seeds of the future with agroecological vegetable gardens

Salesian Missions – Senegal

World Bank – Senegal

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ARGENTINA

(MissionNewswire) The Delegation for Youth Ministry in the Argentina North Province is promoting the “Digital Courtyards: Navigating and Inhabiting with Awareness” educational project. This initiative aims to foster active, critical, and responsible digital citizenship among youth and adults. The project will be facilitated through Salesian educational centers.

One of the project’s leaders noted, “This arises as a response to the transformations that new technologies are bringing about in ways of learning, relating, communicating and expressing oneself. The internet and social networks have become spaces for participation and socialization, where great opportunities for growth and learning coexist with situations of vulnerability, overexposure, and risk.”

The project will support technological evolution in Salesian educational communities through a proactive approach, promoting the development of digital skills grounded in values, critical thinking and personal care. The main objective is to encourage safe, informed, and responsible use of the internet, social networks, and new technologies.

This is achieved through spaces for reflection, training and awareness-raising. Training courses will be organized for educators, managers, youth leaders, and adults responsible for educational and pastoral communities. They will gain access to the tools, criteria, and pedagogical resources useful for understanding contemporary digital technologies and how to guide new generations in virtual environments.

A Salesian explained, “The goal is to ensure that adolescents and young people are not simply recipients of information, but active participants in building a more humane, respectful, supportive, and informed digital culture. The planned initiatives include training courses for educators and pastoral workers, digital citizenship workshops in schools, a provincial communications and awareness campaign, and a festival of audiovisual productions made by young people.”

The project is financially supported by the Salesian Mission Office in Madrid and benefits from the support of the Technology with Purpose Foundation, an organization specializing in digital citizenship and technology education.

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ANS – Argentina – Inhabiting the digital world with awareness: the “Digital Courtyards” proposal

Salesian Missions – Argentina

World Bank – Argentina

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DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

(MissionNewswire) The Elisa’s Heart in the Heart of Africa Project is strengthening the healthcare services offered by the Don Bosco Ngangi Center, located in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo*. The country is one of the poorest countries in the world and has been ravaged by years of fighting and governed by a military group since January 2025.

The project, launched in October 2023, was created to remember Elisa Claps, a young woman from Potenza, Italy, tragically killed in 1993, and to honor her dream of becoming a doctor and working in Africa alongside those most in need.

Over nearly three years, the project, carried out by Salesian International Volunteering for Development (VIS), has adapted to the needs of the local population, maintaining the primary objective of improving health services where they are not widely accessible.

The project has met several milestones over the years. The Don Bosco Ngangi Center’s dispensary waiting room was renovated. It bears Elisa’s name and provides free care to approximately 1,200 people per month, including people who have been displaced, children who are orphaned or living on the street, and families in poverty.

There has also been increased support for a nutritional assistant who cares for youth suffering from malnutrition and a physiotherapist who provides specialized care for children with motor disabilities. The project is now moving toward building a modular clinic to complement the dispensary and respond to the thousands of requests for help that arrive every day.

Elisa’s brother, Gildo Claps, recently visited the Democratic Republic of the Congo with VIS workers. He said, “In the heart of one of the most fragile lands on the planet, I felt my sister Elisa closer than ever. Because the medical dispensary, strengthened by the project dedicated to her, is alive today. It works. It heals. There I truly understood that Elisa’s dream hasn’t stopped, that she is here.”

Claps concluded, “We hope that Elisa’s dream of becoming a doctor in Africa can materialize in increasingly meaningful projects for the people of this city.”

Salesian missionaries have been working in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for more than 100 years, ensuring that the most vulnerable children are not forgotten. Salesian primary and secondary schools and programs lay the foundation for early learning, while Salesian trade, vocational and agricultural programs offer many youth the opportunity for a stable and productive future.

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ANS – Democratic Republic of the Congo – The “Elisa’s Heart in the Heart of Africa” Project continues and develops

Salesian Missions – Democratic Republic of the Congo

UNHCR – Democratic Republic of the Congo

*Any goods, services, or funds provided by Salesian Missions to programs located in these countries 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.

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VENEZUELA

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries are responding to needs in the Upper Orinoco region of Venezuela*. The region is facing a humanitarian emergency following the rainfall recorded in recent weeks in the state of Amazonas. The Orinoco River has overflowed, causing severe flooding in the Yanomami and Yekuana Indigenous communities, particularly in La Esmeralda and Mavaca, where many families have lost practically everything.

A Salesian noted, “The situation is critical because it is occurring in an area already facing poverty, food insecurity and a lack of access to basic services. In this Amazonian region, many families live off subsistence farming, fishing and bartering. The floods have devastated crops, destroyed traditional homes, and severely restricted mobility and access to food, drinking water, and healthcare.”

Salesians report that in La Esmeralda, the lower-lying areas have been completely flooded. The airstrip has also been damaged, bringing air traffic to a standstill and hindering the transport of sick people and essential supplies. In Mavaca, the floodwaters have damaged community infrastructure such as the Salesian mission, schools, canteens and meeting places. Many Yanomami families have been forced to move deeper into the jungle, which increases their vulnerability and makes it more difficult to reach them with aid.

Furthermore, the loss of conucos, which are family plots where bitter cassava, bananas, plantains, and other staple foods are grown, and the inability to fish normally are creating a growing risk of famine in the affected communities. The lack of drinking water and stagnant water also increases the risk of disease.

The Salesian added, “The floods have also disrupted school life. Many youth are unable to attend school, which in these communities also serves as a place of protection, nutrition and support. For families affected or scattered throughout the jungle, the Salesian school represents a vital support network.”

Salesians intend to distribute kits containing non-perishable food, drinking water and sanitation supplies to those in need, and to promote hygiene and health initiatives. Hammocks and mosquito nets will also be provided for temporary shelter, along with primary healthcare medicines and basic items for disease prevention. In addition, 450 families will receive the tools to restore their crops and fishing activities, with the aim of gradually rebuilding their food self-sufficiency.

The Salesian response is not limited to an initial emergency distribution, but seeks to ensure the survival and dignity of affected families, helping them to restore their livelihoods so that they can return to farming, fishing and supporting their communities once the water begins to recede.

Logistics is currently one of the greatest challenges facing the emergency response. The isolation of the area, flooded infrastructure and transport difficulties require significant resources to deliver food, medicines, shelter materials, tools and fuel to the hardest-hit communities.

The Salesian Mission Office in Madrid is supporting this emergency response in the Upper Orinoco and is appealing for support.

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Photo courtesy of Misiones Salesianas

ANS – Venezuela – Flooding in the Upper Orinoco leaves 750 indigenous families in a state of emergency

Salesian Missions – Venezuela

*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.

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LIBERIA

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries are operating “A Brighter Future”, a vocational and skills education program, in Tappita, Liberia, to help youth become productive citizens and self-sufficient. Salesians have been in Tappita since 1980, running social development programs to help improve the lives of those in the community.

A Salesian explained, “The most effective way to quickly lift people out of poverty is to equip them with the means to acquire new skills, through vocational education that gives them at least a basic opportunity to improve their standard of living.”

“A Brighter Future” was developed to bridge the ever-widening gap between those who have access to education and those who are most marginalized within society. It operates in a geographical area where the majority of inhabitants are primarily subsistence farmers, are semi-literate and have lower incomes.

According to the country’s National Report on Enterprise Development and Technical and Vocational Education and Training, drawn up by the Ministry of Education, Liberia lags behind other West African countries in the field of technical and vocational education and training. There are very few of these programs in the country, and those that exist are often poorly managed. Consequently, the professional and technical skills of Liberian youth is below average.

For this reason, Salesians conducted a sample survey to gauge the local population’s willingness and receptiveness to the technical and vocational education program before launching it. The data showed that 90% of respondents were very enthusiastic and optimistic.

A Salesian noted, “Thanks to the support of many benefactors, Salesians have been able to support the implementation of the program in the various communities of Tappita. Educational courses are offered in the hotel sector, catering, hospitality, tailoring, IT, hairdressing, soap-making, and interior design and event planning.”

All workshops have the materials and equipment necessary to carry out the education. So far, 79 youth have obtained their diplomas and received certification upon completion. A monitoring, evaluation and learning committee was established to analyze lessons learned and the skills provided to ensure recommendations for the program’s sustainability.

The Salesian added, “Education programs are widely regarded as a key tool for combating high levels of youth underemployment, high rates of informal employment and skills shortages. We strongly believe in the development of these projects, which are invaluable for missions such as that in Tappita.”

Liberia is one of the poorest countries in the world. According to the World Bank, approximately 33.8% of the population lives below the national poverty line, leaving around 1.5 to 2 million Liberians in extreme poverty. Urban poverty sits near 30%, while rural poverty reaches as high as 81%. The country faces significant challenges, including low human development, high rates of child stunting and malnutrition, and inadequate sanitation.

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Photo courtesy of Missioni Don Bosco

ANS – Liberia – A Brighter Future in Tappita: 79 young people looking to the future

Salesian Missions – Liberia

World Bank – Liberia

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ETHIOPIA

(MissionNewswire) The Don Bosco Catholic Technical and Vocational Training Institute at Bosco Children in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia*, held a graduation ceremony for 400 students. This marks the 30th graduation of the training institute.

A Salesian noted, “The institute is committed to creating and preparing youth for employment through effective technical and vocational education. The education is in high demand due to the effectiveness and quality and continues to empower youth by equipping them with practical skills for life and work.”

Currently, the institute offers education courses in furniture making, metalwork, leatherwork, basic IT, and hairdressing and barber skills. Salesians are also taking steps to obtain the necessary license to expand programs in the near future to include infant care, urban agriculture, beekeeping, poultry farming, livestock farming and agro-processing, such as the production of dairy products, including butter and cheese.

Ethiopia is one of the poorest countries in the world with more than 38% of its population living in poverty, according to Feed the Future. Close to 85% of the country’s workforce is employed in agriculture, but frequent droughts severely affect the agricultural economy leaving more than 12 million people chronically, or at least periodically, food insecure. In addition, more than two-thirds of the population is illiterate.

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ANS – Ethiopia – The Don Bosco Catholic Technical and Vocational Training Institute in Addis Ababa welcomes 400 candidates for its 30th cycle of formation

Salesian Missions – Ethiopia

UNICEF – Ethiopia

*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.

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INDIA

(MissionNewswire) The Prafulta Center for Psychological Wellbeing, located in the Andheri district of Mumbai, India, is one of the country’s most significant Salesian initiatives in the field of mental health. Founded in 1998 by Father Godfrey D’Sa, a compassionate educator and professional counselor, the center was established with the aim of making psychological support services accessible, particularly to youth and those with limited resources.

For almost 30 years, the center has offered support to hundreds of thousands of people through psychological and psychiatric counseling, occupational therapy, personalized educational programs, psychometric testing, and career guidance.

Its work goes beyond individual care, encompassing wide-ranging prevention and education initiatives. Every year, the center organizes more than 800 workshops and more than a dozen educational programs for mental health professionals and other stakeholders. These activities reach around 50,000 people, including youth, parents, teachers and other professionals.

One of the major achievements of the center is addressing neglected topics and those that might be considered taboo. In slums and low-income communities, the center runs outreach initiatives that enable youth, women and families to talk about their difficulties, build their self-esteem, and find the tools to cope with situations of pain, anxiety, insecurity or exclusion.

In the Subhash Nagar Basti Project, the center’s counselors organize weekly group sessions for women and youth. These are safe spaces where participants can express themselves freely, build their resilience, and improve their personal and family relationships.

A Salesian noted, “Through art, play, movement, and dialogue, psycho-educational topics related to mental health and child development are also addressed. Where necessary, this support is supplemented by individual counseling.”

The Macramé pe Charcha project combines therapy and craftwork. Every week, a psychotherapist who is an expert in macramé works with women from vulnerable communities as they work with their hands and discuss self-esteem, relationships, parenting, and self-care. The sale of the products they make provides a small income. More importantly, it becomes an opportunity to regain confidence, independence and dignity.

The Salesian added, “The center’s activities also reached rural communities with limited access to specialist services. In the village of Aghai, located about 90 kilometers from Mumbai, the center runs a weekly clinic in collaboration with The Banyan organization, based in Chennai. There, around 50 people regularly receive free psychiatric consultations, psychological support and basic medication.”

This project has made it possible to bring qualified care to an area with very few mental health resources. The support provided by social workers ensures continuity, support for staff, and education to reduce the stigma that afflicts many people with psychological or psychiatric problems.

In addition to these activities, the center promotes other initiatives such as an annual fair for children and families from the slums. Additional programs include the Saathi Program, which supports young people leaving the Dominic Savio orphanage as they transition into adulthood, and the Scuole Sorridenti Project, which promotes resilience, self-awareness and emotional skills in state schools.

The Salesian concluded, “In India, the center keeps alive the Salesian commitment to being close to those most in need. Its work demonstrates that mental health is also a matter of dignity, inclusion and hope for the poorest and most vulnerable people.”

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Photo source: Misiones Salesianas

ANS – India – The Prafulta Centre: a Salesian initiative offering mental health support to young people, women and vulnerable communities in India

Salesian Missions – India

World Bank – India

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(MissionNewswire) To mark Eid al-Adha, one of the most important holidays in the Islamic calendar known as the Festival of Sacrifice, the Salesian Family in Lebanon* organized a day of sharing with the refugee families being hosted at Don Bosco El-Houssoun.

For several months, the Salesian community has been supporting refugee families at El-Houssoun. This is part of a broader mission of solidarity, education and social development inspired by Don Bosco.

The local population has faced difficulties and constant displacement. The Salesian gathering sought to build bonds beyond religious affiliations and focus on the dignity of the person. Father Simon Zakarian, superior of the Salesian Province of the Middle East, who was visiting Lebanon, was there at the event with other Salesians and youth from the Don Bosco Oratory, as well as numerous members of the educational community.

Students from the hospitality and catering department of Don Bosco Technique prepared a festive lunch for the displaced families staying at the center. The meal was planned, cooked and served thanks to the efforts of numerous youth, educators and Salesian volunteers. Children in attendance also took part in recreational and educational activities led by youth from the oratory.

One student said, “We wanted to offer much more than just a meal. We wanted to share closeness, friendship and a message of hope.”

Another noted, “Particularly significant was the opportunity to bring together people from different religious traditions around the same table, in an atmosphere of mutual respect, joy and gratitude. Through this initiative, the Salesian Family wishes to bear witness to the fact that in Lebanon, coexistence is not merely an ideal, but a reality that is built day by day through concrete gestures of welcome, solidarity and fraternity.”

Through the occasion, Salesians wished to remind everyone that serving others, welcoming those in need, and sharing their joys and hopes constitute a universal language capable of uniting hearts and strengthening the human and social fabric of the country.

The situation in Lebanon, and across the Middle East, continues to deteriorate. Increasing displacement, destruction of homes and the inability of many families to return highlight a prolonged crisis. Salesians continue to provide food, shelter, education and psychological support to thousands of people, especially for youth.

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ANS – Lebanon – At Don Bosco El-Houssoun, Christians and Muslims united around the same table of brotherhood

Salesian Missions

World Bank – Lebanon

*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.

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ECUADOR

(MissionNewswire) The Salesian Project Ecuador has officially announced the integration of the Chankuap Foundation into its national network of socio-educational centers. As part of this new institutional structure, the organization has taken the name Salesian Chankuap Foundation, consolidating the legacy of its founders and ushering in a new phase of growth, service, and sustainability in the city of Macas, Ecuador.

The organization was founded in 1996 to address the needs of the Indigenous Shuar and Achuar people as well as mixed-ethnicity populations living in situations of vulnerability and exclusion. Salesians have distinguished themselves through an approach centered on human dignity, equity and respect for cultural identity. The goal now is to increase the impact on social and educational development in the region.

The first focus will be on the Casa Padre Silvio Broseghini Reference Center. This educational center, run by the Salesians, provides comprehensive support to 70 youth, aged 7-18, who are living in situations of vulnerability and social exclusion.

With upcoming support, the center will enhance its core services. Salesians will provide academic support with programs focused on language and math. Daily meals and psychosocial support will also be provided.

A Salesian explained, “For the Shuar, Achuar and mixed-ethnicity communities, this support goes beyond the classroom. It represents a crucial opportunity for youth to strengthen their cultural identity and build sustainable life plans, enabling them to participate actively in society without losing their roots.”

The Salesian added, “With the incorporation of the Salesian Chankuap Foundation, the Salesian Project Ecuador is expanding its presence in the Ecuadorian Amazon and reaffirming its commitment to a holistic education that responds to diverse local realities, promoting inclusion, respect for cultural identity, and close support for youth and their families.”

Salesians provide social development and educational programs across Ecuador to help youth who are poor gain an education and the skills for later employment. The skills they learn ensure they are able to care for themselves and their families while being contributing members of their communities.

Ecuador is one of the most inequitable societies in the world, according to UNICEF. The richest 20% of the population receives almost 50% of the national income, while the poorest 20% receives only 5%. According to the World Food Programme, almost 26% of all children under age 5 have stunted growth, increasing to 31% in rural areas and 47% in Indigenous communities.

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ANS – Ecuador – The “Proyecto Salesiano Ecuador” strengthens its presence in the Amazon alongside the “Salesian Chankuap Foundation”

Salesian Missions – Ecuador

UNICEF – Ecuador

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MADAGASCAR

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries have formally signed a cooperation agreement to establish a new educational and residential center for young women who are vulnerable in Antananarivo, Madagascar. The new training center will offer a secure home and a structured vocational educational program for young women aged 14-19.

The center will primarily welcome young women who have already been supported through the Casa Henintsoa project in Fianarantsoa, providing them with the opportunity to continue their education, acquire professional skills, and prepare for meaningful employment and independent living.

Under the terms of the agreement, the Friends of Don Bosco Malta will provide financial support for the operation of the residence and explore opportunities for Maltese volunteers to contribute directly to the project’s mission. The center is expected to open in October 2026, when the first group of young women will move into the new facility.

Magro expressed deep satisfaction with the collaboration. He explained, “This is a concrete and courageous response to the needs of young women who deserve opportunities, dignity and hope. This partnership demonstrates that when the Salesian Family walks together, we can create lasting impact. This new center is not simply a building. It is a promise of a future for many young women who will now have the chance to grow, learn and believe in themselves.”

The initiative reflects the Salesian commitment to supporting youth most in need, by helping them develop autonomy, receive vocational training and build a dignified future through education and work opportunities.

Salesian Brother Dominic Nam, world delegate for the Past Pupils and Friends of Don Bosco, described the collaboration as a concrete expression of the vitality of the Salesian Family, in which different groups unite around a shared mission to continue Don Bosco’s work among vulnerable youth.

Salesian missionaries have 11 centers and work in several locations in the country, including the Don Bosco House in Ivato in the outskirts of Antananarivo. Salesians have been in Ankililoaka since 1982. They have constructed schools and churches, as well as a youth center. They are working to ensure quality education and make sure no student is left behind.

Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world. Approximately 75.2% of the population lives in poverty, a rate that has largely stagnated over the last decade. Roughly 80% youth under the age of 18 live in extreme poverty.

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ANS – Italy – Friends of Don Bosco Malta and CMB Establish New Formation Home for Vulnerable Girls in Madagascar

Salesian Missions – Madagascar

UNICEF – Madagascar

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INDIA

(MissionNewswire) Salesians in Kolkata, India, have provided 30 new homes to families in need in the Kapali Bagan–Narkeldanga settlement. The project has already enabled the construction of 678 homes.

Father Mathew George, former assistant professor at Salesian College Sonada and Siliguri, explained that for years many families slept under plastic sheets, stretched over bamboo poles, on the streets of Kolkata. With every monsoon season, rising waters threatened to sweep away their shelter. Mohammed Salim and his children were one of the families who lived in this precarious situation for a long time.

Fr. George said, “This year, we made Mohammed and his children a home. The inauguration of these new low-cost homes marked a turning point for families who had long lived in makeshift huts along the canal. Exposed to the risk of fires, floods, disease and insecurity, they are now moving into permanent homes that guarantee safety, sanitation and dignity. The home, made of brick and corrugated iron, provided a safe shelter they can call their own.”

Salim is grateful for the Salesians. He said, “We want to thank the Salesians and Fr. George for remembering us when no one else did. Now my children can sleep in peace.”

The initiative has gradually transformed the lives of many people since its launch seven years ago. All of the families expressed their sincere gratitude. “This house is more than a shelter. It is dignity. My daughters can grow up without fear,” said Shabana Begum, a mother of three.

A ceremony brought together local leaders, representatives of the Salesian Province and residents. The event highlighted the power of collective compassion in tackling urban poverty and underscored the Salesian commitment to the holistic development of the community.

Reflecting on this journey, Fr. George concluded, “Every family deserves a roof to protect them, a space that is welcoming and a home that restores their dignity. These homes are not merely shelters, but symbols of solidarity and hope.”

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ANS – India – Salesian Leads Low Cost Housing Mission in Kolkata Slum

Don Bosco Development Society

Salesian Missions – India

World Bank – India

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DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries are stepping up preventive measures in their centers in the face of the growing Ebola outbreak affecting the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo*. According to the latest data from the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 750 suspected cases and more than 170 deaths have already been recorded.

Every day, thousands of youth and their families pass through Salesian centers such as Don Bosco Ngangi, Bosco Lac or the Goma Technical, and Industrial Institute to receive education, food, support and basic medical care. Awareness-raising initiatives are being carefully carried out to ensure the population knows how to prevent infection and how to react if symptoms appear.

“The most important thing now is to keep people well informed and avoid panic,” according to the Salesians in Goma. In recent weeks, new hand-washing stations have been installed, hygiene campaigns have been increased, and youth and their families are being made aware of basic preventive measures.

Most of the infections are concentrated in the Congolese province of Ituri, in the northeast of the country. However, there is also concern regarding North Kivu, due to the constant movement of people and the commercial and human links with the affected areas.

In Goma, where the Salesian center is located, the city is marked by violence, forced displacement and extreme poverty, and the situation remains under health surveillance. For the time being, the authorities have reported only a few isolated cases, involving people from the affected areas, with no widespread outbreak recorded in the city.

Nevertheless, fear and uncertainty are very much present among the population. A Salesian noted, “Thousands of families are surviving in very precarious conditions, and a health emergency such as this represents an additional threat to those who have already lost almost everything.”

Salesian work extends across the country. In cities such as Lubumbashi, Kinshasa, Mbuji-Mayi and Tshikapa, Salesians run schools, youth centers and child support programs. In more isolated and impoverished areas such as Kasenga, Mokambo, Sakania and Kipushya, they carry out educational and social projects.

Salesians are also in Uvira, Bukavu, Nyakadaka and Kalemie, in the eastern part of the country, one of the regions most affected by armed violence and mass displacement. There, in addition to education, the Salesians provide humanitarian aid, protection for displaced children and support for families who have been living for years amidst conflict and a constant succession of new emergencies.

“The population is tired of constantly living with emergencies including war, displacement, hunger and now also the fear of Ebola,” explained Salesian Father Domingo de la Hera, who has been working for decades in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The WHO has reiterated that the risk remains “very high” in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, due to the fragility of the healthcare system, insecurity and the constant movement of the population. Furthermore, there is still no approved specific vaccine for the strain identified.

Salesian missionaries have been working in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for more than 100 years, ensuring that the most vulnerable children are not forgotten. Salesian primary and secondary schools and programs lay the foundation for early learning, while Salesian trade, vocational and agricultural programs offer many youth the opportunity for a stable and productive future.

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Photo courtesy of Misiones Salesianas via ANS  

ANS – Democratic Republic of the Congo – Ebola Emergency: Salesians step up prevention and awareness-raising to protect the population

Salesian Missions – Democratic Republic of the Congo

UNHCR – Democratic Republic of the Congo

*Any goods, services, or funds provided by Salesian Missions to programs located in these countries 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.

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MALI

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries are supporting local communities and providing education for thousands of youth in Bamako, Sikasso and Touba, Mali*. With escalating violence and insecurity disrupting lives, particularly in the capital city of Bamako, Salesians continue to offer opportunities for youth who face violence, poverty and an uncertain future.

Mali is experiencing a new offensive by rebel forces who have targeted strategic points across the country, highlighting the fragility of the nation and a crisis that has been dragging on for years. Insecurity, roadblocks, pressure on the capital, and the fear felt by the population are affecting daily life and exacerbating the difficulties faced by thousands of families. This has led to the closure of schools and left children without access to education.

A Salesian said, “Our work focuses on the most vulnerable youth, especially girls, in the belief that education is a concrete response to violence, poverty and a lack of opportunities.”

In Touba, Salesians have literacy courses, workshops for technical skills training, a sports center, a secondary school and a boarding house for students from remote rural villages. St. John Bosco Secondary School welcomes more than 400 youth from 17 villages, many of whom are socially marginalized.

The Salesian noted, “Previously, many students had to travel long distances to continue their education. The center has given many youth the chance to continue their studies and to have a safe place where they can learn and grow.”

In Sikasso, the Salesian center is dedicated to Mary Help of Christians and was established 45 years ago. It offers local youth a vocational school, the Salesian oratory/youth center and a youth shelter.

Finally, in Bamako, the Père Michel Vocational Formation Center provides the opportunity for more than 650 youth to learn skills for future employment. The project is funded by the Spanish Agency for Development Cooperation to contribute to the social and labor market integration of young Malians through quality vocational training. This approach aims to reduce gender inequalities and promote peace-building and access to employment.

The Salesian concluded, “Mali is facing a complex situation, but the Salesians are not leaving. They remain alongside the communities, supporting schools and workshops, and are there for families while offering hope, education and opportunities to build peace.”

UNICEF has indicated that more than 2 million children between the ages of 5-17 do not go to school. More than half of children are still not literate. Children in Mali often have to drop out of school to work, enter child marriages or because of school closures. The country also struggles to find enough qualified teachers and textbooks for students. Only 73.8% of girls and 85.5% of boys are enrolled in primary school and only 15% of girls and 21% of boys continue to secondary school, UNICEF reports.

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Photo courtesy of Misiones Salesianas 

ANS – Mali – “Life goes on, but with understandable concern”

Salesian Missions

UNICEF – Mali

*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.

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UNITED STATES

(MissionNewswire) The Salesian Family Youth Center, located in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, California, has announced a partnership with the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission. This partnership was made possible through the World Cup 2026 Extraordinary Impact Grant supported by the LA84 Foundation. The initiative invests in youth from Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles, communities where access to organized sports is often limited.

With funding from the $26,000 grant, the program has expanded structured soccer programming for more than 80 children per season, aged 9-14. Since September 2025, the initiative has strengthened access to organized leagues and seasonal play, offering many participants their first experience of belonging to a structured team. Beyond competition, the program fosters discipline, teamwork and healthy personal development, reflecting the preventive and educational spirit of Don Bosco.

The heart of the partnership is a shared vision of ensuring that youth from underserved neighborhoods not only play the game they love but also witness it at the highest level. Through the commission, under the leadership of Kathryn Schloessman, 20 young participants from the Salesian Family Youth Center will attend a FIFA World Cup 2026 match in Los Angeles.

A representative said, “For these youth, the experience represents far more than attendance at a global sporting event. It is a moment of inspiration and possibility and an opportunity to see firsthand what dedication, teamwork, and perseverance can achieve on the world stage.”

Founded in 1966, the Salesian Family Youth Center serves more than 2,000 youth annually through educational, recreational and faith-based programs. Guided by its mission to form youth as productive, responsible, and caring citizens, the center supports families and offers safe, nurturing spaces where youth can grow in confidence and hope.

In neighborhoods where many families cannot afford participation in organized sports, soccer has become a powerful tool for inclusion and prevention. It keeps youth active and engaged, builds community, and fosters values that extend beyond the field.

Transportation for the World Cup experience will be provided by the Salesian Family Youth Center, ensuring full accessibility for the selected youth, while the commission will provide match tickets. The collaboration reflects a broader commitment to ensuring that the global impact of the FIFA World Cup 2026 reaches communities that are often overlooked.

The representative added, “As Los Angeles prepares to host the world, this initiative highlights a deeper legacy, not only the celebration of sport, but the transformation of young lives. For the youth of Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles, the journey to the stadium will symbolize opening doors, strengthening dreams, and the conviction that their future, too, can be shaped by opportunity and hope.”

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ANS – United States – World Cup 2026 Grant expands Opportunities for Youth at Salesian Family Youth Center

Salesian Family Youth Center

Salesian Missions

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CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries in Bangui, Central African Republic*, have opened the Artemides Zatti Health Center, which was a significant event for the local community and for all those involved in improving access to healthcare. The new center is designed to serve the most vulnerable populations.

The opening ceremony was hosted for donors, local authorities, and the entire staff of the health center, as well as Father Roland Mintsa, superior of the Equatorial Tropical Africa Vice-Province, the director of the Provincial Planning and Development Office, and the rector of the Salesian community in Damala.

During speeches, those who led this initiative praised the joint efforts that made this project a reality, despite the numerous challenges encountered during its implementation. Administrative and technical difficulties could have derailed the initiative, but, as one of the speakers emphasized, “Despite the labor pains and the struggles of childbirth, the baby has finally been born.”

A Salesian noted, “The Artemides Zatti Health Center has opened its doors with the aim of offering quality care, a warm welcome and a local presence for those most in need in the capital of the Central African Republic. This opening represents not only the culmination of a project, but also the dawn of new hope for the residents of the Damala neighborhood and its surroundings.”

The Central African Republic is one of the poorest countries on the African continent — despite being very rich in resources such as uranium, gold and diamonds. It is also very unstable politically due to the regime changes and civil wars that have occurred over the last 20 years.

According to the World Bank, in 2024, approximately 71% of people lived below the international poverty line, with 65.7% living on less than $2.15 per day. The infant mortality rate is among the highest in the world, and the most common causes are diseases such as malaria, diarrhea, respiratory infections and acute malnutrition.

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ANS – Central African Republic – Official opening of the Artemides Zatti health centre

Salesian Missions – Central African Republic

World Bank – Central African Republic

*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.

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ITALY

(MissionNewswire) Salesians for Social in Italy recently released its report, “Fragile”, which provided a snapshot of the first wave of Italy’s Generation Z. With the collaboration of AstraRicerche, a survey was provided to nearly 1,100 youth aged 14-20. The survey found that while 50% feel satisfied with themselves, the other half feel stressed and under pressure.

One of those youth is Joan, who is 15 years old. For a long time, he thought that school wasn’t the place for him. Having arrived from the Dominican Republic, he went through difficult years, marked by failed exams, absences and a growing struggle to find meaning in his studies. Joan felt cut off and had a constant sense of being left out. He said, “I felt distant from everything and everyone. Every morning it became harder and harder to get up.”

Today, in Italy, almost one in four youth consider dropping out of school early, and a significant proportion remains on the margins between school and work.

With the La Spezia project, launched by Salesians for Social, Joan met educators capable of listening, helping him to unlock his talents and seeing possibilities for the future. With the support of the educators, school is no longer an insurmountable barrier, and even math, which had always been a stumbling block for him, became a challenge he can meet. The project aims to help youth, like Joan, face challenges and remain in school.

Joan also attends a Salesian after-school program, which quickly transformed from a simple study space into a place of belonging and where relationships become the primary educational tool. He said, “It has become my second home.”

Today, Joan looks to the future with a different outlook — more open and more aware — and attends school with a newfound motivation. He noted, “I’ve realized that if you want to change things, you have to commit yourself and not give up.”

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ANS – Italy – Joan’s rebirth between school and the oratory. Salesians for Social opens the door to hope

Salesian Missions – Italy

World Bank – Italy

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INDIA

(MissionNewswire) A new species of fossorial reed snake has been discovered in the Garo Hills in the state of Meghalaya, India. The species, named Calamaria garoensis (Garo Hills Reed Snake), has been formally described in the internationally reputed peer-reviewed journal Taprobanica.

The discovery is the result of a collaborative research effort involving several institutions, including Assam Don Bosco University, whose contribution proved significant in advancing the study. Other participating institutions include Help Earth, Cotton University, Mizoram University, the Zoological Survey of India and Indonesia’s National Research & Innovation Agency.

A Salesian explained, “The discovery was made during intensive field surveys conducted in the West Garo Hills district, with the holotype specimen collected from Oragitok in the Rongram Block, an ecologically rich and forested region. The species is currently known only from this locality, pointing to its restricted distribution and emphasizing the urgent need for conservation attention.”

Researchers from Assam Don Bosco University played a crucial role in the integrative taxonomic analysis, particularly in supporting the molecular and phylogenetic components of the study. By combining classical morphological examination with mitochondrial DNA-based phylogenetic analysis, the team confirmed that the population represents a distinct evolutionary lineage. The findings revealed that Calamaria garoensis is closely related to Calamaria mizoramensis, yet genetically distinct, with a divergence of approximately 6.3%.

Reed snakes of the genus Calamaria are small, secretive and predominantly burrowing, making them notoriously difficult to detect. Their subtle morphological differences have historically led to misidentifications, with many species previously grouped under broadly defined taxa. The present study not only identifies a new species but also addresses longstanding taxonomic ambiguities in the region.

Morphologically, Calamaria garoensis is distinguished by a unique combination of features, including smooth dorsal scales arranged in 13 rows, a short, non-tapering tail with an obtuse tip and a prominent broad median black stripe on the underside of the tail. The body exhibits longitudinal striping along with a faint nuchal ring, traits that set it apart from related species.

Importantly, the study challenges earlier assumptions that reed snakes across Northeast India belonged to a single widespread species, Calamaria pavimentata. Instead, the findings suggest that what was once considered a single species is, in fact, a complex of multiple distinct lineages. This revelation calls for a re-examination of historical records and further systematic research.

The Salesian noted, “The contribution of Assam Don Bosco University to this pioneering work highlights its growing prominence in biodiversity research and its commitment to scientific inquiry that serves both academic advancement and ecological conservation.”

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ANS – India – New Reed Snake Species Discovered in Garo Hills: Assam Don Bosco University

Assam Don Bosco University

Salesian Missions – India

World Bank – India

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ITALY

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Center in Naples, Italy, has been renovated with new spaces for the chapel, the teaching kitchen, the oratory and the courtyard. An event was held to showcase the changes. It brought together Salesians from Southern Italy and missionary territories in the Balkans, as well as people from the community and youth who currently utilize or have previously utilized the Don Bosco Center.

During the event, the courtyard became a theater. “A Dream in the Courtyard” was a show staged by youth with music produced by youth from Cisternino. Through their creativity, the youth showed that the center is not just building new spaces but offering possibilities for the future.

At the end of the performance, a symbolic ribbon-cutting took place carried out by a representative of the construction management, a Salesian, an educator and one of the youth currently attending the oratory.

“The Eucharistic celebration then brought everything together in a single offering,” said Father Fabio Bellino, rector of Don Bosco Naples. “We have entrusted these spaces, but above all the people who will live in them. Because, ultimately, what makes a place even more beautiful is how much it manages to generate life, relationships and hope.”

“Looking back on that morning,” continued Fr. Bellino, “I carry one image in my heart — the courtyard full of people, the laughter, the hugs between those who hadn’t seen each other for years and the eyes of the young people turned toward the future. At that moment, I was certain that we were not simply inaugurating renovated spaces but a new season. Don Bosco Naples continues. It will continue as long as there are young people to welcome, dreams to cherish and a community capable of walking together.”

Salesian programs across Italy help youth who are unable to attend school and others who drop out to work at the few jobs available to them. A growing number of children work as laborers on farms and others have turned to the sex trade to help support their families. Those in poverty often live without adequate shelter, hot water, regular meals and health care.

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

ANS – Italy – Revitalising spaces, inspiring lives: the new face of the Don Bosco centre in Naples

Salesian Missions – Italy

World Bank – Italy

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(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries are continuing to respond to the deepening crisis in the Middle East despite the ceasefire declared in Lebanon*. Bombings in southern Lebanon, rising prices and a lack of jobs are putting thousands of families in difficulty. Salesians are assisting more than 100 displaced people at the Don Bosco Center in El Hossoun and are stepping up their commitment to education, providing scholarships and aid so that youth can continue their education and have hope for the future.

A Salesian explained, “Bombings continue to be reported in the south of the country and more than 50 localities have received evacuation orders, causing further displacement. In the early stages of the recent escalation, at least 30,000 people sought refuge in centers, like the Don Bosco Center, while many others were forced to flee without resources, settling with family or friends or in uninhabited buildings. This situation compounds years of accumulated crises that have deeply weakened the country.”

The humanitarian emergency is closely linked to a structural economic crisis. Since 2019, the Lebanese economy has contracted by more than 38%, one of the most severe declines globally. Inflation and currency devaluation have sent commodity prices soaring, leaving a large part of the population without access to food, healthcare or education. Currently, around 44% of the population lives in poverty, and many families are forced to make extreme decisions such as cutting back on food, taking on debt or withdrawing their children from school.

The Don Bosco Center is welcoming displaced families into spaces set up as shelters. Many of these families have been displaced repeatedly, have lost their homes and arrive with only the bare essentials. The Salesian noted, “These are people who have nowhere to return to. Some displaced people have tried to return to their homes, but most have been destroyed. They will likely be with us for a long time.”

Beyond basic needs, the war leaves a deep emotional mark. Salesian teams are working with children and adults experiencing high levels of fear, anxiety and stress. The Salesian said, “Many children struggle to express their emotions, experiencing crying fits and constant fear after having lived through situations of violence. Through activities such as play, drawing or individual support, the teams try to help them regain their emotional stability.”

Salesians are also organizing group sessions and safe spaces for women and youth, addressing situations of anxiety, trauma or postnatal depression in contexts of extreme vulnerability.

The crisis is also having a direct impact on education. Schools have been closed for many weeks and many educational facilities have been bombed or are now housing displaced people. In the current economic situation, many families cannot afford to educate their children, which is leading to an increase in school dropout rates.

The Salesian Mission Office in Madrid, joined by Salesian organizations around the globe, continue to adapt its response to a prolonged crisis, combining immediate humanitarian aid with sustainable initiatives. Food, shelter, education and emotional support form part of a comprehensive approach that seeks not only to respond to the emergency, but to provide opportunities for the future.

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Photo courtesy of Misiones Salesianas

ANS – Lebanon – Amid the emergency, the Salesians step up support for displaced families and focus on education

Salesian Missions

World Bank – Lebanon

*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.

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SPAIN

(MissionNewswire) The Salesian Los Boscos Center in Logroño, in the autonomous community of La Rioja, Spain, is celebrating its 75th anniversary this academic year. The celebrations began in April with a visit from local, regional and ecclesiastical authorities.

The center organized a commemorative ceremony recalling the history and role of the Salesian center and its impact on education in Logroño. The students welcomed the guests in the courtyard and sang a hymn composed for the occasion. They also unveiled the 75th anniversary banner in the courtyard gallery. Following the brief ceremony, guests visited an exhibition of vintage photographs set up in the school chapel, before concluding the event with a short talk on the role of the Salesian house.

Speakers included Father Iñaki Fernández Lerena, the center’s director; Father Fernando García, the superior of the Salesians of the Spain’s St. James the Greater province; Mayor Conrado Escobar; and Dr. Gonzalo Capellán, president of the Autonomous Community of La Rioja; among others. The speeches highlighted the important work carried out by María Teresa Gil de Gárate who, following the example of Don Bosco, assisted youth who are poor and at risk in Logroño.

Those present were given a small souvenir commemorating the day, and an evening celebration was held for alumni. The center also organized a roundtable discussion attended by representatives from key organizations and institutions in La Rioja. The celebrations concluded over the weekend with a theatrical performance by “Sapo Producciones”, followed by a community lunch for gathering and shared celebration among students, families, alumni, and friends.

A Salesian noted, “Salesian missionaries in Spain provide primary and secondary education as well as vocational and technical school to ensure youth acquire employment skills for their futures. Salesians also work to meet the basic needs of youth living in poverty and offer workforce development opportunities to ensure an easier school to work transition.”

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ANS – Spain – The Salesians in Logroño open celebrations for the 75th anniversary of the “Los Boscos” centre

Salesian Missions – Spain

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SUDAN

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries are resuming their educational work in Kalakla, one of the hardest-hit areas by war in Sudan*. Three years after the start of the conflict, the humanitarian crisis continues to worsen and millions of children still have no access to education. With international attention focused on other parts of the world, Salesians, who had been forced to leave the country at the height of the fighting, are reopening schools and offering protection, food and hope to youth who are vulnerable.

A Salesian said, “The country is facing one of the world’s most serious yet overlooked humanitarian crises. Violence, mass displacement and the collapse of basic services have left millions of people in a situation of extreme hardship, especially children.”

According to United Nations data, more than 8 million Sudanese have been forced to flee their homes — the world’s largest internal displacement crisis — and around 25 million, more than half the population, are in need of urgent humanitarian aid. Tens of thousands of people have lost their lives since the conflict began. The country is facing an emergency characterized by hunger, poverty and international neglect.

The Salesian added, “In this fragile context, education has become one of the main casualties. Thousands of schools have been destroyed or closed, and millions of boys and girls have seen their education interrupted. Without access to a safe environment, many children spend their days on the streets, exposed to risks such as child labor, forced recruitment, violence or exploitation.”

The initiative involves repairing damaged infrastructure, supplying school materials and launching food programs to ensure students attend school regularly. The goal is to assist 1,500 youth impacted by the war by offering them not only access to education but also an environment protected from the risks arising from the conflict.

The Salesian explained, “Prolonged closure of schools has significantly increased the risk of children being permanently excluded from the education system. Furthermore, the lack of resources among families, exacerbated by inflation and the loss of livelihoods, prevents many children from returning to the classroom. Salesian schools fulfill not only an educational role, but also a social and preventative one. Through school feeding programs, educational activities and support services, efforts are made to improve children’s well-being and foster their holistic development.”

Salesians draw on a strong community network. The involvement of educators, volunteers and local groups makes it possible to gradually rebuild the social fabric and strengthen the response to the emergency. This joint effort is essential to ensure the sustainability of the initiative and the long-term impact.

The Salesian concluded, “The country’s future will depend largely on its ability to protect its children and guarantee them access to education. The reopening of schools in Kalakla is not merely an immediate response to the emergency, but a strategic investment in the future. Every child who returns to the classroom is another step toward rebuilding a country that needs, more than ever, opportunities, stability and hope.”

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Photo courtesy of Misiones Salesians

ANS – Sudan – After years of war, Salesian education reopens its doors to thousands of children

Salesian Missions – Sudan

UNICEF – Sudan

*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.

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(MissionNewswire) The Salesian School in Khallet Taha, a Palestinian* community in the South Hebron Hills in the West Bank, now has 40 students attending this new school. This is a significant milestone in a challenging environment where until recently students were forced to walk miles a day to access education. The school was built as part of the “Juzoor – A School for Freedom” project, promoted by the Salesian International Volunteering for Development (VIS).

The project is made by possible with the help of several organizations from the Piedmont region of Italy including the Toni Lucci School of Peace in Bra, the Bra Youth Council, and the Cuneo Network for Palestine, and with the patronage from the Municipality of Bra, as well as a network of Italian and Palestinian partners. The initiative mobilized more than 500 donors, 80% of whom were families, students and small groups. The bridge between Italy and Palestine has been built on trust, responsibility and participation.

A Salesian explained, “Construction began in November 2025 and took shape rapidly, becoming a powerful symbol. Salesians were building while destruction raged all around. The building comprises four classrooms, a nursery area, facilities and an internal courtyard. It’s a simple yet essential environment that provides children with a safe place to study and grow.”

The Salesian continued, “Today, those classrooms are filled with voices, books and smiles. Girls and boys are sitting at their desks, lined up in the courtyard and together with their teachers. The school is an investment not only in education but in dignity, protection and hope for the future.”

The project is already looking ahead, with new initiatives planned, including psychological support, pediatric care and the construction of a second school in the Yatta area. Another school, Aisha Khalil School, is already established in the Yatta district near the hills of Masafer Yatta to provide opportunity to youth who might otherwise not have access to education.

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

ANS – Palestine – A new school for 40 children in Khallet Taha: education and a future in the southern West Bank

Salesian Missions

*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.

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KENYA

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Tech Africa organized a 10-day bootcamp for electricians at its center in Karen, Kenya. The education was for youth who fall under the category of NEET (not involved in any education or employment training). This course is part of a program designed for domestic electricians and developed jointly by Don Bosco Tech Africa and Festo Didactic.

The program aims to address the growing need for technical skills relevant to the labor market, while also expanding opportunities for youth, who often face significant barriers to accessing education and employment. The course consisted of seven online learning modules and a final module focused on practical education.

Ten trainees took part in the intensive course, acquiring the basic skills needed to start working in the electrical sector under the supervision of an experienced electrician. The sessions covered safety in electrical workshops, the identification and use of tools and accessories, cable stripping and making connections, the assembly of distribution boards, circuit wiring, connecting sockets, preparing electrical and wiring diagrams, the operation of home automation systems, and the installation of basic solar power systems.

A Salesian explained, “To reinforce their practical experience, participants also visited a construction site where they observed real-world electrical installation procedures. This experience enabled them to link classroom learning with what’s happening in the field while deepening their understanding of workplace standards and professional expectations.”

This program is one of many initiatives, both online and in-person, which will continue to be developed to broaden access to skills development and provide a growing number of youth with practical, work-relevant skills.

The Salesian added, “The successful completion of the bootcamp reflects Don Bosco Tech Africa’s ongoing investment in innovative and inclusive technical and vocational education that meets the needs of the labor market. By equipping youth with practical skills and self-confidence, the initiative also helps to improve employability, self-sufficiency and long-term socio-economic inclusion.”

According to the World Bank, more than 7.8 million people in Kenya are living in extreme poverty, with the majority in rural areas. There are approximately 6.6 million people living on less than $1.90 a day in rural regions, while 1.1 million extremely poor people live in urban areas. Overall, the poverty incidence declined in recent years, but at a lower rate in urban areas than rural ones.

Youth living in Kenya’s larger cities like Nairobi are at risk for exploitation, forced labor and other abuses. Few attend the later stages of school as compared to those living in Kenya’s more rural areas. The few schools serving this community are beyond the financial means of most families.

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ANS – Kenya – An intensive course for electricians: creating new pathways for vulnerable young people

Salesian Missions – Kenya

World Bank – Kenya

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(MissionNewswire) Salesian students from the Salesian School in Évora, Portugal, collaborated with inmates at Évora Prison to launch the “Beyond the Mistake” project, a unique educational initiative that finds its common ground in music. The project, developed as part of the Catholic Moral and Religious Education curriculum, is now in its second year.

During the project, participants met in online sessions and face-to-face rehearsals, working together to create lyrics and songs which were then performed in the school auditorium. The event was attended by students from other classes and representatives of the two institutions, Father David Teixeira, director of the Salesians of Évora, and Paula Ramos, director of the Évora Prison. The project also had the collaboration of Artur Emídio, a teacher and music producer and brother of one of the inmates, who contributed to the adaptation and creation of the musical arrangements.

A Salesian said, “The Évora Prison welcomed this collaboration, as it represents an opportunity to reach out to the local community and works with the prison population. For the Salesian educational community, the initiative represents a journey of encounter, learning and responsibility, in which music becomes a language of relationship, sharing and reconstruction.”

As highlighted by Carlos Capelas, a teacher of Catholic Moral and Religious Education, this is a unique project, combining Christian values with social inclusion. Fr. Teixeira recalled that in Turin, Italy, Don Bosco promoted meetings with youth who were deprived of their liberty, always believing in their worth and their future.

Salesian schools and centers educate youth who are poor and disadvantaged across Portugal. According to the World Bank there are close to 2.6 million people living below the poverty line in Portugal, 487,000 of whom are under the age of 18. The country is one of the most unequal countries in Europe as far as wealth distribution. Wealthy citizens earn five times the rate of income than those living in poverty.

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ANS – Portugal – Students from the Salesian school in Évora and inmates at the prison brought together by music and education

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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

(MissionNewswire) Salesian Communication School PLUS, located in Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic, held its fourth graduation ceremony for 73 youth. The event reaffirmed the Salesian commitment to providing a holistic education for future leaders in the communication field.

With this fourth graduation, the Salesian Communication School PLUS has trained a total of 299 youth, establishing itself as a key training initiative for young leaders serving as communicators in schools, parishes and youth centers. Youth study subjects like storytelling, strategic communication, branding, ethics, audiovisual narrative and digital ecosystems. They also strengthen their skills to communicate with depth, responsibility and creativity.

In his address, Father Juan Pablo Abreu, provincial delegate for social communication, highlighted the mission now undertaken by the graduates. He told them, “You have what our communities need.”

Rosaura Daniela Guzmán, representing the 73 graduates, called for communication to be lived as a service. She said, “Let us continue to communicate with purpose, ethics and passion. Let us continue to be voices that build, unite and transform.”

The graduation ceremony included a Mass presided over by Father José Pastor Ramírez, provincial, who urged youth to deepen their vocation to communication. He said, “Have the courage to move from the superficial to the essential.”

Salesian Communication School PLUS has been established as a space that promotes communication with a clear identity, capable of educating, evangelizing and transforming in harmony with Don Bosco’s charism. The graduates represent a generation of communicators called not only to inform, but to build meaning, community and hope.

Through this program, the Salesian Province of the Antilles reaffirms its commitment to training communicators who, through their talent, respond to the current needs of the church and society, interpreting communication as a true vocation of service.

Nearly half of youth under the age of 18 live in poverty in the Dominican Republic, according to UNICEF. Although the country’s economy has been steadily improving, people who are poor still struggle to get enough food to eat and to access safe drinking water and adequate housing. Only 30% of youth finish primary school and only 18% finish secondary school on time. Schools are in poor shape with nearly half having no access to safe drinking water and more than 60% lacking adequate bathroom facilities.

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ANS – Dominican Republic – Salesians award diplomas to 73 new communicators at the end of the fourth cycle of the “Salesian Communication School PLUS”

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ITALY

(MissionNewswire) Salesian Youth Sports Clubs in Rome, Italy, have been operating the “GOAL. Scoring in Sport and in Life” project at Salesian oratories and educational centers. The 24-month project works to engage youth in sports and teach them valuable skills.

The project is funded by the Ministry of Labor and Social Policies and is implemented thanks to Salesians for Social Work and other associations. GOAL involves more than 400 youth, aged 12-19, as well as 50 coaches and educators, and 19 sports and educational organizations. It reaches around 3,000 people through events, promotional activities, and community engagement initiatives with the aim of opening up new paths for youth.

A Salesian noted, “Sports activities, after-school clubs, film forums, coaching workshops, educational support, and adult education intertwine in a single pathway, capable of combating educational poverty, reducing inequalities, and fostering well-being.”

A central element is the building of a solid educational network capable of identifying local needs and responding in a coordinated and sustained manner, thanks in part to the presence of the Salesian network across the whole country.

The Salesian explained, “Thanks to the shared commitment of all the partner organizations, GOAL continues to generate skills, relationships and replicable educational models within local communities, strengthening the places involved as true hubs of community and inclusion. The project becomes an avenue where youth learn to look within themselves and share with those around them, finding their own direction in life.”

Salesian programs across Italy help youth who are unable to attend school and others who drop out to work at the few jobs available to them. A growing number of children work as laborers on farms and others have turned to the sex trade to help support their families. Those in poverty often live without adequate shelter, hot water, regular meals and health care.

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ANS – Italy – “GOAL. Scoring in sport and in life”: when sport educates and builds community

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BRAZIL

(MissionNewswire) The Salesian-run Zatti Saúde Health Center, through its Street Clinic Program, has administered the flu vaccine to 38 people who are homeless in the municipality of Araçatuba, Brazil. With the aim of expanding access to vaccination, the center’s staff, in collaboration with the Municipal Health Department, carried out checks in the neighborhoods of Santana, Paraíso, Centro, Iporã, Jussara, São Paulo, Saudade and Nova York to identify people eligible for the vaccination campaign.

A Salesian explained, “The main objective of the initiative was to eliminate the geographical and social barriers that often hinder this section of the population’s access to traditional health care services. The Street Clinic is a strategy aimed at expanding access to health care services for the homeless. The teams are multidisciplinary and operate on a mobile basis, bringing care directly to where those in need are.”

Salesian missionaries offer more than 150 medical clinics and hospitals in mostly rural areas around the globe that serve a wide range of medical care needs. In many countries with Salesian programs, dental care and other necessary health services are provided to youth and their families who might otherwise have no access to health care.

Father Michael Conway, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, said, “Salesians care about the health of those we serve. Salesian medical clinics meet a range of health needs from providing preventive health screening to addressing ongoing health issues and ensuring people have the medication they need. This work is especially important in communities where there are few resources and people are at risk.”

Just over 15% of Brazilians live in poverty, with the majority living in the rural northeast of the country, according to the World Bank. While Brazil is making positive changes, there are still large gaps between the poor and the rich, and issues of income inequality and social exclusion remain at the root of poverty.

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ANS – Brazil – “Zatti Saúde” launches a vaccination campaign for the homeless

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DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

(MissionNewswire) The “Kesho Bora (Rebuilding Hope): Opportunities and Dignity for the People of North Kivu” project is aiding families that have been displaced due to the conflicts in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo*. Hunger, insecurity and extreme vulnerability characterize daily life not only for thousands of displaced and returning families, but also for the host communities that are often without sufficient resources to meet their own basic needs.

The new initiative is funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation and implemented in collaboration with local Salesians, the Salesian-run International Volunteering for Development (VIS), Friends of Children, the local organization Kimbilio and the Jesuit Refugee Service.

This collaboration enhances effectiveness, expands geographical coverage and ensures coordinated implementation on the ground. The project, which will run for 18 months, aims to sustainably improve living conditions and promote the socio-economic reintegration of internally displaced persons and host communities in the city of Goma and in the territories of Nyiragongo and Masisi. It provides an integrated response combining humanitarian assistance, protection and support for recovery.

The project is supporting vulnerable families by providing essential goods and starter kits for income-generating activities. This will enable people who are displaced to meet their basic needs and work toward greater stability. Vocational training programs in tailoring, hairdressing, cooking, and baking equip youth and adults with practical skills, helping them to generate income and strengthen their self-reliance.

A Salesian noted, “Given that youth are particularly affected by the crisis, the project is organizing educational, recreational, and psychosocial activities in residential and community centers in Goma, Nyiragongo, and Masisi. These safe spaces offer opportunities for learning, play, and emotional recovery, while fostering a renewed sense of security and belonging.”

The project places emphasis on the protection of women and girls, who are often exposed to violence. Through confidential counseling, the distribution of hygiene kits and awareness-raising campaigns, it helps to prevent gender-based violence and support survivors. At the same time, community initiatives promote positive male role models who respect gender equality, encouraging lasting social change.

The project is also promoting community dialogue by creating spaces where people can meet, exchange ideas and resolve disputes peacefully. This approach helps to rebuild trust between communities, an essential foundation for long-term stability and collective resilience.

The Salesian concluded, “By supporting displaced families, returnees and host communities, ‘Kesho Bora’ goes beyond simply responding to immediate needs. It offers dignity, security and opportunity to the most vulnerable populations in North Kivu. In a place where new challenges arise every day, the project demonstrates how well-coordinated humanitarian action can transform lives and strengthen a community’s capacity to rebuild.”

Salesian missionaries have been working in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for more than 100 years, ensuring that the most vulnerable children are not forgotten. Salesian primary and secondary schools and programs lay the foundation for early learning, while Salesian trade, vocational and agricultural programs offer many youth the opportunity for a stable and productive future.

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

ANS – Democratic Republic of the Congo – The “Kesho Bora” project restores hope to families affected by the conflict

Salesian Missions – Democratic Republic of the Congo

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*Any goods, services, or funds provided by Salesian Missions to programs located in these countries 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.

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MYANAMR

(MissionNewswire) The situation in Min Gun, in the Sagaing region of Myanmar*, remains critical more than a year after the magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck the area. The initial emergency response for Salesian missionaries has continued as they support thousands of people who are still trying to rebuild their lives in great instability in the country.

Currently, between 4,000 and 5,000 people — around 1,600 families — are living in a makeshift camp near a Buddhist monastery. Their homes were destroyed by the earthquake and they have been surviving in small huts without adequate access to basic services. The political climate in the country hinders access to resources and limits the arrival of humanitarian aid.

“Every day is a struggle for survival,” explained a Salesian in Myanmar, who works closely with the community. “Jobs are scarce, and although youth try to go out to work to support their families, the prevailing political instability makes this difficult and dangerous.”

The support of the global Salesian Family, coordinated by the Don Bosco Network and with the participation of Bosco Global, remains crucial. Thanks also to the emergency and fundraising campaign launched by Bosco Global last year, Salesians are providing care for families living in the camps. As time has passed, the flow of aid has diminished and access to the camp is now more difficult, and fewer and fewer organizations are able to intervene due to restrictions and risks in the area.

Salesians are distributing basic foodstuffs such as rice, pulses, oil and noodles. Health care, particularly for children and the elderly, is being provided with support of health care staff within the camp. Salesians are also offering educational spaces for more than 500 children and distributing toys and emotional support to more than 400 children under the age of 7, aiding their recovery from trauma.

A Salesian said, “Despite the difficulties, the Salesian presence continues to closely support the camp’s population, in coordination with local leaders and following the necessary protocols to access the area. At Bosco Global, we continue to support this process alongside the Don Bosco Network, making this support possible thanks to the commitment of so many people who mobilized during the emergency, convinced that in humanitarian emergencies it is essential to sustain life and support those who need it most.”

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ANS – Myanmar – Supporting people in the aftermath of the earthquake

Salesian Missions – Myanmar

*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.

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SIERRA LEONE

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries are working in Sierra Leone to ensure that youth who are at risk and vulnerable have the supportive services and education they need to thrive. Recently, Father Luca Barone, president of the Salesian Mission Office in Turin, Italy, visited the country to see the Salesian programs there.

In Freetown, the capital, Fr. Barone noted the staggering number of youth living on the streets. He said, “Four Salesian communities are working to help these young people who were once working on the streets and in prisons. They operate schools, parishes, oratories and youth centers. I was able to see concretely the work that is happening there. The funds allocated to the missions are supporting medical care, education and the dreams of street children who want to make it.”

One of the youth Fr. Barone met was Idrissa, aged 17, who spent three years on the streets. Today, he is learning car mechanics, dreams of becoming a mechanical engineer and plays soccer. Father Piotr Wojnarowski, the director of Don Bosco Fambul Center in Freetown, has become a role model for the young man.

During his trip, Fr. Barone also saw the reassembled statue of the Holy Family standing in the Fambul Therapeutic Center. It had arrived thanks to Polish volunteers in October 2025, but it had been shattered in the journey.

“There was widespread sadness, but then one of the boys at the center had an idea,” Fr. Barone said. “He believed that it could be put back together much like the boys are the center were being put back together after facing abuse and neglect. Volunteers and the young boys were able to piece it all back together.”

At the conclusion of his trip, Fr. Barone said, “In the end, the journey sends you back, but you are no longer the same. The journey teaches you not to stop, because what you must change, improve, and decide that the world is a vast place and every life saved is a victory of good over evil.”

Don Bosco Fambul is a national leader in child protection, operating the largest interim care and therapeutic centers for abused children in the country. Since it was established in 1998 to rehabilitate and reintegrate child soldiers, it has grown to support the country’s most vulnerable children and youth through two main campuses in Freetown. Young people in the country face significant challenges in accessing education. With too few teachers and many school buildings destroyed in the war, resources are thin. Persistently high illiteracy rates mean that an estimated 70% of Sierra Leone’s youth are unemployed or underemployed.

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ANS – Sierra Leone – The country where Don Bosco is synonymous with young lives saved

Don Bosco Fambul

Don Bosco Fambul Facebook

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UNICEF – Sierra Leone

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ECUADOR

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries in Ecuador have made a commitment to sustainable development and the improvement of the quality of life of local communities as part of the “Protection of Rights, Food Sovereignty and Economic Empowerment for Women and Families in Vulnerable Situations” project.

An event was held with this focus and included a visit by Lina Varón, representative of the organization Jóvenes y Desarrollo (Youth & Development). During the event at the Don Bosco Farm in Ambato, a revolving fund was distributed to nine families to strengthen their employment activities. The families include people working in agriculture, tailoring, the production of sports and school shoes, handicrafts, and other family businesses. This support aims to consolidate sustainable economic initiatives that enable families to generate income and improve their living conditions.

A Salesian explained, “This project is funded by the Community of Madrid in collaboration with Jóvenes y Desarrollo. Its main objective is to promote sustainable opportunities that strengthen the family economy, reinforce food sovereignty and contribute to the empowerment of women in vulnerable situations.”

Salesians provide social development and educational programs across Ecuador to help youth who are poor gain an education and the skills for later employment. The skills they learn ensure they are able to care for themselves and their families while being contributing members of their communities.

Ecuador is one of the most inequitable societies in the world, according to UNICEF. The richest 20% of the population receives almost 50% of the national income, while the poorest 20% receives only 5%. According to the World Food Programme, almost 26% of all children under age 5 have stunted growth, increasing to 31% in rural areas and 47% in Indigenous communities.

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ANS – Ecuador – Salesian project in the Northern Zone promotes sustainable development for vulnerable families thanks to international support

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ITALY

(MissionNewswire) The Artisan Workshop – Tailoring and Costume Design educational program operating at the Don Bosco Institute in Naples, Italy, is helping students gain theoretic and practical skills in tailoring and costume design. The course comprises 300 hours of education, 90 of which are dedicated to historical, cultural and theoretical study, with the remainder focused on practical workshops in cutting, sewing and garment construction. This has enabled students to gradually learn the craft while discovering not only tailoring techniques but also the complex workings of a film set.

The program is funded by the European Union Ministry of Culture with funds from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. It runs in collaboration with the Cinecittà Film Studios in Rome and the San Gennaro Community Foundation, and implemented by CNOS-FAP (National Center for Salesian Works-Formation and Professional Updating).

In January 2026, the course started educational sessions at the Isaia Foundation, dedicated to men’s tailoring. Students learned the structure of the male pattern, the study of measurements, the interpretation of the design, the transformation of the basic pattern, the analysis of fabrics, and the entire process leading from cutting to assembly and the finishing of the garment. The experience instilled precision, patience, attention to detail and an awareness of the value of time in craftsmanship.

In February, the course opened a new chapter at La Santissima – Community HUB, where the students are currently engaged in pattern-making, design, cutting and women’s tailoring, within a creative and collaborative environment that fosters exchange, cooperation and experimentation.

The trainer is Andrea Iacomino, who helps students have an understanding of the dynamics, roles and responsibilities on a film set in an environment that doesn’t have the pressure of the film industry’s tight deadlines.

Father Fabio Bellino, rector of the Don Bosco Institute, said, “Andrea also reminds us how urgent it is to pass on artisanal knowledge in an era marked by massive and unsustainable production, emphasizing how teaching sewing means preserving a historical memory of craftsmanship and restoring dignity and visibility to trades that risk disappearing, especially in a city like Naples, recognized worldwide for its sartorial tradition.”

He concluded, “Looking at this journey as a whole, this education is not just a training program, but a genuine educational experience that restores dignity to craftsmanship, forges links between institutions and the local community, and offers youth a tangible space in which to nurture talents, skills and dreams.”

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ANS – Italy – Sewing stories by hand: the “Bottega Artigiana – Tailoring and Costume Design” project

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(MissionNewswire) The Beteyà Guinar Shop has opened in Kanuma, The Gambia, to provide a retail outlet for the purchase of chickens of poultry products produced locally. Launched by the Don Bosco 2000 Association, the opening of the shop completes the poultry supply chain that was created in recent years to directly link local production to the market, strengthening the community’s economic autonomy.

The shop is the conclusion of a collaborative project among Salesian organizations in Italy, The Gambia and Senegal. It was funded by Don Bosco in the World Foundation. It started with the formation of local operators and production in the poultry houses and has now led to the direct sale of products. The renovation of the poultry house and the launch of poultry production with regular breeding cycles have created an integrated supply chain capable of generating employment and skills in the region.

The initiative also has a tangible impact on the local community of Kanuma, where until now anyone wishing to buy chickens or poultry products had to travel several kilometers to reach the nearest markets. The new shop creates a stable local market, facilitating access to products, reducing travel costs and stimulating new economic dynamics in the area.

“This project demonstrates that cooperation can generate real development,” said Agostino Sella, president of Don Bosco 2000 Association. “A local economic supply chain was built capable of creating jobs, skills and autonomy. With the shop, we are completing a journey that brings together formation, production and the market.”

Abie Jawarà, a representative of the community benefiting from the project, also spoke at the opening, expressing gratitude to the organizations involved and emphasizing how their support made it possible to create a tangible opportunity for the area and for the families in the community.

Gerome Djiba, a Don Bosco 2000 Association aid worker based in The Gambia, played a key role in the operational implementation of the initiative. He noted that the project is the result of a collaborative effort between local communities, operators and international partners.

The cooperation model promoted by the Don Bosco 2000 Association aims to link regions and skills between Europe and West Africa, fostering the exchange of know-how and the creation of local economic opportunities. The initiative launched in The Gambia is part of a broader approach already successfully tested in Senegal.

The World Bank has noted that with increasing labor incomes and decreasing inflationary pressure the extreme poverty rate dropped to 15.5% in 2024 in The Gambia. There remain struggles in the labor market leading to accelerating migration, including low labor-force participation, especially among young adults and women, few high-productivity job opportunities, and a widespread informal labor market.

The World Bank has further noted that while The Gambia made progress toward better living standards, large disparities remain. Access to water, electricity and other services rose for those of a middle income bracket while the poorest saw no improvements. Access to electricity and water remained below 20%.

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ANS – The Gambia – Kanuma opens Beteyà Guinar, the boutique that completes the poultry supply chain and drives local development

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ITALY

(MissionNewswire) Salesians for Social in Italy is operating “School’s Out for Everyone!”, a national project supported by the CDP Foundation, a nonprofit organization that is part of the Cassa Depositi e Prestiti Group. The project is part of the foundation’s “At School for the Future – United to combat early school leaving” initiative and is being operated in Venaria Reale, on the outskirts of Turin, Italy.

The project was created to tackle the issue of school dropout and early school leaving by integrating schools and the local community into an educational partnership capable of offering free and inclusive services. It involves 550 students between the ages of 12-18 from 14 schools in five Italian cities. The project promotes educational success through after-school programs, educational activities, skills development, guidance and personalized support.

A representative from Salesians for Social said, “The heart of the project is to combat early school leaving. That is first and foremost to build and foster healthy relationships, where every young person, supported by adults, can be at the center of an educational community, free to be themselves, discovering their talents with creativity and joy.”

In Venaria, the program is being implemented through maker labs and the family laboratory. The cooking and robotics maker labs are run in collaboration with the Don Milani comprehensive schools and are inspired by the science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM) disciplines. The labs are based on the learning by doing methodology and create spaces for practical experimentation where youth can gain firsthand experience.

In the cooking maker lab, students prepare recipes, manage organizing the work, divide up tasks and collaborate within the group. Through a practical and engaging activity, they develop responsibility, independence and transferable skills, applying the knowledge learn at school in a practical way.

In the robotics maker lab, youth explore the basics of educational robotics using Lego Spike kits. They build and program small devices, experimenting with coding, practicing problem solving and stimulating creativity and critical thinking.

“The workshops are becoming a space where young people feel capable and valued,” said a project coordinator.

In addition, a family laboratory has been launched at the Salesian St. Francis of Assisi Oratory. The first meeting, entitled “The Educational Relationship: Being Present, Listening and Accompanying”, brought together families, youth, educators and local workers for an afternoon of inter-generational dialogue.

Following an initial presentation of the program, youth and their families worked in parallel groups on the key themes of the session. The adults, through a symbolic activity that visualized the network of relationships to be built, reflected on the meaning of being present and the importance of an educational presence that supports without taking over.

Youth watched the short film “The Child, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse”, which provided the starting point for discussing themes such as feeling loved, kindness, the courage to ask for help and the need to be accepted by being themselves.

A Salesian noted, “The feedback session brought adults and youth together in a genuine exchange of listening, giving voice to the experiences, expectations and needs of the younger generation. The meeting concluded with a snack prepared by the youth from the cooking maker lab, a tangible sign of a project that weaves together learning, relationships and community.”

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ANS – Italy – “Maker Lab” and “LabOratorio in Famiglia” to tackle early school leaving and promote intergenerational dialogue

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INDIA

(MissionNewswire) Students from the Salesian College in Siliguri, India, recently launched “LuvlyU — Love, Understand and Value Yourself as You Are”, a digital platform designed to promote self-confidence and mental well-being for youth. The initiative was developed by Anand Kumar, a M.Sc. psychology student, in collaboration with members of the Radio Club.

A Salesian noted, “The initiative comes in response to growing concerns about self-judgment, comparison and performance pressure among youth. The platform aims to help users reconnect with their inner spark and embrace their authentic selves.”

LuvlyU currently offers over 50 guided video sessions organized into eight modules covering self-worth, mindset, emotional resilience, communication and positive self-image. The platform features interactive reflection games and guided activities that encourage active personal growth.

The focus on mental health is important in India, which has high rates of suicide. In 2022, 171,000 people died by suicide and rates have been increasing among adolescents in recent years. The most reported risk factors were mental health problems, negative or traumatic familiar issues, academic stress, social/lifestyle factors, violence, economic distresses and relationship factors.

Faculty members have welcomed the initiative as timely and relevant in today’s competitive environment. The creators hope LuvlyU will grow into a wider movement inspiring youth to value themselves and confidently share their unique gifts with the world.

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ANS – India – Salesian Students Launch ‘LuvlyU’ to Promote Self Confidence and Mental Well Being

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CAMBODIA

(MissionNewswire) Students from Don Bosco Technical School, located in Kep, Cambodia, participated in an annual training-of-trainers workshop focusing on ancestral wisdom, environmental issues, community building and the Don Bosco Preventive System. Organized under the Young Leadership Project, the five-day program was held at the Don Bosco Kep Jungle-Garden and brought together students from the departments of electricity, secretarial studies, information technology, and media communication. Participants were from communities across Cambodia including Indigenous youth from the Jarai and Tampung communities of Ratanakiri.

The workshop combined reflection, environmental awareness and cultural immersion. Students visited the Kampong Samaki Community Fishery and the Mangrove Biological Learning Center, where local communities have worked to protect mangrove ecosystems and promote sustainable livelihoods. These visits offered practical insight into community-led environmental conservation and resilience.

A central theme of the workshop was the preservation of Cambodia’s ancestral traditions amid rapid urbanization. Students reflected on the cultural richness of Indigenous groups, the empowerment of women and the value of strong community life. One of the key concerns mentioned was focused on youth who migrate permanently to cities for study and employment and how that might weaken or cause them to lose their ancestral heritage and village identity.

Through group dialogue, participants emphasized that modern development must not erase cultural roots. One group noted, “If we are the result of centuries of ancestral journeys, then our descendants also have the right to a cultural identity.”

Rather than rejecting modernity, students proposed a balanced approach. Access to electricity, internet and education is essential for rural development. However, it must serve human dignity and social cohesion.

Environmental stewardship emerged as another issue for the group. Students stressed that care for forests, seas, rivers, and mangroves is not optional but vital for survival and well-being. They challenged passive attitudes toward environmental destruction. A participant said, “If we see the forest being destroyed and do nothing, we are part of the destruction. If they cut one tree, we must plant seven.”

Don Bosco Kep stands as a model of sustainability, surrounded by trees and with staff and students engaged in ongoing ecological initiatives. For the past two years, students have committed to planting 5,000 trees annually. With 500 students planting at least 10 trees each in their villages, they aim to make a tangible contribution to Cambodia’s environmental future. The school is also an active member of the Don Bosco Green Alliance Cambodia, collaborating with the Kep Provincial Department of Forestry and Environment to protect mangrove areas and Kep National Park.

The workshop also highlighted the traditional Cambodian village model, where strong kinship bonds foster unity and shared responsibility. Participants reflected on the importance of dialogue, conflict resolution, and mutual respect in a culturally diverse society that includes Indigenous minorities and various religious communities. “We are an oasis of peace,” one participant said, calling for dignified dialogue and protection of the most vulnerable.

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ANS – Cambodia – Youth ToT on Ancestral Wisdom and Ecology at Don Bosco Kep

Don Bosco Kep

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RWANDA

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Gatenga Vocational Training Center, located in Gatenga, in the Kicukiro District of Kigali, Rwanda, is working to multiply the impact of renewable energy in educational centers. It regularly hosts education programs in photovoltaic solar energy for vocational training educators and teachers. Initiatives combine technological innovation, sustainability and educational commitment to respond to the region’s energy challenges.

Don Bosco Gatenga has established itself as a benchmark in technical education, particularly in the field of renewable energy, for the entire East African region. Through programs based on the train-the-teacher model, the center creates a network of educators who can replicate what they have learned in their respective countries and educational settings.

Courses are developed in collaboration with other Salesian vocational training centers in the region and German Engineers Without Borders with the support of international organizations. Teachers learn the fundamentals of direct and alternating current systems, the sizing of structures for residential and institutional environments, cabling techniques, safety regulations, hybrid and isolated configurations, and mounting structures adapted to different environments and remote monitoring systems.

A Salesian explained, “The aim of these courses is not only to install solar panels, but to train those who can teach and support other young people on this path toward sustainable energy. We want every qualified teacher to become an agent of change in their own community.”

There is both classroom and hands-on learning. Participants install solar systems that power spaces such as dormitories, laboratories or classrooms, improving the energy autonomy of the centers. In addition, solar street lights are being implemented in access areas to enhance security, especially in residential areas, and conventional lighting is being replaced with LED technology, significantly reducing the energy consumption of those communities.

One of the teachers said, “Now we not only know how a solar system works, but we also know how to size it correctly, install it and troubleshoot it. This transforms the way we teach and offers new opportunities for our students.”

The commitment to solar energy at the Don Bosco Gatenga is part of an educational vision that responds to current environmental, social and economic challenges. Education in renewable energy not only improves the employability of youth, but also promotes a more equitable and sustainable model of development.

Salesian missionaries provide a range of educational and social development services in Rwanda. Youth who are poor are able to access programs including health services, nutrition, education and general support services that help them to lead healthy productive lives. Salesians first arrived in the country in 1953. Today, there are six Salesian centers in Rwanda.

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ANS – Rwanda – The Salesian Don Bosco Gatenga centre promotes formation in the field of solar energy with programmes that reinforce sustainable development

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MADAGASCAR

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries are in the process of establishing Don Bosco University Moramanga, in eastern Madagascar. As the area is marked by poverty, a lack of health care and non-existent roads, education is a priority.

The university will accommodate at least a thousand students and will feature lecture halls, a library, dormitories and staff accommodation, which are all currently under construction. The main university building will be inaugurated in May.

The project was launched by Salesian Bishop Rosario Saro Vella, who has been at the helm of the Salesian Diocese of Moramanga since 2019. The Italian Episcopal Conference, through the “Service for Charitable Interventions for the Development of Peoples”, will fund the project. Salesians, private donors and associations will also contribute. A shelter for single mothers and vulnerable women, run by Salesian sisters, will also be established in the same area.

Currently 10,000 students attend the Catholic schools in the diocese, and over 900 young people receive scholarships and comprehensive support. Since last year, courses in economics and law have been taking place, with 300 students enrolled. Subsequently, courses in education, tourism and communication will begin.

At the helm of the academic project is Prisca Marav, aged 35, one of Madagascar’s youngest rectors. With a degree in political science, she specialized in international law in Loppiano, Italy. She explained, “Here, the priority is to eat every day. Going to university is a huge challenge. Many students have to work to help their families, even though fees are very low — less than 50 euro a year — and we offer scholarships. Some arrive without having eaten.”

The diocese also supports youth with living arrangements, housing them in religious communities and contributing to food, rent, and medical expenses. Persuading youth to continue their studies often means taking workers away from the fields. Many students come from villages in the savannah, where people live off rice paddies and zebu herding. Few want to study agriculture or tourism, sectors that are strategic for development.

“Everyone dreams of an office job. We need to raise awareness to help people understand the country’s real needs,” explained Marav. “We don’t just focus on their studies, but on the whole person, on holistic education.”

In Moramanga, there are around 600,000 Catholics, served by 35 priests and 22 congregations. The focus is primarily on education, charity, social work and health care, in a country where 75% of the population lives below the poverty line and public health care is virtually non-existent.

Bishop Vella said, “We rode motorbikes to a gold-mining area and met some young people carrying a girl on a makeshift stretcher made of bamboo poles and blankets. They had walked for 18 hours and still had another 10 or so to go to reach a clinic. These are extremely serious and absurd injustices. We are also thinking of trying to build a new clinic in those areas.”

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ANS – Madagascar – Amidst the poverty of Moramanga, Bishop Vella, SDB’s dream takes shape: the “Don Bosco University”

Salesian Missions – Madagascar

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ETHIOPIA

(MissionNewswire) At the Don Bosco Center in Adwa, Ethiopia*, 3,000 loaves of bread are baked every day and distributed mainly to children affected by hunger. This is one of the many ways that Salesians continue to support people still facing challenges in the Tigray region of the country.

More than three and a half years after the official end of the civil war in Tigray, the political and economic situation in the region remains extremely fragile. Tensions between regional and federal actors, ongoing insecurity, and weakened economic structures continue. The local community, together with around 1 million internally displaced persons, still depends heavily on external assistance. Many families continue to face an uncertain future.

The situation is particularly dramatic in the camps for those who have been internally displaced. Many people are still living in provisional shelters. Schools that should normally serve as places of learning are being used as emergency accommodation. Families live in extremely cramped conditions, often separated only by hanging blankets or sheets. Many people are gradually losing hope for a better future.

“Without external support, it would be very difficult to guarantee regular assistance,” explained Father Trinh Kinh Luan, a Salesian in the region. “This support allows us to immediately purchase the flour we urgently need to continue baking and distributing bread. In this way, hungry children and mothers in the refugee camps can receive food every day. This help is not only financial. It is also a profound sign of hope and solidarity.”

Recently, a new humanitarian aid delivery from the Austrian aid organization One World Youth (Jugend Eine Welt), arrived in Adwa. Thanks to 4,700 kilograms (more than 10,000 pounds) of flour, the Salesians will be able to continue baking thousands of loaves of bread in the coming weeks, helping to ensure the survival of many people in need.

Ethiopia is one of the poorest countries in the world with more than 38% of its population living in poverty, according to Feed the Future. Close to 85% of the country’s workforce is employed in agriculture, but frequent droughts severely affect the agricultural economy leaving more than 12 million people chronically, or at least periodically, food insecure. In addition, more than two-thirds of the population is illiterate.

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ANS – Ethiopia – Adwa: Bread for the Hungry – Salesians Continue Emergency Support for People in Tigray

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*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.

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BRAZIL

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries have carried out maintenance work on deep wells, replacing submersible pumps in various villages within the Parabubure Indigenous territory, in the Campinápolis area of Mato Grosso, Brazil. The goal is to ensure a strong water supply for the Santa Luzia, Santarém and Aopa communities.

The initiative was launched by Salesians in Sangradouro and involved missionaries and lay collaborators engaged in activities related to water access in the villages. Work began after the Salesians received reports of disruptions to the water distribution system.

In the village of Santa Luzia, the community leader, João Tsidzapi, reported that residents had been forced to return to collecting water from rivers following the breakdown of the local system. In Aopa, a broken pump had forced residents to resort to using streams or walking to other villages to obtain drinking water. Salesian teams carried out maintenance on the water collection systems and restored the wells to working order.

In the village of Santarém, Father Silvio Roberto, Father Joseph Tran Van Lich and Deacon José Alves de Oliveira replaced a solar-powered pumping system with an electric pump. The replacement became necessary following several faults in the photovoltaic system previously installed by Brazil’s Special Secretariat for Indigenous Health. The new system aims to make water distribution more regular and increase the amount of water available to the village.

The project was carried out in collaboration with the Special Indigenous Health District of Barra do Garças, which requested an exemption from electricity charges for the communal water points in the villages.

Salesians oversee the maintenance of wells in around 80 villages in the regions of Sangradouro, São Marcos and Parabubure. The work involves diagnosing faults, replacing submersible pumps and upgrading water collection systems. According to Deacon Oliveira, demand for new wells remains high in the region’s villages. Around 140 communities are still awaiting the drilling of new wells to gain access to water.

A Salesian explained, “The expansion of water infrastructure faces challenges linked both to demand and to the operational capacity of the institutions. The Special Indigenous Health District cannot, on its own, meet the needs of the number of communities requesting new systems. The operation of the systems also depends on external factors. The instability in the electricity supply from the Mato Grosso state power company can prevent testing and delay the commissioning of installed systems.”

Salesian missionaries and collaborators continue the work carried out for years in the villages of the region. The initiative builds on earlier commitments to drilling wells and maintaining water systems in Indigenous communities.

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ANS – Brazil – Salesian missionaries maintain water systems and expand services in villages within the Parabubure Indigenous Territory

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BRAZIL

(MissionNewswire) The Casa Real Project, located in Lorena, in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, encourages architecture and urban planning students attending Teresa D’Ávila University Center to develop their professional skills through social action aimed at providing decent housing for those in need.

Professor José Ricardo Flores Faria explained, “In 2011, we held the first edition of the course, still as an architecture and urbanism exhibition, which was set up and then dismantled. In 2013, it became a real project, with a social aspect. We looked for an institution that needed renovations, and the first was the Maria de Nazareth Elderly Shelter. We renovated all areas of the shelter, except for the elderly residents’ rooms.”

The successful project was driven by the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, who support the university. The Casa Real Project continued to be carried out every two years, with renovations in 2015 at the Lorena Center for the Visually Impaired and two years later at the Vila Vicentina da Sagrada Família Long-Term Care Home.

In 2019, the Casa Real Project began to serve families in poverty in the outlying neighborhoods of Lorena. Faria said, “We adopted the theme of decent housing and began renovating the homes of people in socially vulnerable situations. Currently, these families are referred by Lorena’s Diocesan Caritas, which has become a partner in the project. Families need to have a very specific profile, owning the property and at the same time being vulnerable in terms of housing.”

Each year, fourth-year students are responsible for the Casa Real Project. They choose the family that will benefit from the project from among those referred by Caritas. They conduct interviews to determine the family’s housing needs and photograph and measure the house. They survey the costs and materials needed, develop the entire renovation project, which is discussed and adjusted with the family, and launch a campaign to raise funds and materials. Lastly, they monitor the execution of the work, solving any problems and unforeseen events that may arise.

Faria added, “The cool thing is that when we meet graduates of the course, their fond memories are tied to this project. Because it does so much good for others and because it’s something really practical, the students get a real sense how the work is done. When they advance in their studies, they find it easier to obtain and adapt to internships in architecture and engineering firms, as they already have concrete work experience in the field.”

Faria believes that the project’s significant social impact is another distinguishing feature in the students’ education, explaining that the intervention goes far beyond aesthetics and improving the physical space. It involves drainage and sewage systems, renovations to prevent leaks and mold, and sanitation issues.

He recalls the case of a house that had a toilet but not a complete bathroom. The only tap was outside and was used by the family for everything including water for bathing, washing dishes and doing laundry. Faria noted, “When the renovation is done, the impact on these people’s quality of life was noticeable, opening up new horizons for that family, and that is very rewarding.”

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ANS – Brazil – “Casa Real”: a project combines professional training with social action

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INDIA

(MissionNewswire) The Don Bosco Social Development Services Center for Social Development Services, located in Nerul, Mumbai, India, celebrated International Women’s Day on March 8, by paying tribute to women who have successfully completed various skills development courses. Salesians reaffirmed their commitment to supporting women from vulnerable communities through vocational education.

The event included the presentation of certificates to women who completed courses in tailoring, aesthetics, nail art, hairdressing and make-up. A Salesian noted, “The initiative aims to provide women with practical skills to pursue sustainable livelihoods with confidence and dignity. The courses are primarily designed for women from migrant and economically disadvantaged communities.”

Salesian missionaries living and working in India, and in more than 130 countries around the globe, are also focused on achieving gender equality through rights training, education and workforce development programs targeted specifically for women and girls. These programs strive to empower women and girls by providing opportunities for education and training that lead to livable wage employment and their independence from violence and exploitation.

India has the world’s fourth largest economy but more than 22% of the country lives in poverty. About 31% of the world’s multidimensionally poor children live in India, according to a report by the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative.

India’s youth face a lack of educational opportunities due to issues of caste, class and gender. Almost 44% of the workforce is illiterate and less than 10% of the working-age population has completed a secondary education. In addition, many secondary school graduates do not have the knowledge and skills to compete in today’s changing job market.

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ANS – India – Don Bosco Nerul supports women through skills development

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ETHIOPIA

(MissionNewswire) The Don Bosco Center, located in Zway (Batu), a town in Oromia, Ethiopia*, has opened a nursery school in its missionary station in Hobe. The station has a chapel dedicated to the Most Holy Saviour and an oratory where members of the community, lay collaborators and animators organize various activities with youth from Hobe and the surrounding communities. The nursery is funded with the support of Together for Africa.

“Salesians understand the importance of early education for youth,” said Father Michael Conway, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Around the globe, Salesians have a focus on education as a path out of poverty. Early education lays the foundation for secondary school and later employable skills training.”

Education is at the heart of what Salesians do in communities like Zway. They have been instrumental in improving quality education, while also providing books and pens, repairing damaged classrooms, and paying incentive salaries for teachers who otherwise wouldn’t work. For children who have missed years of schooling, Salesians also provide informal classes and meet students where they are in their educational journey.

Ethiopia is one of the poorest countries in the world with more than 38% of its population living in poverty, according to Feed the Future. Close to 85% of the country’s workforce is employed in agriculture, but frequent droughts severely affect the agricultural economy leaving more than 12 million people chronically, or at least periodically, food insecure. In addition, more than two-thirds of the population is illiterate.

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

ANS – Ethiopia – Don Bosco Zway opens a new nursery school in the Hobe missionary station

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*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.

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SOUTH SUDAN

(MissionNewswire) Salesians of Don Bosco’s St. Vincent de Paul Parish, located in Gumbo, South Sudan*, launched a six-month cycle of trauma healing sessions, bringing together more than 300 participants from both Don Bosco’s internally displaced community and the host parish community. The participants’ involvement demonstrates their desire for healing, reconciliation and unity.

Father David Tuli, rector and parish priest, initiated these sessions for people who have seen the horror of ongoing strife in the country. The sessions create a safe and welcoming atmosphere in which participants can share their experiences, express their pain, and listen to each other with respect and understanding.

A Salesian noted, “This process helps to reduce fear and mistrust and foster empathy and mutual respect between the different ethnic communities displaced by the ongoing conflicts. Through trauma healing, participants are encouraged to forgive, grow in emotional strength and promote peaceful coexistence. The sessions help to rebuild trust, strengthen relationships and cultivate a spirit of unity.”

Salesian missionaries in South Sudan are dedicated to providing programs and services across the country. Salesian missionaries provide education, social development services, nutrition programs, and health clinics for poor youth and their families. For some, the education offered at Salesian schools is the only opportunity to gain an education and the skills necessary for future employment.

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ANS – South Sudan – Trauma healing sessions for internally displaced persons and the Gumbo parish community

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*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.

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(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries are responding with aid and shelter for families that have been impacted by the escalating conflict in the Middle East. Lebanon* is facing a severe humanitarian crisis. Over 1 million people have been displaced, thousands have been killed and the population is becoming increasingly vulnerable. Salesian houses are supporting education, shelter, and psychological care for children and families.

Lucian, a 15-year-old Iraqi refugee who has been welcomed by Salesian missionaries, said, “The explosions are very intense. I can barely sleep at night, especially when the sirens go off.” Another youth, Florina said, “We live each day in fear, wondering what will happen next.”

The war has interrupted education, limiting access to the internet, eliminating safe spaces for study and creating deep demotivation. One Salesian student said, “Sometimes I feel that all my efforts may be lost.” Many of these youth are already refugees who had fled previous conflicts. This current situation is reactivating or worsening past traumas.

Faced with widespread insecurity, Salesian centers have had to adapt. Centers such as Angels of Peace in Beirut suspended in-person classes and implemented daily online education systems, combined with psychosocial support. They are maintaining an educational routine as an essential tool to protect youth from the psychological impact of war.

“This digital classroom is the only refuge they have left,” explained a teacher. Centers have also strengthened emergency measures, including evacuation plans, crisis teams, daily security monitoring and communication systems with families. However, some centers have had to suspend educational activities entirely to provide shelter, leaving youth without schooling for weeks.

Salesians are also welcoming people who are displaced. In El Houssoun, dozens of internally displaced people are being sheltered at the Salesian center, including families with newborns and the elderly whose homes have been damaged by bombings. The number of hosted families has remained stable since the beginning of the conflict, as the center cannot accept new arrivals despite receiving requests almost daily. The massive influx has placed significant pressure on already impoverished communities, with many families opening their homes and sharing scarce resources.

Every day, at least one hot meal is provided, along with basic food supplies, hygiene products, health care, heating, and support for the hosted families. Most of the hosted families belong to the Shiite community, adding complexity in a deeply fragmented social and political context. The Salesian community insists that their response must not be shaped by divisions, but by the urgent need to protect people. “We are living a constant struggle between our humanity and fear,” explains a worker who has welcomed another family into her home.

The situation in Lebanon, and across the Middle East, continues to deteriorate. Increasing displacement, destruction of homes and the inability of many families to return highlight a prolonged crisis. Salesians continue to provide food, shelter, education, and psychological support to thousands of people, especially for youth.

Salesians in the Middle East continue to welcome all in need. They said, “We do not act based on political divisions, but on a deeper conviction: that love must prevail over fear, unity over division and peace over violence.”

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ANS – Middle East – The Salesian Network: A Refuge for Displaced People One Month After the Start of War

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*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.

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BRAZIL

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries in Pará de Minas, in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil, celebrated the 80th anniversary of the Saint Dominic Savio Salesian Youth Center, which began as the Colonel Benjamin Ferreira Guimarães Institute. The institute, serving youth who are at risk and vulnerable, was named after the industrialist Benjamim Ferreira Guimarães, who wanted to convert his professional success into support for youth.

On March 3, 1946, in makeshift camps among the construction sites, an oratory opened its doors to 32 boys. By the end of the year, the attendance had risen to 140 boys, demonstrating the need for local youth to find a place of safety, education and social support.

Over the next eight decades, the institute functioned as a school, where academic learning went hand in hand with technical and moral education. In the workshops youth learn skills to become shoemakers, tailors, carpenters and bakers. They not only learned useful skills for their future, but also began to contribute to the upkeep of their own homes.

At the same time, agricultural production and animal husbandry taught the value of working the land. Two distinctive figures were educators at the time. Father André Roque conducted important botanical experiments with sorghum, and Father João Bertoldi provided technical expertise in the orchard.

Today, the Saint Dominic Savio Salesian Youth Center operates as a philanthropic organization dedicated to strengthening family and community ties. The center offers computer, music, sports, art, judo, academic support and entrepreneurship workshops for youth in vulnerable situations.

A Salesian noted, “With the support of the St John Bosco Province and a vibrant network of past pupils and collaborators, the center is celebrating its 80th anniversary, reaffirming itself as a beacon of hope for youth and families in vulnerable situations.”

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ANS – Brazil – 80 years of the Patronato of Pará de Minas: an unshakeable legacy of education, faith and social transformation

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(MissionNewswire) Mission Don Bosco, the Salesian Mission office located in Turin, Italy, and Salesian organizations around the globe have been responding to the needs of families impacted by the conflict in the Middle East. Thousands of families are fleeing the bombings, leaving everything behind. Salesians living and working in these countries have once again opened their doors to those in need, while Salesian organizations from around the world are mobilizing to gather relief aid.

“Concern, suffering and disorientation are the emotions I perceived while listening to the voices of my confreres, Father Simon from Beirut, Father Emanuele from Jerusalem and Father Pier from Aleppo, who are currently in this terrible theater of war,” explained Father Luca Barone, president of Mission Don Bosco. “They are the voices of those who deeply love their people, who have become one with those lands where Salesian houses are now becoming refuges for those fleeing, shelters where people can receive food and medicine, homes where they can be welcomed, and places of prayer where they can find faith and consolation.”

In Nazareth and Bethlehem, schools have been closed and the population has been forced to seek refuge. In Damascus, Syria*, fragments of rockets falling in the area of Jaramana caused explosions, leading to the precautionary closure of the Salesian center. In Lebanon*, raids struck Beirut, the Bekaa Valley and several areas in the north and south. Tens of thousands of newly displaced persons are adding to an already precarious humanitarian situation. Don Bosco Technique and the Angels of Peace Salesian schools have been suspended.

In Lebanon, Salesians provided initial shelter in the houses that remained open, offering help to the displaced, to those who lost their homes and to those searching for a safe place. The Salesian house of El Houssoun has welcomed about 116 people, including two newborns, a mother who has just given birth and 12 elderly people. Many of these families arrived after a 16-hour journey covering 110 kilometers (about 68 miles) because of the enormous traffic congestion caused by the mass exodus of people fleeing the bombings.

There are also 45 children who fled during the night from the southern regions who are at this Salesian house. Almost all the people who are displaced have arrived without clothes or personal belongings as winter temperatures drop to near freezing.

“We must guarantee the basic conditions for all these people, including warm clothing, food and water. This is what we are focusing on,” explained Joe Attalla, director of a Don Bosco Center in Lebanon. “The families reached the Salesian center exhausted and with very few personal items, therefore the priority was to ensure dignified conditions from the very beginning.”

A Salesian coordinator in charge of the response added, “The classrooms of the center were quickly transformed into welcoming spaces with mattresses, blankets and basic humanitarian aid kits, but we need help. The displaced need food, blankets, warm clothes and essential goods, especially for children and the elderly.”

Mission Don Bosco immediately launched a campaign to gather resources in order to provide immediate assistance to those displaced, offer psychological support to the most fragile and sustain the Salesians working on the ground so that they can face this new emergency in the best possible way.

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ANS – Middle East – Salesian Commitment in the New Phase of Emergency: Open Doors and International Support for the Most Vulnerable

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*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.

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ETHIOPIA

(MissionNewswire) The Don Bosco Center, located in Shire, in the Tigray region of Ethiopia*, provides education and support to youth who are vulnerable, orphaned, or poor through school and computer courses. In early March, Don Bosco Shire, in collaboration with the Sisters of St. Jeanne Antide Thouret and the Daughters of Charity, organized a humanitarian food distribution for internally displaced people.

The Tigray area has been plagued by war, and many areas are still occupied by the military. Even the areas currently free of conflict have been left with serious damage. Since the signing of a peace agreement in November 2022, the situation is slowly returning to normal, but it has left around a million people displaced and thousands of refugees in Sudan.

“In most cases, the territories are still not free,” explained a Salesian working in the area. “But wherever possible, we want people to return to a normal life in their villages. The challenge is that many people who want to return to their homes are now faced with them destroyed, their agricultural land abandoned and all their assets lost. We are working to help people return to a normal life in their villages as soon as possible when it’s safe to do so.”

The food initiative supported the most at-risk groups, particularly pregnant women and breast-feeding mothers, whose nutritional needs are urgent. More than 200 people from different internally displaced communities in Shire received food assistance. Each beneficiary was provided with Famix (a food supplement to combat malnutrition in children), salt, sugar and edible oil.

Ethiopia is one of the poorest countries in the world with more than 38% of its population living in poverty, according to Feed the Future. Close to 85% of the country’s workforce is employed in agriculture, but frequent droughts severely affect the agricultural economy leaving more than 12 million people chronically, or at least periodically, food insecure. In addition, more than two-thirds of the population is illiterate.

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ANS – Ethiopia – Don Bosco, Shire, distributes food to vulnerable internally displaced persons

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*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.

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BURUNDI

(MissionNewswire) Salesian International Volunteering for Development (VIS), in collaboration with the Museke Foundation in Brescia, Italy, is taking action to aid people living at the Makombe Transit Camp in Burundi*. The camp is currently home to more than 1,700 people who fled the clashes in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo in December 2025.

Approximately 1,050 children up to age 11, 300 boys and girls between the ages of 12-17, and 350 adults, mostly women, have been registered. The camp was set up in 2021 as a temporary reception facility, but it remains overcrowded due to the arrival of new refugees.

The country’s permanent camps are currently full, and many refugees remain in the transit center. Several humanitarian organizations have intervened in the camp to provide essential services, including health care, access to water and food distribution. However, in recent months, some key activities have been suspended, leaving important needs unmet for children, young people and women.

A Salesian noted, “Families now receive only one meal a day, many do not have their own tent, and there are insufficient toilets and showers. There is also a lack of educational activities and safe spaces for young children, while women and girls no longer receive menstrual kits and counseling services.”

VIS is putting a plan into place to address several issues. The activities include a daily hot meal for young children, menstrual kits for women and girls, the creation of safe spaces with recreational and educational activities for children, and education for community leaders who can raise awareness about children’s rights and the sexual and reproductive health of youth.

The Salesian said, “The aim is to strengthen the protection of children and women and to offer support to a community that, despite the difficulties, continues to demonstrate resilience and the ability to live together.”

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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ANS – Burundi – Emergency in Makombe camp: VIS and Museke Foundation intervene and launch an appeal

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*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.

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ITALY

(MissionNewswire) The Salesian International Volunteering for Development (VIS) celebrated its 40-year anniversary of service on March 3. The organization was founded in Turin, Italy, with the aim of implementing international cooperation projects to support youth at risk. VIS has launched a new video that tells its story.

Over the past four decades, VIS has carried out more than a thousand development and emergency projects and has supported the work of the Salesians across five continents, reaching millions of youth through educational and socio-professional programs. It has also formed generations of individuals committed to international cooperation, the promotion of human rights, and peace.

The new institutional video, produced with IME Communications, recounts this journey through the women and men who work in the field, dedicating themselves to the people and communities served by VIS.

For its anniversary, VIS looks to share meetings, dialogue, experiences, deeper reflection and a renewed vision for the future with those who have participated. This will take place through different languages and in various locations that represent the identity of VIS including in Turin, Rome, the territories where volunteers and supporters are active, and the partner countries where projects are implemented and staff members serve in the field.

This anniversary comes at a moment of significant change for VIS, which has recently become a participatory foundation, with Mission Don Bosco in Turin as its founding body. Together, they are undertaking a path of collaboration to increase the impact and effectiveness of their interventions.

Michela Vallarino, president of VIS, said, “This 40th anniversary year is a time of great change for our organization, and we could not have celebrated it in a better way. With hearts full of esteem and gratitude for those who have helped write this story, we are ready to transform and relaunch it with renewed enthusiasm and motivation at a time when it seems more urgent than ever to speak about and work for integral human development, social justice, respect for the rule of law and human rights and peace.”

Father Luca Barone, president of Mission Don Bosco and vice president of VIS, also noted, “Having just concluded the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the First Salesian Missionary Expedition, I hope that, as VIS, we may know how to celebrate the past in order to live the present and dream of the future with the fidelity and creativity that Don Bosco teaches us.”

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ANS – Italy – VIS: 40 Years beside the Youth Around the World with Don Bosco

Salesian Missions – Italy

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ECUADOR

(MissionNewswire) The Mamma Margarita School canteen, run by the Salesian Project North Coast Foundation in Esmeraldas, Ecuador, provides daily balanced meals to 60 youth who are at risk of social exclusion. The meals contribute to their well-being, school performance, and social support in a safe environment where they can also strengthen their personal skills and social relationships.

Since its launch in August 2025, the canteen has been offering a nutritious and balanced lunch that promotes physical and cognitive development. Youth who are part of the feeding program are connected to the Mother of the Savior Reference Center and live in conditions of poverty.

A Salesian explained, “The center’s educational team identifies the needs of youth, supports their growth, and offers concrete responses to families to ensure youth continue to attend school, improve their academic performance, and participate in the project’s educational spaces.”

The canteen relies on the support of local and international institutions for operation. With their intervention, the necessary resources for infrastructure, equipment and food supplies have been made available. The Salesian foundation provides coordination, fundraising, and monitoring and evaluation in order to ensure sustainability over time.

Salesians also offer food education that promotes healthy habits and hygiene with the aim of enabling youth to share these good practices in their homes. The participation of families, through awareness-raising and support activities, reinforces the community impact.

The Salesian added, “With this canteen, Salesians reaffirm their commitment to the protection of children and adolescents, especially in the poorest areas. The decent nutrition, educational support and comprehensive assistance that children receive help to build an environment of hope that transforms their reality and opens up opportunities for the future.”

Salesians provide social development and educational programs across Ecuador to help youth who are poor gain an education and the skills for later employment. The skills they learn ensure they are able to care for themselves and their families while being contributing members of their communities.

Ecuador is one of the most inequitable societies in the world, according to UNICEF. The richest 20% of the population receives almost 50% of the national income, while the poorest 20% receives only 5%. According to the World Food Programme, almost 26% of all children under age 5 have stunted growth, increasing to 31% in rural areas and 47% in Indigenous communities.

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Photo courtesy of Misiones Salesianas

ANS – Ecuador – Daily balanced meals for 60 children at the Mamma Margarita school canteen in Esmeraldas

Salesian Missions – Ecuador

UNICEF – Ecuador

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INDIA

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Industrial Training Institute, located in Kurla, a suburb of East Mumbai, India, signed a trilateral memorandum of understanding to strengthen the Indo-German vocational collaboration. With the goal of preparing youth for green and digital sectors such as solar energy and e-mobility, the agreement brings together the Don Bosco Institute, Germany’s HWK Region Stuttgart and German Society for International Cooperation under the Indo-German Green Skills Program.

A 16-member German delegation received a traditional welcome and engaged with the institute’s leadership on industry-linked training. The visitors also interacted with students pursuing German language preparation, emphasizing technical excellence alongside intercultural readiness.

A Salesian explained, “The agreement prioritizes curriculum adaptation to German standards, structured migration pathways and greater participation of women in technical trades. Bridge courses and B1/B2-level language training form part of the preparation framework. Effective until December 2027, the partnership establishes sustained institutional cooperation. The initiative strengthens global opportunities for the institute’s trainees and reinforces its mission. True to its motto, the institute continues to help youth ‘Learn a Trade, Earn a Living.’”

Access to professional training and workforce development services is highly valued in India. India’s youth face a lack of educational opportunities due to issues of caste, class and gender. Almost 44% of the workforce is illiterate and less than 10% of the working-age population has completed a secondary education. In addition, many secondary school graduates do not have the knowledge and skills to compete in today’s changing job market.

India has the world’s fourth largest economy but more than 22% of the country lives in poverty. About 31% of the world’s multidimensionally poor children live in India, according to a report by the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative.

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ANS – India – DBITI Kurla Partners with German Institutions to Boost Green Skills Training

Salesian Missions – India

World Bank – India

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ZAMBIA

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Makululu, located in the city of Kabwe, Zambia, is rescuing boys, aged 7-18 years old, from a life on the streets. Some of the children and youth are orphans while others come from families marked by violence, addiction and extreme poverty.

A Salesian said, “A telephone booth is not a home. Yet for many street children, it becomes one, even if only for a night. When darkness falls, the narrow space, exposed to cold and shadow, becomes the only refuge that allows them to survive until dawn. It offers neither warmth nor safety, only the illusion of shelter from noise, fear, and loneliness. Here, children learn vigilance instead of trust and silence instead of cries for help.”

Ciloto, part of Don Bosco Makululu, is the first step, which offers youth a process of formation and education that gradually prepares them for return to their families or reintegration into the community. Salesians, together with lay collaborators, provide a safe place to live, regular meals, access to clean water, and basic medical care. Once boys are able to access this stability, they study, have shared responsibilities, work, play sports and rest.

The Salesian noted, “The most powerful educational tool is the steady and coherent presence of a caring adult. Many boys struggle with addiction, often to glue. Here, addiction is not an identity but a wound to be healed. Recovery includes medical care, constant guidance and a structured routine that helps restore self-control. There are relapses and returns to the street, yet experience shows that once a child has known the safety of a true home and the faithfulness of adults, the memory of that goodness remains within him.”

In addition, Ciloto 2 was created to serve as a rehabilitation and support facility for those requiring specialized care. Educators, along with professional psychological support, serve youth with more complex needs.

The Salesian added, “Closely connected to this newer home is a farm that has become not only a workplace but also a place of inner renewal. Its aim is self-sufficiency and care for creation, using solar energy and biogas while teaching responsible stewardship. The farm includes pig breeding, food production, and fishponds serving both the house and the local community. The farm also has fields of corn, soybeans and sunflowers, as well as an orchard and an area for laying hens. Even small participation in farm work is part of the rehabilitation process.”

Whenever possible, Salesians search for families, often in remote areas of Zambia, to help youth safely return home. Reintegration into the family or local community is among the most meaningful outcomes of this mission. More than 240 boys have received support, and 142 have returned to their families or communities.

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Ciloto-Saved from the Streets

Don Bosco Makululu

Salesian Missions – Zambia

UNICEF – Zambia

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(MissionNewswire) The Salesian Missionary Center in Warsaw, Poland, has been serving Ukrainian refugees and supporting people still in the country since the beginning of the Russian invasion four years ago. With winter, power cuts become a humanitarian emergency. The most vulnerable people, including children, the elderly and the chronically ill, are most affected without electricity, heating, hot water and light.

The Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and the Salesians of Don Bosco in Ukraine* have transformed houses, oratories and youth centers into shelters for displaced families. There, they can receive hot meals and access psychological support and prayer, while youth can attend school. In many cities, Salesian facilities have become the only place where stability and support can be found.

A Salesian explained, “The only source of energy at these facilities is often a single generator, which can only operate if there is fuel. Relying on a generator is essential for activities such as cooking and distributing meals, charging phones and medical devices, providing evening lighting, and storing medicines at a controlled temperature. When the tank is empty, everything stops.”

The Salesian Missionary Center launched an online campaign to raise funds to purchase fuel, cover transport costs to the most affected areas and build up emergency reserves. The distribution of aid will be adapted to the current situation in different regions of the country, based on the intensity of power outages.

Contributing to the purchase of fuel means assuring those in need have the electricity they need for cooking, heating and lights. The Salesian noted, “We continue to support the Salesians in Ukraine, so that they can provide electricity, heat and safety where they are most needed today.”

Since the beginning of the war, Salesian Missions and Salesian missionaries in Ukraine and around the globe have supported thousands of people with projects and activities aimed at alleviating the situation of people affected by the war.

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ANS – Ukraine – The role of Salesian works, true points of reference for the local population

Salesian Missions

UNHCR – Ukraine

*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.

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NIGERIA

(MissionNewswire) The Youth Employability Booster Project celebrated its first graduation ceremonies across the three Salesian hubs in Nigeria of Abuja, Lagos and Obosi. The project equips Nigerian youth with market‑relevant skills designed to meet the demands of today’s workforce and is supported by the Mastercard Foundation and implemented in collaboration with Young Africa Nigeria.

A Salesian said, “Across the three centers, the graduations represent more than ceremonial achievements. They signify a strategic investment in Nigeria’s youth. Through strong partnerships and a shared vision, the Youth Employability Booster Project continues to foster economic inclusion, resilience and dignity among young Nigerians.”

At the Abuja Center in Kubwa, the first students celebrated the completion of the course. The ceremony was described as a moment of reflection and inspiration, as organizers commended the graduates for their consistency, resilience, and determination.

A Salesian noted, “Speakers emphasized that graduation marks not an end, but a significant step forward in the professional journeys of the young participants. Representatives of partner organizations reaffirmed their shared commitment to empowering Nigerian youth with employable skills.”

The graduation at Lagos Center featured industry engagement. Delivering the keynote address, Mayowa Adanlawo, a business development manager at Wema Bank, encouraged the graduates to embrace financial literacy, entrepreneurship and business growth as critical tools for long-term success. Theresa Amaechi, head of people, culture, and transformation at Workforce Group, shared practical perspectives on workplace culture, adaptability and professional excellence.

In Obosi, 114 participants celebrated their graduation. The mobile training model was widely praised for its transformative impact. By bringing high‑quality vocational education directly into local communities, the initiative has made skills training more accessible, practical, and life‑changing for young people..

About 64% of households in Nigeria consider themselves to be poor while 32% of households say their economic situation had worsened over a period of one year, according to UNICEF. Poverty still remains one of the most critical challenges facing the country and population growth rates have meant a steady increase in the number of people living in conditions of poverty.

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ANS – Nigeria – Youth Employability Booster Project Celebrates Maiden Graduations

Salesian Missions – Nigeria

UNICEF – Nigeria

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ECUADOR

(MissionNewswire) Salesian Project Guayaquil Foundation in Ecuador is highlighting its recent impact for youth and families in situations of vulnerability and exclusion in its 2025 report. During 2025, the foundation assisted 950 youth and 580 families through integrated programs focused on technical training and education, psychosocial support, and the promotion of rights.

These programs were developed in priority areas such as Monte Sinaí, Socio Vivienda 2, Isla Trinitaria, Bastión Popular, Vía Daule and neighboring areas, where the Salesian institution maintains an active and constant presence.

With these programs, Salesians are responding to complex situations for these families. Data has found that 36.72% of families live in informal settlements, 22.81% are considered vulnerable due to their Afro-descendant status, 12.07% are unemployed or not in the process of professionalization, 8.77% are behind in school, and 8.96% are single mothers and fathers.

A Salesian noted, “This data highlights the need to strengthen social supports with the creation of opportunities and comprehensive programs. Youth deserve an opportunity to gain an education and have hope for the future. Meeting basic needs and providing them with social support is vital in helping them to achieve that goal.”

Salesians presented the 2025 report at the Salesian Polytechnic University in Guayaquil, which was attended by authorities, cooperators and strategic partners. The foundation expressed its gratitude to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Province of Ecuador, the university and national and international cooperators, whose commitment makes it possible to support and expand this work.

The Salesian added, “The 2025 report presented not only quantitative results but also stories of overcoming adversity and processes of transformation that reflect the human impact of a mission committed to respecting the dignity of all and to the education and integral development of those most in need.”

Ecuador is one of the most inequitable societies in the world, according to UNICEF. The richest 20% of the population receives almost 50% of the national income, while the poorest 20% receives only 5%. According to the World Food Programme, almost 26% of all children under age 5 have stunted growth, increasing to 31% in rural areas and 47% in Indigenous communities.

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ANS – Ecuador – 950 lives supported in 2025: the Proyecto Salesiano Guayaquil Foundation reaffirms its social commitment

Salesian Missions – Ecuador

UNICEF – Ecuador

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(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries continue to help support the people of Ukraine* four years after the war began. The war has transformed the lives of millions of people and affected an entire generation of children. They have faced destroyed schools, interrupted lessons, forced displacement, and constant power and heating cuts.

Salesian missionaries have maintained a constant commitment to youth, ensuring access to education as an essential tool for protection and hope. Over the past four years, Salesian schools and youth centers have continued to operate, adapting to security conditions, setting up shelters and ensuring the continuity of educational programs even during the harshest winter months.

Father Mykhaylo Chaban, superior of the Salesian Vice-Province of Mary Help of Christians, said, “The aid we have received and continue to receive from all over the world gives us the hope and support needed to face the challenges in times of war, especially during the cold winter. Thanks to the solidarity of thousands of people, we have light and heat to live on, and many children can go to school.”

Humanitarian aid remains crucial for thousands of Ukrainian citizens. Salesian missionaries travel to areas near the front lines to distribute food, blankets, generators and fuel, supporting families who remain in particularly vulnerable areas. Salesian support has enabled Ukrainians to feel support even in the most isolated areas.

“In these four years of war, it is the youngest who have been most affected. For them, education not only imparts knowledge, but also offers stability, confidence and a future. We remain committed to them and our appeal for peace,” said Father Luis Manuel Moral, director of the Salesian Mission Office in Madrid.

Since the beginning of the war, Salesian Missions and Salesian organizations around the globe have supported thousands of people with projects and activities aimed at alleviating the situation for those in Ukraine and those who have fled to neighboring countries.

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Photo courtesy of Misiones Salesianas

ANS – Ukraine – Four years of war in Ukraine: hope endures beneath the bombs

Salesian Missions

UNHCR – Ukraine

*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.

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BRAZIL

(MissionNewswire) The Salesian School of Work, located in Ananindeua, Brazil, celebrated the opening of the Padre Lourenço Bertolusso Vocational Formation Center, which expands the Salesian educational and social mission in the region. The new center will offer education courses in automotive skills, motorcycle and refrigeration mechanics, electrical systems for buildings, and the installation of photovoltaic systems.

A Salesian said, “Our goal is to ensure that youth, living in conditions of poverty, are able to access high-quality education that teaches them skills for employment. Salesians help ensure these youth become self-sufficient and contributing members of their community.”

The Salesian School of Work has a 63-year history dedicated to educating youth who are in situations of social vulnerability.

The opening program included a Mass of thanksgiving attended by partner companies and Victor Dias, the secretary of the State Secretariat for Science, Technology, Higher, Professional and Technological Education of Pará. These entities contribute significantly to the strengthening of the initiative.

Just over 15% of Brazilians live in poverty, with the majority living in the rural northeast of the country, according to the World Bank. While Brazil is making positive changes, there are still large gaps between people who are poor and who are rich, and issues of income inequality and social exclusion remain at the root of poverty.

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ANS – Brazil – Salesian School of Work opens new Centre for Vocational Formation

Salesian Missions – Brazil

World Bank – Brazil

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INDIA

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco English Medium School and Don Bosco Piloo Modi High School in India jointly hosted a three-day AI STEAM (science, technology, engineering, math and arts) learning workshop in February, engaging more than 700 students, parents and teachers.

Organized in collaboration with International S.T.E.A.M Research, the program introduced participants to artificial intelligence, robotics, coding, drones, Internet of Things and extended reality technologies.

A Salesian noted, “Learners engaged in hands-on sessions, coding robots, flying drones and working with sensor-based applications. Teachers and parents also participated, many experiencing advanced technologies for the first time. Students described the workshop as transformative and confidence-building.”

Father Elson Baretto, rector, called the initiative a step to help make students future-ready through experiential education. Father Daresh, principal, said the institution aims to set a benchmark for holistic, technology-driven learning in Panchmahal district. The schools plan to establish a permanent AI STEAM Lab with International S.T.E.A.M Research’s support, strengthening access to futuristic education in rural Gujarat.

Salesian programs across India are primarily focused on education. Salesian primary and secondary education in the country helps youth prepare for later technical, vocational or university study. Other programs help to support poor youth and their families by meeting the basic needs of shelter, proper nutrition and medical care.

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ANS – India – Don Bosco Narukot Hosts AI STEAM Workshop for 700 Learners

Salesian Missions – India

World Bank – India

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PAPUA NEW GUINEA

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Technical School Gabutu has responded with support as people living in the 2 Mile community, located in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, face uncertainty following recent evictions. Many families have been left displaced while awaiting a response to their appeal to the Investment Promotion Authority. Most of these affected residents are fourth-generation settlers with no land to return to in their provinces of origin.

A Salesian noted, “Despite offers of assistance from donors, progress toward a stable solution remains slow, and delays in official responses have increased the vulnerability of families, particularly women and children. In recent weeks, reports of evictions and the destruction of homes and property have further deepened the hardship. Several students residing in the affected areas have been impacted, with some withdrawing from school for the 2026 academic year.”

The Don Bosco Technical School has provided temporary food assistance to support the immediate needs of the displaced families. While the institution has no direct involvement in the land dispute, it has sought to respond to the humanitarian needs arising from the situation.

Father Ambrose Pereira, rector of the school, expressed appreciation to the staff, students, past pupils and parishioners of Mary Help of Christians Sabama for their generous outreach. Staff from Don Bosco Technological Institute, along with members of the pastoral team and several benefactors, also contributed to the donation drive.

People evicted from the 2 Mile community expressed gratitude for the support. The assistance has brought visible relief and renewed hope, especially among mothers and children affected by the evictions.

Papua New Guinea has a population of approximately 7.5 million people. It is a resource-rich country with oil, gas and gold reserves, as well as fertile land capable of producing high crop yields. Despite this, an estimated 40% of Papua New Guineans live below the poverty line of $1.25 per day, according to the World Bank.

Close to 50% of adults are illiterate and 25% of children are unable to attend school in Papua New Guinea. Part of the problem with getting to school, work and hospitals has to do with the country’s infrastructure. In rural areas, where nearly 88% of the population resides, there are few roads or means of transportation to get to schools or places of employment.

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ANS – Papua New Guinea – Don Bosco Supports Displaced Families in Port Moresby

Salesian Missions – Papua New Guinea

World Bank – Papua New Guinea Poverty

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(MissionNewswire) Amid growing violence in the Middle East, Salesians with the Salesian Jesus the Adolescent of the Middle East Province are working to ensure the safety of children in Palestine*, Israel and Lebanon*.

In Lebanon, attacks are causing thousands of displacements and worsening an already fragile humanitarian situation. The incursion of Israeli forces into the country has further heightened tensions. The south of the country, particularly the Nabatieh region, has experienced intense bombardments, forcing numerous families to flee their homes in search of safety.

“The Middle East is facing a new and dramatic phase of emergency,” explained Father Simon Zakerian, provincial. “The civilian population will be the hardest hit, especially the most vulnerable, such as women and children. Following the attacks, our schools in Palestine, Israel and Lebanon have once again had to close to ensure the safety of our youth.”

In response, Salesians have reopened their doors to shelter displaced families. At the Don Bosco El Houssoun Center in Jbeil, about 30 kilometers (about 18 miles) north of Beirut, 120 people from approximately 30 families are being hosted, including about 50 children and 10 elderly individuals in vulnerable conditions.

A Salesian from Lebanon said, “We are certain that in the coming hours and days this number will increase. We must guarantee basic necessities for all these people, warm clothing, food and water. This is what we are focusing on.”

Many families arrive after 16 hours of travel to cover just 110 kilometers (about 68 miles), due to massive traffic jams caused by the exodus of people fleeing the bombings. Classrooms were quickly transformed into reception spaces with mattresses, blankets, and basic humanitarian aid kits, while Salesians, staff, and volunteers organize assistance for the families.

The Salesian added, “We are also worried about the lack of fuel in the West Bank, as many families have no way to heat their homes or cook, including our own communities, such as the one in Cremisan.”

Fr. Zakerian concluded, “We find ourselves, again, facing a complicated situation, but our entire network — Salesians, staff members and volunteers — is ready to help communities in Lebanon, Palestine and Israel as quickly as possible.”

The Salesian Mission Office in Madrid is already working together with the Salesians in the Middle East and the Salesian solidarity network to organize the necessary aid. Father Luis Manuel Moral, director of the Salesian Mission Office in Madrid, said, “We are appealing to all citizens to channel their solidarity toward those in need. It is not only about giving a blanket or bread, but about bringing hope to those who are now living in such a difficult situation.”

He added, “Furthermore, we join the words of Pope Leo XIV, who calls on us to ‘seek a way to stop the spiral of violence before it becomes an irreparable abyss,’ and we urge all parties to lay down their weapons and threats and to seek lasting peace through dialogue.”

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ANS – Middle East – “We Are Working to Ensure Aid Arrives as Soon as Possible”

Salesian Missions

Salesian Province of the Middle East

Salesian Province of the Middle East Facebook

*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.

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ARGENTINA

(MissionNewswire) Salesians held the 10th edition of Patio Bosco in Corrientes, Argentina, with more than 110 youth and adults taking part in this missionary summer experience. About 70 local volunteers from Salesian centers collaborated on the event. The theme for the event was “A decade on the streets”, recalling the journey Salesians have taken in the region.

Paz Meana, who was part of the team that carried out Patio Bosco 2026, shared her joy after the event. She said, “I experienced it with a lot of love, supporting where necessary. This service allowed me to visit local Salesians oratories. I am very grateful to be part of this story and of my beloved Domingo y Laura community.”

The first few days allowed the leaders to get to know each other and form groups for each oratory. Moments of education and reflection were shared, as well as Masses in honor of Laura Vicuña and St. Francis de Sales. Activities were also held that included games, educational workshops, catechesis and shared snacks.

Francisco Balmaceda summarized what he experienced during these days. He said, “Patio Bosco was a very enriching experience for my education, not only as a volunteer but also as a person. I thank God for allowing me to live this experience that nourishes me and makes me more human.”

The Salesian Province of Argentina North expressed its gratitude for the commitment of every leader and volunteer who made the 10th edition possible.

Salesian missionaries in Argentina and around the globe provide education and social development programs to help poor youth and their families achieve self-sufficiency and have hope for a better life. Through schools, vocational and technical training programs, youth centers, medical clinics, and more, Salesians are ensuring youth have the services and programs they need to thrive.

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ANS – Argentina – ‘Patio Bosco’: a decade on the streets of Corrientes

Salesian Missions – Argentina

World Bank – Argentina

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CHILE

(MissionNewswire) The Don Bosco Foundation, in a joint effort with various institutions and communities, delivered humanitarian aid to families who lost their homes after fires in Greater Concepción, Chile. Hundreds of people took part in the campaign to collect food, water, blankets, mattresses, toys and basic necessities, including diapers. In addition, money was raised and allocated for the creation of aid kits for families whose homes suffered serious damage.

A Salesian noted, “All of this was very organized. The collection was held at the Don Bosco Foundation in Santiago and the Teresian Institution School in Las Condes. From these collection centers, the aid was transported to the south thanks to the solidarity and support of trucks provided by families from the circus world, the Municipality of La Florida and the Compañía de Teatro del Biobío.”

Father Víctor Mora, president of the Don Bosco Foundation, coordinated the distribution in conjunction with the rector of the Salesian School in Concepción, the Municipality of Penco and community organization in Lirquén. He said, “This campaign is a concrete example of how solidarity, when organized, can be transformed into real hope.”

Don Bosco Foundation also expressed gratitude to the employees of the company Emaresa, who organized an internal collection, and to Commercial M&M Limitada, which collaborated for the donation of Tevere mattresses, a priority item.

In addition to providing humanitarian aid, Salesian missionaries provide education and social development programs for poor youth in Chile. Once finished with primary and secondary school, students can advance for higher education. Salesian technical schools cater to students who have dropped out of school and are seeking a second chance. In many programs, students complete their education while engaging in internships with local employers. This increases the students’ hands-on work experience and ability to gain livable wage employment after their studies are completed.

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ANS – Chile – Don Bosco Foundation campaign delivers aid to families in Concepción

Salesian Missions – Chile

World Bank – Chile

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ZAMBIA

(MissionNewswire) The Salesian Sacred Heart community, located in Makeni, Lusaka, Zambia, celebrated the opening ceremony and blessing of the Don Bosco Higher Institute. This new educational center is dedicated to the education and support of local youth who are marginalized.

Presiding over the event were Father Innocent Bizimanathe, councilor for the East and Southern Africa Region, and Father Michael Mbandama, superior of the ZMB Province. Both expressed their deep gratitude to all those who made this dream possible, especially the donors whose generosity continues to support the Salesians.

In his speech, Fr. Mbandama thanked Fr. Bizimana for his dedication and guidance. Fr. Mbandama said, “Let us pray that this may truly be a center of education and hope for young people.”

Fr. Mbandama further noted the Salesian commitment to helping youth cultivate not only skills and knowledge, but also faith, values, and dignity. The meeting was also an invitation to pray for donors, past and present, who often support the mission behind the scenes.

Salesians in Zambia provide a range of social development programs and education to aid youth who are poor and at risk so they can have a healthy, productive life. Early education helps youth gain a foundation to allow them to later advance to skills training for employment. Basic needs are met along the way ensuring youth focus on their education.

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ANS – Zambia – A new education centre for young people in the ZMB Province

Salesian Missions – Zambia

UNICEF – Zambia

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THAILAND

(MissionNewswire) Students in grades 7-9, together with teachers from the primary and secondary education departments of Sarasit Phithayalai School, in the Ban Pong district in the Ratchaburi Province of Thailand, participated in a summer camp where they learned about environmental responsibility. This included an excursion to Ban Mai Chai Len, Khlong Khon in the Samut Songkhram Province.

A Salesian explained, “During the camp, themed ‘Green Minds, Bright Futures’, the students took part in numerous activities. The highlight of the event had students planting mangrove trees. The area is located at the confluence of the Mae Klong River and the Gulf of Siam, making it rich in aquatic life and an important nursery for wildlife. Planting mangroves helps to expand habitats and food sources, contributing to a more abundant and sustainable ecosystem.”

The Salesian added, “Mangroves are of great importance to the ecology, environment, society and economy of many countries. Involving the students in this activity is making them aware of their duty to take care of the earth and the environment.”

Salesian organizations in Thailand and around the globe are focused on environmentally friendly activities and education. Part of this was driven by Pope Francis’ 2020 Laudato Si’, which underlined the importance of education and training that will help youth foster environmental responsibility.

Salesian missionaries provide education and social programs in Thailand to give youth who are poor and disadvantaged an opportunity for a brighter future. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a sharp rise in the country’s “targeted poor” (those who hold state-issued welfare cards) as noted by the Thai People Map and Analytics Platform. Although the country had made strides in reducing poverty before the pandemic, improving nutrition and meeting the basic needs of its residents, inequality is still pervasive. More children are also dropping out of school, especially those who are not living with their parents.

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

ANS – Thailand – ‘Green minds, bright futures’: Sarasit Phithayalai School students take care of our common home

Salesian Missions – Thailand

World Bank – Thailand

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SPAIN

(MissionNewswire) The Salesian University of Sarrià, located in Barcelona, Spain, has introduced a new optional teaching module in its engineering degree courses. This national-level initiative aims to broaden the professional skills of future engineers and strengthen the center’s education.

The course was launched following the observation that a growing number of graduates take on teaching-related tasks at some point in their professional careers. As explained by Noemí Ruíz, head of the research department and promoter of the project, the university has an excellent team of researchers that have made teaching this course possible.

The module has a highly practical approach. Students take internships in various educational centers, mainly Salesian-run, that help them have hands-on practical knowledge. The internships were structured in two phases, with students first observing the teaching process and then holding theoretical and practical sessions and workshops.

According to the Salesian university, the demand for the course exceeded expectations. Students enrolled for different reasons including a curiosity about teaching, the desire to open up new career paths and the recommendation of their academic tutors.

Alex Rojas, a mechanical engineering student who participated, highlighted the learning acquired during internships at educational centers. He said, “The skills acquired have a direct application in the world of work, beyond the educational sphere.”

The teaching staff has noted the impact students have had on vocational students, providing a direct insight into employment and becoming true academic role models. In some cases, university students have returned to the centers where they trained, now as trainee teachers.

Ruíz explained, “The time spent in the centers helped to motivate the students and show them that continuing their studies at university is a real possibility.” The feedback from the tutors has been very positive and one of the participants will soon be taking on teaching assignments, confirming the impact of the initiative.

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

ANS – Spain – A new and pioneering teaching module at the Salesian University of Sarrià

Salesian Missions – Spain

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MADAGASCAR

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries are responding after Tropical Cyclone Gezani struck the city of Toamasina (Tamatave), on the east coast of Madagascar. With gusts reaching more than 180 miles an hour and torrential rains, the storm hit one of the most vulnerable areas of the country. Reports indicate that there are many dead, dozens injured and thousands left homeless, with large areas flooded.

The Salesian community, which has been in the city since 2018, suffered serious damage to the oratory, which welcomes about 550 youth every weekend. Also damaged were the Domenico Savio School, the Salesian parish and the infrastructure under construction for the future vocational training center.

“We have lost food and materials. The school canteen warehouse no longer exists,” explained Father Raharinjatovo Soloniaina Louis Patrick, parish priest in Tamatave, after assessing the damage on the ground.

Faced with this emergency, Salesians have launched an urgent project to meet immediate basic needs and to repair damaged infrastructure. The goal is to support 500 people and 50 families who have lost their homes through food distribution, essential medicines, free medical consultations and the construction of temporary shelters.

In addition, Salesians will repair their buildings’ roofs and educational and pastoral buildings that had damage, which is a priority to be able to resume activities with highly vulnerable youth.

In the Atsinanana region, where Tamatave is located, annual rainfall exceeds 3,000 mm (approximately 118 inches) and the area is frequently hit by tropical cyclones. Reconstruction will not only involve building walls, but also strengthening the resilience of communities who face this risk.

The Salesian Mission Office in Madrid is launching an appeal for solidarity in order to respond quickly to this disaster. This aid will make it possible to restore safe spaces for children’s education, ensure food security for affected families and support their recovery.

Amidst the destruction, Salesians will continue to provide support. A Salesian said, “We cannot leave our young people and their families alone at this time. They need food, shelter and hope.”

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Misiones Salesianas (via ANS article)

ANS – Madagascar – Cyclone Gezani devastates Tamatave, a city in eastern Madagascar, leaving thousands homeless

Salesian Missions – Madagascar

UNICEF – Madagascar

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EL SALVADOR

(MissionNewswire) The Salvador del Mundo Foundation (FUSALMO) in El Salvador has officially received platinum-level STEAM certification, the highest recognition awarded by the Latin American Society for Science and Technology through its Alfa-STEAM program.

STEAM education (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics), is similar to STEM but adds the arts to integrate creativity, design and critical thinking. This fosters more holistic, innovative and multidisciplinary problem-solving for future careers.

An award ceremony took place in January at FUSALMO’s headquarters in Soyapango, El Salvador, in the presence of María Lourdes Vela, from Educare El Salvador, who presented the official plaque to Father Pierre M. Vitelli.

A Salesian explained, “Since 2019, FUSALMO has undertaken significant challenges as a pioneer in STEAM education, building specialized educational spaces and implementing innovative methodologies. These efforts are evident in several achievements: organizing the country’s largest robotics competition, the STEAM Maker Challenge; participating in and gaining international recognition at the First Global Robotics World Championship; and recently obtaining certification.”

FUSALMO offers traditional and non-traditional educational opportunities for youth who are at risk. Through recreational programs, enrichment opportunities in the arts and music, vocational training, and more, youth are encouraged to stay off the streets, learn to cooperate and co-exist, and gain the skills they need to become productive, contributing members of a more peaceful society.

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

ANS – El Salvador – FUSALMO receives Platinum certification as a STEAM institution

FUSALMO

Salesian Missions (USA) – FUSALMO

Salesian Missions – El Salvador

World Bank – El Salvador

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SPAIN

(MissionNewswire) The Salesian Center in Deusto, a district in Bilbao, Spain, held an educational meeting focused on autism for teachers from various Salesian centers in the northern part of Spain’s St. James the Greater Province. The meeting took place over two days and combined reflection, knowledge and practical tools for educational action.

The workshop held for the teachers was devoted to a basic level of understanding of the autism spectrum, with the aim of helping participants to better understand people with autism, their way of perceiving the world, and communicating and relating to others. The second session offered practical strategies and tools for educational support, particularly in academic and school settings, for more accessible, understanding and inclusive environments. The workshop was facilitated by Marlene Horna, a specialist in autism and inclusive education.

One of the most important challenges for schools is ensuring the inclusion of students with special educational needs or disabilities or those who are in vulnerable situations. Without specific support, there is a risk of increasing exclusion rather than reducing it.

Elisa Gutiérrez Hernández, a teacher at CES Don Bosco and an expert in inclusion, noted, “An inclusive school must understand that each student is the sum of their interests, abilities and needs. Therefore, recognizing diversity means recognizing the very essence of each class and ensuring the full participation of all pupils. It is necessary to analyze in order to transform and to adapt so that everyone has a place, regardless of labels.”

Hernández added, “Building an inclusive school is not just a question of methodology, but also of perspective and culture. It involves a commitment to preparing a personalized learning experience, designed from the outset to take into account the unique characteristics of each individual in our classrooms. It means ensuring that everyone can learn and participate, because what really matters is sharing the learning experience and growing together.”

In another learning sessions, Salesians in Lugo took part in a course focused on the dynamic boxes teaching module held by teacher Montse Poyatos Dorado. During the day, participants discovered that dynamic boxes are part of an educational strategy that stands out for its flexible and versatile approach. Montse also introduced the STEPS methodology, which consists of breaking down complex learning into small steps, which must be structured so that students can progress at their own pace.

The approaches on autism and dynamic boxes will soon be available in other educational centers in the Salesian province.

Salesian missionaries in Spain provide primary and secondary educational as well as vocational and technical school to ensure youth acquire employment skills for the futures. Salesians also work to meet the basic needs of those in poverty and offer workforce development opportunities to ensure an easier school to work transition.

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

ANS – Spain – Salesian school teachers receive training in inclusive education

Salesian Missions – Spain

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