ECUADOR

(MissionNewswire) The San Patricio Basic Education School, located in Quito, Ecuador, had the funding to help improve quality education for 190 youth in poverty. The donor funding came from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco.

Salesian missionaries completed teacher training and provided school kits and school uniforms to the students. The funding also provided comprehensive psychological care for 87 students identified with emotional or behavioral needs with personalized follow-up and emotional regulation activities.

In addition, the funding supported 30 students with help with reading and writing and 28 students with mathematics. Ten students were identified with specific educational needs not previously diagnosed.

One of the students supported was Jorge Mathias Galeas Culqui, aged 13, who once worked on the streets selling empanadas. When his mother went to prison, he was left alone in Ambato, until his grandmother managed to raise money to bring him to Quito. Today, they live together in a small warehouse in a park.

A Salesian explained, “In previous schools, he had been teased for wearing the same clothes and shoes and not being able to pay fees or participate in activities. But at San Patricio Basic Education School, Culqui found something different. He enjoys a real understanding and support of teachers who not only teach, but who believe in him. Now, after two years of studying, Culqui is enjoying his school accomplishments. He discovered that he likes to speak in public and wants to be part of the student council. He attends events at the Salesian University and hopes that one day he will be a student there.”

Another student, Mónica Alexandra Chimbolema Chillagana, aged 17, has grown up at the school. Her siblings also studied there. When Chillagana was 10, she was diagnosed with an intellectual disability. While she and her mother worried what that would mean, the school’s response was that she would be supported and educated without exclusion.

Today, Chillagana is the best math student in her course. She solves exercises on the blackboard with confidence and helps her classmates. This is her last year at the school, and she is ready to continue her education so that one day she can work at the United Nations or an international foundation, helping others.

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.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Ecuador

UNICEF – Ecuador

The post ECUADOR: Salesian Missions provides funding to enhance quality education at San Patricio Basic Education School first appeared on MissionNewswire.

RWANDA

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Gatenga Vocational Training Center, located in Gatenga, in the Kicukiro District of Kigali, Rwanda, has improved sanitation for students thanks to donor funding. The funding came from the Salesian Missions “Clean Water Initiative.” Salesian Missions is the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco.

The new facilities provide running water and adherence to proper cleaning standards. They feature separate sections for girls and boys, ensuring privacy and preventing students from feeling uncomfortable or disturbed in their personal space. The facilities are also now closer to the students. More than 560 students were impacted by this donation.

A Salesian explained, “The previous inadequate infrastructure affected hygiene, health, privacy and overall dignity. The improved sanitation has helped to reduce health issues and helped students fight against the infections that previously caused many problems.”

The students are happy with the new facilities. Gikundiro Christa Bella expressed gratitude for Salesian Missions and its support of the center. She said, “The previous facilities were unhealthy, caused infections and produced a strong bad smell. The new facilities are more modern and ensure privacy and dignity, especially for the female students.”

“The toilets are now close to the students and meet all necessary standards,” said Uzamureba Clementine, a staff member at the school. She emphasized that the improved sanitation has helped reduce health issues and created a safer space for everyone.

Don Bosco Gatenga has been at the forefront of gender issues in the region. Since its beginning in 1976, the school has welcomed youth in need. The school helps to prepare youth for the future and teaches them employable skills so that they will be self-sufficient and help support their families and the community.

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.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Rwanda

UNICEF – Rwanda

The post RWANDA: Don Bosco Gatenga Center has new sanitation facilities thanks to Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

ECUADOR

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries in Quito, Ecuador, had the funding to help support education and health for students living in poverty thanks to donor funding. The funding came from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco.

The families of the students mainly work in informal, low-paid jobs and in precarious conditions. Students are at risk of dropping out of school or face academic challenges. Many require educational reinforcement and psychosocial support to ensure they remain in and do well in school.

With the funds received, Salesians were able to continue and strengthen the comprehensive care program. From January to June 2025, academic and psychosocial support was provided to 191 youth. In the second half of the year, 181 students received support. In addition, Salesians provided school kits with supplies students needed.

Salesians also held four specialized health campaigns including dentistry, optometry, general medicine and nutrition. These activities were carried out in coordination with the Prefecture of Pichincha and the Vista para Todos Foundation. These interventions not only covered basic health needs, but also guaranteed the delivery of corrective lenses and health-related procedures for 183 students.

Further, 76 parents and caregivers attended workshops on parental responsibility and emotional management. Youth went to workshops on rights, inclusive communication and safe environments. At the same time, Salesians helped youth maximize free time with sports and cultural activities, which improved the perception of well-being and quality of life.

Casandra Rey Sancho, aged 13, has been attending the Salesian Mi Patio Reference Center since she was 8 years old. She is one of the beneficiaries of the project. She said, “Before entering the program, I was a very withdrawn child. I had a hard time trusting others, and I didn’t have a safe space where I could play, learn or just feel supported. I felt small in front of the world. Today I can say that I am different.”

She added, “Thanks to Salesian support, I have strengthened my security and confidence. Not only do I get support with my homework and school supplies, like backpacks and notebooks, but I also have people who believe in me. Teacher Susana visits my house, talks with me and my mother, and also comes to my school to follow up on my progress. That close support has motivated me to try harder. My grades have improved and I now have good grades.”

Sancho also receives psychological support and participates in health campaigns. She loves to play soccer and dance. She noted, “Not only have I improved in school, I believe in myself, have been opened up to the world and now imagine a different future. I am deeply grateful, because thanks to this project, today I am more confident, happy and hopeful.”

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.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Ecuador

UNICEF – Ecuador

The post ECUADOR: Donor funding from Salesian Missions supports education, health of students living in poverty first appeared on MissionNewswire.

BRAZIL

(MissionNewswire) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, provided donor funding for a new photovoltaic system at the Salesian Missionary Inspectorate of the Amazon Salesian School of Work, located in Ananindeua, Pará, Brazil. The institution now generates clean and renewable energy, reducing electricity costs and strengthening its environmental sustainability actions. The system includes 197 photovoltaic modules, a 75-kw inverter, a metal mounting structure installed on a zinc roof and copper cabling.

Approximately 1,000 students and 22 collaborators are direct beneficiaries of the project. This includes youth aged 14-24 as well as adult collaborators. Many students come from situations of social and economic vulnerability in the metropolitan region of Belém, Pará.

Jorge William de Sousa Santos, from the school, said, “At the Salesian School of Work, we believe that education must walk side by side with example. By implementing renewable energy on our roof, we are helping the financial health of the institution. We have already saved 32% in costs in the first month, which is key to enabling further improvements for the school.”

He added, “This change is also allowing us to train professionals. We have the course available for photovoltaic roof assembler, making our roof a living laboratory. The student learns theory in class and sees the school itself being driven by this technology. Green energy and economic sustainability are no longer just the future. They are the now. With this economy, we are gaining momentum to strengthen our sustainability policies and invest in what matters most — the quality of education for youth.”

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

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Brazil

World Bank – Brazil

The post BRAZIL: Salesian School of Work has new photovoltaic system thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

INDIA

(MissionNewswire) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, has funded the construction of the new St. Thérèse of Lisieux Chapel, located in Monjurgaon, part of the Kumarikata Parish in Assam, India. The chapel has also been furnished with liturgical and devotional items. The new chapel has strengthened the faith, unity, leadership, and hope among the marginalized Santali Catholic community, laying a solid foundation for the chapel to become a lasting center of worship, formation, and community life.

Monjurgaon is situated in the remote and forested foothills along the Assam–Bhutan border, an area that is difficult to access, which limits government services and development initiatives. The local economy is fragile and largely dependent on subsistence agriculture and casual daily labor, with very limited employment opportunities. Most families struggle with chronic poverty, unemployment and seasonal migration. The community also faces serious challenges such as frequent flooding during monsoons, harsh winter conditions, destruction of homes and crops by wild elephants, illiteracy, alcohol addiction, and social marginalization due to their migrant Santali identity and Christian faith.

With the chapel, people now have a dignified and permanent place for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, sacraments, and communal prayer. Regular Sunday Mass, feast-day celebrations, and devotional practices such as the Way of the Cross and Divine Mercy prayers have strengthened personal faith and renewed commitment to Christian life. The visible presence of the chapel has deepened the people’s sense of belonging to the church and has instilled pride and confidence in their Christian identity.

In addition, the chapel now serves as a safe and nurturing space for catechism classes, youth meetings, and faith formation activities. This has encouraged regular participation, discipline, and leadership among the youth, helping to reduce the risks of school dropout, substance abuse, and unsafe migration. Many young people have begun to take active roles in liturgy, choir and community service.

Women, who form a majority in the community, also now have a secure place to gather for prayer, reflection, and community activities. The chapel has strengthened family life by encouraging shared participation in worship and Christian values, promoting harmony, moral formation, and mutual respect within households.

Simon Tudu, village catechist, said, “Before the chapel was built, we did not have a proper place for Mass or prayer. During the rains or winter, it was almost impossible to gather. Many people slowly stopped coming for prayer. Children had no fixed place for catechism. Spiritually, people were losing enthusiasm and hope. Now, everyone talks about the new chapel with joy. Most people feel proud that we built this chapel together. Even some non-Christian neighbors appreciate the beauty and discipline of our community. There is more respect for us.”

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – India

World Bank – India

The post INDIA: Catholic community in Monjurgaon has new chapel thanks to Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

(MissionNewswire) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian and international organizations around the globe in highlighting the plight of children and youth who are homeless on the International Day for Street Children. The day provides organizations and the millions of street children worldwide with an opportunity to have their voices heard while ensuring that their rights are not ignored.

Celebrated each year on April 12, the day was established by the United Nations to raise awareness of issues affecting youth forced to live on the streets. The Consortium for Street Children founded the International Day for Street Children in 2011 and is the leading international network dedicated to realizing the rights of street children worldwide.

Father Michael Conway, director of Salesian Missions, explained, “Salesians know that children living on the street need more than just their basic needs met. They need to be able to live safely while having the emotional support and education that will help them live independently later in life.”

In honor of the International Day for Street Children, Salesian Missions is proud to share Salesian programs around the globe that provide youth hope for a better life.

BENIN

More than 500 children and youth in Porto-Novo. Benin, received healthy meals through Rise Against Hunger’s partnership with Salesian Missions.

Youth attending Foyer Don Bosco, located in Porto-Novo, Benin, received a shipment of nutritious meals through a partnership between Salesian Missions and Rise Against Hunger. The meals fed 550 youth in the first half of 2025.

A Salesian noted, “One of the main successes of the project has been its strong emotional impact and positive reaction of the children. The project also contributed to improving the community’s nutrition with fewer cases of malnutrition-related illness reported. The feeding program also allowed children to remain focused on their education without interruptions from hunger.”

One of the recipients is Franck, aged 10, who lives at Foyer Don Bosco. He said, “Beforehand, many of us did not always have enough to eat. Sometimes, we were hungry, and it was difficult to follow the lessons being taught. Today, we’re able to have meals and eat properly. When I eat, I am happy, I feel strong and I can learn well at school. For us, a meal is not just about eating. It is about finding joy, no longer thinking about the streets, and no longer being afraid to resort to stealing or begging. It is also knowing that someone, somewhere, is thinking of us and loves us.”

KENYA

At Don Bosco Boys Town Langata in Kenya, youth who had been living on the streets receive education and services.

Don Bosco Boys Town (Bosco Boys) Langata is providing services to 32 boys who had been living on the streets of Nairobi, Kenya. The Salesian organization is the first reception place for youth to take part in a program of rehabilitation, literacy, and gradual inclusion into school or learning a trade.

A Salesian explained, “The boys stay at Langata for a period of three to six months, during which they receive assistance to stabilize them. Once they have made satisfactory progress, both personally and educationally, they are transferred to Bosco Boys Kuwinda to continue their education. At Kuwinda, the boys follow a standard education program, from primary to high school.”

Students who complete their primary education are then assisted with secondary education or are advised to choose technical training in sister institutions. The secondary education is most often provided at Don Bosco Technical Secondary School in the town of Embu, northeast of Nairobi.

With the two-year technical training, youth have a wide variety of skills to choose from, including tailoring, car engineering/mechanics, carpentry, electrical work, and welding, as well as secretarial skills and a full spectrum of computer-related job skills. After graduation, more than 80% of graduates are employed in their fields of study. Many students go on to attend university or establish their own businesses and become entrepreneurs in Nairobi.

SIERRA LEONE

Don Bosco Fambul, one of Sierra Leone’s leading child welfare organizations, focuses on serving youth who have been living on the streets.

Salesian missionaries have been serving in Sierra Leone since 2001, when they began working to rehabilitate former child soldiers. In the years since, Don Bosco Fambul, located in the capital city of Freetown, has become one of the country’s leading child welfare organizations. It offers food, clothing, crisis intervention services, shelter, educational opportunities, long-term counseling and family reunification.

At the core of Don Bosco Fambul’s work is a program for street children. The organization has a staff of 120, including Salesian social workers who go out to the streets, poor areas and marketplaces. They engage with vulnerable youth and encourage them to join Don Bosco Fambul’s programs.

The success of the street children rehabilitation program is credited to its holistic approach which focuses on meeting basic needs like food and shelter in addition to personalized medical, psychological, pedagogical, social and spiritual care. Salesians reach out to an estimated 2,500 street children in the region each year.

Rehabilitation is a gradual process that includes formal classes, daily games, sports, music, drama, dancing, counseling and prayer. The parents and extended families of participants are contacted several times by social workers before final reunification.

TIMOR-LESTE

Schools, centers and orphanages in Timor-Leste received food through a Salesian Missions and Rise Against Hunger partnership.

Youth attending Salesian schools, orphanages and youth centers in Timor-Leste had access to better nutrition through a partnership between Salesian Missions and Rise Against Hunger. In the first half of 2025, Rise Against Hunger meals fed 1,766 youth across 24 centers around the country.

Dircia, a 17-year-old woman, lives at the Franciscan Sister’s Youth Center and Boarding House in Tibar in the Liquica District. Liquica is a coastal and mountainous municipality in the northern part of Timor-Leste, with a population of 75,000. The local economy is based on agriculture with coffee, red bananas, cassava and livestock as key products. Farmers face challenges in accessing markets due to poor infrastructure and terrible roads.

Dircia had nine siblings, with two passing away when they were children due to malnutrition. Her mother passed away after delivering Dircia’s youngest brother. The siblings were sent to different youth centers and orphanages. She and her siblings all have experienced better nutrition through Rise Against Hunger meals.

Dircia is thankful for the Rise Against Hunger meals and said that they have taught her about taking care of others’ well-being first. She promises to study hard because she wants a good job in the future to improve her life and be of service to others.

###

Sources:

BENIN: 550 youth receive healthy meals through Rise Against Hunger’s partnership with Salesian Missions/Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

KENYA: Youth prepare for new life after living on the streets/ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS)

Consortium for Street Children

SIERRA LEONE: Youth rescued from streets/ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS)

Salesian Missions

TIMOR-LESTE: 24 schools, centers and orphanages receive food through Salesian Missions and Rise Against Hunger partnership/Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

The post INT’L DAY FOR STREET CHILDREN: Salesian Missions highlights programs that educate and empower youth first appeared on MissionNewswire.

(MissionNewswire) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian and other international organizations in honoring World Health Day on April 7. In 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO) held the First World Health Assembly and designated the day to mark the founding of WHO. The first World Health Day was held in 1950. Every year it serves as an opportunity to draw worldwide attention to a particular theme of importance related to global health.

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, 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. It’s not just clinics though. Nutritional support and water projects also go a long way in helping to prevent disease and health-related issues.”

On World Health Day, Salesian Missions is proud to highlight health and social programs that help to provide healthy outcomes for people living in poverty.

BANGLADESH

The Salesian Sisters of Mary Immaculate operate six clinics in the remote areas of the dioceses of Mymensingh, Sylhet and Chittagong, Bangladesh, to help reduce maternal and infant mortality, according to an article in Global Sisters Report. The sisters have been working to combat these issues for decades in dispensaries, clinics and hospitals.

“We perform an average of three healthy deliveries every month, and we also have an average of at least 10 pregnant women come every month for advice and regular checkups,” said Salesian Sister Baptista Rema in the article. She has spent more than 25 years providing health care to Indigenous communities in rural areas. Most of her patients are poor, lack basic education and must travel long distances to seek her care.

In the article, Sr. Rema noted, “When I graduated from nursing in 1999 and started working at the Mary Immaculate Dispensary in the Diocese of Sylhet, the infant mortality rate in that area was over 10%, but now it is one or two in 1,000.”

Most of the women she provides medical care for are poor and have no choice but to continue working, risking their pregnancies. Others have lost their pregnancies due to abusive husbands. The challenges for these women in rural areas are severe. But still, the Salesian sisters continue to be a source of support.

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

Funding from Salesian Missions helped ship critical medical supplies for a clinic in the Central African Republic.

Salesian missionaries in Bangui, Central African Republic*, had the supplies needed for a medical clinic thanks to a shipment of goods funded in part by Salesian Missions. The shipment was sent by Collaboration Santé Internationale (International Health Collaboration), a Canadian organization focused on responding to the needs of health centers in developing countries.

Funding for the shipment was provided by both Salesian Missions and Don Bosco Foundation Paris. The shipment contained electric hospital beds, neonatal incubators, exam tables, filing cabinets, lab coats, amoxicillin, quinine, first aid supplies and vitamins.

The medical clinic was completed with funding from the French government through Don Bosco Foundation Paris. Don Bosco Foundation Paris requested assistance from Salesian Missions with funding for the shipment and for its extensive experience in shipping humanitarian aid around the globe.

VENEZUELA

Salesian missionaries in Venezuela have medical insurance coverage thanks in part to donor funding from Salesian Missions.

Salesian missionaries in Venezuela* were able to cover a portion of the Salesian medical insurance thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. The insurance coverage includes medical consultations, hospitalizations and necessary procedures for unforeseen health situations for 125 people, including youth in formation, coadjutor Salesians, and Salesian priests.

A Salesian noted, “The support provided allowed us to have secure health services for all Salesians of the San Lucas Province. We were able to have good help which in turn strengthens our pastoral work.”

Salesian missionaries are working in 22 communities throughout the country. Most of these communities are located in areas which have complex social and economic environments. These Salesian communities cannot sustain themselves solely with their own income or with the income from the pastoral care and support services they provide. Funding from donors makes a critical difference in the lives of Salesians and the communities they serve.

ZAMBIA

Salesian Missions partnered with Feed My Starving Children to address the nutritional needs of children in Zambia.

Salesian Missions has been able to support nutritional needs of youth in Zambia thanks to an ongoing partnership with Feed My Starving Children, a nonprofit Christian organization committed to “feeding God’s children hungry in body and spirit.” In 2025, five shipments were sent to feed children in Salesian programs.

Meals have already been distributed at Don Bosco Primary and Secondary School, located in Luwingu. The Salesian sisters, who operate the school, noted that more than 5,000 children benefit from food shipments like this.

Salesian sisters with Daughters of Mary Help of Christians have been working in the town of Luwingu since 1984. The town is small and for a long time was isolated from the rest of the country because there were almost no roadways to and from the town. As a result, the population could only rely on subsistence agriculture and hunting as the main sources of food, which was inadequate in terms of both quality and quantity.

At first, the Salesian sisters started a youth center and literacy classes. Later, they opened Don Bosco Primary School that today is one of the best schools in the district. The Salesian nuns also provide vocational education to give the local community opportunities to find employment.

###

Sources:

BANGLADESH: Salesian sisters provide medical support to help reduce maternal and infant mortality

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: Funding from Salesian Missions helps ship critical medical supplies for clinic/Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions

VENEZUELA: Salesian missionaries have medical insurance coverage thanks in part to donor funding from Salesian Missions/Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

World Health Day

ZAMBIA: Salesian Missions partners with Feed My Starving Children to address nutritional needs of children/Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

*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.

The post WORLD HEALTH DAY: Salesian Missions highlights health and social programs for people living in poverty first appeared on MissionNewswire.

INDIA

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries in Kankata village, located in the Bidar District of Karnataka State, India, have recently opened the St. Thomas Church. The new chapel is thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco.

The new chapel was developed to strengthen the faith of the Catholic community by providing a dignified and suitable place of worship and by promoting pastoral and missionary activities among the faithful. Prior to the project, the community lacked an adequate space for Sunday Eucharistic celebrations and feast day gatherings. Through the collective efforts of the villagers, missionaries, and benefactors, a dedicated worship space was developed where the faithful could gather regularly for prayer and liturgical celebrations. This is impacting 97 Catholic families in the village.

The village is located at the foothills of the Himalayan range and is predominantly rural. With semi-hilly terrain and limited infrastructure, many villages remain geographically isolated. Most families depend on small-scale farming, tea garden labor and seasonal employment for their livelihood. Income levels are generally low, and economic opportunities for stable employment are limited. Youth often migrate in search of employment.

Previously, the lack of a proper worship space created a sense of neglect and discouragement among the villagers. The new chapel has restored pride and unity within the community. Families now gather together regularly, strengthening communal bonds, and fostering mutual support, cooperation, and shared responsibility in maintaining the chapel.

Youth have benefited greatly from the project. The chapel now serves as a center for catechism classes, youth meetings, prayer gatherings and oratory activities. This has encouraged active youth participation in church life and has nurtured their moral and spiritual values.

Marcel Tigga, a respected elder in the village, said, “Our life here is simple. We work in the fields and depend on daily labor, but our faith keeps us united and hopeful. Earlier we had no proper church. We prayed wherever space was available. Sometimes we felt sad seeing other villages having churches while we had none.”

When the church project began, he recalled feeling both excitement and curiosity. The community welcomed the initiative with enthusiasm, though some villagers initially wondered whether such a project could truly be completed due to financial limitations. Tigga noted, “We were happy but also worried whether the church would really be completed. Slowly, when we saw the work progressing, our hope grew. Now we feel respected and blessed. Our children are happy to come to church. This church has brought new life to our village.”

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – India

World Bank – India

The post INDIA: Catholic community in Kankata village has new chapel thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

(MissionNewswire) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian organizations and the international community in celebrating the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, which is celebrated each year on April 6. The United Nations General Assembly designated the day in 2013, and it has been celebrated each year since 2014. The adoption of this day signifies the increasing recognition by the U.N. of the positive influence that sports have on the advancement of human rights and on social and economic development.

This year’s theme is “Sport: Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers”. In a statement about the day, the U.N. noted, “This year’s theme underscores sport’s unique capacity to foster connection, inclusion and peace in an increasingly fragmented world. As a universal language that transcends cultural, social and boundaries, sport serves as a powerful catalyst for social transformation. Sport connects communities across borders and generations, reducing isolation among marginalized groups, and creating spaces for dialogue, solidarity, and mutual respect.”

In countries around the globe, Salesian schools and youth centers offer sports programming as a way to teach life lessons in collaboration, team building and sportsmanship, as well as help increase physical activity.

“Sports programs build bridges by educating about tolerance, inclusion and respect,” said Father Michael Conway, director of Salesian Missions. “Learning and playing team sports teach important social skills while giving youth opportunities for growth and maturity. Salesians offer sports to both boys and girls in youth centers and schools.”

In honor of the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, Salesian Missions highlights sports programs in countries around the globe.

ECUADOR

In Ecuador, Achuar youth in multiple communities benefit from Salesian soccer schools.

The Salesian Yankuam Jintia Soccer School benefits youth in the Achuar community of Wichimi, in the Amazon of Ecuador. Currently, there are eight Salesian schools which educate more than 700 youth. Under-12 soccer leagues have been organized to strengthen the bonds of fellowship between the communities.

Father Agustín Togo explained, “Through soccer, which is so important in the lives of the Achuar population, children learn values such as respect, discipline, responsibility and teamwork. But it is also an invitation for young people to meet God.”

The operation of the Salesian schools is possible thanks to the collaboration of monitors, who are people in the community who volunteer to guide everything related to training. Through the support of the Salesian centers, the monitors have mobile phones or tablets, which help them remain in contact with Fr. Togo to carry out the planning and evaluation of the activities.

MOZAMBIQUE

Youth from low-income families in Mozambique access education and sports through the Don Bosco Social-Sports School of the Real Madrid Foundation.

The Don Bosco Social-Sports School of the Real Madrid Foundation in Maputo, Mozambique, serves as a safe haven for children from the Chamanculo and Luís Cabral neighborhoods on the outskirts of the city. Youth at the school come from families with low incomes, many of whom rely on informal, unregulated work and face limited access to basic necessities such as water, food, hygiene, and sanitation.

The Don Bosco Social-Sports School is part of the Real Madrid Foundation’s global network of social-sports schools that have the motto “They play, we educate”. These schools promote a model of education that goes beyond the classroom, blending academic learning with athletic training. This holistic approach supports mental and physical development, encouraging youth to have a healthy balance between study and physical activity.

Ildo, aged 14, shared how the school has impacted his life. “The Real Madrid Foundation project brought many positive changes to my life — both in school and in sports. It also improved how I relate to my classmates and my family.” Ildo highlighted the values the program teaches — teamwork, perseverance, respect and solidarity — as vital not only for personal growth but also for preparing to face life’s challenges both in and out of school.

SIERRA LEONE

Don Bosco Socio-Sports School in Lungi, Sierra Leone, provides learning and training in soccer, basketball and volleyball to youth through the Real Madrid Foundation.

Salesian missionaries operate the Don Bosco Socio-Sports School in Lungi, Sierra Leone, thanks to support from the Salesian Mission Office in Madrid and the Real Madrid Foundation.

As part of the Real Madrid Foundation’s “They play, we educate” program, participants receive nutrition, family and psychological support, regular health checkups, the opportunity to participate in social and educational workshops, gymnastics, crafts, reading, and citizenship activities. Training sessions on topics such as health, hygiene, values, and the prevention of alcohol, tobacco, and drug abuse are also provided.

The Don Bosco School has four soccer teams, two basketball teams and three volleyball teams, involving 70, 45 and 98 students, respectively. The school has been renovated for this season, and youth have access to all the equipment they need to learn and practice the sports. Students will also engage in competitions.

Ansuma, one of the youth involved in the school, said, “The school taught me much more than soccer. I have learned to control my temperament and now I also help at home and in school activities.”

UKRAINE

Students in Ukraine are playing on a new volleyball pitch thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions.

Salesian missionaries with the Salesian Lyceum in Lviv, Ukraine* were able to use donor funding to install a volleyball pitch thanks to funding from Salesian Missions. The pitch was set up over the summer and ready for the start of the school semester in Sept. 2025.

More than 400 students were impacted by the donation and have been able to now play volleyball during their physical education classes and afterschool activities. UNICEF reports that since the start of the conflict with Russia, more than 1,600 schools have been impacted by the bombing. Education has been interrupted for many students and they are no longer able to access coursework or have leisure activities with their friends.

The Salesian Lyceum has been meeting these needs for many students, many of whom have been internally displaced in the country. Some of the students are orphaned and in the care of relatives or the Salesians.

Father Taras Bayovskiy, headmaster of the Salesian Lyceum, said, “I am grateful that we now have a volleyball pitch. What we have available for students is limited, and promoting a healthy lifestyle through sports activities without adequate sports infrastructure has always been a challenge for us. We now have a soccer field, a volleyball court, and modular locker rooms. These facilities enable us to participate in three student sports leagues including soccer, volleyball and rugby.”

###

Sources:

ECUADOR: Achuar youth benefit from soccer school/Photo courtesy of Misiones Salesianas

International Day of Sport for Development and Peace

MOZAMBIQUE: School provides education, sports for youth from low-income families/ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS)

Salesian Missions

SIERRA LEONE: Youth receive sports education/ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS) 

UKRAINE: Students access new volleyball pitch thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions/Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

*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.

The post INT’L DAY OF SPORT FOR DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE: Salesian Missions highlights sports programs that build bridges among youth first appeared on MissionNewswire.

UGANDA

(MissionNewswire) The Salesian community in Palabek Refugee Settlement, located in Uganda, has a new solar power system thanks to donor funding by Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The funding enabled the successful installation of 60 high-quality solar panels, harnessing renewable energy to meet the community’s electricity needs. This significantly enhances energy access for the community, including religious missionaries and residents.

The upgraded system has contributed to reducing dependence on fuel-based generators, leading to noticeable savings in operational costs. The new system also advances environmental conservation efforts by utilizing renewable solar energy and decreasing the community’s carbon footprint. More than 600 people from the youth center and chapel have been impacted by this donation.

Before the project, chapels, youth centers, nursery schools, and the community needed more electricity than the existing system could provide. The old system’s capacity was insufficient to supply continuous electricity where needed. The 12 batteries could only power the area for a few hours after sunset, with some lighting lasting just three hours. To address this, the new system increased the number of batteries to 16, including high-quality lithium batteries known for their long-lasting life and resistance.

The installed system now supports lighting, communication, and basic electrical needs within the residence, enhancing daily living and community activities. The improved energy infrastructure has increased the community’s ability to support various programs and activities, fostering development and well-being.

Ojok Denis Mlozi, aged 51, is one those benefiting from the project. He cares for his six younger siblings and his four children, and he has also taken in two orphaned children from his sister. Mlozi is a trainee technical teacher, currently working with Don Bosco Vocational Training Center in Palabek.

Mlozi was excited about the new solar power system and aware of the challenges faced by the Salesian community. He said, “Before the project, I was worried that power outages might occur earlier in the night, especially since the community hosts important visitors. I felt reassured when the project was completed because the new system was built with high-quality technology. Overall, I, and others, are happy with the changes brought by the project. We are grateful for the support.”

Salesian missionaries living and working among the refugees at Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp provide a range of educational and social development programs for the 93,000 people living in the camp. Most of them are from South Sudan, and 60% are under age 13. Salesians have been supporting refugees since the opening of the camp in 2016.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Uganda

UNHCR – Uganda Refugees

The post UGANDA: Salesian community in Palabek has new solar power system thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

INDIA

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries have a new chapel in Naegaon Garo Village of St. John Bosco Parish Kokrajhar, Assam, India, thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The chapel was completed in November 2025.

A Salesian noted, “The faithful of the village were very helpful in the construction. The inauguration was a celebration for all those in the village and the Salesians. After the Catholic Mass, those in the village hosted lunch for all the people who had come from other villages to participate and encourage them. We are grateful to Salesian Missions and the donors for the generous contribution toward the construction of this chapel.”

Levi Sangma is the son of Naresh Marak, who brought Christianity to the village in 1997. Sangma was involved in bringing the construction of the chapel to the village and encourages local families to live their faith. He is also motivating the children to study and hopes that one day someone from the village will get a government job in order to help improve local conditions.

He added, “We thank Salesian Missions and their donor for providing us such a beautiful church. Now there is a sufficient place for worship and everyone can sit down in the church for prayer.”

Salesian programs in India are primarily focused on education. Salesian primary and secondary education 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.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – India

World Bank – India

The post INDIA: Salesian Missions provides donor funding for new chapel in Naegaon Garo Village first appeared on MissionNewswire.

VENEZUELA

(MissionNewswire) The Salesian Province of St. Lucas in Venezuela* had the funding to help provincial staff improve their well-being thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. Staff received monthly contributions from April to November 2025 to support access to healthy meals, along with an additional amount in December. The project impacted 63 staff members.

Most of the staff members earn a minimum wage and struggle to meet their essential food and other needs, and the project helped reduce their economic vulnerability and a high level of stress associated with daily subsistence. In addition to the economic support provided, the project reinforced staff identity through the distribution of uniforms, which included two shirts and one pair of pants for women, and three shirts for men.

Capacity-building was also prioritized through a structured training plan, designed after assessing staff needs. Five employees pursued individualized studies in administration areas, while 35 workers participated in two group courses, including a 15-hour parafiscal program and a workshop on assertive communication aligned with the 2025-2026 pastoral educational year.

Stefani Agreda, aged 29, who works in monitoring and evaluation in the Provincial Office of Planning and Development, was one of the recipients. She said, “I am deeply grateful to Salesians Missions for the project. Sustaining living costs in the capital is very difficult, but thanks to this support I have been able to meet critical expenses of food, rent, transport and health.”

Agreda added, “I have also benefited from the Design of Management Indicators course, which has enabled me to reinforce this vital area for the office, knowledge that I owe largely to my experience in youth ministry, achieving a better drafting and evaluation of our projects for the donors. I must also thank you for the uniforms, because they have allowed us to strengthen our institutional identity and sense of belonging, projecting an image of unity and professionalism.”

Salesian missionaries have been living and working in Venezuela long before the country’s political and economic crisis began. They operate schools, youth centers, and other programs that support youth in need and their families. An estimated 87% of the population is currently living in poverty, and essential goods such as food and medicine are scarce.

###

Sources:

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.

The post VENEZUELA: Salesian Missions provides donor support for provincial staff first appeared on MissionNewswire.

ZAMBIA

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries have constructed a new chapel in the village of Kapesa, Kazembe, Zambia, thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The funding supported clearing the land, digging the foundation, creating the entire structure, painting inside and fixing the drainage system.

People in Kapesa depend on crop farming and fishing to make their living. During the rainy season they farm and wait for the dry season to sell their dried maize and cassava. Fishing provides for daily meals, but is not enough for sale at the markets.

A Salesian noted, “The Catholic community in Kapesa is happy with the new chapel and has remained grateful to the donors for being there for them when they had no place of worship. For years, they prayed from a neighboring school classroom. Having a church of their own has brought a deep sense of Catholic pride in their freedom of worship.”

The newly appointed parish priest, Father Tresphord Chisanga, opened the chapel in December 2025. He thanked Salesian Missions for the support and encouraged the congregants to take good care of the church to work toward the growth of faith in the community.

Benedict Chitundu, aged 76, was one of the first pioneers of the Kapesa Catholic community. He said, “In the beginning, we had no properly established church. The late Father Gotter, a Polish missionary, had established a center in 2005 without a proper structure. For a long time, we wished to have a place of worship of our own. We faced challenges praying in other places. The classroom we used on Sundays was not always accessible. Now, we are proud and grateful for this beautiful house of God, a place of worship and a place of refuge in times of distress.”

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.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Zambia

UNICEF – Zambia

The post ZAMBIA: Village constructs new chapel thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

(MissionNewswire) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, helped support the Salesian Bakery, a historical institution in Bethlehem. With the support provided in part by Salesian Missions, the bakery was able to provide free bread to 111 vulnerable families and eight institutions.

A Salesian explained, “The Salesian Bakery is serving people in situations of vulnerability either directly or through other institutions who serve orphans, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Many in the region are facing economic hardship during this time of conflict. This project also enabled the Salesians to pay the salaries of the bakery staff and cover part of the bakery’s running costs, such as the baking materials, water. and electricity.”

The families are selected by the Salesians with the support of the Arab Orthodox Benevolent Society, Women Arab Union in Beit Sahour and Jemima Institution in Beit Jala. The eight institutions supported include the Franciscan Boys House, L’Arche Daycare Center for children and youth with disabilities, Home of Peace, Ahdaf for elderly daycare, Antonian Society Elderly House, St. Nicholas Elderly House, Al-Basma Center for people with disabilities, and Jemima, which cares for children with disabilities.

Since 1891, Salesian missionaries have been living and working in Bethlehem, initially establishing an orphanage for boys and later expanding programs to meet growing local needs. Today, Salesian missionaries provide a range of educational and social activities to support the local community. Salesians offer a technical and vocational training center, the bakery, a youth center and a scout group.

Bethlehem has a population close to 25,000 people and an economy that is primarily tourist driven. According to UNICEF, poverty in Palestinian territories including the West Bank, Gaza and Bethlehem varies district to district. Along the Gaza strip, poverty rates have risen as high as 60% with residents relying on food assistance from the United Nations. Over half of the population is under the age of 18, and children in the region grow up amid frequent outbreaks of street violence sparked by ongoing political turmoil.

###

Sources:

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

Salesians in Bethlehem

UNICEF – Bethlehem Poverty

The post BETHLEHEM: Salesian Missions supports Salesian Bakery in providing free bread to vulnerable people first appeared on MissionNewswire.

(MissionNewswire) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian organizations and countries around the globe in celebrating World Water Day. Led by U.N.-Water, the organization that coordinates the United Nations’ work on water and sanitation, the day has been honored on March 22 every year since 1993.

The day focuses attention on the importance of safe, clean water while advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. While serving as a reminder of the global population who suffers from water-related issues, the day also provides calls to action to prepare for the management of water in the future.

Each year, U.N.-Water sets a theme for World Water Day corresponding to a current or future challenge. This year’s theme, “Water and Gender Equality”, calls for a “transformative, rights-based approach where women have equal voice, leadership, and opportunities in water decision-making — making water a force for a healthier, more prosperous, gender-equal future that will benefit us all.”

The U.N. has noted that, “Women and girls are disproportionately affected by water-related challenges due to entrenched gender roles, inadequate infrastructure, underrepresentation, limited funding, restrictive social norms and systemic inequalities.”

According to U.N.-Water, 2.1 billion people still live without safely managed drinking water, including 115 million people who drink surface water. In addition, roughly half of the world’s population is experiencing severe water scarcity for at least part of the year.

“Salesian missionaries understand how the lack of water can impact women and girls disproportionately, taking away their time from meaningful work and education. It also risks their safety,” said Father Michael Conway, director of Salesian Missions. “It’s why Salesian Missions has made clean water projects a priority in countries around the globe to address the need for fresh, clean water for drinking, cooking and other daily uses.”

The Salesian Missions “Clean Water Initiative” makes building wells and supplying fresh, clean water a top priority for every community in every country in which Salesian missionaries work. In honor of World Water Day, Salesian Missions is highlighting water projects that are impacting youth and entire communities.

INDIA

Students at Don Bosco College Chapaguri India are benefiting from a new water supply thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions.

Salesian missionaries installed a functional borewell at Don Bosco College Chapaguri, located in Assam, India, to address the growing need for a reliable water source on campus. The project was funded by the “Clean Water Initiative” of Salesian Missions.

As a result of the project, the college and the 100 hostel students now have a consistent, on-site water supply, significantly reducing dependence on external sources and improving overall campus hygiene and sustainability.

To ensure optimal groundwater availability, a survey was conducted to identify the most suitable location for drilling. A borewell was drilled to access a sustainable aquifer and then a high-capacity submersible pump was installed, along with durable piping and electrical connections to ensure efficient water extraction.

Jimi Basumatary, a resident of Chapaguri and a student at Don Bosco College, described life in the community as peaceful and community-oriented, but marked by limits to basic infrastructure. “Most of us depend on farming and small jobs nearby,” he said. “We live close to nature, but sometimes that means we have to deal with things like water shortages and poor connectivity.”

KENYA

Water wells are improving the quality of life for over 800 families in Korr, Kenya.

Salesians in Korr, a city in the Chalbi desert in Kenya, are building two wells thanks to donor funding from the Salesian Mission Office in Turin, Italy. The project involves the installation of solar pumps, pipes and a 20,000-liter (more than 5,200 gallon) tank. The water wells will improve the quality of life and health of over 800 families. One of the wells has been completed.

A Salesian said, “Imagine a girl who can finally attend school regularly because she no longer has to spend hours looking for water. Together we can make a difference, transforming their daily struggle for water into a story of change and hope. Let’s build together a future in which water access is no longer a privilege, but a right guaranteed for everyone.”

The ongoing drought and poverty, along with and the lack of running water, makes life difficult for the Samburu and Rendille tribes who live in this region. Every day is a quest to find water. People travel up to 15 km (more than 9 miles) to reach the nearest water point, which takes time away from education, work and family life. Women and children bear the greatest burden of this effort. The surface and underground wells, often distant and not always safe, are also used for subsistence farming activities.

NIGERIA

More than 1,700 people were impacted by a water project at the St. Jude Science and Technical College in Nigeria which was funded by Salesian Missions.

St. Jude Science and Technical College in Nigeria has been able to upgrade its water system thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. The funding came from the Salesian Missions “Clean Water Initiative” and impacted 1,300 students, 70 staff and 350 youth from the community.

Salesians conducted a survey to understand the gaps in water supply, sanitation facilities and hygiene practices in order to determine the best course of action for the project. This was followed by the construction and rehabilitation of the boreholes, wells and water storage. Salesians then launched school-based WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) clubs and outreach campaigns. Students and staff were trained on the operation and maintenance of the facilities.

Through the project, hand-washing points have been constructed at different places in the school compound. Existing toilets were renovated, and the project added more toilets in both the bathrooms for men and women and two for people with disabilities. Students and staff have easy access to the use of toilet facilities without any issue of overcrowding.

A Salesian noted, “The community played an active and enthusiastic role throughout the implementation of the WASH project. For many residents, both adults and children, the initiative introduced facilities and practices they had never encountered before. Their willingness to embrace the new systems and participate in training and maintenance activities reflects a promising foundation for long-term sustainability.”

UGANDA

The Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp in Uganda has a new water tank thanks to funding from Salesian Missions.

The Salesian Vocational Training School, located inside of the Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp in Uganda, has a new high-capacity water tank thanks to funding from Salesian Missions. The funding is part of the Salesian Missions “Clean Water Initiative.”

Salesian missionaries living and working among the refugees at Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp provide a range of educational and social development programs for the 93,000 people living in the camp. Most of them are from South Sudan, and 60% are under age 13. Salesians have been supporting refugees since the opening of the camp in 2016.

The new tank will help to provide water for the students at the vocational school and to the broader refugee population once the project is completed.

A Salesian noted, “The project aims to directly benefit more than 750 students and workers at Don Bosco Vocational Training School inside the camp. These populations, already living in extremely precarious conditions, depend on constant access to safe drinking water to meet their basic needs. The lack of sufficient storage capacity weakens the water supply, significantly increasing the risk of waterborne diseases such as diarrhea and cholera. The tank, once operational, will address this critical need by improving the availability, consistency, and quality of water distributed in the camp. The project will also have a structural impact on the daily lives of refugees.”

###

Sources:

INDIA: Students at Don Bosco College Chapaguri have new water supply thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions/Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

KENYA: Water wells to improve quality of life for over 800 families/ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS) 

NIGERIA: More than 1,700 people impacted by water project funded by Salesian Missions/Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions

UGANDA: Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp has new water tank thanks to funding from Salesian Missions/Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

World Water Day

The post WORLD WATER DAY: Salesian Missions highlights water projects that make clean, fresh water available in communities first appeared on MissionNewswire.

(MissionNewswire) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian organizations and countries around the globe in celebrating International Day of Happiness, which falls each year on March 20. In 2011, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution that recognized happiness as a “fundamental human goal” and called for “a more inclusive, equitable and balanced approach to economic growth that promotes the happiness and well-being of all people.”

The day is coordinated by Action for Happiness, a nonprofit movement of members from 160 countries, and is supported by a partnership of like-minded organizations. It was founded as a way to inspire, mobilize and advance the global happiness movement. In 2015, the U.N. launched the 17 Sustainable Development Goals that seek to end poverty, reduce inequality and protect the planet — three key aspects that lead to well-being and happiness.

“While education may be the Salesians’ primary focus, the goal is for youth to live healthy and happier lives,” said Father Michael Conway, director of Salesian Missions. “Salesians know that when youth can access education, they are able to live out their dreams, build a safe net of peers and trusting adults, and plan for their futures.”

In celebration of International Day of Happiness, Salesian Missions is proud to highlight Salesian programs that educate, empower and support youth.

MALAWI

Students at Don Bosco Secondary School in Malawi gained access to a new hall and library thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions.

Salesian missionaries completed construction of a new multipurpose hall at the Don Bosco Secondary School in Nkhotakota, Malawi, thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. The project is enhancing the educational environment and activities at the school.

The new hall will impact 420 students and all those who use the St. Paul’s parish, as well as youth from the local oratory. In addition, Salesians created a school library for the students.

A Salesian noted, “Thanks to this project, the school will benefit from the library and now have a place for assemblies, eating meals, playing games, sharing talents, socializing, studying and more. We are grateful for the support that was provided to us.”

With the funds, construction included leveling the ground around the hall structure to put in a slab. The building was constructed with room for 300 plastic chairs and 200 stools.

One of the beneficiaries is Kruza, who became the prefect of the library. With access to books and hours spent in the library, she has improved her grades, especially in science where she struggled the most. Her teacher was surprised that she improved from being a C to B student.

SYRIA

The Orphan Project in Syria helped to bring support and joy to children thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions.

Salesians were able to help support children at two orphanages in Aleppo, Syria*, thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. Both an Armenian orphanage housing 30 children and a Muslim orphanage hosting 50 children, aged 6-18, were supported through the ongoing project.

Volunteers engaged the children in activities such as sports and games, cultural and educational sessions, psychological workshops, interactive theater performances, and a carnival day. Children also had access to individual counseling sessions to begin or continue therapeutic support in a safe, confidential setting. Each child was also taken to choose a new pair of shoes.

Orphanages in Aleppo are critically under-resourced and face overwhelming challenges including overcapacity, staffing shortages, and limited funding to meet even the most basic needs of the children.

A Salesian noted, “The Orphan Project represented a powerful humanitarian initiative that delivered essential care and emotional support to orphaned children in Aleppo — regardless of their religion, background or community. Amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis and socioeconomic instability in the region, this project has served as a beacon of hope, offering these children not only essential resources but also dignity, love and belonging.”

UKRAINE

Students in Lviv, Ukraine are now playing volleyball on a new pitch thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions.

Salesian missionaries with the Salesian Lyceum in Lviv, Ukraine*, were able to use donor funding to install a volleyball pitch thanks to funding from Salesian Missions. The pitch was set up over the summer and ready for the start of the school semester in September 2025.

More than 400 students were impacted by the donation and have been able to now play volleyball during their physical education classes and afterschool activities. UNICEF reports that since the start of the conflict with Russia, more than 1,600 schools have been impacted by the bombing. Education has been interrupted for many students and they are no longer able to access coursework or have leisure activities with their friends.

The Salesian Lyceum has been meeting these needs for many students, many of whom have been internally displaced in the country. Some of the students are orphaned and in the care of relatives or the Salesians.

Father Taras Bayovskiy, headmaster of the Salesian Lyceum, said, “I am grateful that we now have a volleyball pitch. What we have available for students is limited, and promoting a healthy lifestyle through sports activities without adequate sports infrastructure has always been a challenge for us. We now have a soccer field, a volleyball court and modular locker rooms. These facilities enable us to participate in three student sports leagues including soccer, volleyball, and rugby.”

WEST AFRICA

Donor funding from Salesian Missions provided scholarships for 209 students in West Africa.

Salesian missionaries in the Our Lady of Peace provincial community were able to provide 209 scholarships to youth who are disadvantaged thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. The Antonio César scholarship program took place in Benin, Burkina Faso, Gambia, Guinea, Mali* and Senegal.

According to the UNESCO Statistical Institute, sub-Saharan Africa has the highest rates of exclusion from education. More than a fifth of children aged about 6-11 are out of school, a third of children aged about 12-14 and nearly 60% of young people aged about 15-17. The region faces a growing demand for education due to its steadily increasing school-age population. Girls face greater exclusion from school than boys of the same age.

Youth receiving the scholarships were aged 8-25, and they were either orphaned or from families that could not afford their schooling.

A Salesian explained, “We want to ensure that all youth have a chance to gain an education, particularly girls who face greater disadvantages in accessing education. Salesians provide education and social development programs to support poor youth and their families. It is our goal to connect all youth, despite their disadvantages, to education where they can gain skills for later employment and to succeed in life.”

###

Sources:

Photos courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

International Day of Happiness

MALAWI: Don Bosco Secondary School has new hall thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions

Salesian Missions

SYRIA: Orphan Project brings support, joy to children thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions

UKRAINE: Students access new volleyball pitch thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions

WEST AFRICA: Donor funding from Salesian Missions provides scholarships for 209 students

*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.

The post INT’L DAY OF HAPPINESS: Salesian Missions highlights programs that educate and empower youth first appeared on MissionNewswire.

TANZANIA

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries with the Don Bosco Igawa Parish in Tanzania have fresh, clean water for their community thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The funding was part of the Salesian Missions “Clean Water Initiative” and was implemented to respond to chronic water scarcity affecting Igawa village and surrounding rural communities in the Mbeya region.

With the new water access, more than 10,000 people have clean water, reducing time spent fetching water, particularly for women and children. Hygiene and school attendance improved, and waterborne illness decreased in the village.

People in the area rely on subsistence farming and small livestock. Before the intervention, residents depended on distant, seasonal and often unsafe water sources such as shallow wells and seasonal streams, exposing families to waterborne diseases and long daily travel times for water collection.

With the funding, Salesians were able to conduct professional hydrogeological and geophysical surveys to identify a viable and sustainable aquifer. Once it and all permits were established, the drilling for a deep borehole was completed, including casing, gravel packing and sanitary sealing. The funding also provided for the installation of an electric-powered submersible pump and a 5,000-liter (approximately 1,320 gallon) water storage tank and distribution points for community access.

Mariana Mtawa, a resident, said, “Before the borehole was drilled, my children and I used to wake up very early to look for water. Sometimes we walked more than two hours, and even then, the water we found was not clean. During the dry season, it was very difficult, and my children would miss school because they were tired or sick. When drilling started, we were worried because we had heard the rocks were very hard, and the first machine failed. We prayed that the work would not stop. When water was finally reached, the whole village celebrated.”

Mtawa added, “Now we have water every day near the parish. My children are healthier, they go to school on time and I can use the extra time to work on my farm. Even though the tank is still small, we are very grateful, and we hope the bigger tank will come soon. This water has changed our lives.”

In Tanzania, 67.9% of the population lives below the poverty line. While the country has seen some economic growth in tourism, mining, trade and communication, the number of Tanzanians living below the poverty line has marginally increased due to rapid population growth. In some regions, up to half of the population struggles to meet the cost of essential food and shelter and other basic necessities like clothing, health care and education.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Tanzania

UNICEF – Tanzania

The post TANZANIA: Water project funded by Salesian Missions ensures clean water access to 10,000 people in Don Bosco Igawa Parish first appeared on MissionNewswire.

MYANMAR

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Youth Center in Kalay, Myanmar*, was able to update and expand classrooms to create more spaces for education. The funding came from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. Salesians were able to add five classrooms, which will enable them to admit more students.

Kalay is located at the gate to the northern Chin State and is one of the business border towns adjacent to India. In 2021, the military took over the town, destroying everything. Salesians report that fighting happens on the outskirts of town, houses are burned down, roads are blocked and youth run away from the town for their safety. Life has become more difficult with people living well below the poverty line. With the economy down, many people are engaged in smuggling goods or enter early marriages without hope for the future.

A Salesian reported, “Don Bosco Youth Center is the only boarding school for youth. Many come seek our care for education and spiritual growth. The expansion of these classrooms allows us to serve many more vulnerable and at-risk youth who have little opportunity for education.”

A resident in the community, Ko Khai No, explained, “I know many youth who are taking classes at the center. Don Bosco, with its preventive system, brings positive changes for youth and their families. I am quite impressed and grateful for the Salesians for all they are doing in our community.”

Despite the challenges in the country, Salesian missionaries continue supporting people who are the most vulnerable, and efforts have expanded to the creation of a long-term global aid plan to help people rebuild their lives after the earthquake.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

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.

The post MYANMAR: Don Bosco Youth Center expands classrooms thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

(MissionNewswire) Salesians in Marianówka, a village in Poland, have been able to make repairs to a chapel thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. As part of the project, the structure of the chapel roof, the central section and the floor were reinforced. The reinforcement increases the level of safety and will make it possible to apply for the necessary certificates from the fire brigade for the use of this part of the facility.

A Salesian explained, “This construction project made it possible to achieve the safety standards required by law. This will, in turn, allow us to apply for the necessary state permits to use the building. Obtaining these permits will make it possible to safely host groups of children and youth from our schools and parishes, interested families, and visitors.”

The Salesian added, “The Salesian house and the chapel are used by school-aged youth who come to our house, as well as to nearby recreational centers. Throughout the year, students and young families, various formation groups, as well as emigrants, mostly from Ukraine, also visit us. In the last year, the house was used by approximately 1,200 people, and more than 4,000 people participated in services in the chapel over the course of the year.”

Salesians in this community provide support to those who need extra assistance, like those who cannot afford coal in the winter. Youth utilize the Salesian house to connect with their peers, engage with adult role models and have time for respite through recreational activities. Salesian missionaries in Poland and bordering countries have been providing shelter and support to refugees from Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion in March 2022.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions

The post POLAND: Salesians make repairs to chapel thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

MADAGASCAR

(MissionNewswire) Students attending the Salesian technical and vocational center, located in Mahajanga, Madagascar, will benefit from newly constructed facilities. The funding has come from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The work began in March 2025 and currently continues.

The project will benefit 400 students with the Salesian community as well as those living in the broader community who will have access to the education offered.

The TAFITA Enterprise is responsible for the construction of the ground and first floors of the building. The Salesian community has made the effort to increase its participation to cover certain expenses such as transport of materials, water and electricity, as well as other accessories for construction.

A Salesian noted, “This project is essential for the education of youth in the region. There is little access to high-quality vocational and technical training so youth can learn the skills for employment. We had more students than could fit in the current center and we need to expand to better meet the needs of the community. This construction project, once its finished, will allow us to provide better education to more students.”

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. Seventy percent of Madagascar’s almost 19 million people live in poverty with 5.7 million of those youth between the ages of 10-24, according to UNICEF.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Madagascar

UNICEF – Madagascar

The post MADAGASCAR: Salesian technical and vocational center constructs new building thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

(MissionNewswire) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian organizations and countries around the globe in celebrating International Women’s Day on March 8. The day honors the economic, political and social achievements of women while focusing the world’s attention on areas requiring further action.

This year’s theme #GivetoGain encourages a mindset of generosity and collaboration. According to the International Women’s Day website, the theme “emphasizes the power of reciprocity and support. When people, organizations, and communities give generously, opportunities and support for women increase. Giving is not a subtraction, it’s intentional multiplication. When women thrive, we all rise. Whether through donations, knowledge, resources, infrastructure, visibility, advocacy, education, training, mentoring, or time, contributing to women’s advancement helps create a more supportive and interconnected world.”

Father Michael Conway, director of Salesian Missions, explained, “Salesian missionaries living and working in more than 130 countries are focused on empowering young women and girls with targeted programs. These programs provide opportunities for education and training that lead to livable wage employment. The goal is to empower young women so they are able to make good life choices for themselves, have hope for the future and achieve their dreams.”

In honor of International Women’s Day, Salesian Missions is proud to share Salesian programs around the globe that educate and empower girls and women.

ECUADOR

Women who face unemployment and gender violence gained self-sufficiency at a Salesian training in Esmeraldas, Ecuador.

The María Auxiliadora Formation Center in Ecuador held training initiatives for women in Esmeraldas who face unemployment, lack of resources, gender violence and abandonment, or who are heads of household. The training was taught by three lay professionals and included 12 courses over six employment sectors.

A Salesian explained, “Providing this training has allowed women to gain the skills needed for employment. Some are able to find jobs after the training while others start a small business of their own. Most importantly, they are able to earn an income to become self-sufficient.”

The center was launched 10 years ago in the San Rafael Valley, in the province of Esmeraldas, with the collaboration of the Salesian Ecuador Project and the Salesian San Juan Bosco Community in Esmeraldas. The mission was to support vulnerable populations in a place marked by violence, drug trafficking, poverty and lack of opportunities.

INDIA

Don Bosco Nava Nirman in India provided 32 girls with scholarships thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions.

Don Bosco Nava Nirman, located in Muniguda, India, provided scholarships for 32 girls thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. The school was developed in 2010 after the Kandhamal violence in the region in 2008. One of the greatest contributions Salesians make in the region is through their education, especially for youth who are poor and marginalized.

A Salesian noted, “We have been concentrating on the education of girls and young women, which is an urgent need in this area. Generally, girls are marginalized by the parents as well as the society at large as they are not seen as potential earners in the workplace. Our entry into the education of the girls is in a way an attempt to transform this general perception. Today, through support provided to us, we are able to educate many girls through our scholarship program.”

Donor funding helped to offset the cost for hostel fees, as well as academic fees and book purchases. Although the school received funds for 26 scholarships, it was able to make scholarships available for additional children. In total, 32 children received financial support for their education.

MALAWI

Eighty girls at Don Bosco High School in Malawi have improved living conditions thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions.

Don Bosco High School, located in Nkhotakota, Malawi, has improved living conditions for 80 young girls thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. The project funding was used to purchase five buildings as well as the adjacent land. The new area was also fenced for safety.

Three houses were renovated and adequately equipped. One house and another building were taken down because they were not in good condition. Seven toilets and 14 showers were constructed, as well as a stand for two 5,000-liter water tanks. Water and electricity were also connected.

A Salesian explained, “The main objective of the project was to create better safety and living conditions for the school girls. This was achieved, and as a result, the girls punctuality improved because of the availability of more showers, toilets and water.”

Jenallah Mkandawire is a teacher at the school. Before the project, she noted that the living conditions were not adequate for the girls. She explained, “Now the girls are on time and have adequate water for washing their clothes and sanitary needs. Since they have more places to wash themselves and to wash their clothes, the general hygiene of school has improved.”

SIERRA LEONE

Young women who have been exploited receive comprehensive support at Don Bosco Fambul in Sierra Leone.

Don Bosco Fambul, located in Freetown, Sierra Leone and one of the country’s leading child-welfare organizations, supports young women who have been victims of the sex trade by providing them with training in hotel, catering, tailoring, or hairdressing disciplines, or formal education. Recently, 35 school pupils and 50 skills training students received financial aid, food and clothing through support from donors including Medicor Foundation, Jugend Eine Welt, and the City of Vienna.

Every beneficiary received a bag of rice to help meet their nutritional needs, a cash contribution to support daily expenses, and a packet of assorted clothing items to enhance their comfort and dignity. This support is crucial in improving the overall well-being of the youth and enabling them to thrive in their respective environments.

Don Bosco Fambul also facilitates the Mobil Project, designed to identify areas where children living on the streets and girls involved in commercial sex work face significant risks. The project’s primary mission is to recruit youth in need into the program, provide them with rehabilitation and support, and reintegrate them into society as empowered individuals. In the 2024-2025 academic year, the Mobil Project proudly supported 55 students in grades ranging from primary and senior secondary school. The students received school bags, learning materials, and financial aid to cover their school fees and other associated expenses.

A Salesian said, “This crucial support ensures that these students can concentrate on their education without the burden of financial challenges. This remarkable achievement would not have been possible without the generous contributions of our incredible donors. Their unwavering support is making a lasting impact, transforming lives and paving the way for a brighter future for these children. We thank them for being a part of this journey.”

###

Sources:

ECUADOR: Women gain self-sufficiency/ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS)

INDIA: Don Bosco Nava Nirman provides 32 girls with scholarships thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions/Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

International Women’s Day

MALAWI: 80 girls at Don Bosco High School have improved living conditions thanks to donors from Salesian Missions/Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions

SIERRA LEONE: Young women who have been exploited receive comprehensive support/ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS)

The post INT’L WOMEN’S DAY: Salesian Missions highlights programs that educate and empower women and girls first appeared on MissionNewswire.

(MissionNewswire) Salesians were able to provide scholarships to 325 youth thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The youth came from 18 communities in six countries in West Africa, including Benin, Burkina Faso, Gambia, Guinea Conakry, Mali* and Gambia. The Antonio César scholarships covered schooling, supplies and support for transportation.

Salesians also held awareness days to promote the importance of education for these youth, to encourage them in their studies and to prepare them for the future. These activities supported parents and Salesian confreres as well as helped schools address challenges in getting these youth to remain in school.

One of the youth supported through the program was 16-year-old Nathan. He is a student at St. Jean Bosco in Cotonou, Benin. Nathan lost his father when he was young and lives with his mother who has few resources.

Nathan said, “For a long time, I thought that my school journey would stop due to a lack of resources. I didn’t believe I’d be able to continue my studies, let alone be able to attend professional training. But everything changed thanks to the scholarship that I received. I was able to complete my secondary education and obtain my baccalaureate. I am now pursuing professional training with the firm desire to succeed and learn a profession and one day be able to support my family like they have supported me.”

He added, “This scholarship transformed my life. It gave me hope, confidence and a real direction to follow. I would like to express my deep gratitude the school and to all partners and benefactors who make this project possible. Thanks to you, young people like me can dream again and especially believe in a better future.”

According to the UNESCO Statistical Institute, sub-Saharan Africa has the highest rates of exclusion from education. More than a fifth of children aged about 6-11 are out of school, a third of children aged about 12-14 and nearly 60% of young people aged about 15-17. The region faces a growing demand for education due to its steadily increasing school-age population. Girls face greater exclusion from school than boys of the same age.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions

UNESCO Institute for Statistics

*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.

The post WEST AFRICA: Donor funding from Salesian Missions provides scholarships for 325 students first appeared on MissionNewswire.

ZAMBIA

(MissionNewswire) The Garden Open Community School, located in Thorn Park, a neighborhood in Lusaka, Zambia, has solar panels and newly painted classrooms in the primary section thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco.

The improvements to the school aid the learning environment for the students in vulnerable situations who attend. The enrollment keeps growing as the government schools are crowded with sometimes more than 100 students to a classroom. The Salesian sisters who run the school provide smaller class sizes and a good education.

The school serves primary and secondary students as well as adults who take trade education in computer studies, hospitality and cooking. Nine of the classrooms were constructed in 1993, and the project helped improve those outdated classrooms.

A Salesian sister said, “This was an important project to help the school improve the learning environment for students. The solar panels have allowed us to save on the cost of diesel for the school. This funding can be used now to help make improvements in the school for the students.”

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.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Zambia

UNICEF – Zambia

The post ZAMBIA: Garden Open Community School makes improvements thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

VENEZUELA

(MissionNewswire) The Salesian Entrepreneurship School of San Félix, located in Bolivar, Venezuela*, has a new roof over the computer laboratory and wing where four classrooms are located thanks to donor funding. The funding was provided by Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The project included the tear-down of the previous roof and then cleaning and repairing the metal structure, applying anti-corrosion protection, and installing a thermo-panel sheeting system.

The construction project ensured a safe, optimal and welcoming learning space to enhance the training for youth. The replacement of the roof eliminated leaks and structural risks, protecting equipment, furniture, and facilities. The environmental conditions of classrooms and laboratories were improved, providing greater comfort, better acoustics, and a safe learning environment. The risk of accidents associated with leaks or falling debris was reduced.

A Salesian said, “The new infrastructure promotes academic performance and motivates student attendance and participation, positively impacting the continuity of their education. The school reputation was strengthened, projecting a commitment to educational quality and increasing community satisfaction, which may attract new students.”

Yamilet Garcia, a 29-year-old student, considers the roof restoration project as fundamental to a good learning environment, since the laboratories previously represented a risk both for the equipment and for students due to the holes in the roof. She pointed out that before the repair, lack of electrical power and deterioration forced students to study outside the classroom and use computers in church. Since the project finished, she added, “We are very happy and satisfied that the project has been completed and we have a new roof.”

The work was completed during the vacation period, which minimized the impact on academic activities. The use of local workers also strengthened ties with the community and contributed to the social sustainability of the project.

Salesian missionaries have been living and working in Venezuela long before the country’s political and economic crisis began. They operate schools, youth centers, and other programs that support youth in need and their families. An estimated 87% of the population is currently living in poverty, and essential goods such as food and medicine are scarce.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

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.

The post VENEZUELA: Salesian Entrepreneurship School finishes roofing project thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

SOUTH SUDAN

(MissionNewswire) Youth attending the St. Vincent De Paul School, run by the Salesian sisters in Gumbo, South Sudan*, have improved sanitation and access to workshops, along with a new equality club, thanks to donor funding. The funding was provided by Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco.

Donor funding helped with the construction of new bathroom facilities for girls, strengthening gender equality in the school community. Dehay Company LTD, a local firm employing local workers, built the structure. The roof was then finished and a rainwater disposal system was installed, along with doors, windows, walls, flooring, ceiling, plumbing and fittings.

While construction was happening, teachers implemented regular hygiene and gender equality awareness sessions. From March to September 2025, the sessions were delivered during daily school assemblies. In total, 24 awareness sessions were conducted, covering topics such as personal hygiene, hand-washing practices, oral hygiene, safe use and maintenance of toilets, menstrual health, body changes, and maintaining a clean environment at school and at home. More than 1,100 students participated in these sessions.

In addition, an equality club was established and became active during the academic year. The club reached 53 students from grade 3 until grade 7. The club promoted equal participation among boys and girls in the school and strengthened gender-sensitive practices. A total of 14 leaders were appointed to motivate their peers and support the implementation of the planned program. Under the guidance of teachers, the club organized mixed sports tournaments, gender-themed debates and shared responsibilities for school duties. These activities fostered collaboration, encouraged balanced participation and promoted positive gender roles across the school community.

Charity Poni Lino, one of the teachers at the school, said, “Life in Gumbo is challenging and it is not easy as a teacher. I see that most of people struggle even to pay school fees, but we know that education can change our future. My wish is to study hard and become a doctor so that I can help others girls and my community.”

About the project, she noted, “Before the construction, most of the girls faced challenges with the lack of enough toilets. Both students and teachers were excited by the changes as well as the gender awareness campaign. It helped the whole school community.”

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.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

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.

The post SOUTH SUDAN: St. Vincent De Paul School launches gender equality initiatives thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

CHAD

(MissionNewswire) More than 1,000 youth living in poverty in a rural area of Koumra, Chad, have a new gym thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The gym was constructed primarily for the education of vulnerable youth and women.

Koumra, the capital of Mandoul Oriental, is a major agricultural and commercial center in southern Chad. The city faces structural challenges including insufficient energy with frequent power cuts and fuel shortages, limited urban infrastructure, and restricted access to basic services.

Salesian sisters with Daughters of Mary Help of Christians community were responsible for overseeing the project. The gymnasium will ensure the smooth operation of the youth center and the oratory. Together with the youth leaders, the gym will be properly cared for.

Allaïssem Xavier Ngarsales, aged 19, is a Salesian youth leader helping to support oratory activities on Sunday afternoons. She explained, “We entertain younger children with games and try to teach them things through play, sports, theater, and crafts. On very hot days and days of heavy rain, apart from a few trees, we had no shelter to safely accommodate the children.”

Ngarsales was excited by the prospect of a new gym. She said, “The gymnasium perfectly meets our needs. It provides a training space for us, a welcoming place for children and young people, a film screening venue, and a place where we can stay overnight during major events.”

She added, “It’s important to advertise so that all young people understand they are welcome at the center, that it’s for everyone. The benches and mats will allow us to accommodate large audiences for performances. In the future, we would like to have an office for the center, a meeting room, and a space where actors can prepare and change.”

Most of Chad is covered by desert and this presents a significant challenge for a developing country that depends largely on subsistence farming. The most successful practice is migratory farming, where herds can move and adapt to changing climate conditions, but even this practice is severely limited by resources.

Women in Chad also face significant gender discrimination. They often must work outside the home as well raise a family, tend the farms, gather water and cook. Yet they are culturally limited from access to education or training, and marginalized by society. These women are especially vulnerable to the psychological as well as physical effects of poverty.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Chad

World Food Programme – Chad

The post CHAD: 1,000 youth benefit from new gym thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries working and living in several locations in Ukraine* have been provided emergency support for the winter thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco.

Salesian centers in Korostiv, Skhidnytsia, Dnipro, Vynnyky, Kyiv and Lviv were impacted by this donation. In addition, the emergency support impacted 650 students at the Salesian schools in Lviv and 20 displaced persons in Vynnyky.

The Salesian centers are experiencing frequent power outages and this is particularly difficult in the winter because of the lack of heat. The project allowed for the purchase and installation of four generators, which have ensured that facilities continue to function, especially the schools, where uninterrupted education was guaranteed. The funding also supported the purchase of diesel fuel for the generators. The generators provide both alternative lighting and heating.

In one of the facilities, an old boiler was repaired and elements of the heating system were replaced. In addition, the hot water system was repaired at the Salesian center in Vynnyky, ensuring proper heating and sanitation.

Father Mykhaylo Chaban, superior of the Salesian Mary Help of Christians Vice-Province of the Greek-Catholic Rite in Ukraine, explained, “The funding gave us hope and support to endure all the challenges we face during wartime, especially in the cold winter. With your help, we have light and warmth for living, uninterrupted training and working processes.”

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.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

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.

The post UKRAINE: Salesians in several communities receive emergency support for winter thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

ARGENTINA

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries were able to strengthen three vocational training centers for improved learning in southern Argentina thanks to donor funding. The funding was provided by Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco.

These centers, which serve students who are poor and marginalized, can now provide access to up-to-date and relevant job training, providing students with real tools for the current labor market.

A Salesian noted, “The quality of teaching in the courses has increased substantially, including the incorporation of the new equipment, and updating and expansion of content related to emerging technologies.”

For example, at Don Bosco Villa Itatí students have better equipment to practice their skills in building maintenance, gastronomy, basketry, carpentry and blacksmithing through the renovation of machinery and tools. In addition, the San Juan Bosco Vocational Training Center and the Avellaneda Vocational Training Center have better equipment for students learning the automotive mechanic trade. Students can practice their skills in the classroom with equipment similar to that in the automotive workshops in the area.

Students also have greater access to internships. The education now includes practice in real-work conditions, a fundamental aspect for the acquisition of competencies, skills and abilities.

Pablo Rodriguez, who attends San Juan Bosco Vocational Training Center, is taking the course in front axle, suspension and steering mechanics. Before he started the course, he didn’t know anything about cars. He would like to continue courses at the training center and will enroll in the automotive electronics and electrical course next.

Rodriguez explained, “Although my current course has already finished, I will continue to come because I like the school. I came here not knowing anything about cars and now I have not only learned about tools, but I also enjoy performing complex vehicle diagnostics. My plan is to continue studying more things about the car, starting with automotive electricity.”

Matías Balza, attending Don Bosco Villa Itatí, has been working in gastronomy for many years. He was encouraged to start entrepreneurship with other classmates and a colleague. He said, “We are very happy because it began to go well. I continue with gastronomy and in my free time and on weekends we do blacksmithing work.”

More than a quarter of the people in Argentina live in conditions of poverty with no formal employment and poor-quality education, according to the World Bank. The country’s high school dropout rate is close to 37% and youth account for a third of those unemployed. Almost 12% of children aged 5-17 are working instead of being in school and 20% need government assistance. Many face malnutrition, a lack of clean water and sewage, and inadequate housing.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Argentina

World Bank – Argentina

The post ARGENTINA: Salesian vocational centers make improvements with donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

UGANDA

(MissionNewswire) More than 4,800 youth at Salesian schools in Uganda have access to better nutrition through a partnership between Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, and Rise Against Hunger, a nonprofit that helps underserved people worldwide achieve food security and resilience through nutrition, education and economic empowerment. Youth at Salesian schools and at Don Bosco Palabek received the meals in the first half of 2025.

At St. Joseph Vocational Training Center, meals supported students during their studies and large-scale events like Women’s Day and the Don Bosco sports tournament. As a result, the school was able to redirect funds toward learning materials. Students showed better concentration and performance, and community members expressed appreciation.

At Don Bosco CALM, daily hot meals were served to hundreds of youth, including weekend rations for boarding students. The center also distributed take-home meals to neighboring households and held two sessions on dietary health and food safety for caregivers. As a result, school attendance rose from 87% to 95%, and there was a 9% improvement in end-of-year exam pass rates. Malnourished children reached healthy BMIs, and parents reported financial relief as a result of the meal support.

Meals were also distributed at Don Bosco Palabek for children and youth in the early childhood development program and the vocational training center, helping maintain program stability amid broader food shortages. The camp managed to sustain school operations during a regional food crisis. The meals boosted morale and educational continuity and enabled the center to allocate funds toward education materials and facility improvements.

Finally, at the Don Bosco Vocational Training Center in Bombo, the meals helped the school avoid a food crisis during school sessions, attracted new enrollments due to improved student welfare and fostered community bonds through inclusive meal-sharing events. The center also supported poor local families with the meals and began expanding vocational education offerings.

Frank, a student at Don Bosco Vocational Training Center, is currently studying metal fabrication and wishes to be a professional welder. Frank comes from a very poor family and is an orphan who lives with his siblings. Due to financial constraints, they could only afford to have one small meal so that everyone could have something to eat.

Frank said, “Ever since I started receiving Rise Against Hunger meals, my life has really greatly improved because I no longer miss any important meal.’’ He said that his grades and those of other students are better because students now go to class with the right energy after receiving lunch.

When asked about his hopes for the future, Frank said, “In the future, I want to be a welder who provides the best quality services for my customers. With that career path, I hope to create financial freedom for my family so that none of my family members has to suffer from hunger again.”

Salesians at the schools work primarily with boys who are homeless and those who have been orphaned, battered, and neglected. They also provide support for other youth and children who are vulnerable, including those who are HIV/AIDS positive. All of the children are in school with some attending Don Bosco Primary School, Salesian secondary schools and vocational training institutes.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Rise Against Hunger

Salesian Missions – Uganda

World Bank – Uganda

The post UGANDA: More than 4,800 youth receive Rise Against Hunger meals through a partnership with Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

(MissionNewswire) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian organizations and the international community in honoring Feb. 12 as Red Hand Day, also known as the International Day Against the Use of Child Soldiers. The day was started when the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict entered into force on Feb. 12, 2002. This protocol was adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations (U.N.) in May 2000 and has been ratified by 168 U.N. member states.

In 2001, the U.N. Security Council sent a powerful message to the world that the recruitment of child soldiers would no longer be tolerated. Resolution 1379 requested the U.N. secretary-general attach an annex to their report on children and armed conflict, in which they would list parties to conflict who recruit and use children in situations on the U.N. Security Council’s agenda. Subsequent resolutions added four additional triggers for listing: sexual violence, killing and maiming, attacks on schools and hospitals, and abduction of children.

The U.N. has noted that instead of adhering to commitments to stop using child soldiers, the numbers are increasing. “Instead of ending the practice, armed groups have increased recruitment and use of children for armed conflict purposes, from Colombia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to the Lake Chad basin, Mozambique, the Sahel, Sudan, Somalia, Syria and Haiti. Most of the impacted children were abducted and forcibly recruited. Most of these children are girls who have suffered rape and sexual violence, and have been bought, sold and trafficked.”

Salesian organizations around the globe give youth who have been recruited as child soldiers a chance at a better life. They offer shelter, counseling and education to help youth gain the skills for later employment.

“Salesian missionaries work with former child soldiers so that they may overcome the traumas of war and reintegrate into society,” said Father Michael Conway, director of Salesian Missions. “They have faced trauma and often need special care. Salesian work goes far beyond education. Salesian centers provide social and psychological support, medical care and beyond for these youth.”

In honor of International Day Against the Use of Child Soldiers, Salesian Missions is proud to highlight Salesian programs that help former child soldiers by offering education and psycho-social support.

COLOMBIA

Salesians work to rehabilitate young soldiers through education and training in Colombia.

Salesian missionaries are helping former child soldiers and at-risk youth in Colombia gain an education and have hope for the future.

Don Bosco City, located in Medellín, has been working with youth for more than 55 years and has saved more than 1,300 from a life of violence. The long rehabilitation process at Don Bosco City focuses on three things youth need to learn — how to trust, to have hope for the future and to build relationships with others. Psychologists and teachers work together with youth, giving them the tools for a better future including basic education and more advanced skills training that will lead to stable employment.

Don Bosco City is one of the oldest and largest programs for street children in Latin America. Since its start in 1965, the program has rescued more than 83,000 boys and girls. Through the program, Salesian missionaries offer a multi-pronged approach designed to address the broad social issues that contribute to the poverty and exploitation these youth face while training them in the skills necessary to break the cycle of violence and poverty.

LIBERIA

The Salesian-run Mary Help of Christians School in Liberia educates 560 students each year, many of whom are former child soldiers.

Operated by Salesian sisters, Mary Help of Christians School in Liberia provides a foundation of education and support for young students who would otherwise have limited opportunities — many of whom are former child soldiers. The school started in 1993 and serves just over 560 students. The school also has a feeding program, which serves more than 100 students each day.

This is one of many schools that Salesian missionaries operate in Liberia. Salesians have been present in Monrovia since 1979 and manage parishes, youth centers, schools and oratories.

In 2019, Don Bosco Technical High School, also in Monrovia, launched a vocational training course for electro-technicians. An afternoon class is available to high school students, which complements their current educational path. There is also a morning class for young workers to help them obtain certification to improve their options in the workforce.

MALI

Bosco Global supports Salesian Père Michael Training Center in Mali with sports equipment, a music training center and health education.

The Salesian Père Michael Training Center in Bamako, the capital and largest city of Mali*, is bringing joy, providing education, and cultivating peace among children and older youth. The center keeps its doors open all day and provides support to hundreds of youth from the Niarela district and the outskirts of the city. It also works as a deterrent for children being recruited as child soldiers.

Youth come to the center to play sports, learn music or study at its library. The center provides a safe haven where youth have an opportunity to live, dream of a future, study, and learn the importance of being committed and collaborating in groups. They are able to express themselves freely and access the support of adults.

The goal is to keep young people, ages 12-25, away from the street and harmful habits such as alcohol or drugs. Instead, youth are offered an educational space during their free time which promotes cultural activities and allows the development of values. Salesian missionaries have been able to access sports equipment for the girls basketball team, set up a music training center, and organize health and hygiene awareness days to prevent diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.

SYRIA

Youth focus on education as path toward a better future at Salesian centers in Syria.

Salesian centers in Syria* are providing youth a safe haven and a place where they can continue to cultivate their dreams and their faith through education and support. Salesian centers are located in Aleppo, Damascus and Kafroun.

A Salesian said, “In a country devastated by years of war, young Syrians stand as symbols of resilience and hope. Despite the countless difficulties that surround them, they show a surprising skill and intelligence and an ability to face daily challenges with determination and a spirit of sacrifice. Syria, with its destroyed political and social landscape, may seem a place where the future is uncertain and prospects are scarce, but young people, despite living in physical and emotional ruins, manage to build spaces of hope and give value to the present.”

The path for these youth has been fraught with challenges. The war, which began in 2011, was followed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The earthquake in February 2023 left behind a long trail of destruction. Economic difficulties are one of the most serious challenges for young Syrians, who often have to choose between working to contribute to family sustenance or continuing to study. High costs, a lack of job opportunities and an unstable political context make it almost impossible to plan for a peaceful future.

The Salesian noted, “Young Syrians show a great capacity for adaptation and an extraordinary desire to get involved. Several of them excel in their studies, despite the precarious conditions in which they find themselves living. Others try to find a way to earn a living. They are finding creative solutions to complex problems, from managing daily life to surviving in extremely difficult conditions. Many of these boys and girls see education as a way to build a better future, and, despite the economic difficulties, they invest every resource to continue their education.”

###

Sources:

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

COLOMBIA: Salesians work to rehabilitate young soldiers

LIBERIA: Salesian-run Mary Help of Christians School educates 560 students each year

MALI: Center provides safe haven for youth

Red Hand Day

Salesian Missions

SYRIA: Youth focus on education as path toward future

Red Hand Day

United Nations – Recruitment of child soldiers is on the rise, despite global commitments

*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.

The post INT’L DAY AGAINST THE USE OF CHILD SOLDIERS: Salesians educate and provide psycho-social support for former child soldiers first appeared on MissionNewswire.

(MissionNewswire) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins Catholic organizations around the globe in honoring the Catholic World Day of the Sick. Every year on Feb. 11, the Pope marks the day with a special message calling for spiritual and physical closeness to all those who are ill. Saint John Paul II instituted the day “to encourage the people of God, Catholic health institutions and civil society to be increasingly attentive to the sick and to those who care for them.”

This year’s theme “The compassion of the Samaritan: loving by bearing the pain of the other” centers on the Gospel figure of the Samaritan, who demonstrates love by caring for the suffering man who fell in with robbers. The Vatican noted, “It highlights a key dimension of love for one’s neighbor: love must be expressed through concrete acts of closeness, by taking on the suffering of others — especially those who are ill, and often also vulnerable due to poverty, isolation, or loneliness.”

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 of youth and their families.

Father Michael Conway, director of Salesian Missions, said, “Through hospitals, dispensaries and mobile medical clinics, Salesians are addressing the medical needs of those in often remote areas that have little access to care. Salesians know that while education may be the primary focus, ensuring youth are healthy enables them to attend school and have a better focus on their education.”

On Catholic World Day of the Sick 2026, Salesian Missions is proud to highlight medical and health programs that provide critical supplies and services to those living in poverty.

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

Funding from Salesian Missions helped to ship critical medical supplies for a clinic in Central African Republic.

Salesian missionaries in Bangui, Central African Republic*, had the supplies needed for a medical clinic thanks to a shipment of goods funded in part by Salesian Missions. The shipment was sent by Collaboration Santé Internationale (International Health Collaboration), a Canadian organization focused on responding to the needs of health centers in developing countries.

Funding for the shipment was provided by both Salesian Missions and Don Bosco Foundation Paris. The shipment contained electric hospital beds, neonatal incubators, exam tables, filing cabinets, lab coats, amoxicillin, quinine, first aid supplies and vitamins.

The medical clinic was completed with funding from the French government through Don Bosco Foundation Paris. Don Bosco Foundation Paris requested assistance from Salesian Missions with funding for the shipment and for its extensive experience in shipping humanitarian aid around the globe.

DR CONGO

Six programs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including a hospital, received healthy meals through Rise Against Hunger’s partnership with Salesian Missions.

Oeuvres Maman Marguerite, a network of Salesian centers located in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo*, received a shipment of nutritious meals through a partnership between Salesian Missions and Rise Against Hunger, a nonprofit that helps underserved people worldwide achieve food security and resilience through nutrition, education and economic empowerment. The shipment provided meals for six programs at a prison, a hospital, orphanages, a hospice for the elderly and training centers. More than 1,200 people were fed as a result of this shipment.

One of the recipients is Mechak Kahozi, aged 14, who is attending the Bakanja Ville Welcome House. Kahozi had lived with his father, stepmother and aunt until he was mistreated at home and took to the streets. He has been living at the Salesian house since 2023. Kahozi is back in school and looking forward to a brighter future. He would like to become a mechanic and have his own garage. He’d also like to be a mentor to children like him.

Kahozi said, “Since I started eating Rise Against Hunger meals, I feel good and healthy. I really enjoy it. It’s important for me because it gives me good health, and we don’t get sick frequently anymore. I like to sit next to everyone I live with when it’s time to eat dinner.”

INDIA

Four students at the Salesian College Siliguri in India created innovative heart attack prediction software.

Four students from the Salesian College Siliguri in India have created innovative heart attack prediction software. At a recent event, the team showcased the technology in a live demo and were encouraged to get a patent for their work.

The software was built from scratch by the first-year bachelor of computer applications students in collaboration with the Radio Club’s tech members. Designed to analyze health data and predict potential risks of cardiac arrest, the project is a major product achievement.

The core development team was led by Anand Kumar and supported by Ronish Minj, Othniel Samuel and Rahul Kumar Sah. Each brought unique strengths to the project, shaping it into a working prototype that blends innovation with compassion.

Kumar explained his vision, “I wanted this project to prove that technology can feel human.” Minj added, “It’s more than a model — it’s our small step toward saving lives.” Samuel reflected, “Innovation in health care should start where compassion meets data.” Sah shared, “Every test run made the system stronger and us more curious.”

VENEZUELA

Salesian missionaries in Venezuela have medical insurance coverage thanks in part to donor funding from Salesian Missions.

Salesian missionaries in Venezuela* were able to cover a portion of the Salesian medical insurance thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. The insurance coverage includes medical consultations, hospitalizations and necessary procedures for unforeseen health situations for 125 people, including youth in formation, coadjutor Salesians, and Salesian priests.

A Salesian noted, “The support provided allowed us to have secure health services for all Salesians of the San Lucas Province. We were able to have good help which in turn strengthens our pastoral work.”

Salesian missionaries are working in 22 communities throughout the country. Most of these communities are located in areas which have complex social and economic environments. These Salesian communities cannot sustain themselves solely with their own income or with the income from the pastoral care and support services they provide. Funding from donors makes a critical difference in the lives of Salesians and the communities they serve.

Monsignor José Ángel Divasson, bishop emeritus of the Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Ayacucho, who is currently residing in the Salesian Provincial House of Venezuela, highlighted the shortage and high cost of medicines, a reality that also affects the Salesian community in the country. He expressed gratitude for the support received for the medical insurance for the elderly Salesians, recalling medical treatment he received made possible thanks to this health insurance coverage.

###

Sources:

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: Funding from Salesian Missions helps ship critical medical supplies for clinic/Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

DR CONGO: More than 1,200 people receive healthy meals through Rise Against Hunger’s partnership with Salesian Missions/Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

INDIA: 4 Salesian college students showcase innovative health technology/ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS)

Salesian Missions

Vatican – Showing compassion of the Samaritan, theme for 2026 World Day of the Sick

VENEZUELA: Salesian missionaries have medical insurance coverage thanks in part to donor funding from Salesian Missions/Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

*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.

The post CATHOLIC WORLD DAY OF THE SICK: Salesian Missions highlights health projects for people in need first appeared on MissionNewswire.

TIMOR-LESTE

(MissionNewswire) Youth attending Salesian schools, orphanages and youth centers in Timor-Leste had access to better nutrition through a partnership between Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, and Rise Against Hunger, a nonprofit that helps underserved people worldwide achieve food security and resilience through nutrition, education and economic empowerment. In the first half of 2025, Rise Against Hunger meals fed 1,766 youth across 24 centers around the country.

Dircia, a 17-year-old young woman, lives at the Franciscan Sister’s Youth Center and Boarding House in Tibar in the Liquica District. Liquica is a coastal and mountainous municipality in the northern part of Timor-Leste, with a population of 75,000. The local economy is based on agriculture with coffee, red bananas, cassava and livestock as key products. Farmers face challenges in accessing markets due to poor infrastructure and terrible roads.

Dircia had nine siblings, with two passing away when they were children due to malnutrition. Her mother passed away after delivering Dircia’s youngest brother. The siblings were sent to different youth centers and orphanages. She and her siblings all have experienced better nutrition through Rise Against Hunger meals.

Dircia is thankful for the Rise Against Hunger meals and said that they have taught her about taking care of others’ well-being first. She promises to study hard because she wants a good job in the future to improve her life and be of service to others.

Sister Erminia Soares, coordinator of Franciscan Youth Center, said, “Dircia is a very good, soft-spoken person who is always caring for others. She has a strong connection with her other siblings and often visits them at other centers. The Rise Against Hunger meals are very helpful because they provide for the nutritional well-being of our students who come from the very poor families in the countryside.”

Salesian missionaries and Salesian sisters living and working in Timor-Leste operate educational programs, three orphanages for youth who are poor and homeless, and a medical clinic. In the wake of the devastating war that claimed countless lives, decimated entire communities and resulted in living conditions that are among the worst in the world, the Salesian community has been providing programs to help residents rebuild. Efforts are focused on helping poor youth through education and providing new opportunities for the future.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Rise Against Hunger

Salesian Missions – Timor-Leste

World Bank – East Timor/Timor-Leste

The post TIMOR-LESTE: 24 schools, centers and orphanages receive food through Salesian Missions and Rise Against Hunger partnership first appeared on MissionNewswire.

GUATEMALA

(MissionNewswire) Young women attending Talita Kumi centers in Guatemala had access to better nutrition as a result of a partnership between Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, and Rise Against Hunger, a nonprofit that helps underserved people worldwide achieve food security and resilience through nutrition, education and economic empowerment. Close to 700 young women from three centers received the meals in the first half of 2025.

Salesian sisters have also added educational content related to nutrition, food security and healthy eating practices. These topics have been addressed in a hands-on, practical way during training sessions with the students, strengthening their learning and promoting healthy eating habits. The students enjoy the rice’s taste and its versatility in preparing diverse menu items.

Lidia, aged 16, was one of the recipients who received a balanced diet through the food program at the Talita Kumi boarding school. She lives in the village of Chiquixji and is from the Indigenous Q’eqchi’ community.

She said, “I am happy because here I have learned to prepare food in a healthy and hygienic way.” Lidia takes what she has learned and cooks rice tortillas or rice soups for her family. “When I return to my community, I want to teach other families how to eat better with the products they already have at their disposal.”

Sister Margarita Cucul, internal director of the Talita Kumi boarding school in San Pedro Carchá, said, “I’ve had the joy of witnessing Lidia’s personal and academic growth since she joined us three years ago. She comes from a hardworking Q’eqchi’ family dedicated to agriculture and animal care, and she arrived at our school with strong motivation and a deep desire to better herself. Over the years, I have seen Lidia transform into a young leader. She has a real passion for cooking, which is why she has led our kitchen team more than once. She has also learned how to manage inventory, maintain kitchen hygiene and take full responsibility for kitchen operations. It has been beautiful to watch her take the initiative and grow in confidence.”

Sister Cucul added, “The feeding program has made a tremendous difference in our community. It has allowed us to improve the variety and nutritional value of our meals. We now create new recipes with the ingredients we receive, and the girls genuinely enjoy their food. I see their happiness at mealtimes, and it is clear that this program not only nourishes their bodies but lifts their spirits as well.”

Salesian missionaries working and living in the country have been providing for the basic needs of Guatemala’s youth while helping to break the cycle of poverty in their lives. They work extensively with youth and their families at youth centers, orphanages, parishes, and primary and secondary schools. They also operate technical schools, vocational training workshops and two universities in the country.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Guatemala

World Bank – Guatemala

The post GUATEMALA: Young women from Talita Kumi centers receive healthy nutrition through Rise Against Hunger’s partnership with Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

SOUTH SUDAN

(MissionNewswire) More than 5,000 people, most of whom are internally displaced in Gumbo, on the outskirts of the city of Juba, South Sudan*, had access to better nutrition during the first half of 2025. The food shipment was the result of a partnership between Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, and Rise Against Hunger, a nonprofit that helps underserved people worldwide achieve food security and resilience.

At the Don Bosco Gumbo Camp, Rise Against Hunger meals, which consist of rice, soy, vegetables and a vitamin packet, were distributed to 2,958 people, ensuring that all the families received essential food supplies. Meals were also served at the Don Bosco School, benefiting more than 1,500 students in the regular morning classes and more than 500 in the accelerated learning program in the afternoon. The meals served during their break provided much-needed nourishment to support their learning and well-being.

In Tonj, 180 people who are affected by leprosy also received meals. This outreach emphasized inclusivity and compassion, reaching one of the most marginalized groups in society. Additionally, meals were distributed to refugees in Wau, reinforcing efforts to support displaced communities and uphold their dignity through food assistance.

At the Don Bosco Gumbo Primary School, James is one of the students who received nutritious meals. Before the Rise Against Hunger meals were introduced, his family often managed only one meal per day. He now has breakfast at school and a second meal when he returns home. This improvement in nutrition has helped him and his classmates focus better in class and improve their grades. James dreams of becoming a doctor if he continues to do well in school.

During one school lunch, James said, “Since we’ve been having these meals, I feel stronger and don’t get tired very fast. These meals are my favorite part of my day. I get to eat with my friends and then play afterwards.”

James is deeply grateful for the support and says that one day he hopes to help others just as he has been helped through the meal program. He has observed that the entire school community is happier and more engaged with the consistent meals. Attendance has improved, and more students come to school regularly.

Paul Mutte-Atelio, community leader and teacher, said, “The Rise Against Hunger meals are very good. The students and teachers are happy and appreciative of the support. In the internally displaced persons camp, we have some women who are vulnerable and cannot do much, but with the meals, their life has improved so much, and they are very grateful. Now they help prepare the meals and have found food stability for them and their children.”

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.

South Sudan gained its independence from Sudan in 2011 but has faced an ongoing civil war that started in December 2013 and continues today. This has resulted in a dire humanitarian crisis. According to the United States Institute of Peace, more than 10 million people have been forced from their homes. The war has also triggered the world’s worst hunger crisis with more than 18 million Sudanese living in acute food insecurity.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Rise Against Hunger

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.

The post SOUTH SUDAN: More than 5,000 internally displaced people receive better nutrition through partnership between Rise Against Hunger and Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

TANZANIA

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Novitiate in Morogoro, Tanzania, completed a renovation project thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. Fifteen years of use, combined with harsh tropical weather and limited resources for major maintenance, led to widespread infrastructure needs. This project restored safety, dignity and functionality to the entire compound.

These improvements have impacted 23 Salesian novices from Tanzania and neighboring countries, close to 500 youth who regularly participate in oratory activities, catechesis, sports, tutoring, and youth formation programs at Don Bosco Morogoro. Those visiting the compound from the local community are also benefiting from a safe and functional environment.

The renovation began with a complete overhaul of the plumbing system, which had become the most critical problem. The original galvanized iron pipes were severely corroded, leading to frequent leaks, low water pressure and rust-contaminated water. Entire sections of piping were replaced with durable, modern materials, including new valves, fittings and connectors. All washrooms and dormitories were comprehensively renovated as well. This restored hygiene, dignity, and safety for the novices, staff and visiting youth.

Structural repairs were also completed throughout the building. Cracks in walls were repaired and reinforced, leaking roof sections were sealed, and damaged floors in corridors, dining areas, and common spaces were repaired. The entire building, both interior and exterior, was repainted, transforming the building into a clean, bright and welcoming environment.

Lastly, the project also addressed security and compound infrastructure. The perimeter fence was repaired and reinforced, and the main gate was upgraded to ensure the safety of residents, visiting youth, and the property.

Mtewa Evans Edward, one of those impacted by the renovation, said, “When I see the clean rooms, the water flowing freely, the pavements inside the compound and the beautiful tarmac road leading into our home, I feel deeply grateful. This place now truly reflects the dignity of our vocation. We thank our benefactors from our hearts.”

In Tanzania, 67.9% of the population lives below the poverty line. While the country has seen some economic growth in tourism, mining, trade and communication, the number of Tanzanians living below the poverty line has marginally increased due to rapid population growth. In some regions, up to half of the population struggles to meet the cost of essential food and shelter and other basic necessities like clothing, health care and education. Nearly 43% of the population lives in extreme poverty.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Tanzania

UNICEF – Tanzania

The post TANZANIA: Don Bosco Novitiate completes renovation thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

HAITI

(MissionNewswire) Nearly 200 youth attending programs at Lakay Don Bosco Cap-Haïtien in Haiti received nutritious food through a partnership between Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, and Rise Against Hunger, a nonprofit that helps underserved people worldwide achieve food security and resilience. The shipments of meals were distributed in the first half of 2025.

The Salesians operate on the outskirts of Cap-Haïtien, serving a community primarily composed of internal migrants. Traditionally, most of the population has migrated from rural areas, seeking economic opportunities but often encountering poverty and exclusion. More recently, the city of Cap-Haïtien has become overwhelmed by an influx of people from Port-au-Prince, who are fleeing the insecurity caused by armed gangs.

A Salesian said, “Rise Against Hunger meals contribute to the education of our youth and their success. Thanks to the nutritious meals, our young people don’t have to worry so much about food to be able to study. The meals contribute to the development of our young people since they contain protein and vitamins.”

Belot, age 16, is one of the youth who received the meals. He lives in a community operated by the Salesians with the Vincent Foundation. After losing his parents and living on the street, Belot now lives at the Lakay Don Bosco residence where he attends school, completes work duties and participates in group activities.

Prior to joining the Salesian program, Belot was severely malnourished. With the nutritious meals, he has now reached a healthy weight and grown physically stronger. After eating, he often plays soccer or creates new games with his peers. He hopes that through education, he can learn new skills to help him secure a well-paying job and create a better life for himself.

Lourdena Bien-Amie Pierre, teacher and food manager, said, “Since receiving the Rise Against Hunger meals, noticeable improvements have occurred in Belot’s life. He has grown stronger and healthier. The meals have helped him focus better on his studies, improving both his physical and intellectual development. I have great pride in Belot. I always call him hopeful, responsible and determined.”

Pierre added, “Overall, since the introduction of the meals in the community, I have observed significant positive changes. Youth are growing both physically and mentally, and the community is benefiting overall. As I say, ‘a hungry stomach has no ears,’ meaning that nourishment is key to learning and development.”

Salesian missionaries began working in Haiti in 1935 in response to the Haitian government’s request for a professional school. Since then, Salesian missionaries have expanded their work to include 11 main educational centers and more than 200 schools across the country.

The 11 main centers each include several primary and secondary schools, vocational training centers, and other programs for youth in need. Salesian programs are located throughout Haiti, including in the cities of Port-au-Prince, Fort-Liberté, Cap-Haïtien, Les Cayes and Gressier. Today, Salesian missionaries in Haiti provide the largest source of education outside of the Haitian government.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Rise Against Hunger

Salesian Missions – Haiti

World Food Programme – Haiti

The post HAITI: Meals provide nutrition for 200 youth through a partnership between Rise Against Hunger and Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

(MissionNewswire) Oeuvres Maman Marguerite, a network of Salesian centers located in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo*, received a shipment of nutritious meals through a partnership between Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, and Rise Against Hunger, a nonprofit that helps underserved people worldwide achieve food security and resilience.

The shipment provided meals for feeding programs at a prison, a hospital, an orphanage, a retirement home and a training center. Close to 600 people were fed during the first half of 2025.

A Salesian noted, “Children used to go hungry in the centers, but today we have largely responded to these challenges. Food not only serves as nourishment for our young people but also as a means of keeping them in our homes and centers.”

Médine is one of the young women who received the meals. She lives in the Visitation House in the Kafubu neighborhood, an area on the outskirts of Lubumbashi. She ended up at the center after her parents’ divorce, bouncing between parents and spending a few days on the street. Médine was then directed to the Salesian center.

She credits the morning meal with giving her the energy to get through the entire day of training without getting tired, allowing her to participate fully in her school activities. All of the students eat twice daily.

The nutritious food has allowed her to improve academically and make significant progress. Compared to when she lived with her father, Médine’s health has drastically improved since arriving at the center. She no longer gets sick frequently and maintains a strong immune system.

Camel Kajila Ntambu, a school social worker, said, “Now that the youth are better fed in school, they are out of school less. We have come to understand that providing adequate nutrition was a key factor in minimizing absenteeism.”

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.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Rise Against Hunger

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.

The post DR CONGO: Close to 600 people receive healthy meals through Rise Against Hunger’s partnership with Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

IVORY COAST

(MissionNewswire) Salesian pre-novitiates in Korhogo, Ivory Coast, have a new residential accommodation thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. With the funding an addition was constructed and renovations were made which impacted the 25 young aspirants who live and are educated there.

The variety of facilities were designed and constructed to support residential, educational, and communal needs. This includes two dormitory rooms, one dedicated training room, a chapel for spiritual activities, a dining hall, and three rooms allocated for trainers, along with an administrative office. These spaces form a comprehensive complex aimed at fostering a supportive environment for residents and pre-novices.

Stephen Akyene, an aspirant, said, “The house now is perfect for young aspirants. The various pastoral activities that we take part in there are helping to form us into good Salesians. The house and space we now share will aid us in our growth both spiritually and academically.”

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. While a wide range of national and international initiatives focus on HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention and testing, the collapse of public health facilities in the north as a result of years of conflict has made the situation worse.

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. Known for their work with child soldiers around the globe, Salesian missionaries are also providing training for youth, some who had been aggressors during the war.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Ivory Coast

World Bank – Ivory Coast

The post IVORY COAST: Salesian pre-novitiate house renovated thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

ETHIOPIA

(MissionNewswire) More than 2,500 families across eight communities in Ethiopia* had access to better nutrition thanks to a partnership between Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, and Feed My Starving Children, a nonprofit Christian organization committed to “feeding God’s children hungry in body and spirit.” The families have been impacted by the ongoing strife in the Tigray region of the country.

A Salesian explained, “The war started in November 2020. Until the peace agreement was reached in November 2022, there were active clashes between the federal military and the regional force, and hundreds of thousands of people died on both sides. The food shortage began around November 2020, coinciding with the start of the conflict in Tigray. As the war unfolded, it worsened food access and contributed to the broader humanitarian crisis.”

Salesian missionaries have been a crucial lifeline for war-affected people in Tigray, operating primarily through established communities in Mekelle, Adigrat, Adwa and Shire. Salesians address immediate humanitarian needs while also focusing on long-term recovery and resilience.

This donation was sent in partnership with Flexport.org, which managed the shipping and funded the shipping costs. Salesian Missions will partner with Flexport.org for additional upcoming humanitarian aid shipments.

Salesians have also organized and distributed food baskets containing essentials like wheat, rice and oil to tens of thousands of internally displaced persons and families facing food shortage-like conditions. They are running programs for the most vulnerable, especially malnourished children, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, providing high-nutrient food like fortified flour to combat acute malnutrition. They are also providing non-food items like blankets, mattresses and other items.

With infrastructure broken, Salesians have taken on projects to restore clean water access. They are currently working to repair damaged wells and boreholes in order to provide a more sustainable water source for local communities.

In addition, Salesians are providing education to children and skills training for older youth and adults. A Salesian explained, “Education is at the heart of what we do in these communities. Salesians have been instrumental in getting schools functional again by 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, we also provide informal classes for internally displaced people, setting up temporary learning spaces to help them catch up. For older youth and adults, we provide access to skills training with short technical and vocational courses and startup kits to help them generate a small income.”

Salesians were in these communities well before the war started and will be there long after it’s done. The existing trust with the community means that Salesians can often operate when international non-governmental organizations are unable to gain access. This has been critical in assessing nutritional needs and ensuring that food shipments reach people most in need.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

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.

The post ETHIOPIA: More than 2,500 families receive nutritional support thanks to partnership between Salesian Missions and Feed My Starving Children first appeared on MissionNewswire.

BURUNDI

(MissionNewswire) More than 950 students attending Don Bosco High School in Ngozi, Burundi*, had access to better nutrition during the first half of 2025 as a result of a partnership between Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, and Rise Against Hunger, a nonprofit that helps underserved people worldwide achieve food security and resilience.

Students at the school often come from families who are poor and do not have the means to pay school fees or provide lunch. The economy in Ngozi is primarily agricultural, such as growing coffee, cassava, tea, and beans or raising cattle for the local markets. Other industries in the region include processing tea and mining tin.

The feeding program created positive changes at the school. Students had more energy and were better engaged with their studies. They were also involved in various sporting and cultural activities organized during this time.

One of the recipients was Lucky Alpha Nduwimana. He is the oldest of three children and both his parents are primary school teachers. At home, they normally eat two meals a day, although sometimes they can only afford one. Since joining the Don Bosco High School and receiving Rise Against Hunger meals three times a day, Nduwimana says he feels much better. He enjoys eating meals with his friends, and they often play sports after since they are full of energy.

Nduwimana hopes to one day have his own coffee farm and sell his product at the local markets in Ngozi. He wants to complete his schooling to be knowledgeable and ready to start his own business.

Thomas Riyawimana, headmaster and teacher, noted that Nduwimana has improved in his physical strength, energy and overall happiness since receiving the meals. He noted, “I am proud of Lucky for overcoming hardship and showing promise for the future. My hope is that Lucky will use his education to help others in need, just as he was helped. He will be able to apply what he has learned and be generous and helpful to those around him.”

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.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Rise Against Hunger

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.

The post BURUNDI: Students at Don Bosco High School receive Rise Against Hunger meals through partnership with Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

(MissionNewswire) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian organizations and countries around the globe in honoring International Day of Education on Jan. 24, recognized since 2018. The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed International Day of Education as a celebration of the role of education for peace and development.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) noted that the number of out-of-school children worldwide stands at 272 million, an increase of 21 million compared to the previous estimate published in October 2024. A new report indicated that increase is “mainly due to new demographic estimates provided by the United Nations Population Division, which indicate a rise of nearly 50 million in the total school-age population, as well as an increase in the number of out-of-school children in Afghanistan.”

UNESCO highlighted, “Countries have committed to reducing out-of-school rates to 2% at the primary level, 5% at lower secondary and 16% at upper secondary by 2030. This would reduce the number of out-of-school children to 107 million — a decrease of 165 million — by 2030.”

Salesians provide primary and secondary schools, and they are considered the largest private provider of vocational and technical training in the world. Programs help youth who are vulnerable by giving access to educational opportunities that match the local employment needs. Around the globe, there are nearly 1,000 Salesian vocational, technical, professional and agricultural schools.

“Education provides a path out of poverty,” said Father Michael Conway, director of Salesian Missions. “Salesian education provides youth a chance to learn fundamental skills that will help them later in life. Many students advance from secondary school into Salesian vocational and technical training, which gives them the skills for long-term stable employment. It’s the way youth become self-sufficient and productive members of their communities.”

In honor of International Day of Education, Salesian Missions is proud to highlight educational programs that benefit youth around the globe.

GEORGIA

Salesian missionaries in Tbilisi, Georgia, are working to establish a vocational educational center and residence for youth who are vulnerable thanks in part to funding from Salesian Missions. The center will offer education for 60-100 students older than age 16 who are working to gain employment skills. Up to 30 youth will live at the residence center while they complete their education.

A Salesian explained, “The vocational courses will be short and oriented to students engaging and completing an internship. They will have the opportunity to live in the residence center for up to five years. Our goal is to ensure that poor and vulnerable youth are able to gain the skills for employment so they can become self-sufficient.”

The construction is still underway. With the funding from Salesian Missions, Salesians have installed an elevator to accommodate individuals with disabilities, made several significant improvements in the yard, installed a fire reservoir with a pumping station and piping, and put in place a sewage system and storm drainage system. Once the construction of the vocational education center is completed, the Salesian community will need to secure funds for furniture and equipment.

PERU

Salesians improved the learning environment for students at the Bosconia center in Piura, Peru, thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions.

Salesian missionaries have been able improve the learning environment for youth who are vulnerable and are studying at the Bosconia center in Piura, Peru. The project was made possible thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions.

Students and staff previously found it difficult to focus in class due to the heat at the school. With the project, two air conditioning units have been added. Salesians also added a covering around the pool to limit the sun exposure for students.

Luis Angel Bregante Andrade, a 22-year-old student, was impacted by the donation. He lives in a challenging economic situation, and the area where he lives has a high poverty rate as well as high rates of crime and drug addiction. He studies at Cetpro Bosconia in the storage operations course and hopes to find a good job after graduation to help support his family.

Andrade said, “When we came to the auditorium, it was difficult for us to concentrate because the heat was very strong, and when some teachers also opened the windows, the air that entered was hot. We spoke to the director about this and the pool, as many of the students who used it got burned from the sun because there was no covering.”

RWANDA

Don Bosco Muhazi in Rwanda provided essential support to 260 students thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions.

Don Bosco Muhazi Technical and Vocational School in Rwanda had the funding to support 260 students thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. The funding provided food assistance and essential supplies. Fifty of these students, who live off school grounds, received hygiene kits, food supplies and rent support.

A Salesian noted, “This aid was especially crucial for students from remote areas who struggle to meet their basic needs while pursuing technical education. It enabled them to focus more effectively on their studies. School staff and students alike have expressed increased morale and hope with testimonies indicating that the aid has stabilized their living conditions temporarily. In the longer term, this support fosters resilience, reduces dropout rates, and promotes a conducive learning environment, helping students build a better future for themselves and their communities.”

Vumiriya Uwihoreye, a student benefiting from the program, said, “We are very happy. Many of us live in difficult circumstances, but seeing donors like this shows that there are many kind-hearted people interested in helping those with limited resources succeed.”

VENEZUELA

Donor funding from Salesian Missions supports high-quality technical education for students at a technical school in Caracas, Venezuela.

The Maria Auxiliadora Popular Technical School, located in Altamira in the Chacao municipality of Caracas, Venezuela*, has improved the learning environment for students thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. Funds were used for similar initiatives at the Madre Mazzarello School, located in the state of Amazonas, to strengthen the students’ development of practical skills and competencies necessary for the workforce.

At the Maria Auxiliadora Popular Technical School, upgrades included the purchase of equipment for specific tools for nursing, including anatomical models.

Funding also supported technology equipment for classes in accounting and administration. These acquisitions have had a positive impact on 355 students, expanding their technical and digital skills. Additional funding was allocated for the adaptation of spaces for students to connect with the labor force under the supervision of specialist teachers.

These investments made it possible to implement internship hours in a new curricula, which significantly expanded professional training for youth. Previously, internships began in the 4th year through shadowing activities in companies in the community. With the new approach, training begins from the age of 11, adapting to the maturity of the students and respecting the legal frameworks that regulate their early incorporation into the workplace.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

GEORGIA: Salesian missionaries work to establish vocational education center with residence thanks in part to donor funding from Salesian Missions

International Day of Education

PERU: Salesians improve learning environment for students thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions

RWANDA: Don Bosco Muhazi provides essential support to 260 students thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions

Salesian Missions

UNESCO – Countries commit to reducing the number of out-of-school children by 165 million

VENEZUELA: Donor funding from Salesian Missions supports high-quality technical education

*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.

The post INT’L DAY OF EDUCATION: Salesian Missions highlights educational programs that empower youth first appeared on MissionNewswire.

BENIN

(MissionNewswire) Youth attending Foyer Don Bosco, located in Porto-Novo, Benin, received a shipment of nutritious meals through a partnership between Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, and Rise Against Hunger, a nonprofit that helps underserved people worldwide achieve food security and resilience through nutrition, education and economic empowerment. The meals fed 550 youth in the first half of 2025.

Porto-Novo faces issues related to urbanization, sanitation and high vulnerability of families. The need for food remains constant. Even when families manage to meet this need temporarily, the lack of stable income often causes the issue to resurface.

A Salesian noted, “One of the main successes of the project has been its strong emotional impact and positive reaction of the children. The project also contributed to improving the community’s nutrition with fewer cases of malnutrition-related illness reported. The feeding program also allowed children to remain focused on their education without interruptions from hunger.”

One of the recipients is Franck, age 10, who lives at Foyer Don Bosco. He said, “Beforehand, many of us did not always have enough to eat. Sometimes, we were hungry, and it was difficult to follow the lessons being taught. Today, we’re able to have meals and eat properly. When I eat, I am happy, I feel strong and I can learn well at school. For us, a meal is not just about eating. It is about finding joy, no longer thinking about the streets, and no longer being afraid to resort to stealing or begging. It is also knowing that someone, somewhere, is thinking of us and loves us.”

Fr. Emannuel Azagba noted, “On behalf of the Don Bosco Center in Porto-Novo, I extend our heartfelt thanks for the food assistance received through Rise Against Hunger. Providing a meal to a vulnerable child goes far beyond feeding. It is helping them believe in their future and grow in good health while keeping them in school without the burden of survival and protecting them from the street. It is also a way of preserving family unity in contexts where poverty often breaks bonds.”

For 30 years, the Don Bosco Center has been welcoming the most vulnerable children. Salesians protect, educate, train, and reintegrate them, restoring dignity and hope.

Children in Benin face significant challenges gaining an education within the country’s poor educational system. According to UNICEF, Benin remains one of the poorest countries in the world, with close to 70% of its population living in poverty. About half of all children between the ages of 5-13 are engaged in some kind of forced labor in the country, and almost 20% are chronically undernourished.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Benin

UNICEF – Benin

The post BENIN: 550 youth receive healthy meals through Rise Against Hunger’s partnership with Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

ZAMBIA

(MissionNewswire) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, has been able to support nutritional needs of youth in Zambia thanks to an ongoing partnership with Feed My Starving Children, a nonprofit Christian organization committed to “feeding God’s children hungry in body and spirit.” In 2025, five shipments were sent to feed children in Salesian programs.

Meals have already been distributed at Don Bosco Primary and Secondary School, located in Luwingu. The Salesian sisters, who operate the school, noted that more than 5,000 children benefit from food shipments like this.

Salesian sisters with Daughters of Mary Help of Christians have been working in the town of Luwingu since 1984. The town is small and for a long time was isolated from the rest of the country because there were almost no roadways to and from the town. As a result, the population could only rely on subsistence agriculture and hunting as the main sources of food, which was inadequate in terms of both quality and quantity.

At first, the Salesian sisters started a youth center and literacy classes. Later, they opened Don Bosco Primary School that today is one of the best schools in the district. The Salesian nuns also provide vocational education to give the local community opportunities to find employment.

Recently, Salesian sisters in Zambia hosted J.J. Slag, CEO of Feed My Starving Children. Slag said, “I was so very impressed with the Salesian sisters’ work in Zambia. As someone who visits schools, orphanages, feeding sites and care points around the world, I can honestly say that the Salesians are running a first-rate mission here.”

The needs of the Salesian sisters are vast. Slag said, “The Sisters in Lusaka seem to be making the highest possible impact with their limited resources. I can see that more financial and food resources would be used to increase their impact.”

The ongoing partnership between Salesian Missions and Feed My Starving Children has resulted in 40-foot containers of fortified rice-meals being shipped to Salesian sites around the globe. Feed My Starving Children provides the food and Salesian Missions takes care of the cost and logistics of shipping each container from Feed My Starving Children warehouses to the destination country. Salesian Missions also works to help identify where the greatest needs are at any given time. The partnership began in early 2006 when the first container was donated to and shipped by Salesian Missions for programs in Sri Lanka.

Slag said, “The Salesians have proven that they are able to take the food donated from Feed My Starving Children and use it in a way that makes the highest impact for the kids that they serve. We are thankful for their impact and are excited to see how much more can be done through this partnership with Salesian Missions in the years to come.”

Poverty is widespread in Zambia with 64% of the total population living below the poverty line. For those living in rural areas, the poverty rate rises to 80%, according to UNICEF. Over the past three decades, incomes in Zambia have fallen steadily and people do not have enough money to meet basic needs such as shelter, nutritious food and medical care.

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.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Zambia

UNICEF – Zambia

The post ZAMBIA: Salesian Missions partners with Feed My Starving Children to address nutritional needs of children first appeared on MissionNewswire.

SOUTH SUDAN

(MissionNewswire) Salesians with Don Bosco Morobo in South Sudan* have finished renovations on the community house thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The rehabilitation provides a safe, functional space for governance of Don Bosco Primary School and coordination of parish activities across 25 sub-stations.

The Don Bosco Community House in Morobo was fully renovated including work on structural repairs to the roof, walls, and flooring, as well as adding essential equipment for educational and pastoral use. The renovation further included complete plumbing and electrical installations to ensure safety and functionality, and the addition of a new 15kV solar power system for reliable energy. A 20,000-liter water tank with a tower and solar pump was installed to serve both the school and community, addressing critical water needs.

Furthermore, a protective fence was constructed to safeguard the property from wild animals and theft. These enhancements ensure the long-term sustainability, security, and usability of the community house and its services. The renovated facility now serves as a hub for education, pastoral care, youth development, and community gatherings.

The donation has impacted more than 1,000 children enrolled in Don Bosco Primary School as well as 40 teachers and more than 20,000 parishioners across the sub-stations. Many of these people have returned to their homes after conflict drove them to Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Anthony Ukwar Uber, a member of the parish choir, explained, “I run a small shop in the local market, where I sell basic household items to help support my family. Life in Morobo hasn’t always been easy. We are still recovering from the effects of the war, and many young people like me are trying to rebuild our lives from scratch. But having the church and the Salesians back with us has been a big relief. It brings hope.”

He continued, “When the civil war started in 2015, everything collapsed. The Salesians had to leave because of the fighting, and many of us — including my own family — fled to Uganda as refugees. Life in the camps was difficult. When we returned around 2020, the Salesian compound was destroyed and abandoned. There were no priests, no parish activities, and we felt spiritually empty. We had no one to guide us, no sports or music, and no place to come together as before.”

Uber is grateful the Salesians have returned. He concluded, “When we heard that Salesian Missions was supporting the renovation of the Salesian house, it brought excitement and a sense of hope. We saw the house being rebuilt, and with it, we saw our parish life slowly coming back. I was excited and just prayed the priests would return. There was no anxiety, only joy. We have a resident priest who celebrates Mass daily, works with school children during the day, and organizes games and sports for us youth in the evenings. The community feels alive again. We are seeing improvements in both our spiritual and social lives. Youth are more united, and there’s less idle time. The project gave us exactly what we needed.”

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.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

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.

The post SOUTH SUDAN: Don Bosco Morobo renovates community house thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

INDIA

(MissionNewswire) The village of Sorokpara, located in the West Garo Hills district in Meghalaya, India, has a new chapel thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The project was implemented by Father Albert Thyrniang, the pastor of Mary Help of Christian Church.

The community consists of 51 households who belong to the Garo Community. It is one of the oldest Catholic communities in the area. The village is surrounded by paddy fields and people are generally poor. The primary challenges in the community are health and sanitary issues due to flooding a few times a year.

Kamalraj Sangma is one of the recipients who will benefit from the project. With the new chapel, he hopes that the faith of the people will be strengthened. Before the project, people did not have enough space on the previous church compound. However, the owner of the adjacent plot donated a bit of his land to make it sufficient for the church to be built.

Sangma said, “Now that the project is nearing completion, we in the village are happy with the church. We will now have a proper place to have Sunday services and celebrate Mass when pastors come.”

Salesian programs in India are primarily focused on education. Salesian primary and secondary education 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.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – India

World Bank – India

The post INDIA: Community members in Sorokpara have new chapel thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries working in Lahore, Pakistan received donor funding for flood relief thanks to Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The funding helped support 800 people, most of whom are from large families with children and include women who are pregnant. Nearly 40% of the beneficiaries are under 16 years old.

“This helped us support families impacted by intense flooding,” said Father Noble Lal, rector of Don Bosco Lahore. “Now that the emergency phase is over, we are in contact with some families who will soon send some children to our boarding school for a more stable educational path.”

One of the recipients is Danish, a 13-year-old boy. His house was damaged, but after repairs, his family was able to move back. Danish had attended grade 5 in Pasrur, but his school closed due to flood damage. Danish, along with some of his cousins, will now be attending the Don Bosco Youth Center and stay in the Salesian boarding house in Lahore.

Salesian institutions are open to youth of all faiths. The schools provide economic benefits, scholarships and accommodations for students from the families most in need so that education is not only accessible but also an incentive for parents to send their children to school.

Pakistan has one of the lowest literacy rates in South Asia at less than 50%. Although the country’s constitution acknowledges free and compulsory education between the ages of 5-16, the rule is often not followed in rural areas for those over age 13.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions

World Bank – Pakistan

The post PAKISTAN: Donor funding thanks to Salesian Missions helps to support 800 flood victims in Lahore first appeared on MissionNewswire.

VENEZUELA

(MissionNewswire) The Madre Mazzarello Industrial Technical School, located in Coro, Venezuela*, has a new meeting space thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The space, designed for more than 100 people, includes a multipurpose room and an open, shaded area with natural vegetation. Funding was also utilized for training materials.

A Salesian explained, “The hall will be used as a training and community space for a wide range of activities, including pastoral and educational uses. This new space will bolster the pride our students have and increase the emotional well-being of the young people in the school and in the nearby communities.”

Activities that will be held in the new space include pastoral education; gatherings for students and parents; student organization meetings; inter-congregational meetings of the parish, archdiocese and community; youth ministry and volunteer activities; vocational orientation; and spiritual formation and catechesis of first communion and confirmation.

The entire educational community, made up of 342 youth as well as their families, will benefit from the space. It will also be available on Saturdays and Sundays, allowing continuous use for training and recreational activities.

Salesian missionaries have been living and working in Venezuela long before the country’s political and economic crisis began. They operate schools, youth centers, and other programs that support youth in need and their families. An estimated 87% of the population is currently living in poverty, and essential goods such as food and medicine are scarce.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

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.

The post VENEZUELA: Donor funding provides new multipurpose space at Madre Mazzarello Industrial Technical School first appeared on MissionNewswire.

SOUTH SUDAN

(MissionNewswire) Salesians with Don Bosco Morobo in South Sudan* have a new Toyota Land Cruiser to facilitate mission work thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The primary goal of the new vehicle is to strengthen the pastoral outreach to remote areas of Don Bosco Morobo Parish.

The Land Cruiser is enabling the pastoral team to access outstations regularly and provide sacramental services, youth ministry activities and support for people who are poor, elderly and vulnerable. The entire parish community includes close to 10,000 people who benefit from improved access to sacraments and emergency transport.

Morobo County lies along South Sudan’s southern border with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The region features hilly terrain, tropical vegetation, and fertile soils, with savannah grasslands and patches of forest. Some roads are unpaved and become impassable during rainy seasons, limiting movement and access to services.

Anthony Issac Oromo, catechist and parish counselor, explained, “Before we received support from New Rochelle, we faced serious challenges in reaching the outstations. Many of our communities are far apart — some up to three or four hours on foot. This made it difficult for catechism classes, choir practice and youth group meetings. We were committed, but it was tiring, and sometimes we had to cancel activities if the weather was bad or if someone fell ill on the way.”

He added, “The new car has changed everything. Now, we travel with the parish priest to all the outstations regularly. We bring the message of God, offer catechism classes, organize choir practice and meet with the youth — all in a day, something that used to take several days. The people’s morale has gone up. They feel cared for, and I feel proud to be part of something that brings them hope. This vehicle isn’t just a means of transport — it’s a symbol of connection, unity and hope. We are very grateful to Salesian Missions for supporting our mission.”

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.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

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.

The post SOUTH SUDAN: Don Bosco Morobo has new Land Cruiser for mission outreach thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

NIGERIA

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries were able to complete a water project at the Don Bosco Secondary School, located in Onitsha, Nigeria, thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The project is part of the Salesian WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) program and funded by the Salesian Missions “Clean Water Initiative”. The project impacts 450 students at the school, 500 youth who use the youth center and 45 staff, as well as 1,340 members of the community who use the compound for training, summer camp, vocational training, formative programs and more.

With the funding, an additional borehole was installed, and the existing one was maintained. This significantly increased the availability of potable water within the compound. Enhanced hand-washing stations have been constructed at strategic locations, facilitating better hygiene practices among students and others. The project also included a total bathroom renovation with more toilets and sinks.

In addition, funding allowed for minor repairs of 18 classrooms, improving safety and comfort for learners. Salesians also installed solar lighting in various areas of the compound, enhancing visibility and security, especially at night.

A Salesian noted, “The local community expressed great satisfaction with the project and actively participated throughout its implementation. Many members generously contributed their time and resources, while some volunteered to assist with labor-related tasks. Their involvement was instrumental in the successful execution of the project and reflects a strong spirit of solidarity and ownership.”

Mike Okechukwu, a senior at the school, said the project had a great impact on students. He explained, “Before the construction of the new WASH facilities, we faced serious challenges. The old facilities were few, often overcrowded and difficult to maintain due to their deteriorated condition. Water flow was inconsistent, which made it hard to keep the environment clean. Students with physical disabilities also struggled, as the previous setup did not accommodate their needs. With the recent upgrade, everything has changed for the better. We now have easy access to clean toilets, hand-washing basins and waste bins placed around the school compound. The new facilities have significantly improved hygiene and the overall standard of our school.”

He added, “Students with physical challenges can now use the facilities comfortably, and they are truly happy about this inclusion. When our parents visited, they were very impressed with the transformation. I’ve shared this experience with my friends in other schools, and many of them wish for similar improvements in their own learning environments. We are deeply grateful to Salesian Missions for bringing such a meaningful development to our school. May God bless you abundantly.”

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.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Nigeria

UNICEF – Nigeria

The post NIGERIA: Don Bosco Secondary School completes new water project thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

ZAMBIA

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries in Kapesa, located in the Kazembe Mission in Zambia, have completed a new chapel thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. Work included clearing the land and construction of the building, which is also equipped with a new water system.

The Catholic community of Kapesa is happy with the new chapel. For years, people had been praying in a neighboring school classroom. Having a church of their own has brought a deep sense of pride in their freedom of worship.

One of the elders in the community, Benedict Chitundu, said, “In the beginning we did not have a proper established church. The late Father Gotter, a Polish missionary, had established this center in 2005 without a proper structure. For so long, we had wished to have a place of worship of our own. Our former parish priest, Father Gabriel Mwenya, saw that our situation was not conducive for prayer. We had to use a classroom on Sundays, and sometimes the head teacher would refuse to give us the keys. This left us without a place. We people are very proud and grateful for this great gesture, recognizing us with a beautiful house of God, a place of worship and a place of refuge in terms of distress.”

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.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Zambia

UNICEF – Zambia

The post ZAMBIA: Community in Kapesa has new chapel thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

MYANMAR

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries were able to buy a tractor for the Nazareth Boarding House, located in Anisakan, Myanmar*, thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The donation is impacting 170 boys who are boarding there, 20 people who work on the farm and 15 staff working at the house.

Anisakan is an agricultural village, and farmers are facing many challenges. Transportation costs are also soaring, and the changing climate negatively impacts farmers in the region. With many parts of the country facing civil war, crops grown on the farms cannot be sent nor sold to other areas.

The Salesians have a farm of 12 acres where they grow different types of vegetables. Previously, they had to hire a tractor to work in the fields. The cost is high and at times they could not access one when they needed it. As a result, they were late for harvesting the crops. By having a tractor, Salesians will save money and can plow whenever they want, helping the farm to be more productive.

Father Simon Louise explained, “Now that I have a tractor, I am really excited to use it to get more farm products. We can also rent our tractor to other to get some income. I will train three young boys, who are Nazareth past pupils, to drive the tractor and we can work on our farm. We are grateful for the donation.”

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesians of Don Bosco – Myanmar

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.

The post MYANMAR: Salesian missionaries have new tractor thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries with the Don Bosco Novitiate, located in Morogoro, Tanzania, have access to clean water thanks to funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The project is part of the Salesian Missions “Clean Water Initiative.” Close to 1,500 people are benefiting from this project, including those in the surrounding community who are able to access the water.

The area is semi-arid at the foot of the Uluguru Mountains. Most families rely on subsistence farming or trade, and they face frequent water shortages in the dry season. Many homes lack electricity or piped water, and droughts and erratic rains make life challenging.

The project included the construction of a new water system including a submersible solar-powered pump inside the underground tank to push water up to a new 50,000-liter plastic header tank. Solar panels and an inverter power the pump, ensuring an independent energy source. In November, the reservoir, pump and header tank were fully connected and delivering water by gravity to all taps across the novitiate and oratory.

All 350 people on site now have a dependable daily water supply without interruptions, allowing residents to bathe, cook and clean without rationing. This uninterrupted access has improved daily living conditions and hygiene.

The Salesians also offer free water outreach to the surrounding community. In the past, the public tap often ran dry by midday. Now water is available all day, even at peak demand. Women and girls benefit from shorter lines and are able to access water when they need it.

Deusdedit K. Julius, coordinator of youth activities, said, “Now the tank is finished, and it has changed our lives. We no longer need to ration water. There is enough for the novices, the oratory youth and even the neighboring families who come to our gate.”

Julius added, “Health and hygiene have improved. The children at the oratory can wash their hands or even take a quick shower after playing. This is a luxury we couldn’t afford before and the novices can keep themselves and their clothes clean without stress. Our whole community is now optimistic. This gift of water has given us our life back. The time we spent searching for water, we now spend on productive work and with our youth. God bless everyone who made it happen.”

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Tanzania

UNICEF – Tanzania

The post TANZANIA: Don Bosco Novitiate has clean water access thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

(MissionNewswire) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins Catholic organizations around the globe in honoring the Catholic World Day of Peace. Every year on Jan. 1, the Pope marks the day with a special message inviting all people to reflect on the important work of building peace. Pope Paul VI established the day in 1967. The day was first observed on Jan. 1, 1968.

Pope Leo XIV has indicated the theme for the day is “Peace be with you all: Towards an ‘unarmed and disarming’ peace.” The Vatican Publishing House has produced a book entitled “And Let There Be Peace.” The theme “invites humanity to reject the logic of violence and war, and to embrace an authentic peace based on love and justice.”

“Salesian missionaries provide social development and educational programs to youth and families in poverty regardless of gender, race or religion,” explained Father Michael Conway, director of Salesian Missions. “They work to level the playing field for youth so that they have the support needed to gain an education and the skills for future employment. Programs teach life skills like collaboration and communication to help youth develop confidence and contribute to peaceful environments.”

To mark Catholic World Day of Peace 2026, Salesian Missions is proud to highlight programs that address social and economic needs of youth that lead to a peaceful and supportive environment.

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

Funding from Salesian Missions helped to ship critical medical supplies for a clinic in Bangui, Central African Republic.

Salesian missionaries in Bangui, Central African Republic*, had the supplies needed for a medical clinic thanks to a shipment of goods funded in part by Salesian Missions. The shipment was sent by Collaboration Santé Internationale (International Health Collaboration), a Canadian organization focused on responding to the needs of health centers in developing countries.

Funding for the shipment was provided by both Salesian Missions and Don Bosco Foundation Paris. The shipment contained electric hospital beds, neonatal incubators, exam tables, filing cabinets, lab coats, amoxicillin, quinine, first aid supplies and vitamins.

The medical clinic was completed with funding from the French government through Don Bosco Foundation Paris. Don Bosco Foundation Paris requested assistance from Salesian Missions with funding for the shipment and for its extensive experience in shipping humanitarian aid around the globe.

INDIA

Migrant families in India are benefiting from solar lighting in their homes thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions.

Bosco Gramin Vikas Kendra, located in Maharashtra, India, implemented the “Solar Home Lighting” initiative to address energy deprivation among migrant households. To facilitate the initiative, Salesians received donor funding from Salesian Missions.

Through the project, 55 migrant families were provided with solar home lighting systems. These families now have safe, reliable and affordable access to electricity and are no longer dependent on unsafe and illegal power connections.

Before the use of solar lights, the migrant community living along Arangaon Road faced limited infrastructure. The lack of reliable lighting made it difficult to continue work or household activities after dark and affected children’s ability to study.

A Salesian noted, “Since the implementation of the solar lighting, there has been a significant reduction in energy costs, enabling increased household savings. Families are experiencing improved night-time quality of life, with better lighting for children to study and women had greater convenience for household chores and small income-generating activities. They also now have enhanced safety and security of households by reducing the use of kerosene lamps and unsafe power tapping.”

RWANDA

Don Bosco Muhazi in Rwanda provides essential support to 260 students thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions.

Don Bosco Muhazi Technical and Vocational School in Rwanda had the funding to support 260 students thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. The funding provided food assistance and essential supplies. Fifty of these students, who live off school grounds, received hygiene kits, food supplies and rent support.

A Salesian noted, “This aid was especially crucial for students from remote areas who struggle to meet their basic needs while pursuing technical education. It enabled them to focus more effectively on their studies. School staff and students alike have expressed increased morale and hope with testimonies indicating that the aid has stabilized their living conditions temporarily. In the longer term, this support fosters resilience, reduces dropout rates, and promotes a conducive learning environment, helping students build a better future for themselves and their communities.”

Don Bosco Muhazi educates 261 youth aged 16-23. In the district 22.0% of people these ages previously attended school and have left for some reason, 75.2% are currently attending school and 2.8% have never attended secondary school.

Vumiriya Uwihoreye, a student benefiting from the program, said, “We are very happy. Many of us live in difficult circumstances, but seeing donors like this shows that there are many kind-hearted people interested in helping those with limited resources succeed.”

SYRIA

The Orphan Project brought support and joy to children in Aleppo, Syria through donor funding from Salesian Missions.

Salesians were able to help support children at two orphanages in Aleppo, Syria*, thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. Both an Armenian orphanage housing 30 children and a Muslim orphanage hosting 50 children, aged 6-18, were supported through the ongoing project.

Volunteers engaged the children in activities such as sports and games, cultural and educational sessions, psychological workshops, interactive theater performances, and a carnival day. Children also had access to individual counseling sessions to begin or continue therapeutic support in a safe, confidential setting. Each child was also taken to choose a new pair of shoes.

Orphanages in Aleppo are critically under-resourced and face overwhelming challenges including overcapacity, staffing shortages, and limited funding to meet even the most basic needs of the children.

A Salesian noted, “The Orphan Project represented a powerful humanitarian initiative that delivered essential care and emotional support to orphaned children in Aleppo — regardless of their religion, background or community. Amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis and socioeconomic instability in the region, this project has served as a beacon of hope, offering these children not only essential resources but also dignity, love and belonging.”

###

Sources:

Photos courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: Funding from Salesian Missions helps ship critical medical supplies for clinic

INDIA: 55 migrant families have solar lighting thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions

RWANDA: Don Bosco Muhazi provides essential support to 260 students thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions

Salesian Missions

SYRIA: Orphan Project brings support, joy to children thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions

Vatican News – Pope’s theme for 2026 World Day of Peace: ‘Peace be with you all’

*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.

The post CATHOLIC WORLD DAY OF PEACE: Salesian Missions highlights programs that lead to peaceful environments first appeared on MissionNewswire.

NIGERIA

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries with the Mary Help of Christians community have received the funding to support the Don Bosco Stitches project in Lagos, Nigeria. The donor funding is from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The project is teaching young women an employable skill that they can utilize in seeking a job or starting their own business.

Donor funding was utilized to buy the necessary equipment for the classroom, which allows for hands-on experience to teach the students the sewing skills they need. Once they are ready to graduate, each student has a portfolio of samples to showcase their work. Each year, up to 45 young women will be prepared for the workforce.

One of the students said, “I’ve been here for four weeks and my experience so far with Don Bosco Stitches has been supportive and educational. Our teachers teach us with love. They are professional with everything they do, and they are calm when they instruct us. What some people learn in one year with other programs, we have learned in a month. We have achieved a lot, and the fear I once had about the future is gone. This is a great opportunity for all of us.”

Father Michael Conway, director of Salesian Missions, noted, “The goal is to empower and improve the livelihood of girls and young women, fostering social inclusion, financial independence and ensuring that they know their rights. Educating young women can raise entire families out of poverty.”

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.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Nigeria

UNICEF – Nigeria

The post NIGERIA: Donor funding from Salesian Missions supports Don Bosco Stitches project first appeared on MissionNewswire.

EL SALVADOR

(MissionNewswire) Salesian sisters with the Laura Vicuña Pro Education Foundation (FUNELAVI Foundation) have a new truck to help support their social projects in El Salvador. The truck was purchased through donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The truck was necessary to drive over the difficult terrain in the region.

The sisters can now provide better emergency assistance for children and women in rural areas and offer greater capacity to carry out their mission. The FUNELAVI Foundation works with various projects in Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, offering programs in health, nutrition, values, school aid, sponsorship and microcredits.

One of the areas supported by the sisters is El Sauce Canton in El Salvador, a rural community with a large population and little agricultural development. Most of the land is used to cultivate sugar cane, which is sold to large mills at low cost. Later, the land is used for planting corn and beans for the sustenance the population will have for the year. The family economy is supported by women, 60% of whom live alone with their children. The biggest challenge is creating possibilities for communal trade.

Irene is a member of the project management group and is one of the women benefiting from the donation. She enjoys her work monitoring projects, especially the sponsorship program for children. She often travels with Sister Antonieta in the mountain terrain, but it is difficult to do in winter time. The new truck is making that possible.

Irene said, “With the new truck, we take more help with us. When we have a meeting with all the children we can take more children. In the end, the car belongs to everyone. Before we’d have to rent a truck to take all the things we bring to the families in need. Now, we can do that and save the money. We are grateful to the donors.”

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Laura Vicuña Pro Education Foundation

Salesian Missions – El Salvador

World Bank – El Salvador

The post EL SALVADOR: Salesian sisters have new truck to carry out mission work thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries at the Salesian Lyceum in Lviv, Ukraine*, are providing new locker rooms for the students using the sports fields. The funding for the project is thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco.

Construction and landscaping for the project started earlier this year. Spaces now include a locker room for girls, a locker room for boys and a module for the separate toilets. The locker rooms were equipped with a shower room with a bench and hangers.

This donation has impacted 431 youth participating in activities at the Salesian Lyceum. Youth include orphans and those who remain internally displaced due to the war. Local teams will also rent the soccer pitch for training and have access to the separate changing rooms.

Father Taras Bayovski, headmaster of the Salesian Lyceum, said, “I am grateful that we now have modular changing rooms near the soccer and volleyball pitches. The premises of the lyceum are very limited, and promoting a healthy lifestyle through sports activities without adequate sports infrastructure has always been a challenge for us. We now have a soccer field, a volleyball court and modular locker rooms. These facilities enable us to participate in three student sports leagues including mini soccer, volleyball and rugby.”

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.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

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.

The post UKRAINE: Salesian Lyceum has locker rooms for sports fields thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

NIGERIA

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries in Nigeria received donations thanks to partnerships developed by Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. Through the donations, students received laptops for their school work and religious items. They also received soccer balls from the men’s soccer team from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut.

The laptops were distributed to communities where the needs are greatest, including the Salesian Technical and Vocational Training Center in Ondo, the Vocational Training Center in Koko, and students in formation in Ibadan and Akure. The soccer balls were shared across Salesian youth centers in Osogbo, Ibadan, Lagos, Koko and Onitsha, bringing excitement for youth at these centers.

A Salesian said in a letter to donors, “On behalf of our youth ministry and communities, I write with great honor to express our heartfelt joy, appreciation, and thanksgiving for the generous gifts of laptops and balls we received. Your thoughtful donations have brought immense joy to our young people and to our centers.”

The Salesian added, “We are deeply grateful for this partnership and the tangible impact it has made. Your support strengthens our mission and inspires hope among the youth we serve. We remain open and hopeful to continue receiving such generous contributions in the future.”

According to UNICEF, Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country and the ninth most populous country in the world. By United Nations estimates, Nigeria will be one of the countries responsible for most of the world’s total population increase by 2050. While Nigeria has the second strongest economy in Africa, it also has extreme rates of poverty with 100 million people living on less than $1 a day.

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.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Nigeria

UNICEF – Nigeria

The post NIGERIA: Salesian centers receive laptops, soccer balls thanks to partnerships developed by Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

(MissionNewswire) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian organizations and the international community in honoring International Migrants Day. The day is held each year on Dec. 18 to recognize the efforts, contributions and rights of migrants worldwide.

According to the most recent World Migration Report produced by the International Organization for Migration, there are around 281 million international migrants in the world in 2020, which equates to 3.6% of the global population. For those who choose to leave their homeland, youth often leave in search of employment, education and a better way of life. The United Nations notes that youth are heavily represented in migration for humanitarian reasons including as refugees, asylum seekers and unaccompanied minors.

The United Nations also reported that, “Since 2014, nearly 70,000 migrants have died or gone missing along land and sea routes, with the true number likely much higher. Each recorded death represents a person whose loss deeply affects their family and reverberates throughout communities and societies. This is a silent humanitarian crisis, and it’s one we can solve.”

“Salesian missionaries care for and provide educational services to young migrants in countries around the globe,” explained Father Michael Conway, director of Salesian Missions. “Unaccompanied migrant youth often face rejection, homelessness, exploitation and delinquency as they make their journey to find a new way of life. They are also at risk of human trafficking and exploitation. Salesian missionaries work to create new educational and employment opportunities in countries youth leave as an incentive for them to remain at home.”

To mark International Migrants Day 2025, Salesian Missions is proud to highlight programs around the globe that provide life-changing education and social support to migrants.

COLOMBIA

John Bosco the Worker Center in Ciudad Bolívar, Colombia, offers educational opportunities and a safe haven for local youth in a region impacted by violence and poverty.

John Bosco the Worker Center in Ciudad Bolívar, Colombia, offers educational opportunities and a safe haven for local youth in a region impacted by violence and poverty. Established in 1994, the center is today recognized as a leader in technical training and known for teaching the circus arts.

Ciudad Bolívar is one of the most disadvantaged and dangerous areas south of Bogotá. The informal settlements house nearly 900,000 people, and 18% of families are not able to meet their primary needs of food, services, housing and education. Migrants from Venezuela coming to the area have built homes made of plastic, boards, metal and recycled materials. They often face violence and abuse.

A Salesian explained, “The community continues to expand on the slopes of the mountains and is made up principally of youth and mothers with limited resources. Lately, the area has also seen in the influx of thousands of migrants arriving from Venezuela in search of opportunities for a better life. To all of them, the John Bosco the Worker Center offers a way to escape poverty through education.”

The center offers 13 technical training programs, cooking classes, sports and artistic activities. Young migrants are also welcomed through the Reception House for Venezuelan Youth. The center aids families as well, including 120 adults and 40 young mothers. On Saturdays, recreational activities are organized in the streets.

INDIA

Salesian missionaries with Bosco Vikas Gramin Kendra were able to support children in migrant communities in the Central Maharashtra region of India thanks to funding from Salesian Missions.

Salesian missionaries with Bosco Vikas Gramin Kendra were able to support children in migrant communities in the Central Maharashtra region of India thanks to funding from Salesian Missions.

The project encouraged children from the migrant communities to attend study centers for various sports activities. This brought youth in the door and allowed them to access the other services being offered, including classes. In six project hamlets, study classes were held on a regular basis. A total of 193 boys and girls were enrolled and studied math and language. At the conclusion of each month, tests were administered to assess progress. The monthly evaluations were then shared with the students. Special additional care and attention were provided to those who needed help.

Nutrition was also provided for 200 youth, who were able to have at least one healthy meal a week thanks to the project funding. Salesians also held programs to inform parents about the importance of healthy nutrition. Parents were able to attend sessions to learn about other services available to them. Salesians covered 12 programs that parents could access including health insurance, financial aid and nutritional support. More than 2,300 people attended these sessions.

MEXICO

The Salesian Tijuana Project in Tijuana, Mexico offers migrant women and children a safe place to stay and an opportunity to plan their future through the Salesian Refuge, a center offering support.

The Salesian Tijuana Project in Tijuana, Mexico offers migrant women and children a safe place to stay and an opportunity to plan their future through the Salesian Refuge, a center offering support. These vulnerable groups are most at risk of violence, exploitation and violation of their rights.

The building that houses the Salesian Refuge is home for 120 migrant women between the ages of 25-50 and their children. Currently, there are 80 children between the ages of 6-12. With the assistance of the Salesians of Don Bosco and a staff of 12, women and children are welcomed and access services.

Children are able to receive education to ensure they continue in school. Salesians also offer psychological support and professional training for women to help them recover emotionally and gain employment skills, allowing them to become self-sufficient. In addition, Salesians offer health care and legal assistance to process asylum requests or any requests for documents necessary to resume the journey in safety.

A Salesian noted, “The vocational training and interpersonal skills training is important to help empower these women to find jobs in employment sectors that are hiring, such as cooking and nursing. The children can take advantage of multi-stage educational programs at the Don Bosco Salesian School in Tijuana.”

THE GAMBIA

The Don Bosco 2000 Association has expanded its commitment in Africa with the launch of the Beteya Guinar project in The Gambia.

The Don Bosco 2000 Association has expanded its commitment in Africa with the launch of the Beteya Guinar project in The Gambia. The project provides a pathway to fight against irregular migration via an integrated supply chain for breeding and distributing chickens. Youth at risk of emigration will receive specific training, develop professional skills and find stable employment in their communities of origin.

This project comes after the positive results of a similar project in Tambacounda, Senegal, which received support from the Fondazione Opera Don Bosco Onlus in Milan, Italy and Opera Don Bosco Mondo in Lugano, Switzerland. The project in Senegal trained three youth who are now engaged in the management of the business.

Agostino Sella, president of Don Bosco 2000 Association, said, “We are excited to extend the project in The Gambia. The goal is to build a self-sufficient system that offers concrete perspectives to young people, preventing forced departures and promoting local development.”

The initiative works to ensure access to quality food products for local communities while strengthening the economic and social fabric. As in Senegal, technological innovations will be introduced in The Gambia with new sales methods to improve the quality of the services offered.

####

Sources:

COLOMBIA: Local youth and migrants can find path out of poverty

INDIA: Salesian Missions funds project to help support migrant children

International Organization for Migration

MEXICO: Salesian Tijuana Project houses migrant women and their children

Salesian Missions

THE GAMBIA: New project aims to decrease migration for youth

United Nations Migrants Day

The post INTERNATIONAL MIGRANTS DAY: Salesian Missions highlights educational program and social supports for young migrants first appeared on MissionNewswire.

MALAWI

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco High School, located in Nkhotakota, Malawi, has improved living conditions for 80 young girls thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The project funding was used to purchase five buildings as well as the adjacent land. The new area was also fenced for safety.

Three houses were renovated and adequately equipped. One house and another building were taken down because they were not in good condition. Seven toilets and 14 showers were constructed, as well as a stand for two 5,000-liter water tanks. Water and electricity were also connected.

A Salesian explained, “The main objective of the project was to create better safety and living conditions for the school girls. This was achieved, and as a result, the girls punctuality improved because of the availability of more showers, toilets and available water.”

Jenallah Mkandawire is a teacher at the school. Before the project, she noted that the living conditions were not adequate for the girls. She explained, “Now the girls are on time and have adequate water for washing their clothes and sanitary needs. Since they have more places to wash themselves and to wash their clothes, the general hygiene of school has improved.”

Mkandawire said that many of the girls have better living conditions at the school now than they have at their homes.

She added, “We broke for holidays and were surprised to see the changes in our campus after the holidays. All of us appreciate the donors who helped make this dream a reality.”

In Malawi, more than 50% of the population lives in poverty and the majority of households have women as the head of the household, according to the World Bank. Agriculture is a central part of Malawi’s economy, but land distribution is unequal and crops are highly vulnerable to the region’s frequent droughts. Few houses have piped water and less than one in 10 Malawians has access to electricity. Water is collected from wells or streams, and most people cook over an open fire. Malawians deal with hunger and malnutrition on a daily basis.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Malawi

World Bank – Malawi

The post MALAWI: 80 girls at Don Bosco High School have improved living conditions thanks to donors from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

NIGERIA

(MissionNewswire) St. Jude Science and Technical College in Nigeria has been able to upgrade its water system thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The funding came from the Salesian Missions “Clean Water Initiative” and impacted 1,300 students, 70 staff and 350 youth from the community.

Salesians conducted a survey to understand the gaps in water supply, sanitation facilities, and hygiene practices in order to determine the best course of action for the project. This was followed by the construction and rehabilitation of the boreholes, wells and water storage. Salesians then launched school-based WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) clubs and outreach campaigns. Students and staff were trained on the operation and maintenance of the facilities.

Through the project, hand-washing points have been constructed at different places in the school compound. Existing toilets were renovated, and the project added more toilets in both the bathrooms for men and women and two for people with disabilities. Students and staff have easy access to the use of toilet facilities without any issue of overcrowding.

A Salesian noted, “The community played an active and enthusiastic role throughout the implementation of the WASH project. For many residents, both adults and children, the initiative introduced facilities and practices they had never encountered before. Their willingness to embrace the new systems and participate in training and maintenance activities reflects a promising foundation for long-term sustainability.”

Kumaga Joseph Tersor is a boarding student enrolled in the Department of Electrical Installation and Maintenance. He aspires to become a renowned engineer. He recalls that, until recently, the school only had a few pit toilets, which were inadequate for the student population.

Tesor recounted, “When the new toilet project began, we were thrilled. Our excitement grew even more when the project was completed. In fact, no other school in the entire Gboko area has a facility like this. For many students, this is their first encounter with modern sanitation. Our duties as prefects have become much easier — students no longer defecate in the bush, and they have been taught how to use the new toilets properly. When I shared this development with my friends, they were overjoyed. We are deeply grateful for this facility and extend our heartfelt thanks to the donor from Salesian Missions.”

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.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Nigeria

UNICEF – Nigeria

The post NIGERIA: More than 1,700 people impacted by water project funded by Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

INDIA

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Nava Nirman, located in Muniguda, India, provided scholarships for 32 girls thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The school was developed in 2010 after the Kandhamal violence in the region in 2008. One of the greatest contributions Salesians make in the region is through their education, especially for youth who are poor and marginalized.

A Salesian noted, “We have been concentrating on the education of girls and young women, which is an urgent need in this area. Generally, girls are marginalized by the parents as well as the society at large as they are not seen as potential earners in the workplace. Our entry into the education of the girls is in a way an attempt to transform this general perception. Today, through support provided to us, we are able to educate many girls through our scholarship program.”

Donor funding helped to offset the cost for hostel fees, as well as academic fees and book purchases. Although the school received funds for 26 scholarships, it was able to make scholarships available for additional children. In total, 32 children received financial support for their education.

The Salesian said, “We thank Salesian Missions for the generous help donors have given to girls who seek an education. We look forward to supporting these children’s scholarships every year without hindrance, ensuring they can complete their studies uninterrupted.”

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.

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.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – India

World Bank – India

The post INDIA: Don Bosco Nava Nirman provides 32 girls with scholarships thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

KENYA

Project trained 66 animators and teachers across seven parishes

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries were able to train Pontifical Missionary Children animators and Sunday school teachers in Salesian parishes in Kenya, thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. Through this project 66 animators and teachers were trained across seven parishes.

The animators and teachers were trained in psychology of child development, psychosocial development, James Fowler’s model of faith development and cognitive development contemporary theories for children learning spirituality.

A Salesian explained, “This was an excellent training project. Now with the 66 animators and teachers trained, they will bring what they are learned to educate more than 12,000 children, aged 5–12 years, in various parishes. Not only that but animators and teachers were able to share their experiences, build a supportive network and continue to learn from each other.”

An interactive WhatsApp group was created through this project to enable members to share ideas, showcase progress, and demonstrate the application of learned methodologies. On the last day of the training, animators visited Don Bosco Upperhill Parish (Shrine of Mary Help of Christians) to observe how the animators and Sunday School teachers organize and conduct their sessions.

Nelly Lukaziva Sanya is one of the people who attended the training. She has always been passionate about nurturing children’s spiritual growth. Before joining the project, Sanya faced several challenges that affected her confidence and teaching effectiveness. Her methods were mostly traditional, and she often felt limited in how she could engage her students or manage classroom dynamics.

Reflecting on that period, Sanya said, “Before the training, I often felt stuck doing things the same way and wasn’t sure how to make my lessons more engaging.” When the project was introduced, Sanya welcomed it with both excitement and apprehension. She was eager to learn new teaching techniques and connect with other teachers, yet she worried about whether she could adapt to the new methods and apply them effectively. Despite these initial worries, she embraced the learning process and found the sessions inspiring and transformative.

By the end of the training, Sanya felt a renewed sense of confidence and purpose. The practical methods and creative strategies she learned helped her better engage her students and strengthened the trust between her and the children’s parents. The training not only improved her teaching but also deepened her sense of community among fellow teachers. Together, they shared insights, encouraged one another, and discussed ways to make Sunday school more interactive and spiritually enriching.

Looking ahead, Sanya hopes to continue growing as a teacher and mentor. She envisions creating digital learning resources, forming a supportive network of Sunday school teachers, and inspiring others through mentorship and collaboration.

Sanya added, “I want to mentor children and new teachers, share what I’ve learned, and create online resources to support others.” Overall, the project has enhanced Sanya’s confidence, teaching effectiveness and community leadership, contributing to a more engaging and spiritually enriching learning environment.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Kenya

World Bank – Kenya

The post KENYA: Salesian missionaries provide spirituality training for Salesian teachers thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries with the Salesian Lyceum in Lviv, Ukraine* were able to use donor funding to install a volleyball pitch thanks to funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The pitch was set up over the summer and ready for the start of the school semester in Sept. 2025.

More than 400 students were impacted by the donation and have been able to now play volleyball during their physical education classes and afterschool activities. UNICEF reports that since the start of the conflict with Russia, more than 1,600 schools have been impacted by the bombing. Education has been interrupted for many students and they are no longer able to access coursework or have leisure activities with their friends.

The Salesian Lyceum has been meeting these needs for many students, many of whom have been internally displaced in the country. Some of the students are orphaned and in the care of relatives or the Salesians.

Father Taras Bayovskiy, headmaster of the Salesian Lyceum, said, “I am grateful that we now have a volleyball pitch. What we have available for students is limited, and promoting a healthy lifestyle through sports activities without adequate sports infrastructure has always been a challenge for us. We now have a football field, a volleyball court, and modular locker rooms. These facilities enable us to participate in three student sports leagues including football, volleyball, and rugby.”

During the more than three years of war, Salesian missionaries in Ukraine and in nearby countries have supported thousands of people with projects and activities aimed at alleviating the situation for those who have been affected by the war.

###

Sources:

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.

The post UKRAINE: Students access new volleyball pitch thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

(MissionNewswire) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian organizations and countries around the globe in honoring World AIDS Day celebrated each year on Dec. 1. The day is held to honor AIDS victims and focuses on prevention and treatment issues surrounding HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome).

World AIDS Day originated at the 1988 World Summit of Ministers of Health on Programs for AIDS Prevention. Every year since then, United Nations agencies, governments and civil society join together to campaign around specific themes related to AIDS.

U.N. AIDS has estimated 38 million people live with the virus, and more than 35 million people have died of HIV or AIDS-related illnesses over the past 40 years, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history.

In the U.N. AIDS Global Update report, it is noted that in 2023 there were an estimated 1.9 million adolescent girls and young women aged 15-24 years living with HIV compared with 1.2 million adolescent boys and young men of the same age. Globally, 44% of all new HIV infections were among women and girls (all ages).

The agency has noted the world is off track to meet the 2025 targets for new infections and AIDS-related deaths. U.N. AIDS has indicated, “The urgency of now is that significant gaps remain in access to HIV prevention and treatment services that need to be filled. Further, unfair laws, discrimination and violence must be stopped to ensure access to treatment and prevention for all.”

Father Michael Conway, director of Salesian Missions, explained, “Salesian missionaries offer more than 150 medical clinics and hospitals around the globe that handle a wide range of medical care needs and are mostly in rural areas. HIV/AIDS prevention and testing programs are vital components of Salesian health care initiatives in Africa. The work of Salesian missionaries around the globe goes beyond education to ensure the well-being of our students.”

Navajeevan Bala Bhavan, a Salesian community within the Province of St. Joseph, Hyderabad, based in Vijayawada, India, recently received a certificate of recognition acknowledging the Salesian organization’s exemplary nutrition support programs for children impacted by HIV/AIDS. The certificate was given by the Andhra Pradesh State AIDS Control Society.

The Navajeevan Bala Bhavan’s Neethodu Integrated Counseling Center has been working across Vijayawada to serve individuals and families grappling with HIV since 2021. To date, the organization has reached 390 individuals, 234 adults and 156 children across 106 families, offering essential support to improve their quality of life.

Another program specific to addressing the risk of HIV/AIDS for young women is Don Bosco Fambul, one of Sierra Leone’s leading child-welfare organizations located in Freetown. Here Salesians offer the Girls Shelter GO+ program to support young girls who have been forced into sex work. Some of the girls are as young as 9 years old. Most of them have faced violence and sexual abuse. They include girls from other countries, villages or the poorest areas of Freetown who often are forced to provide financially for themselves and their families. Many of the girls have been infected with sexually transmitted diseases, as well as HIV, and are in need of medical care.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

INDIA: Salesians recognized for nutrition programs serving children impacted by HIV/AIDS

Salesian Missions

Sierra Leone: Over 600 girls rescued through program

World AIDS Day

Global AIDS Update 2024

The post WORLD AIDS DAY: Salesian Missions highlights programs that provide support and health care for youth with HIV/AIDS first appeared on MissionNewswire.

INDIA

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries were able to construct the new Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament in Pathangre Village, tribal village in Madhya Pradesh, India, thanks to donor funding. The funding came from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. There are 55 Catholic families in the village who will attend this new chapel.

With the funding, Salesian missionaries were able to construct the chapel and fill it will all the necessary items for Catholic mass as well as other religious services. The Chapel has sufficient number of lights and fans as well as the crucifix and statues of Mary Help of Christians, St Joseph, and the Sacred Heart of Jesus, as well as the Stations of the Cross.

A Salesian noted, “The new chapel has brought a complete change in the life of the faithful. Before, they had no place to gather for church or prayer. Now they have a beautiful chapel to gather for Mass, prayer meetings, the rosary, Sunday School for the children, religious instruction and catechesis for the older youth. During the months of May and October, they gather together to pray the rosary. The chapel has become the center for the faithful of the village. The chapel is a great blessing their lives. They are extremely grateful to the donors and the Salesian Missions.”

Getmilla Sangma is one of the people who has benefited from this new chapel. She is the mother of four children and one of her sons is the Salesian Aspirantate, who will be completing his call this year. Her was serving as the catechist of the village since the beginning.

Sangma said, “We are happy we have a beautiful chapel where we can gather for prayer and rosary and for mass whenever Salesian fathers come to visit us. This has also impacted our children who used to have to sit outside for catechism, which was difficult in the rainy season and winter because the old church was in disrepair and old. Now, they are inside and can focus. It gives us new hope – our prayers are answered.”

###

Sources:

Salesian Missions – India

World Bank – India

The post INDIA: New chapel in Pathangre Village brings new hope thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

(MissionNewswire) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian organizations and the international community in honoring World Toilet Day. Celebrated each year on Nov. 19, the day brings the world’s attention to the global needs of sanitation and marks the founding of the World Toilet Organization on Nov. 19, 2001. The inaugural World Toilet Summit was held on the same day and was the first global summit of its kind.

Every year, U.N.-Water — the United Nation’s coordination mechanism on water and sanitation — sets the theme. This year’s theme “Sanitation in a changing world” calls on the global community to “invest in ‘future-ready’ sanitation today.” The U.N. highlights that we must ensure toilets are accessible to all, are resilient to floods, droughts and other climate shocks, are designed to minimize greenhouse gas emissions, and are supported by strong systems and sustained investment.

The U.N. has noted that 3.4 billion people still live without safely managed sanitation services and that unsafe water, sanitation, and hygiene are responsible for the deaths of around 1,000 children under age 5 every day. The organization has acknowledged that, “As time goes by, the pressure on sanitation is only increasing. Across the world, aging infrastructure is failing. Investment hasn’t kept pace with demand. And climate change is reshaping our world — with glaciers melting, weather worsening and sea levels rising.”

To ensure access to proper sanitation at Salesian schools and centers across the globe, Salesian Missions continues its “Clean Water Initiative” to make building wells and supplying fresh, clean water a top priority for every community in every country in which Salesian missionaries work.

Father Michael Conway, director of Salesian Missions, said, “Improving sanitation facilities ensures that youth are living in an environment that promotes proper hygiene. By doing this, Salesians help reduce the number of waterborne illnesses that can keep youth away from school and important study time.”

In honor of World Toilet Day 2025, Salesian Missions is proud to highlight Salesian programs around the globe that aid in the development of appropriate and effective water and sanitation systems.

INDIA

Students at Don Bosco College Chapaguri in India have a new water supply thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions.

Salesian missionaries installed a functional borewell at Don Bosco College Chapaguri, located in Assam, India, to address the growing need for a reliable water source on campus. The project was funded by the “Clean Water Initiative” of Salesian Missions.

As a result of the project, the college and the 100 students at the hostel now have a consistent, on-site water supply, significantly reducing dependence on external sources and improving overall campus hygiene and sustainability.

To ensure optimal groundwater availability, a survey was conducted to identify the most suitable location for drilling. A borewell was drilled to access a sustainable aquifer and then a high-capacity submersible pump was installed, along with durable piping and electrical connections to ensure efficient water extraction.

KENYA

Don Bosco Utume Salesian Theological College, a center for learning for those becoming priests in Nairobi, Kenya, has new bathrooms for the community.

Don Bosco Utume Salesian Theological College, a center for learning for those who are becoming priests in Nairobi, Kenya, has new bathrooms for its multi-use field for the community thanks to funding from Salesian Missions. The project is part of the Salesian Missions “Clean Water Initiative.”

Salesians rent out their field for use for community activities including sports, but the bathrooms were more than 25 years old. In order to be able to continue to rent out the space, which brings in revenue to help Don Bosco Utume remain self-sufficient, the block of bathrooms needed to be updated. The Karen Hospital next to the school also uses the field often, while youth use it for events.

With the funding provided, Salesians were able to build a block of bathrooms for men and women. The toilets are modern and have sensors for flushing to avoid wasting water. There are also changing rooms, lockers and showers available.

MYANMAR

Boys at the Don Bosco Youth Center in Mandalay, Myanmar, have a new building for bathrooms and showers as part of the Salesian Missions “Clean Water Initiative.”

Youth at Don Bosco Youth Center in Mandalay, Myanmar*, have a new building for bathrooms and showers thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. The project is part of the Salesian Missions “Clean Water Initiative.” Sixty boys were impacted by this donation.

The boys at Don Bosco Youth Center live on the street and do not have one or both parents. Mandalay is hot, and hygienic facilities are essential for the health and well-being of the boys. The new building is helping the youth maintain cleanliness.

Father Ken Lian James, provincial economer, wrote in a letter to Salesian Missions, “Thanks to your kindness, we are now able to provide our boys with a safer, healthier environment, which also promotes ecological care and overall well-being. Your generous contribution has greatly uplifted the standard of our center and has been a true blessing for our brothers in need.”

UGANDA

A new tank will help to provide water for vocational school students and to the broader refugee population at Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp in Uganda.

The Salesian Vocational Training School, located inside of the Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp in Uganda, has a new high-capacity water tank thanks to funding from Salesian Missions. The funding is part of the Salesian Missions “Clean Water Initiative.”

With so many people living in the camp, the current water sources simply aren’t enough. The new tank will help to provide water for the students at the vocational school and to the broader refugee population once the project is completed. While the tank has been installed, the current water pumps aren’t adequate to fill the tank. Salesians will finalize the project when the funding for new water pumps becomes available.

A Salesian noted, “The project aims to directly benefit more than 750 students and workers at Don Bosco Vocational Training School inside the camp. These populations, already living in extremely precarious conditions, depend on constant access to safe drinking water to meet their basic needs. The lack of sufficient storage capacity weakens the water supply, significantly increasing the risk of waterborne diseases such as diarrhea and cholera. The tank, once operational, will address this critical need by improving the availability, consistency, and quality of water distributed in the camp. The project will also have a structural impact on the daily lives of refugees.”

###

Sources:

Photos courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

INDIA: Students at Don Bosco College Chapaguri have new water supply thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions

KENYA: Salesian Missions provides funding for new bathrooms at Don Bosco Utume

MYANMAR: Don Bosco Youth Center has new bathroom facilities thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions

Salesian Missions

UGANDA: Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp has new water tank thanks to funding from Salesian Missions

World Toilet Day

*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.

The post WORLD TOILET DAY: Salesian Missions highlights projects that ensure clean water and proper sanitation first appeared on MissionNewswire.

TOGO

Project part of ‘Clean Water Initiative’

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries at the Don Bosco Post-Novitiate House in St. John Bosco Community in Akodessewa, Lomé, Togo, added a new water purification and filtration system thanks to funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The funding came from the Salesian Missions “Clean Water Initiative.”

The project included the construction of a water tower and tank for water storage, ensuring a reliable supply of water. Salesians also installed a filtration and purification system for potable and safe drinking water. This fresh water supply has improved the living conditions of the more than 130 members of the Salesian community in Lomé.

The community includes Salesians and students from several countries who are there to live and learn. The project also improves the lives of those who visit the community, including trainers and future students.

A Salesian explained, “Togo faces significant challenges with access to safe water and sanitation, particularly in rural areas where water is polluted by waste and wastewater. Even in the city, the cost of water to the general public is very expensive. Even if you decide to drill a borehole, you have to go deep and install a filtration system in order to get safe drinking water since it’s closer to the sea.”

One of the students impacted by the donation is Ombisa Salian Fred Germelan, a third-year philosophy student at the Don Bosco Institute who lives in the St. John Bosco community in Akodessewa. Since arriving on Sept. 5, 2023, he and his peers faced a significant challenge with accessing potable water due to a road project that rendered piped water undrinkable.

For two years, the community relied on kitchen water as a temporary solution, which was inconvenient. Since the project has been completed, there are no major issues with water supply and everyone in the community is grateful for the new clean water access.

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.

To learn more about the Salesian Missions Clean Water Initiative, go to SalesianMissions.org/water.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Togo

World Bank – Togo

The post TOGO: Don Bosco Post-Novitiate House has clean water access thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

ZAMBIA

Solar power system enables community activities

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries at the Don Bosco Community in Mansa, Zambia, recently installed a solar power system thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. Salesians were able to install 12 solar panels, lithium batteries and inverters, allowing the system to provide stable and consistent electricity to the main priest’s house and adjacent volunteer house. Additionally, the new system ensures that nearby water pumps are powered.

The Don Bosco Community is home to five Salesians, two volunteers and two lay staff. There are also four Salesian sisters who come for eucharist celebrations as well as parishioners, teachers and students who depend on a well-functioning Salesian community.

Zambia is currently grappling with a serious energy crisis caused primarily by its overdependence on hydropower. This energy source constitutes over 85% of the country’s electricity generation capacity, but generation has dropped significantly thanks to persistent and extreme dry seasons.

As of early 2025, the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation announced load-shedding schedules in most parts of the country due to a generation deficit. This shortfall has affected both urban and rural areas, including strategic communities such as the Don Bosco Community in Mansa.

In Mansa, like many other districts in Luapula Province, the situation is exacerbated by limited grid investment and poor maintenance of transmission infrastructure. Power blackouts are frequent, unpredictable and prolonged. For the Don Bosco Community, this energy instability severely disrupts religious, administrative and community-outreach activities.

The Don Bosco priest’s house in the community is not only a residence but also a spiritual and logistical hub for pastoral care, youth ministry, education planning and hospitality. Without consistent power supply, critical functions like lighting, refrigeration, communication systems and security lights and alarms are constantly interrupted.

A Salesian explained, “We had been using diesel generators to help when the main power supply was out, but that was both costly and unsustainable in the long term given rising fuel prices and environmental concerns. Having an alternative, reliable and clean energy source that supports the essential services carried out by the priests has been a pressing need. The installation of the solar power addresses this while also contributing to Zambia’s national vision of integrating renewable energy into its development agenda.”

Father Francis Ndoda, a new member in the community, is one of the priests impacted by the donation. He is in charge of administration and the youth center. His passion for youth ministry in the community was challenged by lack of electric power in the community that affected prayer and community life. When the project was approved, he and the community were anxious to see this dream come true.

A Salesian added, “We all hoped that the system would meet the energy needs of the community and be able to restore community life. After the project implementation, we are able to do all the activities of the mission without fear of losing electricity and having constant interruptions.”

Looking forward, the community would like to improve the power supply to the school with a small solar power system. The goal is to power the computer lab in the school with a bigger backup system in order to enhance learning of technology.

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.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Zambia

UNICEF – Zambia

The post ZAMBIA: Salesians in Mansa have new solar power thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

(MissionNewswire) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins Catholic organizations around the globe in honoring World Day of the Poor. The day, celebrated on Nov. 16, will be the ninth celebration of the day. This day was established by Pope Francis in 2016 at the end of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy in honor of the poor.

In his address, Pope Leo XIV stated, “In this promotion of the common good, our social responsibility is grounded in God’s creative act, which gives everyone a share in the goods of the earth. Like those goods, the fruits of human labor should be equally accessible to all. Helping the poor is a matter of justice before a question of charity.”

Pope Leo XIV continued, “It is my hope, then, that this Jubilee Year will encourage the development of policies aimed at combating forms of poverty both old and new, as well as implementing new initiatives to support and assist the poorest of the poor. Labor, education, housing and health are the foundations of a security that will never be attained by the use of arms. I express my appreciation for those initiatives that already exist, and for the efforts demonstrated daily on the international level by great numbers of men and women of good will.”

Nearly 30,000 Salesian priests, brothers, sisters, and novices are working in more than 130 countries around the globe bringing education, workforce development, and social programs to poor youth and their families. They work in some of the most challenging circumstances and are among the first to respond during humanitarian crises or natural disasters.

“Salesian missionaries are providing people in poverty with social supports to help them meet basic needs and improve their lives,” said Father Michael Conway, director of Salesian Missions. “While Salesian missionaries primarily focus on education, they also work to meet needs like shelter, food, medical care and clean water while also working to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches those who need it most. These supports ensure that youth have what they need while focusing on their education.”

In honor of the Catholic World Day of the Poor, Salesian Missions highlights social programs that are helping youth meet their basic needs, receive an education, and find a path out of poverty.

DR CONGO

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Afia Don Bosco Hospital received donor funding from Salesian Missions for a new generator to overcome frequent power outages.

Afia Don Bosco Hospital, located in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo*, has a new generator to supply the hospital with consistent electricity thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. The hospital, which runs 65% of the time on a generator, experiences frequent power outages, which impact its ability to provide proper medical care for patients.

The hospital provides medical care for the large population in Lubumbashi and its surroundings. Patients of all ages rely on the hospital services, including Salesians and families being served from the Salesian center in the area. The old generator that had been in use for some time had broken, leaving the hospital in a precarious situation. With the new generator, the hospital will run more effectively and efficiently.

Afia Don Bosco Hospital has 156 beds and specialized services including radiology, an emergency department, general medicine, internal medicine, pneumology, gynecological and obstetric, dermatology, dentistry, kinesiotherapy, pediatric, general surgery, neurosurgery, psychiatry, ophthalmology, oncology and more.

LEBANON

Salesian missionaries were able to provide emergency support for 100 displaced people impacted by the war in Lebanon thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions.

Salesian missionaries have been able to provide emergency assistance for people impacted by the war in Lebanon* thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. The “Emergency Assistance to Internally Displaced People in Lebanon” project provided aid as well as housing for 100 internally displaced people who escaped villages at the border with Israel and south Beirut.

These individuals were hosted in the public school inside Don Bosco Hossoun’s center. The funding from Salesian Missions helped those displaced settle inside the school premises and be supported through the winter with kitchen equipment, blankets, and warm clothes. Salesians also were able to create a stock of medicines and provide meals, water, medical and psycho-social support, and recreational opportunities for youth.

A Salesian noted, “The funding was essential to helping us provide a safe and secure place for the families who were displaced. It allowed Salesians to provide ongoing support too. While those displaced remained at the Salesian center, staff were able to monitor to provide ongoing social and psychological support and continue to address urgent humanitarian needs, while fostering resilience and hope.”

RWANDA

In Rwanda, Don Bosco Muhazi provided food assistance and essential support to 260 students with donor funding from Salesian Missions.

Don Bosco Muhazi Technical and Vocational School in Rwanda had the funding to support 260 students thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. The funding provided food assistance and essential supplies. Fifty of these students, who live off school grounds, received hygiene kits, food supplies and rent support.

A Salesian noted, “This aid was especially crucial for students from remote areas who struggle to meet their basic needs while pursuing technical education. It enabled them to focus more effectively on their studies. School staff and students alike have expressed increased morale and hope with testimonies indicating that the aid has stabilized their living conditions temporarily. In the longer term, this support fosters resilience, reduces dropout rates, and promotes a conducive learning environment, helping students build a better future for themselves and their communities.”

Don Bosco Muhazi educates 261 youth aged 16-23. In the district 22.0% of people these ages previously attended school and have left for some reason, 75.2% are currently attending school and 2.8% have never attended secondary school.

ZAMBIA

Don Bosco Farm in Zambia has bee established for hands-on education thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions.

Salesian missionaries in the St. John Bosco Community, located in Lusaka, Zambia, created the Don Bosco Farm to enhance learning experiences for students thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. The farm will also provide nutritional support for students and Salesians.

Salesian missionaries operate three agriculture schools in the region. Students receive classroom instruction and spend three months honing their skills on a working farm. Finding enough farms willing to take students has been a challenge. Establishing the Don Bosco Farm ensures students have the hands-on working time they need.

With the donor funding, Salesians purchased layer chickens, pigs and cattle, as well as feed. They also paid for farm maintenance and wages. The project beneficiaries include 40 students and educators in Makeni, 28 Salesian novices in Kabwe, and 50 Salesians and lay people attending activities at the provincial house.

###

Sources:

Photos courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

DR CONGO: Afia Don Bosco Hospital receives donor funding for new generator

LEBANON: Salesian missionaries provide support for 100 displaced people thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions

RWANDA: Don Bosco Muhazi provides essential support to 260 students thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions

Salesian Missions

Vatican Message

ZAMBIA: Don Bosco Farm established for education thanks to donor funding from 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.

The post CATHOLIC WORLD DAY OF THE POOR: Salesian Missions highlights social programs that help people in poverty first appeared on MissionNewswire.

INDIA

(MissionNewswire) Bosco Gramin Vikas Kendra, located in Maharashtra, India, implemented the “Solar Home Lighting” initiative to address energy deprivation among migrant households. To facilitate the initiative, Salesians received donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco.

Through the project, 55 migrant families were provided with solar home lighting systems. These families now have safe, reliable and affordable access to electricity and are no longer dependent on unsafe and illegal power connections.

Before the use of solar lights, the migrant community living along Arangaon Road resided in temporary, modest shelters in a semi-rural environment with limited infrastructure. They faced a lack of reliable lighting, which made it difficult to continue work or household activities after dark and affected children’s ability to study.

A Salesian noted, “Since the implementation of the solar lighting, there has been a significant reduction in energy costs, enabling increased household savings. Families are experiencing improved night-time quality of life, with better lighting for children to study and women had greater convenience for household chores and small income-generating activities. They also now have enhanced safety and security of households by reducing the use of kerosene lamps and unsafe power tapping.”

Raju Dhumal has been living with his four children along Arangaon Road for the past two years. Like many in the community, he prepares and sells roasted chickpeas and puffed rice in nearby villages to sustain his family. Before the installation of solar lights, life for Dhumal’s family was filled with challenges. Work had to stop after sunset, which subsequently reduced their income. The darkness brought constant fear of snakes and scorpions, and Dhumal’s children were unable to study at night. Insecurity and limited opportunities cast a shadow over their daily lives.

When the solar project was introduced, Dhumal welcomed it with hope and happiness, confident that the lights would bring safety and comfort. After installation, the transformation was immediate — his family could work safely into the evening, the children gained valuable study time and their environment felt far more secure.

Looking to the future, Dhumal dreams of expanding his small business and ensuring his children receive a good education, laying the foundation for a brighter tomorrow with the support of solar lighting.

He said, “With solar lights, we feel secure, our children can study, and we can grow our business.”

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – India

World Bank – India

The post INDIA: 55 migrant families have solar lighting thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

KENYA

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Utume in Nairobi, Kenya, has installed a new tank to provide clean water to community members and others, including people who are marginalized, thanks to funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The project is part of the Salesian Missions “Clean Water Initiative.”

This project has increased the total water storage from approximately 5,200 gallons (25,000 liters) to almost 16,000 gallons (85,000 liters), resolving the previous storage shortfall that had caused frequent outages. Don Bosco Utume is located in Langata, Nairobi, an urban area with a growing population and significant water needs. The climate is semi-arid, with irregular rainfall patterns, making water storage essential for both human consumption and agricultural sustainability.

The community serves approximately 200 residents, including seminarians and staff, while also providing free water to more than 1,000 people each day, including members of the Maasai community and children who live on the street. The previous water tank was insufficient to meet the demands. The borehole pump ran continuously, increasing electricity costs and maintenance expenses. The lack of adequate water storage limited irrigation for agribusiness, affected sports field maintenance and hindered community outreach efforts.

A Salesian noted, “Since the installation of the new storage tank, people report that water remains available even during busy times. Water that used to run out by the afternoon is now consistently available throughout the day. Early readings also indicate that the pump runs approximately 30% less each day. This lowers electricity consumption and reduces wear and tear on the pump, which is exactly what we aimed for.”

The new storage tank is greatly impacting the lives of people in the community, particularly women who are often tasked with finding water sources. Elizabeth is a mother of four, and every day, she and her daughter would wake before sunrise and walk more than three miles to fetch water. They often waited in long lines and were exhausted by the time they got home.

Elizabeth said, “We had to use the little water we had sparingly, as shortages can cause stress and hurt our health. I hoped my children could stay healthy and attend school instead of spending hours fetching water. Before the new tank was installed, the old one at Don Bosco often ran dry by midday. I would arrive and find it empty, forcing us to come back later or walk further to another borehole. This meant missing chores, such as washing clothes, or even delaying cooking.”

She added, “With the new water tank, for the first time, my children can bathe daily, and we all feel cleaner. We still have to carry heavy cans home because the water isn’t piped to our homes. It’s a lot of effort, but at least we don’t have to worry about the tank running out of fuel. If I could have one more thing, it would be a pipeline or even more taps closer to the village. This project has shown us that improvements are possible. For now, I am thankful that, although we must walk to Don Bosco, water is available there. I genuinely feel optimistic about the future. I am very grateful for this gift of water.”

To learn more about the Salesian Missions Clean Water Initiative, go to SalesianMissions.org/water.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Kenya

World Bank – Kenya

The post KENYA: Don Bosco Utume installs new water tank thanks to funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

(MissionNewswire) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, has launched its Annual Food Distribution Appeal, enabling donors to multiply their gift many times over by turning a $1 donation into $20 of critical nutrition.

Salesian Missions maintains partnerships with international humanitarian aid organizations like Rise Against Hunger and Feed My Starving Children that donate tons of nutritious food. With the trusted presence of Salesian missionaries in more than 130 countries, life-saving meals are provided for people who need them most. Donor funding helps Salesian Missions transport the meals from shipping docks to Salesian program locations around the globe.

In some places, the severity of food insecurity is overwhelming. An estimated 673 million people are living with hunger, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Further, the organization has noted that more than 2.8 billion people are unable to afford a healthy diet. The rising levels of obesity and widespread food waste point to a system out of balance where abundance and absence coexist, often side by side.

FAO has indicated, “Agrifood systems are facing unprecedented challenges. Conflict, the impacts of extreme weather and climate events, economic shocks, and rising inequality are placing mounting pressure on the land we farm, the water we depend on, and the biodiversity that supports life. Supply chains remain fragile, and the effects of disruption are being felt in homes, markets, and fields around the world.”

In 2024, Salesian Missions sent food aid to Burundi*, Democratic Republic of the Congo*, Dominican Republic, Haiti, South Sudan* and Uganda. This food aid provided meals to students and served as an incentive for families to send their children to school. As a result of the feeding programs, students are thriving. Many have gained weight, suffer fewer illnesses and have become more focused on their studies.

“Salesian missionaries live and work in the communities in which they serve and know the landscape. Because of this, they are perfectly positioned to effectively and efficiently distribute goods and supplies like food aid,” said Father Michael Conway, director of Salesian Missions. “Our donors remain an integral part in ensuring this aid reaches youth who depend on Salesian programs for food, water, shelter and education.”

More than 30,000 Salesian missionaries are dedicated to caring for youth who are poor and disadvantaged by providing programs around the globe. Salesian programs assist youth through education (academic, trade and agriculture), and workforce development initiatives, emergency relief and humanitarian aid, infrastructure support, clean water initiatives, and nutritional and health services.

To learn more and make a donation, visit SalesianMissions.org/lp/food.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

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.

The post GLOBAL: Salesian Missions launches Annual Food Distribution Appeal first appeared on MissionNewswire.

VENEZUELA

(MissionNewswire) Students and educators at Salesian San Jose Agricultural Technical School, located in Barinas, Venezuela*, received nutritional support through a project funded by Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. During the nine months of the project, 64,584 meals were served, providing three meals a day to 96 boarding students who are training to become agricultural technicians. In addition, 50 educators at the school received lunches as an incentive for their work.

The project has been fundamental in helping the school increase its enrollment from 82 to 95 students. Most of these students come from families with low incomes. Education provides a way for students to improve their future and offers them a better quality of life. For many students, this education also gives them the opportunity to revive their families’ agricultural production activities.

The school grounds cover 1,880 hectares with a solid infrastructure, numerous pastures and 12 production units. These areas cover crops, nurseries, vegetable gardens, fruit trees, dairy farming, and cheese production, as well as the production of poultry, pigs, sheep, goats, cattle and rabbits. As a result of efforts and alliances made through cooperation agreements, project initiatives, and coordination with the private sector, some production units are in the process of reactivating production after years of being shut down due to the chronic crisis in Venezuela.

Father William Jiménez, administrator of the Salesian community and agricultural school, noted, “Youth have said that the project has had an impact on their psychological well-being. There have been significant advances in nutritional indicators for the students as a result of the feeding project. The project has even made it possible to identify 15% of students who were underweight or overweight, enabling comprehensive follow-up with their families to improve their health. It has also been an opportunity for students to learn about the value of maintaining good nutrition.”

Salesian missionaries have been living and working in Venezuela long before the country’s political and economic crisis began. They operate schools, youth centers, and other programs that support youth in need and their families. An estimated 87% of the population is currently living in poverty, and essential goods such as food and medicine are scarce.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

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.

The post VENEZUELA: Feeding programs at Salesian San Jose Agricultural Technical School funded by Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

PERU

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries have been able improve the learning environment for youth who are vulnerable and are studying at the Bosconia center in Piura, Peru. The project was made possible thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco.

Students and staff previously found it difficult to focus in class due to the heat at the school. With the project, two air conditioning units have been added. Salesians also added a covering around the pool to limit the sun exposure for students.

Luis Angel Bregante Andrade, a 22-year-old student, was impacted by the donation. He lives in a challenging economic situation, and the area where he lives has a high poverty rate as well as high rates of crime and drug addiction. He studies at Cetpro Bosconia in the storage operations course and hopes to find a good job after graduation to help support his family.

Andrade said, “When we came to the auditorium, it was difficult for us to concentrate because the heat was very strong, and when some teachers also opened the windows, the air that entered was hot. We spoke to the director about this and the pool, as many of the students who used it got burned from the sun because there was no covering.”

He added, “Now with the project complete, we are happy with the pool roof and the air conditioning. This has provided us with the cool air we need to concentrate. We will be able to learn and fulfill our dreams. I am very grateful to the project, to the director and to Salesian Missions.”

Peru faces high levels of income inequality and has more than a quarter of its population living in poverty, according to the World Bank. Poverty levels are significantly higher in rural areas but urban areas struggle most with inequality, most notably metropolitan Lima. Poverty in the country is made worse by a shortage of productive farmland and a lack of job skills among women entering the workforce, as well as a lack of adequate housing, nutrition and education.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Peru

World Bank – Peru

The post PERU: Salesians improve learning environment for students thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

ZAMBIA

(MissionNewswire) St. John Bosco Church in Kazembe, Zambia, has completed construction and repairs of a grotto thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The work included roofing, plaster work and painting. Funds also provided for the installation of a PVC ceiling.

The Salesian parish is vast with 13 small churches, and parishioners may visit the main St. John Bosco Parish for special feasts and celebrations. With close to 6,700 people across the 13 locations and 570 people attending the St. John Bosco church, the structure needed improvements to accommodate everyone. The grotto will also help many Catholics to grow in their devotion to Mother Mary.

The whole community came together to help support the construction. Salesians report that parishioners came out to feed the bricklayers and those working to fix the ceiling. People have also stepped forward to offer volunteer services to help with maintenance.

Parishioner Martin Mulenga said, “Once the church was completed in 2004, it was left without the ceiling, and this brought a lot of challenges to the congregants due to overheating and rain. This project has resolved these challenges and parishioners can pray in a very conducive environment.”

He added, “The ceiling has also contributed to the beauty of the sacred Church, and many people who visit are very impressed with it. We thank the donors for the great support.”

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.

Poverty is widespread in Zambia with 64% of the total population living below the poverty line. For those living in rural areas, the poverty rate rises to 80%, according to UNICEF. Over the past three decades, incomes in Zambia have fallen steadily, and people do not have enough money to meet basic needs such as shelter, nutritious food and medical care.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Zambia

UNICEF – Zambia

The post ZAMBIA: St. John Bosco Church completes construction project with donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

KENYA

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries with Don Bosco Makuya in Kenya were able to remove and replace hazardous asbestos roofing thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. All of the asbestos has been removed from the technical school and staff housing roofing, and new roofing has been added.

Close to 1,000 individuals, including students, teachers, residents, and parishioners, are benefiting from this project with safer classrooms and workshops. The technical school has close to 150 people, including students and staff, who are taking courses to learn a trade for employment. Courses are offered in masonry, plumbing, electrical installation, arc welding, motor vehicle mechanics, solar photovoltaic skills, carpentry and joinery, printing technology, and cabinet making.

Students come from the surrounding communities and often face significant poverty. The majority of students lack the tuition money to continue with their secondary or college education. Some even find it difficult to get three meals a day from their families due to harsh economic situations.

One of those interviewed about the project expressed joy, relief and gratitude for the project’s completion. They said, “The project has given us peace of mind knowing that all the students and staff are no longer exposed to hazardous asbestos.”

In addition, there is a parish community with more than 700 people, including youth and volunteers, who use the space. Stakeholders in this project cited reduced respiratory risks and increased long-term health benefits, especially for the students, staff, Salesians and all who visit the community, as well as residents previously exposed to asbestos fibers.

Many viewed the transition as a step toward a healthier, more sustainable future for the next generation. The stakeholder added, “The renovation work not only removed asbestos but also improved the overall condition of our buildings.”

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Kenya

World Bank – Kenya

The post KENYA: Don Bosco Makuya replaces school roof thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

(MissionNewswire) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian organizations and countries around the globe in honoring the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty held on Oct. 17 each year. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty and the 35th anniversary of the World Day to Overcome Extreme Poverty.

The United Nations has noted that approximately 10% of the world’s population, or about 800 million people, live in extreme poverty (living on less than $1.25 a day), while nearly half of the world’s population (around 52%) lives on less than $10 a day.

“Salesian missionaries around the globe are focused on helping people living in poverty find a pathway out,” said Father Michael Conway, director of Salesian Missions. “While education is our primary goal, Salesians build wells in communities without water, feed starving children, and provide medical care and other basic necessities to ensure that youth and their families have what they need to survive.”

Working in more than 5,500 Salesian educational institutions and youth centers around the globe, missionaries educate children in some of the poorest places on the planet. Programs also go beyond traditional education and help to support youth with basic needs, like offering feeding programs at school, so that they can do the hard work of focusing on their studies.

In honor of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, Salesian Missions is proud to highlight initiatives that help to break the cycle of poverty for youth and their families.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

In the Dominican Republic, 550 people received meals to help them face economic challenges through a partnership between Rise Against Hunger and Salesian Missions.

Families of students attending the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in the Dominican Republic received meals to support their nutritional needs. The meals, impacting 550 people, were provided through a partnership between Rise Against Hunger, an international humanitarian organization growing a global movement to end hunger, and Salesian Missions. Daughters of Mary Help of Christians distributed the meals to families during the second half of 2024.

Pierre Michel, a 24-year-old construction worker, was one of the recipients. His family, like many in the area, has faced significant economic challenges. Michel supports his wife and three young children, all of whom attend the Salesian school. Before receiving the meals, the family often struggled with having enough food, leading to added stress and concern about their well-being.

Michel is driven by his desire to offer a better life for his family. He immigrated from Haiti to the Dominican Republic in search of better opportunities and works long hours to meet his family’s basic needs. Despite the challenges, he remains determined to give his children a brighter future. Since his family started receiving the meals, their situation has greatly improved. Michel explained, “Now my children go to school more focused and full of energy because they have something nutritious to eat every day.”

LEBANON

Salesian missionaries were able to provide support for 273 people impacted by war thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions.

Salesian missionaries have been able to provide emergency assistance for people impacted by the war in Lebanon* thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. The “Emergency assistance for Fidar and Hossoun communities and refugees in Beirut” project is ensuring that families living in these communities have the basic essentials and the psychological support they need.

With donor funding, Salesians were able to provide medical assistance, psychosocial support, food supplies, fuel vouchers and warm clothes. Families were chosen from those involved with local Salesian centers and schools, including Don Bosco Technique, Don Bosco Hossoun oratories, and Angels of Peace School.

A Salesian noted, “Through coordinated efforts, our team provided immediate relief and laid the foundation for resilience and hope during an incredibly challenging period. Moreover, the project had a comprehensive and profound impact, as it combined educational support, psychological care and social activities to address the multifaceted needs of the various communities served by the Salesians.”

THE GAMBIA

Beehives are providing a new source of income for students and their school in The Gambia through donor funding from Salesian Missions.

Salesian missionaries in Kunkundjan Mariama, a small locality in Banjul, The Gambia, were able to increase their beekeeping activities thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. The Don Bosco Garden at the school now has an additional 30 hives, which brings the total number of hives up to 50. Salesians also trained 33 students how to care for the hives and extract honey.

The hives provide the school and the students a new opportunity for a source of income. The honey from the hives is collected and sold to those in the local community. A Salesian noted, “The additional hives serve as an additional revenue source and small income-generating opportunity, allowing the population to meet their needs.”

One of the participants, Edouard, noted, “I appreciated the training and hope to become a leader in beekeeping training. I’m going to take all that I’ve learned and train other students here at the school in how to tend to the hives and extract the honey.”

UGANDA

A new sick bay at Don Bosco CALM in Uganda ensures that children have the immediate medical care that they need.

Salesian missionaries were able to establish a sick bay for children who are ill at Don Bosco CALM Nursery and Primary School in Uganda thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. The sick bay will provide services to more than 700 children.

Uganda faces significant challenges in providing health care, particularly to vulnerable populations, including children from low-income backgrounds. Limited access to health care facilities, a high disease prevalence and limited financial resources make it difficult for children to receive timely and adequate medical care.

A Salesian explained, “Establishing a sick bay at Don Bosco CALM ensures that children have the immediate medical care that they need, ensuring that minor injuries and illness are treated properly. This will also help manage chronic conditions, provide first aid, and offer preventive care like vaccinations, hygiene education and nutritional support that children need. Further, this will help cut down on time lost from school due to illness, allowing children to grow up healthy and have a better quality of life.”

###

Sources:

Photos courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: 550 people see positive impact of meals through Rise Against Hunger and Salesian Missions partnership

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

LEBANON: Salesian missionaries provide support for 273 people impacted by war thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions

Salesian Missions

THE GAMBIA: Salesian missionaries increase beekeeping activity thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions

UGANDA: Don Bosco CALM establishes sick bay for children thanks to donor funding from 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.

The post INT’L DAY FOR THE ERADICATION OF POVERTY: Salesian Missions highlights educational and social programs that support youth living in poverty first appeared on MissionNewswire.

(MissionNewswire) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins the international community and organizations around the globe in honoring World Food Day. Celebrated each year on Oct. 16, the day was established to bring attention to the plight of people in the world who are hungry and undernourished while providing an opportunity for a deeper understanding of the complex solutions for ending hunger.

This year’s theme of “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future” calls for global collaboration in creating a peaceful, sustainable, prosperous and food-secure future. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), has noted, “By working together, across governments, organizations, sectors, and communities, we can transform agrifood systems to ensure that everyone has access to a healthy diet, living in harmony with the planet.”

The organization further indicated, “In some places, the severity of food insecurity is overwhelming. An estimated 673 million people are living with hunger. Elsewhere, rising levels of obesity and widespread food waste point to a system out of balance — where abundance and absence coexist, often side by side.”

“Salesian Missions is working to ensure youth who are poor and vulnerable have the nutrition they need to grow and learn effectively,” said Father Michael Conway, director of Salesian Missions. “Through strategic partnerships, Salesian Missions is shipping meals to Salesian programs around the globe. These are provided to youth and children through feeding programs in Salesian schools and centers.”

This World Food Day Salesian Missions is proud to highlight agriculture projects and feeding programs to ensure youth have the nutrition they need to survive and thrive.

HAITI

In Haiti, shipments of meals were received by the Salesians of Don Bosco and then distributed to three Salesian centers.

More than 2,300 youth in Haiti received nutritious food through a partnership between Salesian Missions and Rise Against Hunger, an international humanitarian organization growing a global movement to end hunger. The shipments of meals were received by the Salesians of Don Bosco and then distributed to the three Salesian centers of Don Bosco Technique, Lakay Don Bosco and the Vincent Foundation in the second half of 2024.

Vincent Foundation, located south of the city of Cap-Haïtien in the suburbs of Vertières, is the only space in the neighborhood that opens its doors to youth in the area to allow them a safe place for play, leisure and a meeting point. The foundation was able to distribute the meals to youth in the center who do not receive regular meals at home. Salesians report that there was a peaceful climate among the youth because they knew that a hot meal would be provided by the center.

Lourdena Bien-Aime Pierre, an educator and food manager, said, “Since receiving the Rise Against Hunger meals, the change within the community is very palpable because we see that the youth develop physically and also improve academically. Before, it was difficult to teach them since ‘a hungry belly has no ears.’ We have seen improvements for all of our students, especially one of our students Jeannot. The meals help him study and learn better. We are proud of him because he is committed, very responsible and he has determination.”

SOUTH SUDAN

People living in a camp for the internally displaced in South Sudan had access to better nutrition through a partnership between Salesian Missions and Rise Against Hunger.

More than 1,800 people in a Salesian camp for people who are internally displaced, located in Gumbo, on the outskirts of the city of Juba, South Sudan*, had access to better nutrition during the second half of 2024. The food shipment was the result of a partnership between Salesian Missions and Rise Against Hunger.

People in the camp face challenges, including the rising price of commodities and the weakening of the local currency. Food insecurity is a major challenge. Thanks to the meals, Salesians have seen reduced hunger, improved nutrition and enhanced food security.

Salesians have tried to address food challenges by offering small plots of land, encouraging people who are displaced and the local community to cultivate crops to supplement the meal rations that are offered. However, this can only happen during the rainy season and not everyone can receive a plot. Therefore, Salesians heavily rely on partner support to address the food insecurity.

UGANDA

At Salesian schools in Uganda, more than 2,100 youth received Rise Against Hunger meals through a partnership with Salesian Missions.

More than 2,100 youth at Salesian schools in Uganda have access to better nutrition through a partnership between Salesian Missions and Rise Against Hunger. Three Salesian schools received meals in the second half of 2024.

More than 650 youth at Don Bosco Children and Life Mission (Don Bosco CALM) benefited from the nutritious meals, as well as more than 1,000 students at the Don Bosco School Bombo and close to 400 students at the Salesian vocational school in Kamuli.

In Uganda, like the rest of East Africa, food prices have increased, which has in turn impacted feeding programs at Salesian schools. These economic challenges are a result of climate change that affected the agriculture sector, doubling the cost of basic food staples like maize, rice and beans.

ZAMBIA

The Don Bosco Farm in Lusaka, Zambia, provides hands-on education and food for students.

Salesian missionaries in the St. John Bosco Community, located in Lusaka, Zambia, created the Don Bosco Farm to enhance learning experiences for students thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. The farm will also provide nutritional support for students and Salesians.

Salesian missionaries operate three agriculture schools in the region. Students receive classroom instruction and spend three months honing their skills on a working farm. Finding enough farms willing to take students has been a challenge. Establishing the Don Bosco Farm ensures students have the hands-on working time they need.

With the donor funding, Salesians purchased layer chickens, pigs and cattle, as well as feed. They also paid for farm maintenance and wages. The project beneficiaries include 40 students and educators in Makeni, 28 Salesian novices in Kabwe, and 50 Salesians and lay people attending activities at the provincial house.

###

Sources:

Photos courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

HAITI: Meals provide nutrition for more than 2,300 youth through a partnership between Rise Against Hunger and Salesian Missions

Salesian Missions

SOUTH SUDAN: More than 1,800 displaced persons receive better nutrition through partnership between Rise Against Hunger and Salesian Missions

UGANDA: More than 2,100 youth receive Rise Against Hunger meals through a partnership with Salesian Missions

World Food Day

ZAMBIA: Don Bosco Farm established for education thanks to donor funding from 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.

The post WORLD FOOD DAY: Salesian Missions highlights farming and feeding programs first appeared on MissionNewswire.

(MissionNewswire) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian organizations and countries around the globe in honoring the International Day of Rural Women, which is celebrated each year on Oct. 15. This day, which was first established in 2008, recognizes “the critical role and contribution of rural women, including Indigenous women, in enhancing agricultural and rural development, improving food security, and eradicating rural poverty.”

The United Nations has noted, “Achieving gender equality and empowering women is not only the right thing to do but is a critical ingredient in the fight against extreme poverty, hunger and climate change. Rural women have less access to a range of resources, from land rights and credit to education and technology. If women had the same access to productive resources as men, farm yields could increase by 20-30%, feeding an additional 100 to 150 million people.”

Salesian missionaries living and working in more than 130 countries are focused on achieving gender equality through programs targeted specifically for young women and girls. These programs provide opportunities for education and training that lead to livable wage employment.

“Salesian missionaries are working to empower rural women through education and social programs in countries around the globe,” said Father Michael Conway, director of Salesian Missions. “Ensuring access to education enables women to develop a reliable source of income for their families and contribute in meaningful ways to their communities.”

In honor of the International Day of Rural Women, Salesian Missions is proud to share Salesian projects that empower rural women.

BOLIVIA

A Bosco Global initiative in Bolivia focused on empowering Indigenous women while respecting their customs and culture.

Through Bosco Global’s “Deconstructing inequality on behalf of the rights of Indigenous women in the province of Muñecas” project, 80 Indigenous women have taken part in training courses in Bolivia. The project is supported by Generalitat Valenciana, the government institutions of the Spanish autonomous community of Valencia.

The project, which is taking place in the municipalities of Ayata, Chuma and Aucapata, focuses on empowering women. One workshop focused on “Leadership, self-care and social spaces” and the other on “Shared responsibility in the home.” The trainings were with the collaboration between Bosco Global and Machaqa Amawta Foundation, along with the Federation of Bartolina Sisa Indigenous Peasant Women.

The training respected the women’s customs and culture and tried to deconstruct stereotypes women face regarding self-esteem and self-care that they perceive as inherent to their situation.

GUATEMALA

Young women at the Salesian Talita Kumi centers in Guatemala are learning sustainable practices to grow their own food.

Young women from the Salesian Talita Kumi centers, located in San Pedro Carchá, Chisec and El Estor, Guatemala, are growing healthy food in a sustainable way. One of the fundamental principles of the centers is the application of sustainable practices for the prevention, protection, management and conservation of the environment.

A Salesian noted, “By growing vegetables, fruits and greens for their own consumption, the 700 boarding students not only ensure a nutritious diet but also promote self-sufficiency and respect for nature. As part of this process, they produce bokashi organic fertilizer, a fermented compost made from food scraps, ash, silty soil, garden waste, animal manure and other biodegradable materials.”

The use of this fertilizer has enriched the soil quality within the facilities, improving its biological composition and fostering long-term sustainable agriculture. Beyond its environmental benefits, this practice strengthens the students’ sense of ecological responsibility and commitment to a greener future.

The Salesian explained, “The efforts of Talita Kumi students demonstrate that environmental education and community action can create a positive impact on both people and the planet. By growing their own food and regenerating the soil through sustainable methods, these young women become agents of change, inspiring their communities to adopt eco-friendly practices.”

INDIA

Bosco Education & Skill Training Center for Women, part of the Konkan Development Society in the Gadag district, Karnataka, India, offered skills training to vulnerable women thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. There were 290 women who took part in the training.

The women, aged 18-35, took tailoring and computer classes to help improve their life circumstances. The initiative is part of the self-help groups that Salesians developed to help women become financially self-sufficient and be able to better care for their families.

One of the beneficiaries is a woman with four children, including one child with physical disabilities. Her husband’s earnings are low and she has to be home to care for the children. Through the training, she has been able to work from home stitching clothing and now earns enough money to contribute financially to the household.

ZAMBIA

The Don Bosco Farm provides hands-on education for students in Zambia thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions.

Salesian missionaries in the St. John Bosco Community, located in Lusaka, Zambia, created the Don Bosco Farm to enhance learning experiences for students thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. The farm will also provide nutritional support for students and Salesians.

Salesian missionaries operate three agriculture schools in the region. Students receive classroom instruction and spend three months honing their skills on a working farm. Finding enough farms willing to take students has been a challenge. Establishing the Don Bosco Farm ensures students have the hands-on working time they need.

With the donor funding, Salesians purchased layer chickens, pigs and cattle, as well as feed. They also paid for farm maintenance and wages. The project beneficiaries include 40 students and educators in Makeni, 28 Salesian novices in Kabwe, and 50 Salesians and lay people attending activities at the provincial house.

The farm will remain sustainable with several activities, said a Salesian. He explained, “The farm will generate income through the sale of agricultural products, such as livestock and meat for local markets. Income can also be generated through agro activities, such as farm visits and educational tours. Salesians want to develop an integrated farming system by developing fish ponds which will also be a source of revenue to support the running of the farm. This project has been essential in ensuring students have access to the hands-on education they need while the farm products will feed our Salesians and students.”

###

Sources:

BOLIVIA: Indigenous women gain leadership skills/ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS) 

GUATEMALA: Young women grow food using sustainable practices/Photo courtesy of Don Bosco Green Alliance

INDIA: Salesians empower women with skills training thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions

International Day of Rural Women

Salesian Missions

ZAMBIA: Don Bosco Farm established for education thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions/Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

The post INT’L DAY OF RURAL WOMEN: Salesian Missions highlights projects that educate rural women first appeared on MissionNewswire.

(MissionNewswire) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins the international community in celebrating Global Handwashing Day 2025. The day, organized by the Global Handwashing Partnership, is celebrated each year on Oct. 15 and is dedicated to increasing awareness of the importance of hand-washing with soap.

According to the World Health Organization, millions of young lives could be saved with access to bar soap and hygiene education. Pneumonia and diarrheal disease are two of the leading causes of death among children under 5 years old. Hand-washing with soap is among the most effective and inexpensive ways to prevent these diseases.

Operating schools and programs for youth in more than 130 countries around the globe, Salesian missionaries are on the front lines providing what youth and their families need most. Salesians are able to ensure that clean water projects happen in communities that lack water access.

“Our goal is to ensure that youth in Salesian centers and schools have access to clean, safe water,” said Father Micheal Conway, director of Salesian Missions. “Salesians understand how important clean water is for drinking, hand-washing, proper sanitation and more. This is why our ‘Clean Water Initiative’ has made building wells a priority in the communities we serve.”

To mark Global Handwashing Day, Salesian Missions is proud to highlight programs that ensure youth have access to clean water.

BURUNDI

Students in Burundi gained new toilet facilities thanks to the Salesian Missions “Clean Water Initiative.”

Don Bosco Ngozi High School in Burundi* is working to complete a sanitation project thanks to funding from the Salesian Missions “Clean Water Initiative.” The school has 1,248 students but has not been able to keep up with modernizing and increasing the number of toilets, even though the number of students has increased each year.

The “Clean Hygienic Facilities for a Big Smile” project is installing water facilities, wastewater channels, and other necessary amenities to ensure that the facilities are clean, safe, and hygienic.

A Salesian explained, “Before this project started, the toilet facilities were in a state of disrepair. The new upgrades made possible through this funding will play a crucial role in ensuring the health and safety of the youth who utilize them. Clean and hygienic facilities are essential for preventing the spread of diseases and promoting good hygiene practices. By providing these facilities, we are not only improving the physical well-being of the youth but also their overall quality of life.”

KENYA

Water wells being built by Salesians improve the quality of life for over 800 families in Korr, Kenya.

Salesians in Korr, a city in the Chalbi desert in Kenya, are building two wells thanks to donor funding from the Salesian Mission Office in Turin, Italy. The project involves the installation of solar pumps, pipes and a 20,000-liter tank. The water wells will improve the quality of life and health of over 800 families. One of the wells has been completed.

A Salesian said, “Imagine a girl who can finally attend school regularly because she no longer has to spend hours looking for water. Together we can make a difference, transforming their daily struggle for water into a story of change and hope. Let’s build together a future in which water access is no longer a privilege, but a right guaranteed for everyone.”

The ongoing drought and poverty, along with and the lack of running water, makes life difficult for the Samburu and Rendille tribes who live in this region. Every day is a quest to find water. People travel up to nine miles to reach the nearest water point, which takes time away from education, work and family life. Women and children bear the greatest burden of this effort. The surface and underground wells, often distant and not always safe, are also used for subsistence farming activities.

MALAWI

The St. Philip Rinaldi Community in Malawi has clean water access thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions.

Salesian missionaries provided clean water access in the Salesian St. Philip Rinaldi Community, Malawi, thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. The project was funded by the Salesian Missions “Clean Water Initiative” and impacted staff and students of the Salesian pre-novitiate and the Don Bosco Technical Institute in Lilongwe.

With the funding, Salesians first had work done to clean and re-drill a borehole. The first hybrid pump was also installed and connected to the tanks in the girls’ hostel. Pipes and power cable were connected to the main electricity grid. Additionally, solar panels were installed. The system now works to provide a sufficient amount of water for the Don Bosco Technical Institute.

Funding also supported drilling of a new main borehole, which is 130 yards deep. After 10 days of work, water was found. A new hybrid pump that operates on solar and a main electrical supply was also installed along with tower tanks. There is now enough water for the Salesian community.

Brother Emmanuel Chana said, “For a long time the community suffered with not enough water, which impacted daily activities and community well-being. Through this kind assistance, water has been restored, bringing great relief and joy to the community. The support not only provided us a great resource but strengthened our mission in the community.”

NIGERIA

Salesian missionaries are providing clean water for more than 3,300 people in Nigeria thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions.

Salesian missionaries have been able to provide clean water for people in the village of Isi-Obi Ukwu, Nigeria, thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. The project, part of the Salesian Missions “Clean Water Initiative”, is positively impacting more than 3,300 people living in the village.

Isi-Obi Ukwu has poor road conditions and no stable electricity. The area lacked any safe drinking water. If there is water in the rainy season, it’s often polluted as flood waters drain into two rivers where villagers wash their clothes and soak their cassava bags for fermentation. Before drinking the water, people sift it and let it settle, and even then, the water can make them sick. In dry periods, the volume of the rivers is greatly reduced, leaving people with little water.

With donor funding, Salesians were able to drill a borewell then install a tank and solar pump. The new system provides safe drinking water and water for other uses, like cooking. As a result, there has been a decrease in waterborne illness and an increase in better hygiene practices.

###

Sources:

BURUNDI: Students to gain new toilet facilities thanks to the Salesian Missions ‘Clean Water Initiative’/Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Global Handwashing Day

KENYA: Water wells to improve quality of life for over 800 families/ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS) 

MALAWI: St. Philip Rinaldi Community has clean water access thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions/Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

NIGERIA: Salesian missionaries provide clean water for more than 3,300 people thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions/Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions

The post GLOBAL HANDWASHING DAY: Salesian Missions highlights projects that ensure youth have access to clean water first appeared on MissionNewswire.

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries in Bangui, Central African Republic*, had the supplies needed for a medical clinic thanks to a shipment of goods funded in part by Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The shipment was sent by Collaboration Santé Internationale (International Health Collaboration), a Canadian organization focused on responding to the needs of health centers in developing countries.

Funding for the shipment was provided by both Salesian Missions and Don Bosco Foundation Paris. The shipment contained electric hospital beds, neonatal incubators, exam tables, filing cabinets, lab coats, amoxicillin, quinine, first aid supplies and vitamins.

The medical clinic was completed with funding from the French government through Don Bosco Foundation Paris. Don Bosco Foundation Paris requested assistance from Salesian Missions with funding for the shipment and for its extensive experience in shipping humanitarian aid around the globe.

“Partnerships help ensure that medical supplies and other critical humanitarian aid reaches those most in need,” said Father Michael Conway, director of Salesian Missions. “While education is the priority for Salesians around the globe, they also focus on ensuring that those in poverty have their basic needs met including essential medical care.”

Since 1996, Collaboration Santé Internationale has been the only nonprofit and international cooperation organization accredited by the Quebec Ministry of Health and Social Services to recover and give a second life to surplus health care supplies for humanitarian aid purposes. Since its founding, the organization has sent the equivalent of $250 million in medical equipment, supplies and medicines to support several hundred health centers in more than 90 countries.

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.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

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.

The post CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: Funding from Salesian Missions helps ship critical medical supplies for clinic first appeared on MissionNewswire.

INDIA

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries had the funding to construct a new chapel in Monchong village, located in Shallang in the state of Meghalaya, India, thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The construction of the new chapel has been a significant milestone for the community.

A Salesian noted, “The chapel provides the faithful with a dignified and permanent place to gather for the Holy Eucharist, prayer, receiving Sacraments and community celebrations. But it’s so much more than that. It also serves as a center for youth meetings and gatherings, family prayers, and catechism classes, offering youth and families a nurturing environment to grow in Christian values.”

The construction brought together the villagers and parishioners in a spirit of collaboration while contributing labor and resources. With the chapel in place, the parish priest and catechists can now more effectively reach out, providing catechesis, sacraments, and faith formation programs.

The Salesian added, “The chapel stands as a visible sign of God’s presence in the village, inspiring not only Catholics but also members of other faiths to appreciate the values of peace, unity and prayer. It has also strengthened the bonds of community and faith, in line with the mission of Don Bosco to bring God closer to the young and the poor.”

Subit Sangma, head catechist, said, “Before, we did not have a proper place for worship. We used temporary sheds or people’s houses, which could not always hold everyone, especially during big feasts. It was difficult to keep the faith life organized without a proper chapel. I was excited, but also a little worried about whether it could be completed, since we are a poor village. But seeing everyone come together — priests, benefactors and villagers — gave me courage and joy.”

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – India

World Bank – India

The post INDIA: Salesians construct new chapel in Monchong village thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

(MissionNewswire) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian organizations and countries around the globe in honoring International Day of the Girl on Oct. 11. The day, first held in 2012, was established to promote equal treatment and opportunities for girls. It is an acknowledgment by the world that there is a disparity in the way rights of girls and boys are protected and promoted.

The United Nations has noted, “Today’s generation of girls is disproportionately affected by global crises of climate, conflict, poverty and pushback on hard won gains for human rights and gender equality. Too many girls are still denied their rights, restricting their choices and limiting their futures.”

Salesian missionaries living and working in more than 130 countries around the globe are focused on achieving gender equality through educational programs targeted specifically for girls.

Father Michael Conway, director of Salesian Missions, said, “Salesian schools and centers foster safe learning environments for girls and encourage them to continue to advanced education and skills training so they can become leaders in their families and communities.”

To mark the International Day of the Girl, Salesian Missions is proud to highlight programs around the globe that empower girls through social and educational programs.

DR CONGO

A shelter for girls was one of five centers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo receiving meals through a partnership between Salesian Missions and Rise Against Hunger.

Oeuvres Maman Marguerite, a network of Salesian centers located in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo*, received a shipment of meals consisting of rice, soy, dehydrated vegetables and vitamins through a partnership between Salesian Missions and Rise Against Hunger, an international humanitarian organization growing a global movement to end hunger. The shipment provided meals for five Salesian centers, feeding 600 youth during the second half of 2023.

Magone Girl’s House, which provides shelter for at-risk girls who are unable to be cared for by their parents, was one of the programs served. The network of three girls’ homes cares for young women and enables them to study in the city’s primary and secondary schools.

The Magone Girl’s House faces serious financial issues. It struggles to ensure food security, sufficient health care or the cost of school fees. In addition, there is a lack of drinking water in the neighborhood so the goal is to drill a well in the future to obtain drinking water on-site.

GUATEMALA

Young women are learning how to grow food using sustainable practices at the Salesian Talita Kumi centers in Guatemala.

Young women from the Salesian Talita Kumi centers, located in San Pedro Carchá, Chisec and El Estor, Guatemala, are growing healthy food in a sustainable way. One of the fundamental principles of the centers is the application of sustainable practices for the prevention, protection, management and conservation of the environment.

A Salesian noted, “By growing vegetables, fruits and greens for their own consumption, the 700 boarding students not only ensure a nutritious diet but also promote self-sufficiency and respect for nature. As part of this process, they produce bokashi organic fertilizer, a fermented compost made from food scraps, ash, silty soil, garden waste, animal manure and other biodegradable materials.”

The use of this fertilizer has enriched the soil quality within the facilities, improving its biological composition and fostering long-term sustainable agriculture. Beyond its environmental benefits, this practice strengthens the students’ sense of ecological responsibility and commitment to a greener future.

The Salesian explained, “The efforts of Talita Kumi students demonstrate that environmental education and community action can create a positive impact on both people and the planet. By growing their own food and regenerating the soil through sustainable methods, these young women become agents of change, inspiring their communities to adopt eco-friendly practices.”

INDIA

The Jaigopal Garodia Government Girls’ Higher Secondary School in Choolaimedu, India, has a new STEM lab thanks to alumni from Don Bosco Egmore and Grundfos Pumps India Pvt Ltd. A group of 1997 alumni wanted to ensure that the school had an enhanced learning environment for its students.

According to an article in the Hindu Newspaper, the school has designed a three-year hands-on program for 50 students in grades 6 and 7, focusing on basic to advanced STEM concepts, including physics, electronics, robotics, AI and aerospace. Students will have sessions with industry experts and participate in industry visits as part of the program. They will also be given career guidance in grades 10 and 12 and be eligible to apply to LMES Foundation’s college education scholarship program.

Deepu Anthony, one of the Don Bosco alums, said in the article, “This program is an experiment we are carrying out with Jaigopal Garodia Government Girls’ Higher Secondary School. Analyzing the measurable outcomes, we will see how this program can be taken to other state government schools. We decided to bring LMES Foundation on board as the implementation partner, as its parent company, LMES Academy, is engaged in establishing STEM labs in private schools. The foundation has also been conducting a one-day STEM education orientation for the schools.”

UKRAINE

Students in Lviv, Ukraine, have a new soccer field thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions.

Salesian missionaries were able to construct a new soccer field for students at Blessed Klymenty and Andrey Sheptytskyi in Lviv, Ukraine*, thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. The donation impacted more than 400 students who regularly use the field.

The previous field was in such disrepair that it made it difficult for the students to play at all. It was filled with mud and was uneven. The soccer goals lacked netting, so when a goal was scored youth had to chase the ball.

A Salesian said, “The new field is bringing a new life for the students who are more enthusiastic about playing soccer and using the field. Since the beginning of the school year, Salesian priests and soccer coaches have actively conducted soccer activities on the field next to gymnasium. They organized a class schedule to ensure fair playing time for all. In the morning, students are using the field and after midday, the field is utilized for youth from the Salesian Pokrova Parish.”

Close to the gymnasium is a modular city of Mariapolis, where people who have been internally displaced are living. Among them are youth who are interested in sport activities. The goal is to reach out to these youth so that they can access the new field. Salesians will also rent the field to raise the funding needed to cover maintenance costs.

###

Sources:

DR CONGO: 600 youth receive meals through Salesian Missions, Rise Against Hunger/Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

GUATEMALA: Young women grow food using sustainable practices/Photo courtesy of Don Bosco Green Alliance

INDIA: Don Bosco Egmore alumni donate STEM lab to girls’ school

International Day of the Girl

Salesian Missions

UKRAINE: Students have new soccer field thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions/Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

*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.

The post INT’L DAY OF THE GIRL: Salesian Missions highlights educational and social programs that empower girls first appeared on MissionNewswire.

INDIA

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries with the Parish of Damra, located in the village of Dhaigaon in the Goalpara District of the state of Assam, India, have a new chapel thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The Dhaigaon community is primarily a farming community where people cultivate rice.

Father Francis Kalariparampil, the parish priest, joined Father Francis Lakra, the head of Don Bosco School, to bless and inaugurate the chapel which will be used for Catholic Mass, to host prayers, catechesis, and rites, and as a community space for all those who reside in the area.

Jenny Marak, a local resident, noted, “Since the new chapel was built there has been a noticeable shift in consistency and enthusiasm for weekly prayer services and Sunday worship. People report a deeper sense of belonging. We hope that there will be broader engagement and increased attendance in Sunday services and devotions. This shows that the chapel has become a visible, accessible beacon of worship that invites both regulars and newcomers into a closer relationship with God.”

The chapel has also become a hub for neighbors to gather while they share resources and offer each other practical support. Parish outreach programs have increased, reaching even more people.

Marak added, “Youth engagement and family participation has risen, with children experiencing faith as a lived, joyful part of life. More children have begun to attend the Sunday school. The chapel is resonating with families and helping to form the next generation in faith.”

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – India

World Bank – India

The post INDIA: Salesian Parish of Damra has new chapel thanks to funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

(MissionNewswire) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins Catholic organizations around the globe in honoring World Day of Migrants and Refugees. The day, celebrated on Oct. 5, will be the 111th celebration of the day, which was started in 1914 as a way to highlight and express concerns for vulnerable populations of people who have left their homes in search of safety and more opportunity.

Each year a theme is chosen for the day. This year, Pope Leo XIV has chosen to entitle his annual message as “Migrants, missionaries of hope.” In part of his message, the Pope said, “This link between migration and hope is clearly evident in many contemporary experiences of migration. Many migrants, refugees and displaced persons are privileged witnesses of hope. Indeed, they demonstrate this daily through their resilience and trust in God, as they face adversity while seeking a future in which they glimpse that integral human development and happiness are possible.”

Salesian missionaries, working in more than 130 countries around the globe, have been on the front lines helping migrants and refugees in their new countries to become acclimated and access the resources they need.

Father Michael Conway, director of Salesian Missions, explained, “Salesians are there every step of the way — from teaching language skills and job skills, to helping migrants and refugees find housing and meeting their basic needs. Salesians also focus on education and workforce development programs to provide more opportunities for youth to remain in their home country instead of being forced to migrate for employment.”

To mark the Catholic celebration of World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2025, Salesian Missions is proud to highlight Salesian programs around the globe that provide life-changing education and social support to refugees and migrants.

INDIA

Migrants are empowered through the award-winning initiative from Don Bosco Snehalaya in India.

Suraksha Migrants Desk, an initiative by Don Bosco Snehalaya that supports migrants in Vadodara, India, was recently recognized as the best social service organization working for the city’s migrant community. The initiative serves youth who migrate to cities and small towns in search of employment, as well as entire families who move together in search of a better future.

Once in their new locations, migrants face injustice, mistreatment, harsh living conditions, poverty, exploitation, bonded labor and other challenging circumstances. The migrant help desk aims to address these challenges head-on by providing resources.

The award, which comes from the Sakshamthad Foundation of Parul University, reinforces the importance of the desk’s continued efforts. Father Baptist Monteiro, director, along with the team members of the migrants desk, received the award from Hon. Praful Pansheriya, minister for Education and Tribal Development within the government of Gujarat.

A Salesian explained, “It is our collective responsibility to address these challenges and work toward empowering our migrant communities so they too can enjoy the freedoms we often take for granted. We must also assist them in accessing their rightful share of government programs, empowering them to stand on their own feet. Suraksha Migrants Desk remains committed to reaching out to migrant families and individuals, providing support that fosters their upliftment, safety, security and development.”

LEBANON

Young refugees are able to access education and find hope at the Salesian Angels of Peace School in Lebanon.

The Salesian-run Angels of Peace School in Lebanon* has been providing refugee children with education, as well as a psycho-social support program carried out by psychotherapists and speech therapists to address some of the challenges given the war and their displacement.

About 1.2 million people in the country have fled their homes in search of safety, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Homes and public infrastructure have been destroyed, further aggravating the suffering of the civilian population. The closure of schools continues to threaten the lives and futures of millions of children.

A Salesian noted, “Refugee children in Lebanon face several obstacles to accessing education. Until 2023, they could only attend school in the afternoon, exposed to risks and dangers. This has caused an increase in school dropouts. After the teachers’ strikes against the strong devaluation of their salaries, the afternoon shifts were suspended.”

One of the schools where refugee children can gain an education is the Angels of Peace School, where Florina Maher Khairi, aged 14, is a student. Years ago, her family fled her home in Mosul, Iraq, amid war and ongoing conflict. Her family settled in Lebanon temporarily while awaiting permits to immigrate to Canada or Australia. Khairi believes in a brighter future and is grateful for her education, which she knows will improve her prospects in the future.

SOUTH SUDAN

More than 1,800 displaced persons in South Sudan received better nutrition through a partnership between Rise Against Hunger and Salesian Missions.

More than 1,800 people in a Salesian camp for people who are internally displaced, located in Gumbo, on the outskirts of the city of Juba, South Sudan*, had access to better nutrition during the second half of 2024. The food shipment was the result of a partnership between Salesian Missions and Rise Against Hunger, an international humanitarian organization growing a global movement to end hunger.

People in the camp face challenges, including the rising price of commodities and the weakening of the local currency. Food insecurity is a major challenge. Thanks to the meals, Salesians have seen reduced hunger, improved nutrition and enhanced food security.

Salesians have tried to address food challenges by offering small plots of land, encouraging people who are displaced and the local community to cultivate crops to supplement the meal rations that are offered. However, this can only happen during the rainy season and not everyone can receive a plot. Therefore, Salesians heavily rely on partner support to address the food insecurity.

Selwa Atoo Ukech was one of the recipients. She is a 57-year-old South Sudanese woman who was living with her family when the civil war broke out in 2014. During the war, she lost family members and, with her children, sought refuge with the Salesians in Gumbo.

Ukech explained that the Rise Against Hunger meals brought relief and created a sense of joy and food security for her family and the camp community. She said, “The meals provide energy for us to complete our daily duties, help our bodies to rebuild and repair, and provide overall well-being both mentally and physically. Most importantly, it has provided a sense of food security for us.”

UKRAINE

Salesian communities had power and heat during the winter thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions.

Salesian communities in Ukraine* were able to afford heating and electric bills over the winter thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. Those who benefited from the project include children and older youth, people with disabilities and chronic illness, the elderly, and pregnant women living in Salesian communities in Zhytomyr, Peremyshlyany, Korostyshev, Bibrka and Odesa.

In Korostyshev, financial support for heating bills enabled Salesians to continue operating parish facilities and the youth center, providing a welcoming environment for more than 400 people. In Peremyshlyany, the Salesian community was able to pay electricity bills and avoid the risk of power cuts, ensuring pastoral and social support for internally displaced persons and local residents from 120 households. Activities and meetings continued even during blackouts.

Donor funding also supported the Vsesvit Lyceum in Zhytomyr by covering utility expenses, the purchase of diesel fuel for the backup generator and generator maintenance, ensuring that the school could operate without interruption during the winter. Similarly, the Narnia Private Christian School in Odesa was able to continue teaching activities throughout the winter, thanks to support for electricity bills.

Finally, in Bibrka, donor funding provided long-term energy security by funding gas bills and the installation of a solar power plant. This installation ensures uninterrupted power supply to the building housing the oratory and catechetical hall, even during blackouts. The solar power system reduces operating costs, contributing to sustainability.

###

Sources:

INDIA: Migrants empowered through award-winning initiative/ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS)

LEBANON: Young refugees find education and hope at Salesian Angels of Peace School/Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Pope Leo XIV’s Message

Salesian Missions

SOUTH SUDAN: More than 1,800 displaced persons receive better nutrition through partnership between Rise Against Hunger and Salesian Missions/Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

UKRAINE: Salesian communities had power and heat in winter thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions/Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

World Day of Migrants and Refugees

*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.

The post CATHOLIC WORLD DAY OF MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES: Salesian Missions highlights programs that bring hope for migrants and refugees first appeared on MissionNewswire.

(MissionNewswire) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian organizations and countries around the globe in honoring World Teachers’ Day, which has been celebrated each year on Oct. 5 since 1994. The day honors the vital role that teachers play in the lives of their students and commemorates the anniversary of the signing of the 1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has noted the day is “a day to celebrate how teachers are transforming education but also to reflect on the support they need to fully deploy their talent and vocation, and to rethink the way ahead for the profession globally.”

Salesian missionaries educate more than 1 million youth in over 5,500 schools and youth centers and nearly 1,000 vocational, technical, and agricultural schools in more than 130 countries around the globe.

Father Michael Conway, director of Salesian Missions, said, “Salesian teachers are dealing with a lot in the classroom, more than just the subject they are teaching. They know their students are facing more than learning math and reading. Some youth were previously living and working on the streets while others have faced war as child soldiers or became refugees in war-torn communities. Salesian teachers meet these challenges head-on, providing education and hope for a brighter future and the Salesian community supports them in their work.”

In honor and celebration of World Teachers’ Day 2025, Salesian Missions is proud to highlight the work of Salesian teachers and programs that support them around the globe.

INDIA

Salesians held a seminar for primary, secondary and junior college school educators in India to help them learn more about specific learning disorders.

Teachers from the primary, secondary and junior college schools within Don Bosco Naigaon, located in Mumbai, India, participated in a seminar on specific learning disorders. The seminar was led by Father Edward D’Souza, an educator specializing in learning disorders. According to Fr. D’Souza, globally about 10-15% of the school population is affected, and he helped provide understanding in working with these students.

The teachers participated in a series of simulation exercises, which helped them experience the challenges faced by students. Fr. D’Souza explained how specific learning disorders are neurological disorders caused by differences in the structure of the brain, which affects the way information is processed and which can have an impact on one or more skills.

A Salesian said, “The seminar ended with teachers becoming more aware of specific learning disorders and left the seminar with a renewed commitment to extending understanding, patience, support and appropriate recovery to ensure the success of all students during their school life.”

MADAGASCAR

Salesian missionaries are expanding classrooms at Don Bosco Mahajanga in Madagascar thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions.

Salesian missionaries are working on a construction project to expand classrooms at Don Bosco Mahajanga, a technical and vocational center in Madagascar. Donor funding from Salesian Missions is financing the project. The funding has been utilized for the ground floor construction work that was needed, which is currently 80% finished.

The classroom extension project will enable the center to increase classroom sizing by 20 to 40 students per training cycle. These students typically range from ages 15-20, and they are often transitioning from general education or unemployment to skilled trades. The goal is to provide practical training relevant to the local economy, enhancing their employability and improving livelihoods. The students come from families with limited financial resources, and vocational training offers them a path to economic empowerment.

Father Bruno Ramaharaisoa, director, explained, “Beyond the direct beneficiaries, the project will also indirectly benefit the teaching staff and administration by creating a more conducive working environment and increasing the skilled workforce in the region. It is poised to have a significant positive impact on the educational opportunities and future prospects of numerous young individuals in the region, while also contributing to broader community development. The new building is seen as a catalyst for future positive initiatives in the field of education.

NIGERIA

Salesian sisters have started the construction on a new nursery and primary school in Nigeria thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions.

Salesian sisters with Mary Help of Christians were able to start construction for a nursery and primary school in Ikorodu, Nigeria, thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. The foundation and raising of the walls of the new structure have been completed, and work is continuing. When finished, the school will educate 250 children, with priority given to young girls.

Salesian sisters have been in Nigeria since 2019 providing education for youth. In 2021, they bought land in Mowo-Kekere. They developed a skills training center for short-term courses to help educate youth to give them employable skills, and they also run an oratory. The structure is made of containers.

The sisters have been working in the community long enough that they are able to identify challenges for people in the community. One of the biggest is the lack of public primary schooling for the children, especially girls. The few private schools that are available have tuition that is too high for families who are poor. The project to develop a new school will ensure that children from these families will be able to access quality education.

SOUTH SUDAN

Salesians provided training in South Sudan to help teachers deepen their understanding of educational philosophy.

Salesian missionaries in Wau and Tonj, in the St. Josephine Bakhita Delegation of Sudan* and South Sudan*, organized teacher training to start the academic year 2025. Aimed at all primary and secondary school teachers and technical center educators, the training helped teachers deepen their understanding of Don Bosco’s work and the Salesian preventive system and educational philosophy.

A Salesian noted, “The teacher training sessions were enriched by interactive activities, lectures and reflective discussions, in which participants exchanged insights on the Salesian education system and how to apply Don Bosco’s principles in today’s educational context in South Sudan.”

Through similar training, Salesians also educated teachers in Kuajok, Gumbo and Maridi, committing themselves to achieving the planned objectives inspired by the Strenna for 2025: “Anchored in hope, pilgrims with young people.” The Strenna was announced last year by Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime.

###

Sources:

INDIA: Teachers commit to success for students with learning disorders/ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS) 

MADAGASCAR: Salesian missionaries expand classrooms at Don Bosco Mahajanga thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions/Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

NIGERIA: Salesian sisters start construction on new nursery and primary school thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions/Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions

SOUTH SUDAN: Teachers take part in training to start school year/ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS) 

World Teachers’ Day

*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.

The post WORLD TEACHERS’ DAY: Salesian Missions highlights support for Salesian schools and educators around the globe first appeared on MissionNewswire.

MALAWI

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries completed construction of a new multipurpose hall at the Don Bosco Secondary School in Nkhotakota, Malawi, thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The project is enhancing the educational environment and activities at the school.

The new hall will impact 420 students and all those who use the St. Paul’s parish, as well as youth from the local oratory. In addition, Salesians created a school library for the students.

A Salesian noted, “Thanks to this project, the school will benefit from the library and now have a place for assemblies, eating meals, playing games, sharing talents, socializing, studying and more. We are grateful for the support that was provided to us.”

With the funds, construction included leveling the ground around the hall structure to put in a slab. The building was constructed with room for 300 plastic chairs and 200 stools.

One of the beneficiaries is Kruza, who became the prefect of the library. With access to books and hours spent in the library, she has improved her grades, especially in science where she struggled the most. Her teacher was surprised that she improved from being a C to B student.

In addition, the results of the Junior National Certificate for 2025 show 100% of the school’s students passing.

The Salesian added, “The access to basic text books has been crucial to obtain such results. We also hope that thanks to the library the graduating class will also have a very high percentage of those who pass the Malawi School Certificate of Education.”

In Malawi, more than 50% of the population lives in poverty and the majority of households have women as the head of the household, according to the World Bank. Agriculture is a central part of Malawi’s economy, but land distribution is unequal and crops are highly vulnerable to the region’s frequent droughts. Few houses have piped water and less than one in 10 Malawians has access to electricity. Water is collected from wells or streams, and most people cook over an open fire. Malawians deal with hunger and malnutrition on a daily basis.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Malawi

World Bank – Malawi

The post MALAWI: Don Bosco Secondary School has new hall thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

(MissionNewswire) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian organizations and countries around the globe in recognizing the International Day of Peace, observed on Sept. 21 each year. The United Nations General Assembly declared the International Day of Peace as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples.

This year’s theme “Act Now for a Peaceful World” focuses on encouraging everyone to take concrete action to mobilize for peace. The U.N. noted, “From peacekeepers on the front lines of conflict, to community members, to students in classrooms around the world, everyone has a role to play. We must speak up against violence, hate, discrimination, and inequality; practice respect; and embrace the diversity of our world.”

Salesian missionaries provide social development and educational programs to youth and families in poverty regardless of gender, race or religion. They work to level the playing field for youth so that they have the support needed to gain an education and the skills for future employment. Programs teach life skills like collaboration and communication to help youth develop confidence and contribute to peaceful environments.

“Salesian missionaries are on the front lines in some of the most difficult and conflict-ridden places across the globe, working to ensure youth have access to education and social development programs,” said Father Michael Conway, director of Salesian Missions. “We are working to change the lives of youth who are poor and disenfranchised and put them on a path to becoming full members of their communities while encouraging a life filled with peace and meaningful contribution.”

In honor of the International Day of Peace, Salesian Missions highlights unique Salesian programs that are positively impacting youth around the globe.

BURUNDI

More than 1,600 students in Burundi received Rise Against Hunger meals through a partnership with Salesian Missions.

More than 1,600 students attending Don Bosco high schools in Ngozi and Buterere, Burundi*, had access to better nutrition during the second half of 2024 as a result of a partnership between Salesian Missions and Rise Against Hunger, an international humanitarian organization growing a global movement to end hunger.

The feeding program created positive changes at the schools. At Don Bosco Ngozi, students had more energy and better engaged with their studies. During the period, Don Bosco Ngozi organized summer camps for youth to offer them positive activities during the break. Once school started, there were various sporting and cultural activities organized during this time, including a soccer tournament.

One of the recipients at Don Bosco Ngozi was Jean Nixon Ndemeye, aged 13. He said, “I feel very happy and encouraged. In the future, I would like to become a doctor in medicine to help other people. Since the Rise Against Hunger meals, I am enjoying eating with my classmates and I have more energy for sports.”

He added, “When I hear about other people who are committing themselves to doing good, like those making it possible for us to eat these meals, I feel confident that I can do something for others.”

ECUADOR

A youth center in Ecuador has a new recreation area thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions.

Youth attending programs at the Salesian Madre del Salvador Center, in the Santa Marta neighborhood in the Parish of La Merced, Ecuador, have a new recreation and sports area thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. Youth and their families in the area live in situations of vulnerability, poverty, and danger from violence due to gangs and drug trafficking. Located on the Esmeraldas River, the area also suffers from flooding and high pollution.

Youth need a refuge and a place to feel safe, and the donation impacted the lives of 143 youth. Salesians were able to use donor funding to make the recreation area of the center more welcoming, secure, and accessible so youth have a proper environment to play sports and engage in recreational activities with their peers.

A Salesian missionary explained, “This project permitted the construction of a synthetic soccer field and additional recreational areas. The joy of the children and youth is evident. The new spaces have changed the environment, and youth feel a sense of belonging and dignity. This investment reinforces our commitment to providing a more dignified quality of life.”

EGYPT

Activities enriched the lives of youth from poor neighborhoods in Alexandria, Egypt, thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions.

Salesians in Alexandria, Egypt, were able to facilitate summer activities for vulnerable youth at the Don Bosco Institute thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. The 320 participating youth were from the city’s poorest neighborhoods in the communities surrounding the Sacred Heart Church of Alexandria.

The project successfully trained 50 volunteers about the Don Bosco program and its content. The volunteers, who had grown up at the center, related quickly to the youth and were able to be positive role models.

A Salesian noted, “The volunteers played a key role in looking after each child, fostering a safer environment, especially for young refugees. Additionally, a focus group discussion at the end of each day’s activities was vital for gathering feedback, building rapport, and establishing trust between the volunteers and the youth. These discussions provided a safe space for youth to express their needs, interests, and concerns, and enabled volunteers to tailor activities to create a more engaging experience. As a result, youth felt valued and heard, leading to increased engagement and satisfaction throughout the summer camp. The summer activities also contributed to well-being of the youth and their families.”

NIGERIA

The Salesian Training Center and Oratory in Nigeria has new basketball and volleyball courts thanks to funding from Salesian Missions.

The Salesian Technical and Vocational Training Center and Oratory in the Dominic Savio Community in Kubwa, Abuja, Nigeria, has new basketball and volleyball courts thanks to funding from Salesian Missions. The new courts will benefit more than 200 youth, families who visit the center on the weekend and the broader community.

With the new courts, Salesians will identify and nurture the talents of young people while encouraging them to engage with their peers through sports and physical activity. Sports will also help provide youth with life skills by promoting leadership, teamwork, discipline and communication. Further, the center will offer youth the opportunity to socialize and build stronger ties to their community.

Salesian missionaries in Nigeria provide a range of social development and educational programs for youth who are poor and marginalized. The goal is always education, but Salesians know that youth often need extra support. Youth centers, feeding programs, health clinics and other programs help to ensure that youth are healthy and have their basic needs met so they can focus on school.

###

Sources:

Photos courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

BURUNDI: More than 1,600 students receive Rise Against Hunger meals through partnership with Salesian Missions

ECUADOR: Youth center has new recreation area thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions

EGYPT: Activities enrich lives of poor youth thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions

International Day of Peace

NIGERIA: Salesian Training Center and Oratory has new basketball and volleyball courts thanks to funding from Salesian Missions

Salesian Missions

The post INT’L DAY OF PEACE: Salesian Missions highlights educational and social programs for youth first appeared on MissionNewswire.

INDIA

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries installed a functional borewell at Don Bosco College Chapaguri, located in Assam, India, to address the growing need for a reliable water source on campus. The project was funded by the “Clean Water Initiative” of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco.

As a result of the project, the college and the 100 hostel students now have a consistent, on-site water supply, significantly reducing dependence on external sources and improving overall campus hygiene and sustainability.

To ensure optimal groundwater availability, a survey was conducted to identify the most suitable location for drilling. A borewell was drilled to access a sustainable aquifer and then a high-capacity submersible pump was installed, along with durable piping and electrical connections to ensure efficient water extraction.

Jimi Basumatary, a resident of Chapaguri and a student at Don Bosco College, described life in the community as peaceful and community-oriented, but marked by limits to basic infrastructure. “Most of us depend on farming and small jobs nearby,” he said. “We live close to nature, but sometimes that means we have to deal with things like water shortages and poor connectivity.”

He expressed a strong desire to see more development in the region — especially in education and employment opportunities for youth. Prior to the borewell project, he explained that the college and the surrounding area struggled with an inconsistent water supply. He said, “We often had to carry water from nearby sources, especially in dry months. It affected sanitation, especially for students in the college and hostel.”

Now that the borewell has been completed and is fully functional, Basumatary added, “There’s a clear improvement. We have a steady supply of water for daily use and cleaning. It has definitely made a difference.”

To learn more about the Salesian Missions Clean Water Initiative, go to SalesianMissions.org/water.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – India

World Bank – India

The post INDIA: Students at Don Bosco College Chapaguri have new water supply thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

INDIA

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries in the village of West Arnibil, located in Assam, India, completed the St. Jude Chapel thanks to donor support from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco.

With the funding, Salesians were able to build the chapel, plaster and paint inside, complete wiring for lights and fans, and build the portico and altar for Mass. A ladder was also installed to the roof to pay homage to St. Jude and Blessed Mother Mary.

The village community worked together to complete the chapel, preparing the ground and giving their time and energy for the construction. Every day four to five families arrived to help the masons.

One of those benefiting from the new structure is Vincent Lakra, catechist of the village. He has a wife and two children and comes from a small community known as Adivasis. Before the chapel was built, people had to use a small hut to gather for lessons. There was no room to sit and pray together and no roof to keep out the rain. Lakra is now confident that people will come together more comfortably for the lessons that he teaches.

A Salesian explained, “The people are happy to see a beautiful chapel for them to come and sit and pray. It brings togetherness and people are proud to have a solid structure.”

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – India

World Bank – India

The post INDIA: Salesians build St. Jude Chapel in West Arnibil thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

(MissionNewswire) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian organizations and countries around the globe in celebrating International Literacy Day. Celebrated each year on Sept. 8, the day was launched in 1967 to “remind the public of the importance of literacy as a matter of dignity and human rights and to advance the literacy agenda towards a more literate and sustainable society.”

This year’s theme “Promoting literacy in the digital era” focuses on the ways in which digitalization has been changing ways people learn, live, work and socialize, in both positive and negative ways. UNESCO notes, “Literacy is a key for making these transformations inclusive, relevant and meaningful. Beyond reading and writing on paper, literacy in the digital era enables people to access, understand, evaluate, create, communicate and engage with digital content safely and appropriately. Literacy is also central for fostering critical thinking, discerning credible information and navigating complex information environments.”

Father Michael Conway, director of Salesian Missions, said, “Literacy is a fundamental part of Salesian education for all ages. Through primary, secondary, and vocational and technical education, Salesian missionaries teach essential literacy and English language skills, as well as skill-building to ensure youth can find employment.”

In honor and celebration of International Literacy Day 2025, Salesian Missions is proud to highlight Salesian programs with a focus on educational and literacy efforts for youth.

ISRAEL

Students from families with reduced income as result of conflict received scholarships provided by Salesians in Nazareth thanks in part to donor funding from Salesian Missions.

Salesians in Nazareth, Israel, were able to provide scholarships and psychosocial support for youth thanks in part to donor funding from Salesian Missions. The project was funded through the Don Bosco Network with support given by several Salesian organizations including Salesian Missions.

Through the project, Salesians provide scholarships to 106 students who are enrolled at the Salesian School in Nazareth. They were also able to provide 78 hours of psychosocial support to 50 staff and around 170 young students affected by war and unrest in the area.

The scholarships were provided to students, including 39 female students, in the form of school fee deductions. The students are from families severely impacted by the broader socio-economic challenges affecting the Arab community in Israel, many of whom experienced job loss, business closures and reduced income as a result of the conflict.

KENYA

Don Bosco Boys Town in Kenya became the country’s first Amazon Web Services Digital Academy member.

Don Bosco Boys Town, located in Nairobi, has become Kenya‘s first Amazon Web Services (AWS) Digital Academy member institution, which is significant step forward in cloud skills training and certification in the region.

A Salesian explained, “As an AWS Digital Academy member institution, Don Bosco Boys Town is now authorized to offer digital literacy cloud skills training and certification, potentially opening new avenues for youth employment in the rapidly growing tech sector.”

The launch ceremony was attended by key figures from both government and private sectors. During the event, the Salesian vice-provincial in East Africa presented an overview of the organization’s global presence, emphasizing its commitment to youth skill development. The partnership between Amazon, Thin Tech and Don Bosco Boys Town is expected to create new opportunities for digital skills training in Kenya.

WEST AFRICA

Donor funding from Salesian Missions provided scholarships for 209 students who are disadvantaged in West Africa.

Salesian missionaries in the Our Lady of Peace provincial community were able to provide 209 scholarships to youth who are disadvantaged thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. The Antonio César scholarship program took place in Benin, Burkina Faso, Gambia, Guinea, Mali* and Senegal.

According to the UNESCO Statistical Institute, sub-Saharan Africa has the highest rates of exclusion from education. More than a fifth of children aged about 6-11 are out of school, a third of children aged about 12-14 and nearly 60% of young people aged about 15-17. The region faces a growing demand for education due to its steadily increasing school-age population. Girls face greater exclusion from school than boys of the same age.

Youth receiving the scholarships were aged 8-25, and they were either orphaned or from families that could not afford their schooling.

A Salesian explained, “We want to ensure that all youth have a chance to gain an education, particularly girls who face greater disadvantages in accessing education. Salesians provide education and social development programs to support poor youth and their families. It is our goal to connect all youth, despite their disadvantages, to education where they can gain skills for later employment and to succeed in life.”

ZAMBIA

The Makeni Post Novitiate House in Zambia has new library books and computers thanks to funding from Salesian Missions.

The Makeni Post Novitiate House, within the Salesian Sacred Heart Community in Lusaka, Zambia, was able to purchase library books and computer equipment to enhance student learning thanks to funding from Salesian Missions.

Through this funding, the seminarians preparing for the priesthood now have access to a broad spectrum of books, including more than 300 copies of educational books, computers, and a printer. The students will directly benefit from having a well-equipped library with needed computer equipment. Additionally, faculty members and staff of the seminary will benefit as they will have access to a wider range of resources to support their teaching and research activities.

A Salesian said, “This project brought joy to the dean of studies and the students who are now able to access the educational materials they need in the library and use the computers to browse the internet for more information that cannot be easily found in books.”

###

Sources:

International Literacy Day

ISRAEL: Salesians in Nazareth provide scholarships and psychosocial support thanks in part to donor funding from Salesian Missions/Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

KENYA: Youth build skills for digital economy/ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS) 

Salesian Missions

WEST AFRICA: Donor funding from Salesian Missions provides scholarships for 209 students/Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

ZAMBIA: Makeni Post Novitiate House has new library books and computers thanks to funding from Salesian Missions/Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

*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.

The post INTERNATIONAL LITERACY DAY: Salesian Missions highlights educational programs first appeared on MissionNewswire.

BURKINA FASO

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries in the St. Francis of Assisi community of Burkina Faso have a new chapel thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The chapel is located in Bobo-Dioulasso, which is roughly 20% Catholic.

The community has nearly 300 people who lacked an adequate place for liturgical celebrations on Sundays or for on-site activities such as catechesis and spiritual meetings. The community only had a makeshift hangar that could not withstand bad weather, making it difficult to use at all times of the year.

A Salesian noted, “The construction of the chapel is stabilizing the Christian community and promoting a welcoming environment for families who have come to settle in the area. Catechesis and faith education activities will help the community grow and endure over time.”

Salesian missionaries have been working in Burkina Faso since March 1993. Missionaries first began their work in Bobo-Dioulasso, the second largest city in the country. Salesian missionaries provide education and social development services designed to create a sense of family among the most vulnerable children and those most at risk of social exclusion.

According to the World Bank, more than 46% of the country’s population lives in poverty on less than $1.25 per day. Burkina Faso has suffered from several serious droughts that have driven up food prices, affecting the country’s food supply and causing malnutrition among the poorest residents and children. Up until the 1980s, the country also dealt with devastating military coups.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Burkina Faso

World Bank – Burkina Faso

The post BURKINA FASO: Salesians have new chapel for St. Francis of Assisi community thanks to funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

(MissionNewswire) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian organizations and countries around the globe in honoring the International Day of Charity celebrated each year on Sept. 5. The date was chosen by the General Assembly of the United Nations to commemorate the anniversary of the passing of Mother Teresa of Calcutta. She received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 “for work undertaken in the struggle to overcome poverty and distress, which also constitute a threat to peace.”

As part of the United Nations 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development, adopted in September 2015, the U.N. has recognized the importance of eradicating poverty in all forms. The U.N. noted, “Charity, like the notions of volunteerism and philanthropy, provides real social bonding and contributes to the creation of inclusive and more resilient societies.”

“Nearly 30,000 Salesian priests, brothers, sisters, and novices are working in more than 130 countries bringing education, workforce development, and social programs to poor youth and their families,” said Father Michael Conway, director of Salesian Missions. “While education is our primary focus, Salesian missionaries work to meet basic needs like shelter, food and medical care while also working to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches those who need it most.”

In honor of the International Day of Charity, Salesian Missions highlights aid programs that are helping youth and their families meet their basic needs.

INDIA

Salesians renovated a hostel for youth who are studying in Gobarhati, India, thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions.

Salesian missionaries had the funding for renovating the Mission Hostel, located in Gobarhati, Murshidabad, India, thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. With the funding, Salesians upgraded the dormitory hall, bathrooms and plumbing, kitchen, and staircase. Salesians also repaired windows, doors, fans, and lighting, as well as painted and built a new food storage room.

The hostel provides accommodations for 60 youth who are poor and in first through 12th grade. A Salesian noted, “These youth are from families who migrate across states in India in search of work opportunities and a better life. They often don’t have the funding for a stable living environment and education for the children without support.”

Rajdeep Tudu is one of the youth who benefited from this project. Currently studying in Class I, Tudu lost both of his parents in an accident. He was initially cared for by his grandmother but has since found a new home at the Mission Hostel. He is now attending school and enjoying a safe, supportive environment where he can grow and learn.

RWANDA

Don Bosco Muhazi in Rwanda provided essential support to 260 students thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions.

Don Bosco Muhazi Technical and Vocational School in Rwanda had the funding to support 260 students thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. The funding provided food assistance and essential supplies. Fifty of these students, who live off school grounds, received hygiene kits, food supplies and rent support.

A Salesian noted, “This aid was especially crucial for students from remote areas who struggle to meet their basic needs while pursuing technical education. It enabled them to focus more effectively on their studies. School staff and students alike have expressed increased morale and hope with testimonies indicating that the aid has stabilized their living conditions temporarily. In the longer term, this support fosters resilience, reduces dropout rates, and promotes a conducive learning environment, helping students build a better future for themselves and their communities.”

Don Bosco Muhazi educates 261 youth aged 16-23. In the district 22.0% of people these ages previously attended school and have left for some reason, 75.2% are currently attending school and 2.8% have never attended secondary school.

SOUTH SUDAN

More than 1,800 displaced persons in South Sudan* received better nutrition through a partnership between Rise Against Hunger and Salesian Missions.

More than 1,800 people in a Salesian camp for people who are internally displaced, located in Gumbo, on the outskirts of the city of Juba, South Sudan*, had access to better nutrition during the second half of 2024. The food shipment was the result of a partnership between Salesian Missions and Rise Against Hunger, an international humanitarian organization growing a global movement to end hunger.

People in the camp face challenges, including the rising price of commodities and the weakening of the local currency. Food insecurity is a major challenge. Thanks to the meals, Salesians have seen reduced hunger, improved nutrition and enhanced food security.

Salesians have tried to address food challenges by offering small plots of land, encouraging people who are displaced and the local community to cultivate crops to supplement the meal rations that are offered. However, this can only happen during the rainy season and not everyone can receive a plot. Therefore, Salesians heavily rely on partner support to address the food insecurity.

UGANDA

Don Bosco CALM in Uganda established a sick bay for children thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions.

Salesian missionaries were able to establish a sick bay for children who are ill at Don Bosco CALM Nursery and Primary School in Uganda thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. The sick bay will provide services to more than 700 children.

Uganda faces significant challenges in providing health care, particularly to vulnerable populations, including children from low-income backgrounds. Limited access to health care facilities, a high disease prevalence and limited financial resources make it difficult for children to receive timely and adequate medical care.

A Salesian explained, “Establishing a sick bay at Don Bosco CALM ensures that children have the immediate medical care that they need, ensuring that minor injuries and illness are treated properly. This will also help manage chronic conditions, provide first aid, and offer preventive care like vaccinations, hygiene education and nutritional support that children need. Further, this will help cut down on time lost from school due to illness, allowing children to grow up healthy and have a better quality of life.”

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

INDIA: Salesians renovate hostel for youth thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions

RWANDA: Don Bosco Muhazi provides essential support to 260 students thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions

Salesian Missions

SOUTH SUDAN: More than 1,800 displaced persons receive better nutrition through partnership between Rise Against Hunger and Salesian Missions

UGANDA: Don Bosco CALM establishes sick bay for children thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions

U.N. – International Day of Charity

*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.

The post INT’L DAY OF CHARITY: Salesian Missions highlights social programs that meet basic needs first appeared on MissionNewswire.

NAMIBIA

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries in Rundu, Namibia, completed phase three of a construction project for the new St. John Bosco Church thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The project will benefit more than 6,500 Catholics in the community.

With the funding, Salesians were able to buy roofing sheets to finish roofing the parts that remained from the previous phase of the project. They were also able to buy the steel for truces and weld them on the roof, finish brick work, and plaster the inside and outside of the entire church.

A Salesian noted, “The project has been a long time in the making. In 2018, the Catholic bishop took over the Cathedral Parish and asked Salesians to develop a parish with the outskirts of Rundu. In 2019, on the feast of St. John Bosco, a new parish was opened by the bishop and entrusted to the Salesians of Don Bosco to run it in perpetuity. The parish was dedicated to St. John Bosco. Since then, Salesians have been working to develop the parish and make it a home for the youth and the parish community.”

St. John Bosco community is one of 15 Salesian communities in Rundu. Within three years of its development, Salesians were able to build two community houses, a school, parish offices and a parish hall, which had been used as the church prior to the new one being built. The new space provides more comfort and better accessibility to all who worship there.

Salesian programs across Namibia 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.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Namibia

World Bank – Namibia

The post NAMIBIA: Salesians continue work on new St. John Bosco Church thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

SYRIA

(MissionNewswire) Salesians were able to help support children at two orphanages in Aleppo, Syria*, thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. Both an Armenian orphanage housing 30 children and a Muslim orphanage hosting 50 children, aged 6-18, were supported through the ongoing project.

Volunteers engaged the children in activities such as sports and games, cultural and educational sessions, psychological workshops, interactive theater performances, and a carnival day. Children also had access to individual counseling sessions to begin or continue therapeutic support in a safe, confidential setting. Each child was also taken to choose a new pair of shoes.

Orphanages in Aleppo are critically under-resourced and face overwhelming challenges including overcapacity, staffing shortages, and limited funding to meet even the most basic needs of the children.

A Salesian noted, “The Orphan Project represented a powerful humanitarian initiative that delivered essential care and emotional support to orphaned children in Aleppo — regardless of their religion, background or community. Amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis and socioeconomic instability in the region, this project has served as a beacon of hope, offering these children not only essential resources but also dignity, love and belonging.”

The program was led by Salesian Cooperators, who spent time engaging with the children. A dedicated team of approximately 50 volunteers handled planning, preparation, implementation and follow-up.

Maria Keshishian, aged 10, has been living in the Armenian orphanage in Aleppo since she was 5. She said, “Living in the orphanage sometimes feels like we live far from the rest of the world — where not many people remember us or know what our lives are like. But something changed when the Salesian Cooperators came to visit us. They didn’t come just to entertain us. They came with open hearts and warm smiles. From the moment they arrived, I felt something I hadn’t felt in a long time. I felt seen, heard and truly cared for.”

Mohammad Al-Ahmad, aged 11, has lived in the orphanage for six years. He explained what he liked best about the Salesian visit. “One of the coolest things was when they taught us fun dances that we all did together. It wasn’t just about the steps, it was about feeling connected and being part of something joyful.”

Salesian centers in Syria are providing youth a safe haven and a place where they can continue to cultivate their dreams and their faith through education and support. Salesian centers are located in Aleppo, Damascus and Kafroun.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

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.

The post SYRIA: Orphan Project brings support, joy to children thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

ANGOLA

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries with the School of Agriculture and Rural Volunteering, located in Moxico Velho, Luena, Angola, were able to complete construction projects thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. With the funding, Salesians rehabilitated the kitchen and created a school dining room for the students.

“This construction project will make significant improvements to the school and allow us to have a dedicated space to feed our students,” said a Salesian missionary. “We appreciate the donors who support this project. Our school primarily serves students in conditions of poverty and these changes will have a positive impact on them.”

This project directly impacted 36 youth, aged 17-23, who are undergoing volunteer training, with some preparing for the seminary. Two thousand villagers who rely on subsistence farming will also be able to use the new facilities.

The school works to develop volunteers experienced in agriculture, the general culture of the area, social development and seminary studies. Salesians will look at new educational initiatives in forestry and beekeeping.

In Angola more than a third of the population could be living on less than 2.15 dollars per day, according to the World Bank. Although the country’s recession ended in 2021, economic growth has lagged behind population growth, resulting in negative per capita growth for nine years. Unemployment has remained high, impacted women disproportionately, experiencing an unemployment rate of over 33% in the first quarter of 2024, compared to about 31 percent for men.

Salesian missionaries continue to rebuild infrastructure that was damaged during the civil war that lasted from 1975 to 2002. Much was destroyed during the conflict including schools, medical buildings and churches. Living within the communities in which they work, Salesian missionaries have been perfectly positioned to respond to local needs and lead projects for community betterment.

###

Sources:

Photo (from video) courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Angola

World Bank – Angola

The post ANGOLA: Salesian missionaries build kitchen and dining room at School of Agriculture thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

(MissionNewswire) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian organizations and countries around the globe in recognizing World Humanitarian Day. Celebrated every year on Aug. 19, World Humanitarian Day honors the humanitarian efforts worldwide that support people in crisis.

The day was established by the United Nations to recognize those who face danger and adversity in order to help others. It was designated to coincide with the anniversary of the 2003 bombing of the U.N. headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq. The bombing killed 22 humanitarian aid workers, including the U.N. special representative of the secretary-general for Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello. Five years later, the General Assembly adopted a resolution designating Aug. 19 as World Humanitarian Day.

“Humanitarian aid, particularly in the middle of natural disasters and civil strife, can often mean the difference between life and death,” explained Father Michael Conway, director of Salesian Missions. “Salesian missionaries are serving in more than 130 countries around the globe. Because they live in the communities they serve, they are often on the front lines of humanitarian disasters. Whether providing critical food aid or clothing and shelter in the immediate aftermath or assisting the long recovery process to help families rebuild their homes and salvage their livelihoods, Salesians are perfectly positioned to help.”

In honor and celebration of World Humanitarian Day 2025, Salesian Missions is proud to highlight humanitarian and transformative programming in countries around the globe.

DR CONGO

More than 1,200 people in the DR Congo received healthy meals through Rise Against Hunger’s partnership with Salesian Missions.

Oeuvres Maman Marguerite, a network of Salesian centers located in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo*, received a shipment of nutritious meals through a partnership between Salesian Missions and Rise Against Hunger, an international humanitarian organization growing a global movement to end hunger. The shipment provided meals for six programs at a prison, a hospital, orphanages, a hospice for the elderly and training centers. More than 1,200 people were fed during the second half of 2024.

One of the recipients is Mechak Kahozi, aged 14, who is attending the Bakanja Ville Welcome House. Kahozi had lived with his father, stepmother and aunt until he was mistreated at home and took to the streets. He has been living at the Salesian house since 2023. Kahozi is back in school and looking forward to a brighter future. He would like to become a mechanic and have his own garage. He’d also like to be a mentor to children like him.

Kahozi said, “Since I started eating Rise Against Hunger meals, I feel good and healthy. I really enjoy it. It’s important for me because it gives me good health, and we don’t get sick frequently anymore. I like to sit next to everyone I live with when it’s time to eat dinner.”

GUINEA

Salesians increased equipment for training centers in Guinea thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions.

Salesian missionaries have improved the socio-economic living conditions of youth and young adults through job market training in Kankan and Siguiri, Guinea. The funding for the project came from Salesian Missions.

Donor funds were used to purchase training equipment for the St. John Bosco Centers in the two communities. The donation impacted 880 youth including 130 young women, aged 16-25, from the Kankan and Nzérékoré regions. The students come from families with low levels of education who earn their living mainly through the subsistence economy.

A Salesian explained, “Thanks to the additional training equipment available, the St. John Bosco Centers have been able to increase the number of classrooms where young people can receive training. This has made it possible to offer training to even more youth. In Siguiri, we have gone from 61 students in 2022-2023 to 100 students in 2023-2024. Similarly in Kankan, we have gone from 165 pupils in 2022-2023 to 181 pupils in 2023-2024. This project has been a great success.”

One of the students impacted was Emmanuel, who is attending vocational training at the center in Siguiri. He said, “The reason I came to the center was because I failed secondary school. I tried several times without success to take the baccalaureate exam, even though I had difficulty reaching the final year of secondary school. My classmates and parents advised me to do vocational training. I decided to train in building electricity and I’m in my second year.”

HAITI

Meals provided nutrition for more than 2,300 youth in Haiti through a partnership between Rise Against Hunger and Salesian Missions.

More than 2,300 youth in Haiti received nutritious food through a partnership between Salesian Missions and Rise Against Hunger. The shipments of meals were received by the Salesians of Don Bosco and then distributed to the three Salesian centers of Don Bosco Technique, Lakay Don Bosco and the Vincent Foundation in the second half of 2024.

Vincent Foundation, located south of the city of Cap-Haïtien in the suburbs of Vertières, is the only space in the neighborhood that opens its doors to youth in the area to allow them a safe place for play and a meeting point. The foundation was able to distribute the meals to youth in the center who do not receive regular meals at home. Salesians report that there was a peaceful climate among the youth because they knew that a hot meal would be provided by the center.

At Lakay Don Bosco, Jeannot, aged 15, was one of the recipients. He had been living with his grandmother after his mother died when he was aged 5. Because of their poverty, he left his grandmother to join the armed gangs to find money and food. After meeting the Salesians, Jeannot is now one of the Catholic Scouts and is in school learning motorcycle mechanics. He is becoming healthy thanks to Rise Against Hunger meals, which allow him to eat twice a day.

Lourdena Bien-Aime Pierre, an educator and food manager, said, “Since receiving the Rise Against Hunger meals, the change within the community is very palpable because we see that the youth develop physically and also improve academically. Before, it was difficult to teach them since ‘a hungry belly has no ears.’ We have seen improvements for all of our students, especially Jeannot. The meals help him study and learn better. We are proud of him because he is committed, very responsible and he has determination.”

UKRAINE

Salesian communities in Ukraine had power and heat in the winter thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions.

Salesian communities in Ukraine* were able to afford heating and electric bills over the winter thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. Those who benefited from the project include children and older youth, people with disabilities and chronic illness, the elderly, and pregnant women living in Salesian communities in Zhytomyr, Peremyshlyany, Korostyshev, Bibrka and Odesa.

In Korostyshev, financial support for heating bills enabled Salesians to continue operating parish facilities and the youth center, providing a welcoming environment for more than 400 people. In Peremyshlyany, the Salesian community was able to pay electricity bills and avoid the risk of power cuts, ensuring pastoral and social support for internally displaced persons and local residents from 120 households. Activities and meetings continued even during blackouts.

Donor funding also supported the Vsesvit Lyceum in Zhytomyr by covering utility expenses, the purchase of diesel fuel for the backup generator and generator maintenance, ensuring that the school could operate without interruption during the winter. Similarly, the Narnia Private Christian School in Odesa was able to continue teaching activities throughout the winter, thanks to support for electricity bills.

Finally, in Bibrka, donor funding provided long-term energy security by funding gas bills and the installation of a solar power plant. This installation ensures uninterrupted power supply to the building housing the oratory and catechetical hall, even during blackouts. The solar power system reduces operating costs, contributing to sustainability.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

DR CONGO: More than 1,200 people receive healthy meals through Rise Against Hunger’s partnership with Salesian Missions

GUINEA: Salesians increase equipment for training centers thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions

HAITI: Meals provide nutrition for more than 2,300 youth through a partnership between Rise Against Hunger and Salesian Missions

Salesian Missions

UKRAINE: Salesian communities had power and heat in winter thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions

World Humanitarian Day

*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.

The post WORLD HUMANITARIAN DAY: Salesian Missions highlights educational and aid efforts around the globe first appeared on MissionNewswire.

UGANDA

(MissionNewswire) The Salesian Vocational Training School, located inside of the Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp in Uganda, has a new high-capacity water tank thanks to funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The funding is part of the Salesian Missions “Clean Water Initiative.”

Salesian missionaries living and working among the refugees at Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp provide a range of educational and social development programs for the 93,000 people living in the camp. Most of them are from South Sudan, and 60% are under age 13. Salesians have been supporting refugees since the opening of the camp in 2016.

With so many people living in the camp, the current water sources simply aren’t enough. The new tank will help to provide water for the students at the vocational school and to the broader refugee population once the project is completed. While the tank has been installed, the current water pumps aren’t adequate to fill the tank. Salesians will finalize the project when the funding for new water pumps becomes available.

A Salesian noted, “The project aims to directly benefit more than 750 students and workers at Don Bosco Vocational Training School inside the camp. These populations, already living in extremely precarious conditions, depend on constant access to safe drinking water to meet their basic needs. The lack of sufficient storage capacity weakens the water supply, significantly increasing the risk of waterborne diseases such as diarrhea and cholera. The tank, once operational, will address this critical need by improving the availability, consistency, and quality of water distributed in the camp. The project will also have a structural impact on the daily lives of refugees.”

Ozele Pascal, aged 32, is one of the beneficiaries who lives at the camp. Originally from the Alur tribe in the Democratic Republic of Congo, he serves as a volunteer in agricultural activities, including crop cultivation and animal husbandry. He is also employed as a gardener at Don Bosco Mission Palabek.

Pascal said, “My hope is to see the community focus on sustainable food production through kitchen gardening and the construction of decent housing, including homes, latrines, and shelters. I wish for improved access to clothes and basic needs, better hygiene, and moral development within the community.”

He added, “Before the installation of the 150,000-liter water tank, we faced significant water shortages, especially during the dry season. Access to sufficient water for drinking, hygiene, cooking and sanitation was a major challenge. The absence of an irrigation system meant limited capacity to irrigate crops, which affected food production. When I saw the installation of the water tank, I was very excited. I thought the tank was enormous and recognized its purpose for water storage. I was happy about this development because it signified an improvement in our water access. I am optimistic that it will positively impact our community.”

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Uganda

UNHCR – Uganda Refugees

The post UGANDA: Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp has new water tank thanks to funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

(MissionNewswire) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian organizations and countries around the globe in recognizing International Youth Day. Celebrated each year on Aug. 12, International Youth Day was established by the United Nations to raise awareness of issues affecting young people around the world.

Working in more than 130 countries, Salesian missionaries provide a range of social development and educational programs for youth who are poor and at risk. They help ensure that youth have the basic needs of nutrition, shelter, safety and health care accessible to them. Salesian missionaries also offer more than 5,500 primary and secondary schools and more than 1,000 vocational, technical, professional and agricultural schools around the globe.

“Salesians are focused on education but know that youth in poverty are dealing with much more than that in their daily lives,” said Father Michael Conway, director of Salesian Missions. “This is why Salesian feeding and sheltering programs, youth centers, medical clinics, and more are essential to a young person’s overall well-being and enables them to focus on their education to gain the skills for future employment and self-sufficiency.”

In honor and celebration of International Youth Day 2025, Salesian Missions is proud to highlight Salesian initiatives that educate and empower youth.

HAITI

Nutritious meals were provided for more than 3,000 youth across 11 Salesian schools and programs in Haiti through a partnership between Rise Against Hunger and Salesian Missions.

More than 3,000 youth in Haiti received nutritious food through a partnership between Salesian Missions and Rise Against Hunger, an international humanitarian organization growing a global movement to end hunger. The shipments of meals were received by the Salesians of Don Bosco and then distributed to 11 Salesian centers and schools in the first half of 2024. Salesians facilitate school feeding programs, family meetings, professional training, primary and secondary education, apprenticeships, catechesis classes, and various other social activities.

Haiti faces ongoing political and social strife. Rodnel Ball, age 16, is one of the recipients and has been living at the Timkatec center in Port-au-Prince for five years. He said, “When I arrived at Timkatec, I started to eat Rise Against Hunger meals every day. The meals are important to me because they give me strength and they taste good. Not only did I gain weight by eating the meals, but I also found the motivation to study. I study better. I like to sit with my classmates when I eat.”

A Salesian noted, “We appreciate Rise Against Hunger and the solidarity from the United States for sending food for our youth. We can see the joy on the face of each child after eating and when they arrive home.”

INDIA

Children and youth at five childcare institutions in India received food, education, counseling and more thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions.

Salesian missionaries with Don Bosco Snehalaya in Assam, India, were able to fund the “Comprehensive Support for Poor and Needy Children in Assam” project thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. The funding provided support for 142 young people in need of care and protection at five Salesian childcare institutions.

Donor funding was used for food, education, clothing and counseling, as well as support for the staff to provide the services. The institutions that were supported were the Snehalaya Boys Home, which provides support for 29 boys ages 12-16; Auxilium Snehalaya, which supports 30 girls, ages 6-11; Ila Snehalaya, a home for 23 young boys, ages 6-11; Jyoti Snehalaya, a home for 33 girls, ages 12-18; and Snehalaya Center for Child Rights, a home for 25 boys, ages 15-18.

Anjana Tanti, age 18, is one of the youth supported by this donation. She is living at Jyoti Snehalaya. She said, “I had a very bad childhood. My father died when I was 3 years old. My mother married another man. My stepfather used to beat me. I was the victim of child abuse. I was rescued by Childline, Dimapur and was referred to Auxilium Snehalaya at the age of 5.”

UKRAINE

Students in Lviv, Ukraine, have a new soccer field thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions.

Salesian missionaries were able to construct a new soccer field for students at Blessed Klymenty and Andrey Sheptytskyi in Lviv, Ukraine*, thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. The donation impacted more than 400 students who regularly use the field.

The previous field was in such disrepair that it made it difficult for the students to play at all. It was filled with mud and was uneven. The soccer goals lacked netting, so when a goal was scored youth had to chase the ball.

A Salesian said, “The new field is bringing a new life for the students who are more enthusiastic about playing soccer and using the field. Since the beginning of the school year, Salesian priests and soccer coaches have actively conducted soccer activities on the field next to gymnasium. They organized a class schedule to ensure fair playing time for all. In the morning, students are using the field and after midday, the field is utilized for youth from the Salesian Pokrova Parish.”

Close to the gymnasium is a modular city of Mariapolis, where people who have been internally displaced are living. Among them are youth who are interested in sport activities. The goal is to reach out to these youth so that they can access the new field. Salesians will also rent the field to raise the funding needed to cover maintenance costs.

WEST AFRICA

Donor funding from Salesian Missions is providing scholarships in sub-Saharan Africa for 209 students who are disadvantaged.

Salesian missionaries in the Our Lady of Peace provincial community were able to provide 209 scholarships to youth who are disadvantaged thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. The Antonio César scholarship program took place in Benin, Burkina Faso, Gambia, Guinea, Mali* and Senegal.

According to the UNESCO Statistical Institute, sub-Saharan Africa has the highest rates of exclusion from education. More than a fifth of children aged about 6-11 are out of school, a third of children aged about 12-14 and nearly 60% of young people aged about 15-17. The region faces a growing demand for education due to its steadily increasing school-age population. Girls face greater exclusion from school than boys of the same age.

Youth receiving the scholarships were aged 8-25, and they were either orphaned or from families that could not afford their schooling.

A Salesian explained, “We want to ensure that all youth have a chance to gain an education, particularly girls who face greater disadvantages in accessing education. Salesians provide education and social development programs to support poor youth and their families. It is our goal to connect all youth, despite their disadvantages, to education where they can gain skills for later employment and to succeed in life.”

###

Sources:

Photos courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

INDIA: Donor funding supports 5 Salesian childcare institutions

HAITI: Rise Against Hunger meals support nutrition for more than 3,000 youth across 11 Salesian schools and programs

Salesian Missions

UKRAINE: Students have new soccer field thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions/

WEST AFRICA: Donor funding from Salesian Missions provides scholarships for 209 students

*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.

The post INT’L YOUTH DAY: Salesian Missions highlights social and educational programs for youth in need first appeared on MissionNewswire.

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries in Kunkundjan Mariama, a small locality in Banjul, The Gambia, were able to increase their beekeeping activities thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The Don Bosco Garden at the school now has an additional 30 hives, which brings the total number of hives up to 50. Salesians also trained 33 students how to care for the hives and extract honey.

The hives provide the school and the students a new opportunity for a source of income. The honey from the hives is collected and sold to those in the local community. A Salesian noted, “The additional hives serve as an additional revenue source and small income-generating opportunity, allowing the population to meet their needs.”

One of the participants, Edouard, noted, “I appreciated the training and hope to become a leader in beekeeping training. I’m going to take all that I’ve learned and train other students here at the school in how to tend to the hives and extract the honey.”

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%.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

World Bank – Gambia

Salesian Missions

The post THE GAMBIA: Salesian missionaries increase beekeeping activity thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.