MADAGASCAR

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Photo courtesy of Misiones Salesianas (via ANS article)

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

Salesian Missions – Madagascar

UNICEF – Madagascar

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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.

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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.

MADAGASCAR

Youth significantly improved language skills

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries started a tutoring program at the Victoire Rasoamanarivo High School in Ankililoaka, Madagascar, in September 2024. Since inception, the program has strengthened the French and English language skills of 60 youth aged 11-17 who were struggling in school and beyond. Two thirds are students from poor families.

Four teachers and four supervisors as well as a full-time supervisor were hired. Through the program, Salesians were also able to purchase equipment such as microphones, loudspeakers, mixers and amplifiers to be used for cultural activities.

Special tee-shirts were made as the official uniform for the students participating in the language groups. The shirts serve as advertising to attract other students. Cultural events in French and English were organized to immerse students in the language and help them not to be afraid of making mistakes. The events, which were also open to the public, took place at both the Victoire Rasoamanarivo High School and at other local schools.

A Salesian explained, “We managed to organize a big cultural event that we invited the authorities from the city of Ankililioaka, parents and students from other schools. It was a great success.”

The school year ended with a recreational event for the program’s teachers and students.

Throughout the year, the students were given monitoring tests and regular assessments to measure their progress, and notable improvement has been reported.

The Salesian added, “We are convinced that this program is a salvation for poor young people who do not have the means to pay for language courses. The school results clearly demonstrate our success. The result of the official state examination at the end of the first secondary cycle was 100%. We are grateful to those who supported this program.”

The Salesians have been in Ankililoaka since 1982. It is a rural city in the south of Madagascar where several ethnic groups live together. Since then, Salesians have opened schools, churches, a radio station and a youth center and have carried out projects that assist youth and families in need.

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. This number is expected to double in 2025.

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ANS – Madagascar – No student is left behind in Ankililoaka

Salesian Missions – Madagascar

UNICEF – Madagascar

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MADAGASCAR

(MissionNewswire) 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, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, 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.”

Mahajanga is a large city located in the northwest coast of Madagascar. The schools in the area are insufficient. As a result, many youth are not able to access education. This leads to unemployment, child labor, and other economic and social issues.

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. This number is expected to double in 2025.

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Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Madagascar

UNICEF – Madagascar

The post MADAGASCAR: Salesian missionaries expand classrooms at Don Bosco Mahajanga thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

MADAGASCAR

(MissionNewswire) Mission Don Bosco, the Salesian Solidarity Fund of the Saint Anthony Province of the Salesians in Portugal, has recently launched the “A Gesture for Madagascar” campaign to respond to Salesians who are facing a humanitarian crisis following the passage of Tropical Cyclone Honde. The initiative aims to raise funds to support the affected communities, particularly in the Toliara region, where the cyclone’s impact has been devastating.

Since the cyclone struck the country on Feb. 27, Madagascar has been experiencing severe hardship given the torrential rains and wind. Tropical Cyclone Honde caused extensive damage to infrastructure and livelihoods, severely endangering food security and access to medical care. Hundreds of people have been left isolated, and many families are in urgent need of food, medicine and essential supplies, as well as temporary shelters.

Father Innocent Bizimana, superior of the Maria Immacolata Vice-Province of Madagascar, noted that Tropical Cyclone Honde inflicted severe destruction on infrastructure, homes and essential facilities. He said, “Hundreds of families have lost their homes and have no access to food or medical care.”

Salesians in Portugal are working to raise the funding needed to help Salesians in Madagascar respond to this humanitarian crisis. Salesians are often on the front lines of humanitarian disasters because they live in the communities in which they work. They are often the first ones to provide an initial response and remain long after other aid organizations have left, helping families and communities rebuild.

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 for the most disadvantaged youth. They are working to ensure quality education and make sure no student is left behind.

Madagascar, an island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of East Africa, 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. This number is expected to double in 2025.

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ANS – Portugal – “Missão Dom Bosco” Launches Solidarity Campaign for Madagascar

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The post MADAGASCAR: Salesians launch fundraising campaign to help after devastating cyclone first appeared on MissionNewswire.

MADAGASCAR

(MissionNewswire) Radio Don Bosco, located in Ivato, Madagascar, recently held a digital training session for hosts of the weekly program Education for Life and Love (EVA). The station, which has deep roots in Malagasy society and a commitment to staying “always in tune with its listeners”, will be expanding its reach by making its programs available online.

To adapt to this new format, hosts were trained in live on-camera communication techniques and best practices for engaging video audiences. The afternoon session of the training was dedicated to hands-on exercises to put their new skills into practice.

Broadcast every Thursday from 10:00-11:00 a.m. the EVA program is produced in collaboration with commissions of the Episcopal Conference of Madagascar. It covers a wide range of topics such as development, health, family, environment, justice and culture. Experts regularly contribute to the program, often returning each month to delve deeper into specific subjects.

A Salesian noted, “Thanks to this approach, the program has gained great popularity in recent years. To ensure its continued success, the training session provided an opportunity for hosts and guest experts to enhance their skills with the support of Radio Don Bosco’s staff.”

Before the official launch of the digital expansion, pilot episodes and test broadcasts will take place over several weeks. The content will be available on YouTube and Facebook, the two most popular social media platforms in Madagascar.

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. This number is expected to double in 2025.

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ANS – Madagascar – Skill Development for Radio DJs and Technological Progress Mark the Presence of “Radio Don Bosco”

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MADAGASCAR

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries with the Victoire Rasoamanarivo High School, located in Ankililoaka, Madagascar, have launched a new English and French program for students who struggle with learning a foreign language. The goal of the project, funded by donors, is to improve the language level of students and provide them with fundamental skills for future employment.

The project will educate 60 students ages 11-7. Funding will support the recruitment of qualified teachers with experience in teaching students with language difficulties. Classes will be held four hours a week for 10 weeks. There will be small groups to personalize learning and promote written and oral communication skills. The project will also provide textbooks and exercises as well as audio and video teaching materials. Students will have regular tests and evaluations to ensure they are making progress.

Ankililoaka is rural and mainly made up of farmers and breeders. Different ethnic groups live together in an area impacted by long periods of severe drought that in recent years has endangered the survival of harvests and the people who live there. Increasing poverty has caused difficulties for families. As a result, youth already faced with low levels of general education are dropping out of school more frequently.

A Salesian said, “We want to support our students’ growth and development. One of the areas where students struggle is with foreign language development. The goal is to help them learn languages that will directly help them in future job prospects, which will help make them more self-sufficient to improve their lives and the entire community.”

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 for the most disadvantaged youth. They are working to ensure quality education and make sure no student is left behind.

Madagascar, an island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of East Africa, 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. This number is expected to double by 2025.

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ANS – Madagascar – Fostering foreign language learning to promote individual and community development

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The post MADAGASCAR: Students improve language skills for future employment first appeared on MissionNewswire.

MADAGASCAR

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries are providing education and support for poor youth at the Notre Dame de Clairvaux Center in Ivato, Madagascar.  At the end of June, students took state exams to obtain the Certificate of Professional Qualification. The exams were followed by a reception where students received certificates. The next step is for them to begin their final internship in various companies for hands-on training.

Father Erminio de Santis has worked at the Notre Dame de Clairvaux Center for 20 years. In a letter, he spoke about two young students who were impacted by the school. He wrote, “A young man who graduated last year, Rivo, attended the school with his twin Rija. Rivo attended the electrician course and Rija attended the car mechanic course. Rivo told me that his brother works as a mechanic, while he and all his classmates, who had an internship in a large electrical company, now work there on a regular contract. He said that the  company, which is looking for other workers, has already booked those coming from this year’s course.”

Rivo and Rija had been forced to leave home when they were young because of their father, who was violent and abused alcohol. Their mother, who is sick, was unable to support the family. They live with their grandmother in a small house. Today, because of the Salesian school, they are able to support their family.

Salesian missionaries have 11 centers and work in several locations in the country, including the Don Bosco House in Ivato in the outskirts of the capital of Antananarivo.

Madagascar, an island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of East Africa, 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. This number is expected to double by 2025.

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ANS – Madagascar – The letter of Fr de Santis and the testimony of Rivo and Rija: stories that encourage and give hope for the Salesian educational mission

Salesian Missions – Madagascar

UNICEF – Madagascar

The post MADAGASCAR: Graduates succeed first appeared on MissionNewswire.

MADAGASCAR

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries are providing education and support for poor youth at the Notre Dame de Clairvaux Center in Ivato, Madagascar. Father Erminio de Santis, originally from Italy, is one of those Salesian missionaries. He has been serving in Salesian centers in Madagascar for the past 40 years. For 20 of those years, Fr. de Santis has worked at the Notre Dame de Clairvaux Center.

“This time has passed quickly,” he said. “I want to say right away that the results of the first quarter of the school year were encouraging. Only nine of the 270 young people in the vocational center did not obtain the grade average, but we have no doubt that they will achieve it before the end of the year. We have publicly rewarded the best in each class. Some of them have obtained a scholarship, to the great joy and relief of their families who are freed from small school expenses.”

Fr. de Santis also praised the hard work of the children at the oratory who are in the elementary school. The school is focused on recovery for those students who have been abandoned on the streets. He noted, “The recovery work there is more difficult, not many of them having even started school until they were 10 or 11 years old, or having abandoned it a long time ago. But the results of the past years show us that almost everyone obtains their elementary certificate, and then the children come to train in our vocational center.”

Fr. de Santis reflected on one young student who didn’t show up after the holidays. Niríko, age 17, had begun to help his mother during the holidays, and he did not feel like abandoning her to go back to school. He had been with the Salesians for three years, completing his elementary education and advancing on to vocational training to become a carpenter.

His home life is challenging. His mother lives in a wooden hut with two young children and tries to earn money by serving a local family. Fr. de Santis said, “Niríko has compromised his education by not returning but how can we blame him for supporting his mother. We try to help where we can but family support like this is difficult because financially it’s already difficult to feed and train the children.”

Salesian missionaries have 11 centers and work in several locations in the country, including the Don Bosco House in Ivato in the outskirts of the capital of Antananarivo.

Madagascar, an island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of East Africa, 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. This number is expected to double by 2025.

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ANS – Madagascar – The silent but valuable work of the Notre Dame de Clairvaux Salesian mission

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The post MADAGASCAR: Salesian reflects on school year first appeared on MissionNewswire.

MADAGASCAR

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries have been providing support for youth in Madagascar since 1981. They offer education, literacy, and professional training, as well as pastoral care and oratories for youth. Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world and more than 60% of the population is under age 20.

The town of Ankililoaka has been home to a Salesian community for more than 40 years. Located in the southwest of Madagascar, the town and the area are poor. People are mostly supported by agriculture even though there is often a lack of water. In addition to education, Salesians focus efforts on ensuring that the people have their basic needs met. There has also been an oratory for youth since the beginning.

A Salesian noted, “The oratory has always been an important point of reference for youth where they are protected and learn the true meaning of friendship, respect, collaboration and responsibility. It’s been a space in which they grow, play and pray in the little church that is the heart of this oratory. More than 800 youth attend the activities there that are coordinated by 35 leaders.”

The Salesian added, “Play and sport have always been important to the Salesians and the youth we serve. There is much for youth to learn while they are having fun with their peers. At the oratory in Ankililoaka, we offer both basketball and volleyball. As the oratory continues to grow and serve even more youth, we are looking for international support to build two playgrounds. Mission Don Bosco in Italy is currently looking for the support to helps us carry out this project.”

Salesian missionaries have 11 centers and work in several locations in the country, including the Don Bosco House in Ivato in the outskirts of the capital of Antananarivo.

Madagascar, an island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of East Africa, 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. This number is expected to double by 2025.

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ANS – Madagascar – The oratory in Ankililoaka has a new life

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The post MADAGASCAR: 800 youth take part in activities first appeared on MissionNewswire.

MADAGASCAR

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries were able to provide support for 20 families in the Ivato district of Madagascar thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco.

With the funding, Salesians purchased rice, pulses, sugar and more to meet the daily food needs of the families, along with soap and candles. Salesians also taught the families about the importance of taking care of their bodies and health, with a focus on personal hygiene and nutrition. In addition, Salesians provided psychological support to help families overcome the difficulties they encounter in their daily lives.

One Salesian missionary said, “This project is helping people in need by providing them with basic necessities, hygiene supplies and medicines to improve their lives. We are convinced that these activities have helped to improve their health and general well-being. We hope that this project can be continued in the future to help more people in need.”

Salesian missionaries have been living and working in Madagascar since 1981. Today, they have 11 centers and work in several locations, including the Don Bosco House in Ivato in the outskirts of the capital of Antananarivo.

Madagascar, an island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of East Africa, 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. This number is expected to double by 2025.

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UNICEF – Madagascar

The post MADAGASCAR: Salesians provide nutrition, support for families first appeared on MissionNewswire.

MADAGASCAR

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries deliver meals and provide social support for boys in the state-run rehabilitation center in Antananarivo, Madagascar. Salesians also provide engaging recreational activities.

Data released by the United Nations Children’s Fund showed more than 1 million children are deprived of their liberty in prisons around the world. In some countries, youth are arrested and detained for reasons such as running away from home, sleeping on the streets, and skipping school. They are tried as adults, condemned to serve their sentence in adult prisons and receive equal treatment with adults by the police.

Salesians aim to help youth get through these tough prison sentences by showing them compassion, which will help with reintegration into society once they are released.

“Music, theater, sports, as well as spiritual formation through the celebration of Mass, catechism, and the screening of religious and educational documentaries are some of the activities that we provide for youth,” said Father Giovanni Corselli, a Salesian missionary who has been in Madagascar for nearly 40 years and is director of the Ankililoaka house.

Fr. Corselli added, “On average, there are around 100 boys, ages 9-17, but the number of minors detained varies according to the roundups that the policemen carry out at night or during the day and where they surprise teenagers running around trying to steal. Often, it is the parents themselves who put them there because they do not know what to do with them.”

During the week, the young prisoners are subject to rigid prison rules which do not provide play and free time, but on Sundays, they can participate in sports and recreational activities. Games and raffles are organized at the center two or three times a year. It is also an opportunity to distribute useful items for daily life. The prizes are clothes, school supplies and chocolate, among other items. As the authorities are unable to provide regular and balanced meals, Salesians distribute full meals to the young prisoners through the novices, who then eat with them.

Fr. Corselli explained, “It is delicate and complex to manage those who have committed a crime with those whose only fault is living on the streets without the support of their families or children whose families are unable to care for them. We have tried to save some of them, but with others, we haven’t succeeded because they need constant care and it’s just not possible for us.”

Salesian missionaries have been living and working in Madagascar since 1981. Today, they have 11 centers and work in several locations, including the Don Bosco House in Ivato in the outskirts of the capital of Antananarivo, where Salesians have focused support.

Madagascar, an island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of East Africa, 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. This number is expected to double by 2025.

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ANS – Madagascar – In Anjanamasina juvenile prison, Salesians apply Don Bosco’s teaching to the letter: make boys feel loved

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The post MADAGASCAR: Salesians support young prisoners first appeared on MissionNewswire.

MADAGASCAR

(MissionNewswire) The Salesian-run Notre Dame de Clairvaux Center, located in Ivato, Madagascar, houses more than 100 youth ages 12-22. The Salesian facility is a home for orphaned, at-risk or street children. They are offered comprehensive support including medical care, food, clothing, shelter and education. Salesians want to offer them a chance at a better future.

Youth also have an opportunity to take technical and vocational training in subjects like automotive mechanics, welding, agriculture, animal husbandry, carpentry, and masonry. These subjects are available to enhance youth’s employable skills but also address the needs of the community. In addition to job skills training, the center has a job search office with a coordinator who helps youth who are graduating find and retain stable work.

Carlos is one young man who has benefited from the center. Born into a very poor family, he recently finished his welding apprenticeship. Carlos is intelligent and kind, but behind his infectious smile lies a traumatic past. He experienced extreme physical abuse by his father as  punishment for ruining a meal. Carlos managed to escape and, after asking a local priest for help, was taken to the Salesian center.

His father is now in prison but his relatives still vow to take revenge and kill him to erase the disgrace. For Carlos, returning to his village is now impossible. He sees his mother and three siblings only once a year because the trip is difficult and extremely expensive. Without her husband, his mother struggles to put food on the table for the family.

With school finished, Carlos works in a machine shop. He hopes and prays that one day his family situation will change. Until then, he is supported by his boss as well as the Salesian missionaries who housed and educated him. He finds hope for the future despite his challenging past.

“Salesian missionaries have been operating Notre Dame de Clairvaux since 1984,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “The center provides support to children and youth living in extreme poverty, many of whom are fatherless or orphans who have been abandoned by both parents. Youth have their needs met and can focus on getting an education for their future.”

Salesian missionaries have been living and working in Madagascar since 1981. Today, they have 11 centers and work in several locations, including the Don Bosco House in Ivato in the outskirts of the capital of Antananarivo, where Salesians have focused support.

Madagascar, an island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of East Africa, 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. This number is expected to double by 2025.

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ANS – Madagascar – Carlos, the boy who managed to save himself and who, thanks to the Salesians, also found his own career path

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The post MADAGASCAR: Youth at risk receive support first appeared on MissionNewswire.

MADAGASCAR

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries with the Mary Immaculate Vice-Province of Madagascar in Ivato, Madagascar, met with the directors of Catholic radio stations and the heads of Salesian vocational training centers. They discussed a new Radio Don Bosco Madagascar project known as “Improvement of the quality of Radio Don Bosco and expansion of the offer through distance learning and media education.”

A Salesian representative with Radio Don Bosco said, “We will have several things to do together. We are working on the strategic and programmatic reorientation of Radio Don Bosco Madagascar and Radio Don Bosco Live to address challenges of young people in Madagascar. The goal is to make the content of the programs more educational.”

Since its inception, Radio Don Bosco Madagascar has demonstrated its adaptability and response to internal changes or external needs with strategic reorientation that has allowed it to remain current. Now, as part of this project, the knowledge and skills of the radio staff will be updated to allow them to provide the educational programs more effectively.

By promoting social and educational content that helps youth gain an education and be ready for employment, Salesians are helping youth who traditionally have had insufficient access to education and who have seen their educational and social condition deteriorate further because of the COVID-19 pandemic. There are also plans to offer additional training measures to promote the use of information and communication technologies in educational institutions.

Salesian missionaries have been living and working in Madagascar since 1981. Today, they have 11 centers and work in several locations, including the Don Bosco House in Ivato in the outskirts of the capital of Antananarivo, where Salesians have focused support.

Madagascar, an island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of East Africa, 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. This number is expected to double by 2025.

For close to 80 percent of the country’s inhabitants who live in rural areas and practice subsistence farming, living conditions have been steadily declining in recent years, particularly when it comes to access to transportation, health services, education and markets. Because of the lack of hygiene and access to safe drinking water, coupled with chronic malnutrition, people in Madagascar often suffer from respiratory ailments, tuberculosis and hepatitis.

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

ANS – Madagascar – Workshop of information and sharing for Radio Don Bosco Madagascar’s new project

Salesian Missions – Madagascar

UNICEF – Madagascar

The post MADAGASCAR: Radio Don Bosco to address challenges of young people first appeared on MissionNewswire.

MADAGASCAR

(MissionNewswire) Youth attending Salesian programs in Madagascar 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 2020 shipment was shared among Salesian communities in Fianarantsoa and Mahajanga and Don Bosco House Ivato and Our Lady of Clairvaux Ivato in the capital city of Antananarivo. Among the recipients were three children, Bruno, Evelyne and Jacky, from Ankofafa, the poorest neighborhood of Fianarantsoa.

At the time of the rice-meal shipment, the Salesian school had been closed for five months because of the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting quarantines. While some schools continued to teach at a distance, poor youth who relied on feeding programs at the school suffered the most.

A Salesian in Madagascar reported, “Feed My Starving Children rice-meals are highly valued by the poor because they are rich in nutrients. Some children who were malnourished have regained strength and health. Since June, we have bought rice from the market and beans to continue distribution to the poor, replacing Feed My Starving Children rice.”

Without a shipment from Feed My Starving Children, Salesians see the difference in the children’s health. In times of need, Salesians supply the poor with local oil, beans and rice, but funding is tight and was even tighter at the height of the pandemic when donations slowed.

“The confinement prevented the poor from doing little daily chores that allow them to survive. It was a real emergency,” added the Salesian missionary. “Feed My Starving Children rice also enabled us to help families who had had problems with cyclones following the floods.”

Salesian missionaries have been living and working in Madagascar since 1981. Today, they have 11 centers and work in several locations.

Madagascar, an island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of East Africa, 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. This number is expected to double by 2025.

For close to 80 percent of the country’s inhabitants who live in rural areas and practice subsistence farming, living conditions have been steadily declining in recent years, particularly when it comes to access to transportation, health services, education and markets. Because of the lack of hygiene and access to safe drinking water, coupled with chronic malnutrition, people in Madagascar often suffer from respiratory ailments, tuberculosis and hepatitis.

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Feed My Starving Children

Salesian Missions – Madagascar

UNICEF – Madagascar

The post MADAGASCAR: Partnership brings better nutrition to youth first appeared on MissionNewswire.

MADAGASCAR

(MissionNewswire) Youth attending the Salesian-run Notre Dame de Clairvaux in Ivato, Madagascar, were provided nutritional support for two months thanks to funding received from donors through Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. In addition to school and job training, youth are offered free morning and midday meals. More than 1,000 meals are provided each weekday. Additional meals are provided over the weekend.

The center provides support to children and youth living in extreme poverty, many of whom are fatherless or orphans who have been abandoned by both parents. Some are being raised by aunts and grandmothers. Currently, there are 170 primary school students and 265 students in the vocational training center. Notre Dame de Clairvaux also has 125 interns preparing for work. The center has a job search office with a coordinator that helps youth who are graduating find and retain stable work.

Youth attending the Salesian-run Notre Dame de Clairvaux in Ivato, Madagascar, received nutritional support thanks to funding received through Salesian Missions.

Salesian missionaries have been operating Notre Dame de Clairvaux since 1984. They started with 90 youth in 1984 and grew to 450. They receive support from donors and associations, including Belgium’s Via Don Bosco.

Father Erminio De Santis, director of Notre Dame de Clairvaux, said, “We are also striving to produce our own rice fields and develop a small farm of poultry, pigs and dairy cows for additional nutritional support for those we serve. We are also optimizing our workshops to increase income-generating activities and always looking for new activities compatible with the training we give to our young people.”

Willis is one of the youth attending Notre Dame de Clairvaux who benefited from the food support. From a poor family, he is the youngest of seven brothers and sisters. When Willis was 9 years old, his father lost his job and his parents separated. He was forced to drop out of school. The following year the family lost his sister to an illness and his mother. Another older sister has serious mental health issues.

Willis has had to fend for himself for most of his life. He has developed some psychological problems as a result of the long lack of affection and the daily difficulties of finding food. At one point he faced drug use. Fortunately, he was brought by guardians to Notre Dame de Clairvaux in October 2020, and since then he has been gaining an education and learning a trade. He is happy in his environment and thankful for a second chance in life.

Madagascar, an island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of East Africa, 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. This number is expected to double by 2025.

For close to 80 percent of the country’s inhabitants who live in rural areas and practice subsistence farming, living conditions have been steadily declining in recent years, particularly when it comes to access to transportation, health services, education and markets. Because of the lack of hygiene and access to safe drinking water, coupled with chronic malnutrition, people in Madagascar often suffer from respiratory ailments, tuberculosis and hepatitis.

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Notre Dame de Clairvaux Facebook

Salesian Missions – Madagascar

UNICEF – Madagascar

The post MADAGASCAR: Youth receive food support along with education and job training first appeared on MissionNewswire.

MADAGASCAR

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries have been providing services for youth in Anjanamasina, a suburb of the capital city Antananarivo, Madagascar. They are working at the invitation of prison authorities to help children and youth who have been sent to the state re-education center, which houses more than 100 youth.

At the prison, youth who were living on the street because they have no family support often are put in the same house as those who have committed a crime. Poverty and a lack of education contribute to the rising numbers of children in this circumstance. Many families cannot afford to care for their children, and education is seen as an afterthought to providing for basic needs.

Every Sunday and on midweek Catholic feast days, Salesian missionaries distribute meals and provide musical, theatrical and sporting activities. They also provide spiritual services with the celebration of Mass and the sacraments, catechism, and special religious and educational projects. Missionaries help youth feel loved and important to someone, not a burden to be cast aside.

Don Bosco Mission, in Turin, Italy, has committed to supporting Salesian activities in Anjanamasina, guaranteeing Sunday lunch and recreational and sports activities.

“Youth who are in these facilities because they were living on the street deserve a second chance at life,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Salesians help youth with their spiritual growth, social support and provide hope for a better future.”

Madagascar, an island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of eastern Africa, 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 being youth between the ages of 10-24, according to UNICEF. This number is expected to double by 2025.

For close to 80 percent of the country’s inhabitants who live in rural areas and practice subsistence farming, living conditions have been steadily declining in recent years, particularly when it comes to access to transportation, health services, education and markets. Because of the lack of hygiene and access to safe drinking water, coupled with chronic malnutrition, people in Madagascar often suffer from respiratory ailments, tuberculosis and hepatitis.

In order to help youth break the cycle of poverty and hopelessness, Salesian missionaries in Madagascar operate elementary, middle and high schools throughout the country. The focus of the schools is on providing educational opportunities, increasing literacy and laying a foundation for education well past the compulsory education in the country. Access to education and training in social and life skills encourages graduates to find livable wage employment, breaking the cycle of poverty.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Madagascar – Bringing a little joy, attention and hope to kids of Anjanamasina

Don Bosco Mission

Don Bosco Mission Facebook

Salesian Missions – Madagascar

UNICEF – Madagascar

The post MADAGASCAR: Support gives hope to homeless youth first appeared on MissionNewswire.

MADAGASCAR

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries have been working in Madagascar to support families with food and hygiene supplies to help stop the spread of coronavirus. To date, there have been 15,871 cases of the virus and 215 deaths. The lack of international tourist travel because of restrictions and lockdowns has caused many to fall deeper into poverty.

Salesian missionaries have been living and working in Madagascar since 1981. Today, they have 11 centers and work in several locations, including the Don Bosco House in Ivato in the outskirts of the capital of Antananarivo, where Salesians have focused a good deal of support.

Although schools in Ivato have been closed, Salesians still continue to pay their teachers and employees, including offering them a one-time bonus. Workers who were forced to remain at the Don Bosco House because of restrictions were given a 15 percent pay raise.

Salesian missionaries distributed kits with 8 kilograms of rice, 2 kilograms of dried vegetables and a bar of soap to all the students. Each week, Salesians also distribute a package containing 5 kilograms of rice and 1.5 kilograms of dried legumes to 85 final year students for when they return home on the weekends. A second distribution of rice and dried vegetables has already started for all students who are forced to stay at home.

Salesians in Madagascar are providing food support to students at the Don Bosco House and Don Bosco Oratory School in Ivato.

In addition, Salesians have provided a small package of rice and dried legumes to the students who attend the Don Bosco Oratory recovery school, also in Ivato. In some extreme situations, when both parents of a students have been left without any income, Salesians have provided cash aid.

“The coronavirus pandemic has not only been a risk to people’s health, but the resulting lockdowns have put strain on people’s livelihoods,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Salesians in Madagascar and around the globe are providing nutritional and health support to help people through this challenging time.”

Prevention measures are being strictly observed in all Salesian centers, schools and programs, including providing masks and social distancing guidelines for common areas such as the classrooms, the refectory, the study room and the dormitory. Soap and water are also being provided in additional areas for hand-washing.

Madagascar, an island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of East Africa, 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 being youth between the ages of 10-24, according to UNICEF. This number is expected to double by 2025.

For close to 80 percent of the country’s inhabitants who live in rural areas and practice subsistence farming, living conditions have been steadily declining in recent years, particularly when it comes to access to transportation, health services, education and markets. Because of the lack of hygiene and access to safe drinking water, coupled with chronic malnutrition, people in Madagascar often suffer from respiratory ailments, tuberculosis and hepatitis.

In order to help youth break the cycle of poverty and hopelessness, Salesian missionaries in Madagascar operate elementary, middle and high schools throughout the country. The focus of the schools is on providing educational opportunities, increasing literacy and laying a foundation for education well past the compulsory education in the country. Access to education and training in social and life skills encourages graduates to find livable wage employment, breaking the cycle of poverty.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Madagascar – Solidarity and prevention to help the needy and protect against infections

Don Bosco Oratory Ivato

UNICEF – Madagascar

The post MADAGASCAR: Salesian missionaries at the Don Bosco House in Ivato provide support to Salesian staff and youth in need during coronavirus pandemic first appeared on MissionNewswire.

MADAGASCAR

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries with Don Bosco House in Ivato, Madagascar, are helping poor and disadvantaged families, supporting them with donations of food and medicines, and assisting them in building small houses. But it is still not enough, especially during the coronavirus pandemic.

The area has a population of about 28,000 people. There are families who live making ends meet with small jobs including laundry on behalf of wealthy families, car washing, and loading and unloading of goods at the market. Many of these families have fallen further into poverty during the lockdown period. While they have received a little help from the government, restrictions have taken away their ability to earn a living.

The Salesian Mission Office in Turin, Italy, has offered support to the local Salesians and has provided the funding for the distribution of rice, beans, soap and oil twice a week. The aim is to guarantee the minimum necessary for families facing difficulties. Many of these families are single mothers with children who live in shelters and other dilapidated housing. The project has helped 70 families and a foster family home with around 25 children. About 500 people are receiving concrete help from this project.

“The coronavirus pandemic has not only been a risk to people’s health, but the resulting lockdowns have put strain on people’s livelihoods,” says Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Salesians in Madagascar and around the globe are providing nutritional and health support to help people through this challenging time.”

Madagascar, an island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of East Africa, 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 being youth between the ages of 10 and 24, according to UNICEF. This number is expected to double by 2025. Women and children in the country are particularly vulnerable to the effects of poverty.

For close to 80 percent of the country’s inhabitants who live in rural areas and practice subsistence farming, living conditions have been steadily declining in recent years, particularly when it comes to access to transportation, health services, education and markets. Because of the lack of hygiene and access to safe drinking water, coupled with chronic malnutrition, people in Madagascar often suffer from respiratory ailments, tuberculosis and hepatitis.

In order to help youth break the cycle of poverty and hopelessness, Salesian missionaries in Madagascar operate elementary, middle and high schools throughout the country. The focus of the schools is on providing educational opportunities, increasing literacy and laying a foundation for education well past the compulsory education in the country. Access to education and training in social and life skills encourages graduates to find livable wage employment, breaking the cycle of poverty.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Madagascar – Amid pandemic and hunger, the answer is in solidarity

UNICEF – Madagascar

The post MADAGASCAR: Salesian project is providing nutritional support for 500 people in Ivato impacted by coronavirus lockdowns first appeared on MissionNewswire.

MADAGASCAR

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries were able to provide clean water to close to 4,000 people in the Salesian community in Ankofafa, Fianarantsoa, Madagascar, thanks to funding from Salesian Missions “Clean Water Initiative.”  The beneficiaries of the project included 500 children who attend the Salesian oratory each day, 1,000 youth who attend the oratory three days a week, 1,500 youth who attend summer activities, the Salesian community of 50 confreres and staff, hundreds of parishioners, and numerous retreat groups.

For the last 25 years, the water at the oratory had been brown and unsanitary for children and youth participating in Salesian activities. The water pipes were meant for the needs of up to 3,000 people but were used for 15,000 people. Before the project, which took place in 2018, there had been a shortage of water for those in need. People formed long lines at the public pumps in the neighborhood starting as early as 2:00 a.m. just to get one can of water for the whole day. Additionally, the pump that was used bordered the rice fields, which made the water susceptible to contamination.

With the funding provided, a new well was dug and water pump installed. Now the Salesian community has clean water for the kitchen, rooms and common bathrooms. Among the beneficiaries is a group of 20 street children who come to the Salesian community twice a week to wash their clothes and take a shower. Thanks to the new water supply, the youth don’t want to leave and they are more willing to engage in school and recreational activities at the Salesian center.

“It’s important that Salesian programs around the globe have access to safe, clean water for the health and safety of those we serve,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Improving water and sanitation facilities brings a sense of dignity to communities and promotes proper hygiene and safe drinking water. Clean water also ensures that students are focused on their studies and not at risk of illness from unsafe water sources.”

UN-Water estimates that worldwide 2.1 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water services and by 2050, the world’s population will have grown by an estimated 2 billion people, pushing global water demand up to 30 percent higher than today. One in four primary schools has no drinking water service, with students using unprotected water sources or going thirsty.

For those who have no access to clean water, water-related disease is common with more than 840,000 people dying each year from water-related diseases. UN-Water notes that more than 700 children under 5 years of age die every day from diarrheal disease linked to unsafe water and poor sanitation.

In response to this crisis, 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.

Madagascar, an island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of East Africa, 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 being youth between the ages of 10 and 24 years, according to UNICEF. This number is expected to double by 2025. Due to Madagascar’s poverty, geography and an ongoing political crisis, the country is ranked 158 out of the 188 countries classified by the 2015 Human Development Index of the United Nations Development Program. Women and children in the country are particularly vulnerable to the effects of poverty.

In order to help youth break the cycle of poverty and hopelessness, Salesian missionaries in Madagascar operate elementary, middle and high schools throughout the country. The focus of the schools is on providing educational opportunities, increasing literacy and laying a foundation for education well past the compulsory education required in the country. Access to education and training in social and life skills encourages graduates to find livable wage employment, breaking the cycle of poverty.

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions

UNICEF – Madagascar

World Water Day 2020

The post MADAGASCAR: Salesian community provides clean water to close to 4,000 people thanks to funding from Salesian Missions ‘Clean Water Initiative’ first appeared on MissionNewswire.

“We are thankful for our donors who are able to help these graduates realize a dream of starting their own business,” says Father Mark Hyde, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Graduates leave Salesian vocational training programs with the skills to enter the workforce. Those who have an entrepreneurial spirit are encouraged, through projects like these, to start businesses that meet a need in the local labor force. This ensures graduates are able to earn a stable income and help the community as well.”

In addition to providing business training and support, Salesian missionaries will work to connect the graduates’ new business with the community to help with the acquisition of customers. In the meantime, Salesian missionaries are employing them to repair and restore sections of the Salesian training center where they learned their skills.

Salesian vocational and technical training in Madagascar provides poor youth access to school while helping them gain the skills needed for later employment. Many students begin by attending Salesian rehabilitation centers where they have their most basic needs met including food, clothing and shelter, and then they enter either secondary or vocational school. The goal is for youth to grow into self-sufficient adults with stable employment who are utilizing the skills necessary to contribute to their families and communities.

Madagascar, an island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of East Africa, 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 being youth between the ages of 10 and 24 years, according to UNICEF. This number is expected to double by 2025. Due to Madagascar’s poverty, geography and an ongoing political crisis, the country is ranked 158 out of the 188 countries classified by the 2015 Human Development Index of the United Nations Development Program. Women and children in the country are particularly vulnerable to the effects of poverty.

For close to 80 percent of the country’s inhabitants who live in rural areas and practice subsistence farming, living conditions have been steadily declining in recent years, particularly when it comes to access to transportation, health services, education and markets. Because of the lack of hygiene and access to safe drinking water coupled with chronic malnutrition, people in Madagascar often suffer from respiratory ailments, tuberculosis and hepatitis.

In order to help youth break the cycle of poverty and hopelessness, Salesian missionaries in Madagascar operate elementary, middle and high schools throughout the country. The focus of the schools is on providing educational opportunities, increasing literacy and laying a foundation for education well past the compulsory education required in the country. Access to education and training in social and life skills encourages graduates to find livable wage employment, breaking the cycle of poverty.

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Sources:

Salesian Missions Projects

UNICEF – Madagascar

The post MADAGASCAR: Salesian Missions donors help Salesian vocational training center graduates launch small business enterprise first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Salesian programs in Madagascar focus on providing educational opportunities, increasing literacy and laying a foundation for education well past the compulsory education required in the country. Access to education and training in social and life skills encourages youth to find livable wage employment, breaking the cycle of poverty.

Nearly 30 percent of children in Madagascar drop out of primary school while many others live in communities that have no schools at all. The country lacks qualified teachers and many children aren’t able to access even a basic education. Often parents are unable to pay for school or they force their children to work to help support the family. Some youth find the distance from home to school is insurmountable.

For close to 80 percent of the country’s inhabitants who live in rural areas and practice subsistence farming, living conditions have been steadily declining in recent years particularly when it comes to access to transportation, health services, education and markets. Due to of a lack of hygiene and access to safe drinking water coupled with chronic malnutrition, people in Madagascar often suffer from respiratory ailments, tuberculosis and hepatitis.

“Families are often so desperate in Madagascar that they force their children to drop out of school so they can send them to work in dangerous and exploitative jobs just for the money,” explains Father Mark Hyde, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “To address the overwhelming need for both schools and qualified teachers in Madagascar, Salesian missionaries are building primary, middle and high schools across the country. We appreciate our donors who have helped to make this work possible.”

Since 2007, 41 elementary schools, four middle schools and three high schools have opened their doors to students who otherwise would not be able to gain an education. Outdated and dilapidated classrooms have been refurbished providing a better environment for children to learn in.

For youth who face danger when leaving their remote villages, Salesian missionaries keep them safe through a network designed to protect them from kidnapping, exploitation and other dangers. These networks or “villages” provide stable housing with families, teachers and other school personnel—and have succeeded in keeping children safe and school attendance high.

Madagascar, an island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of East Africa, is one of the poorest countries in the world. Over the past 15 years, Madagascar’s population has faced two political crises that have slowed economic growth, suffered severe climate shocks and withstood the global rise in food prices, according to the World Bank. As a result, 70.7 percent of the people of Madagascar are living in poverty. With 60 percent of the population under the age of 25, improving the lives of people in Madagascar depends on improving opportunities for its youth.

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Sources:

Salesian Missions Projects

UNCIEF – Madagascar

The post MADAGASCAR: Salesian Missions donors provide funding to expand elementary school and refurbish outdated classrooms first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Father Giuseppe “Bepi” Miele, who has been in Madagascar for almost 37 years, is aware of the local challenges and intends to do everything he can to help. He recently developed an initiative to aid both the youth in Salesian programs and the whole community. Fr. Miele recently asked for support from the Don Bosco Mission in Turin, Italy. He wants to equip the Salesian mission in Fianarantsoa with a briquetting machine.

“With this new machine, the waste from the sawmills will be compressed into bricks and logs that will then be used as fuel to replace coal,” explains Fr. Miele. “It is about changing a mentality. The first step will be to put the bricks at the disposal of local families so they familiarize themselves with the bricks, using them for free instead of coal. When people have seen the benefits, an awareness-raising plan will be put in place to be able to sell the product. Sales will subsidize the wages of young people who will use the briquetting machine. The sales profits will also become a source of self-financing for the Salesian’s program activities.”

Fr. Miele aims to help support youth who are unable to find a job as well as families who need a cheaper and more ecological fuel source than coal. The whole population will also benefit from this project as they will no longer be exposed to the harmful gas that coal releases. The 250 children from the Salesian school canteen will also benefit from the revenue from the sale of the fuel.

Madagascar, an island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of East Africa, is one of the poorest countries in the world. Seventy percent of Madagascar’s almost 19 million people lives in poverty with 5.7 million of those youth between the ages of 10 and 24 years, according to UNICEF. This number is expected to double by 2025. Due to Madagascar’s poverty, geography and an ongoing political crisis, the country is ranked 158 out of the 188 countries classified by the 2015 Human Development Index of the United Nations Development Program. Women and children in the country are particularly vulnerable to the effects of poverty.

For close to 80 percent of the country’s inhabitants who live in rural areas and practice subsistence farming, living conditions have been steadily declining in recent years, particularly when it comes to access to transportation, health services, education and markets. Because of the lack of hygiene and access to safe drinking water coupled with chronic malnutrition, people in Madagascar often suffer from respiratory ailments, tuberculosis and hepatitis.

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Sources:

ANS – Madagascar – An ecological project that benefits everyone

UNICEF – Madagascar

The post MADAGASCAR: Salesian missionaries aim to launch new ecological project to reduce coal use first appeared on MissionNewswire.

“Salesian oratories provide a range of services for poor youth, including giving them a safe place to play,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “At this Salesian oratory, youth are able to access the Salesian program and gain assistance with homework, connect with their peers, and be connected with adults who provide mentorship and support in their lives.”

The mission in Bemaneviky was the first Salesian mission in Madagascar. Located in the northern area of the island, the mission stands in a rugged area where roads become impenetrable during the rainy season. Environmental factors make life extremely difficult in the region, but Salesian missionaries were able to open a parish, schools, a health clinic and a pharmacy despite limited resources.

Archbishop Rosario Vella, the diocese’s Salesian bishop, built and started as many as nine schools in less than 10 years. While the structures are poor, they mean everything to the more than 2,000 children who are able to attend and gain an education. The kindergarten and elementary schools are the first step of what could be a longer path through the Saint-Antoine of Bemaneviky secondary school and even on to vocational training or university.

Madagascar, an island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of East Africa, 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 and 24 years, according to UNICEF. This number is expected to double by 2025. Due to Madagascar’s poverty, geography and an ongoing political crisis, the country is ranked 158 out of the 188 countries classified by the 2015 Human Development Index of the United Nations Development Program. Women and children in the country are particularly vulnerable to the effects of poverty.

For close to 80 percent of the country’s inhabitants who live in rural areas and practice subsistence farming, living conditions have been steadily declining in recent years, particularly when it comes to access to transportation, health services, education and markets. Because of the lack of hygiene and access to safe drinking water coupled with chronic malnutrition, people in Madagascar often suffer from respiratory ailments, tuberculosis and hepatitis.

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Sources:

Photo courtesy ANS

ANS – Madagascar – Don Bosco Oratory playground rides in San Donà di Piave rebuilt in Bemaneviky

UNICEF – Madagascar

The post MADAGASCAR: Playground equipment donated to Salesian Center in Bemaneviky first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Salesians missionaries in Madagascar sent a request for help to the Don Bosco Missions of Turin because they need more desks for students, more than half of whom do not have one for their use. The desks some of the students have were handmade by the children’s parents and are in poor condition. Salesian missionaries in the Bemaneviky’s mission want to involve the children attending the Salesian Vocational School of Notre Dame de Clairvaux, and their carpentry department, in the construction of 400 double desks. Not only would this provide a suitable learning environment in schools, but would also create a learning project for the students in the vocational school.

“This is a great project for Salesian vocational students in the carpentry courses to undertake,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “This would enable older vocational students to put their trade skills to use and apply what they have learned in classes in order to help younger students have a better learning environment.”

The mission in Bemaneviky was the first Salesian mission in Madagascar. Located in the northern area of the island, the mission stands in a rugged area where roads become impenetrable during the rainy season. Environmental factors make life extremely difficult in the region, but Salesian missionaries were able to open a parish, schools, a health clinic and pharmacy despite limited resources.

Archbishop Rosario Vella, the Diocese’s Salesian bishop, built and started as many as nine schools in less than 10 years. While the structures are poor, they mean everything to the more than 2,000 children who are able to attend and gain an education. The kindergarten and elementary schools are the first step of  what could be a longer path through the Saint-Antoine of Bemaneviky secondary school and even on to vocational training or university.

Madagascar, an island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of East Africa, 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 and 24 years, according to UNICEF. This number is expected to double by 2025. Due to Madagascar’s poverty, geography and an ongoing political crisis, the country is ranked 158 out of the 188 countries classified by the 2015 Human Development Index of the United Nations Development Program. Women and children in the country are particularly vulnerable to the effects of poverty.

For close to 80 percent of the country’s inhabitants who live in rural areas and practice subsistence farming, living conditions have been steadily declining in recent years, particularly when it comes to access to transportation, health services, education and markets. Because of the lack of hygiene and access to safe drinking water coupled with chronic malnutrition, people in Madagascar often suffer from respiratory ailments, tuberculosis and hepatitis.

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Sources:

ANS – Madagascar – School desks for rural schoolchildren

UNICEF – Madagascar

The post MADAGASCAR: Salesian vocational students build desks for younger students in Salesian elementary schools first appeared on MissionNewswire.

At the Salesian-run Our Lady of Clairvaux and the Rinaldi School, students who are taking part in vocational training are able to access feeding programs at the school to ensure that they have balanced meals and can focus on their studies. There are 70 students who are hosted at the school’s boarding school. Many of the students are orphans or are from very poor families who are unable to pay for them to attend school or have the proper nutrition to be prepared for school.

In the district of Ivato, 160 disadvantaged boys and girls attend a primary school managed by Salesian missionaries. These students access a feeding program each morning to receive a bowl of rice to start their day. Salesian missionaries report that there is joy in the eyes and smiles of their students because they know that each dish of rice corresponds to one day less in the street in search of something to survive. Each rice dish is not just a rice dish, but also a small way to ensure and protect the rights to life and education of every child.

Other beneficiaries are from the Don Bosco House in Fianarantsoa. Noelson, 12 years old, lives with his mother Emilienne and his little sister Annie, 6 years old. Emilienne had been affected by very severe respiratory tuberculosis as well as by severe malnutrition. Because of this, she had not been able to properly care for her children. Annie was also quite sick with extra-pulmonary tuberculosis and other disabilities. Noelson had been forced to give up school and find odd jobs on the street to help care for his mother and sister. To help the family, Don Bosco House provided rice-meal to feed the family two meals each day. Because they have been able to access proper nutrition, Emilienne has recovered, and she has strength to work again. Annie is becoming stronger, and Noelson is finally able to go to school.

“Feeding programs are a necessity to meet the needs of the massive number of children around the globe who are hungry today,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Meals children receive at Salesian schools may be their only meals. This food not only encourages them to attend school, it allows them to focus on getting the education they need without worrying about where their next meal will come from. Children cannot learn on an empty stomach.”

Madagascar, an island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of East Africa, is one of the poorest countries in the world. Seventy percent of Madagascar’s almost 19 million people lives in poverty with 5.7 million of those youth between the ages of 10 and 24 years, according to UNICEF. This number is expected to double by 2025. Due to Madagascar’s poverty, geography and an ongoing political crisis, the country is ranked 143 out of the 177 countries classified by the Human Development Index of the United Nations Development Program. Women and children in the country are particularly vulnerable to the effects of poverty.

For close to 80 percent of the country’s inhabitants who live in rural areas and practice subsistence farming, living conditions have been steadily declining in recent years, particularly when it comes to access to transportation, health services, education and markets. Because of the lack of hygiene and access to safe drinking water coupled with chronic malnutrition, people in Madagascar often suffer from respiratory ailments, tuberculosis and hepatitis.

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Sources:

Feed My Starving Children

UNICEF – Madagascar

The post MADAGASCAR: Rice-Meal Donation from Feed My Starving Children Helps Feed Poor Youth and Their Families in Salesian Programs first appeared on MissionNewswire.

The Clairvaux Center is about 15 km from Antananarivo and provides a boarding school for more than 100 youth aged 13 to 18. The program also accommodates many others as day-students in various training courses. At the Clairvaux Center, Salesian missionaries provide for all the residents’ needs from food (every day more than 1,000 free meals are prepared and served) to clothing, medical care, and education. Training courses are provided from the basic of education to vocational training programs in five different employment sectors. There are also recreational activities for youth to engage with their peers.

Heritiana is one of the students attending programs at the center. He was abandoned as an infant by his father and forced to spend his childhood on the streets. Today, he is attending a professional course to become a mason. He wants to build a house, something he has never had. Haja, another student, is studying to become a carpenter. He is the eldest of seven brothers and sisters whose mother has died. Another student, Charles, who had run away from home to escape his father’s violence has finished the mechanical soldering course and is working in a machine shop.

“Heritiana, Charles, Haja, and many other vulnerable youth were able to leave the streets behind and access shelter and education at the Salesian center,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “At the Clairvaux Center, they found friends and teachers who took care of them and provided them with the support they need to have a better chance at a happy and productive life.”

Madagascar, an island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of East Africa, 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 and 24 years, according to UNICEF. This number is expected to double by 2025. Due to Madagascar’s poverty, geography and an ongoing political crisis, the country is ranked 158 out of the 188 countries classified by the 2015 human development index of the United Nations Development Program. Women and children in the country are particularly vulnerable to the effects of poverty.

For close to 80 percent of the country’s inhabitants who live in rural areas and practice subsistence farming, living conditions have been steadily declining in recent years, particularly when it comes to access to transportation, health services, education and markets. Because of the lack of hygiene and access to safe drinking water coupled with chronic malnutrition, people in Madagascar often suffer from respiratory ailments, tuberculosis and hepatitis.

Sources

ANS – Madagascar – From the slums of the past to new opportunity at Clairvaux

UNICEF – Madagascar

The post MADAGASCAR: Salesian Clairvaux Center Provide Hope and Education to Street Children first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Madagascar, an island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of East Africa, 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 and 24 years, according to UNICEF. This number is expected to double by 2025. Due to Madagascar’s poverty, geography and an ongoing political crisis, the country is ranked 158 out of the 188 countries classified by the 2015 human development index of the United Nations Development Program. Women and children in the country are particularly vulnerable to the effects of poverty.

For close to 80 percent of the country’s inhabitants who live in rural areas and practice subsistence farming, living conditions have been steadily declining in recent years, particularly when it comes to access to transportation, health services, education and markets. Because of the lack of hygiene and access to safe drinking water coupled with chronic malnutrition, people in Madagascar often suffer from respiratory ailments, tuberculosis and hepatitis.

“Families are often so desperate in Madagascar that they force their children to drop out of school so they can send them to work in dangerous and exploitive jobs just for the money,” explains Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco.

Salesian missionaries operate a number of programs that assist poor youth and their families. For example, since 2007, missionaries have opened 41 elementary schools, four middle schools and three high schools for children whose families otherwise would not be able to afford an education. Students who successfully complete high school have the opportunity to attend the Salesian-run university in Ambanja.

“We also focus on practical training because it gives youth a better chance to find a decent job and become self-sufficient adults,” explains Bishop Rosario Vella, a Salesian priest serving in Madagascar since 1981.

At the Salesian Vocational Training Center in Antananarivo, students learn in-demand trades such as carpentry and civil engineering. Targeted apprenticeship programs ensure they graduate with the real-world experience that makes them valuable to employers.

In addition, through projects like TAIZA, a Salesian-led family support network, young, impoverished mothers and their babies can access social services as well as health education and clinics, and participate in peer support groups and literacy programs. These projects help improve developmental, educational and economic outcomes, and offer a crucial first step toward better lives and opportunities.

“This road is long, but it is one we are committed to travel alongside our Malagasy sisters and brothers,” says Bishop Vella. “We are confident that, with these and similar interventions, youth will not only secure a stable future for themselves but will also directly contribute to the modernization and growth of Madagascar as a whole.”

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PHOTOS: ©Florian Kopp / Salesian Missions (May not be used without permission.)

Sources:

Salesian Missions – Madagascar: The Future Begins with Youth

UNCIEF – Madagascar

The post MADAGASCAR: Salesian Programs for Youth and Women Bring Hope to Families first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Some of the minors in the program have been prosecuted by the law while others are children whose families can no longer take care of them. In Madagascar, unemployment and economic and socio-political challenges cause many families to consider the education of their children secondary when compared with providing food and meeting the needs of everyday life. Often children are abandoned, as many parents prefer to entrust them to the detention home rather than taking care of them.

Edward is part of the program. After elementary school, he left his family and started using drugs while making a living through small robberies. He returned home, but his parents hit him. He went back to his previous life until he was arrested by the police and was sent to the program. Njaka, 15 years old, was born in a difficult area to poor parents who divorced early on in his life.  He could not finish his studies and started living in the street. After stealing a bag, he was taken to Anjanamasina.

For other boys like Rado, 15 years old, it’s a loss of family that brings them to the detention home. After the death of his parents he was entrusted to his aunt who abandoned him. He found a job as a servant in the capital, but since he did not know anyone he struggled to survive in an unfamiliar environment. Found wandering the streets, he was taken by the police and sent to Anjanamasina.

“Salesian missionaries do what they can with the provisions available but the program continues to see an influx of youth in need,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Within the detention home, missionaries provide meals and facilitate recreation and entertainment, music activities, sports programs and religious services. They also help to secure and donate kitchenware, clothes, blankets and other items the boys need.”

Madagascar, an island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of East Africa, is one of the poorest countries in the world. More than 90 percent of its 23 million people live below the international poverty line. Madagascar is ranked 154 out of 188 countries on the 2015 Human Development Index. Women and children in the country are particularly vulnerable to the effects of poverty.

Poverty is also exacerbated by a vulnerable geographical location and topography, which expose the country to various natural hazards, including tropical cyclones, flooding and drought. According to UNICEF, between 2002 and 2011, Madagascar was hit by a total of 22 cyclones affecting close to 3 million people, including an estimated 540,000 children under age 5. An ongoing political crisis has resulted in the suspension of most external assistance to the country and has reduced the capacity of authorities to effectively respond to emergencies.

For close to 80 percent of the country’s inhabitants who live in rural areas and practice subsistence farming, living conditions have been steadily declining in recent years, particularly when it comes to access to transportation, health services, education and markets. Because of the lack of hygiene and access to safe drinking water coupled with chronic malnutrition, people in Madagascar often suffer from respiratory ailments, tuberculosis and hepatitis.

In order to help youth break the cycle of poverty and hopelessness, Salesian missionaries in Madagascar operate elementary, middle and high schools throughout the country. The focus of the schools is on providing educational opportunities, increasing literacy and laying a foundation for education well past the compulsory education required in the country. Access to education and training in social and life skills encourages young students to find livable wage employment, breaking the cycle of poverty.

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Sources:

ANS – Madagascar –Salesians the side of “Rascals”

UNICEF – Madagascar

Salesian Missions – Madagascar

The post MADAGASCAR: Salesian Missionaries Provide Services to More Than 110 Youth in Detention Center first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Each year, International Women’s Day focuses on a theme. This year the theme #BeBoldforChange calls on everyone to help develop more equal employment opportunities and working environments for women. In 2015, world leaders adopted the new 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development placing gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls at the heart of these new goals.

UN Women notes in order to ensure women’s economic empowerment in employment, the global community must bridge the gender pay gap, which stands at 24 percent globally, recognize women’s unpaid care and domestic work, and address the gender deficit in care work. In addition, world leaders must address the gender gaps in leadership, entrepreneurship and access to social protection as well as ensure gender-responsive economic policies for job creation, poverty reduction and sustainable, inclusive growth.

Salesian missionaries living and working in more than 130 countries around the globe are focused on achieving gender equality through programs targeted specifically for young women and girls. These programs strive to empower young women and girls by providing opportunities for education and training that lead to livable wage employment.

“Salesian missionaries around the globe empower young girls and women through education and ensuring that they have equal access to schools and skills training for later employment,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Young women and girls face many disadvantages and barriers to accessing education and achieving financial independence despite their huge potential. Those who are able to access education are more often able to achieve financial independence and make better and healthier choices that affect not only themselves, but their families and communities as well.”

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

BOLIVIA

Started in 1992, the Casa Maín girl’s home in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, provides shelter, nutritious meals and schooling for girls and young women with little access to education and those who were once living on the streets. Currently, there are more than 160 girls living and being educated at the home. Casa Maín is comprised of three houses and the girls are divided among them by age. The youngest girls, attending elementary school, live together in one house supported by several volunteer students from the secondary school.

A second house provides shelter and peer support for girls attending secondary school while a third house is for young women attending the local university. The university students enjoy a setting that allows them to finish their degrees in higher education in a stable environment while learning how to live independently.

EL SALVADOR

The Salesian-run Don Bosco University, located in San Salvador, works to provide opportunities for advanced education and employment for disadvantaged women. The university is one of the most prestigious institutions of higher education in the country, particularly in the technical and technological sector. In the past, the technology programs were attended mainly by young men but in 2013 the university started an initiative called the Science Camp for Girls, which is supported through funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The Science Camp is a long-term project for the university. To date, 123 young women in their last year of high school have participated in the camp. Young women who have finished school, are convinced they can do well in the technical and science fields and are passionate about this study are encouraged to enter the program for higher learning.

INDIA

The Don Bosco Development Society, in partnership with AXA Business Services Private Limited, launched the women empowerment project in the slums of Pimpri and Chinchwad, located in the city of Pune in the western Indian state of Maharashtra.

The project will directly benefit 2,500 women and children and is aimed at promoting gender equality and empowerment of women through income generation, skill development, health education, free health camps and free educational support classes for the children from marginalized families. As part of the initiative, 10 self-help groups will be formed to improve the educational status and health of 250 children.

MADAGASCAR

More than 25 percent of women in Madagascar become first-time mothers between the ages of 15 and 19, often trapping them and their children in a cycle of poverty. These women and children are particularly vulnerable to poor health care, chronic malnutrition and lack of educational opportunities.

Through projects like TAIZA, a Salesian-led child’s right network present in each borough in the capital city of Antananarivo, young, impoverished mothers and their babies can access social services as well as health education and clinics, and participate in peer support groups and literacy programs.

SIERRA LEONE

Salesian missionaries at Don Bosco Fambul in Freetown, Sierra Leone, have been running a Girls Shelter for the past two years. Here, professional social workers and pastoral workers provide crisis intervention and follow-up care for girls and young women who have been the victims of sexual assault. Those that access services at the shelter are also able to enroll in educational programs that are a part of the broader Don Bosco Fambul network. These programs train young women in the skills necessary to find and retain employment,

As part of the rehabilitation program at the Girls Shelter, young women take coursework in hotel management, hairdressing and tailoring. This training helps to empower them to overcome the discrimination they have faced, gain a greater awareness of their rights and boost their work prospects. It also helps to build character while allowing the young women the freedom to make decisions that affect their lives and their health. Recently, both the trainers and the students in these programs were able to present their skills and products to the general public at an exhibition in Freetown.

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Sources:

International Women’s Day 2017

UN Women – International Women’s Day 2017

Salesian Missions

The post INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY: Salesian Missions Highlights Programs That Empower Girls and Young Women Through Education first appeared on MissionNewswire.

The Salesian primary school welcomes more than 700 students, mostly girls who have little resources or a chance for an education. Every day nearly 300 of the children have their lunch provided to them by the Salesian Sisters. Nearly 2.5 tons of rice, the main meal, are provided to students in need each month. For some, this is the only meal they will have each day.  The meals provide proper nutrition for the students and serve 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, suffered fewer illnesses and become more focused on their studies. Teachers are seeing better student performance in class, a decrease in absenteeism and an increase in program enrollment rates as a result of the feeding program.

“Feeding programs are a necessity to meet the needs of the massive number of children around the globe who are hungry today,” Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Meals children receive at Salesian schools may be their only meals. This food not only encourages them to attend school, it allows them to focus on getting the education they need without worrying about where their next meal will come from. Children cannot learn on an empty stomach.”

Madagascar, an island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of East Africa, 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 and 24 years, according to UNICEF. This number is expected to double by 2025. Due to Madagascar’s poverty, geography and an ongoing political crisis, the country is ranked 143rd out of the 177 countries classified by the human development index of the United Nations Development Program. Women and children in the country are particularly vulnerable to the effects of poverty.

For close to 80 percent of the country’s inhabitants who live in rural areas and practice subsistence farming, living conditions have been steadily declining in recent years, particularly when it comes to access to transportation, health services, education and markets. Because of the lack of hygiene and access to safe drinking water coupled with chronic malnutrition, people in Madagascar often suffer from respiratory ailments, tuberculosis and hepatitis.

In order to help youth break the cycle of poverty and hopelessness, Salesian missionaries in Madagascar operate elementary, middle and high schools throughout the country. The focus of the schools is on providing educational opportunities, increasing literacy and laying a foundation for education well past the compulsory education required in the country. Access to education and training in social and life skills encourages young students to find livable wage employment, breaking the cycle of poverty.

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PHOTO:

ANS

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Sources:

ANS – Madagascar – “For Many, the Lunch offered at the School is the Only Meal of the Day”

UNICEF – Madagascar

Don Bosco Madagascar

Salesian Missions

The post MADAGASCAR: Salesian Feeding Programs Provides Free Lunch to 300 Children Each Day first appeared on MissionNewswire.

The Salesian construction program is one of the four Salesian professional programs in Madagascar. More than 50 percent of the programs’ attendees come from vulnerable situations and are seeking a better way of life. Many initially attend Salesian rehabilitation centers where they have their most basic needs of food, clothing and shelter met and then they enter either secondary or vocational school. The end goal is for youth is to grow into adults who can live a life of self-sufficiency with stable employment, utilizing the skills necessary to contribute to their families and communities.

“Salesian missionaries are direct legal guardians of some of the students because their families are far away or absent,” says Paola Schinelli, from the Office of Planning and Development of the Salesians in Madagascar. “Our programs provide psycho-social support and vocational training. The construction project aims to help students finishing their professional program enter into the workforce.”

Through the project students are met with real-world working conditions, must meet deadlines and are required to meet standard quality. It provides an excellent opportunity for them to put the skills learned in the classroom into practice in the workforce. It also provides them the experience they need to secure a job after graduation.

“I decided to follow the training course to realize my dream and have the experience of being in charge of a building site,” says 17-year-old Pascal Rakotonirina, a student who is in charge of the work.

Madagascar, an island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of East Africa, 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 and 24 years, according to UNICEF. This number is expected to double by 2025. Due to Madagascar’s poverty, geography and an ongoing political crisis, the country is ranked 143rd out of the 177 countries classified by the human development index of the United Nations Development Program. Women and children in the country are particularly vulnerable to the effects of poverty.

Poverty is also exacerbated by a vulnerable geographical location and topography, which expose the country to various natural hazards, including tropical cyclones, flooding and drought. According to UNICEF, between 2002 and 2011, Madagascar was hit by a total of 22 cyclones affecting close to 3 million people, including an estimated 540,000 children under age five. An ongoing political crisis has resulted in the suspension of most external assistance to the country and has reduced the capacity of authorities to effectively respond to emergencies.

For close to 80 percent of the country’s inhabitants who live in rural areas and practice subsistence farming, living conditions have been steadily declining in recent years, particularly when it comes to access to transportation, health services, education and markets. Because of the lack of hygiene and access to safe drinking water coupled with chronic malnutrition, people in Madagascar often suffer from respiratory ailments, tuberculosis and hepatitis.

In order to help youth break the cycle of poverty and hopelessness, Salesian missionaries in Madagascar operate elementary, middle and high schools throughout the country. The focus of the schools is on providing educational opportunities, increasing literacy and laying a foundation for education well past the compulsory education required in the country. Access to education and training in social and life skills encourages young students to find livable wage employment, breaking the cycle of poverty.

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Sources:

ANS – Madagascar – Dreams in the pipeline: the Salesians and Professional Training

UNICEF – Madagascar

The post MADAGASCAR: New Construction Project Aims to Give Students Real World Work Experience first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Salesian missionaries already living and working in Madagascar have been responding to the needs of local residents displaced by the flooding. Working in cooperation with Catholic Caritas, the global confederation of Catholic charities which has been providing emergency food, medicine and clothing, Salesian missionaries are continuing to assess damage and address the needs of the youth and their families enrolled in their programs as well as those living in surrounding villages.

While some of the Salesian-run schools in the area have been damaged, the primary focus is on helping those who have been displaced from their homes. Most affected are local farmers whose crops were damaged by the intense flooding. According to missionaries reporting on the ground, corn fields and rice paddies are completely flooded and with crops ruined, many are concerned the region will be affected by a severe famine.

Roads to villages most affected by the cyclone remain impassible and products such as sugar, oil, flour and beans, typically transported in from major cities, are not reaching those in need. Village markets have very little in stock and prices have risen. There is concern that many villages will remain isolated for several months.

“Because Salesian missionaries live within the communities they serve, they are perfectly positioned to respond in times of crisis,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Our programs are helping to provide food, clothing and shelter to those in need and our missionaries will remain through the long recovery process helping many families who will be forced to replant their crops and rebuild their homes.”

Madagascar, an island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of East Africa, is one of the poorest countries in the world. In order to help youth break the cycle of poverty and hopelessness, Salesian missionaries in Madagascar operate elementary, middle and high schools throughout the country. The focus of the schools is on providing educational opportunities, increasing literacy and laying a foundation for students to continue their education well past the compulsory schooling required in the country. Access to education and training in vocational, social and life skills encourages students to go on to find livable wage employment, breaking the cycle of poverty.

Seventy percent of Madagascar’s almost 19 million people live in poverty with 5.7 million of those youth between the ages of 10 and 24 years, according to UNICEF. This number is expected to double by 2025. Due to Madagascar’s poverty, geography and an ongoing political crisis, the country is ranked 143rd out of the 177 countries classified by the human development index of the United Nations Development Program. Women and children in the country are particularly vulnerable to the effects of poverty.

For close to 80 percent of the country’s inhabitants who live in rural areas and practice subsistence farming, living conditions have been steadily declining in recent years, particularly when it comes to access to transportation, health services, education and markets. Because of the lack of hygiene and access to safe drinking water coupled with chronic malnutrition, people in Madagascar often suffer from respiratory ailments, tuberculosis and hepatitis.

Poverty is also exacerbated by a vulnerable geographical location and topography which exposes the country to various natural hazards including tropical cyclones like Cyclone Chedza. According to UNICEF, between 2002 and 2011, Madagascar was hit by a total of 22 cyclones affecting close to 3 million people including an estimated 540,000 children under age five. An ongoing political crisis has resulted in the suspension of most external assistance to the country and has reduced the capacity of authorities to effectively respond to emergencies.

Sources

ANS – Madagascar – After cyclone Chedza

Business Standard – 35 killed by cyclone Chedza in Madagascar

UNICEF – Madagascar

The post MADAGASCAR: Salesian Missionaries Provide Assistance to Those Affected by Flooding from Cyclone Chedza first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Seventy percent of Madagascar’s almost 19 million people live in poverty with 5.7 million of those youth between the ages of 10 and 24 years, according to UNICEF. This number is expected to double by 2025. Due to Madagascar’s poverty, geography and an ongoing political crisis, the country is ranked 143rd out of the 177 countries classified by the human development index of the United Nations Development Program. Women and children in the country are particularly vulnerable to the effects of poverty.

For close to 80 percent of the country’s inhabitants who live in rural areas and practice subsistence farming, living conditions have been steadily declining in recent years, particularly when it comes to access to transportation, health services, education and markets. Because of the lack of hygiene and access to safe drinking water coupled with chronic malnutrition, people in Madagascar often suffer from respiratory ailments, tuberculosis and hepatitis.

Poverty is also exacerbated by a vulnerable geographical location and topography, which expose the country to various natural hazards, including tropical cyclones, flooding and drought. According to UNICEF, between 2002 and 2011, Madagascar was hit by a total of 22 cyclones affecting close to 3 million people, including an estimated 540,000 children under age five. An ongoing political crisis has resulted in the suspension of most external assistance to the country and has reduced the capacity of authorities to effectively respond to emergencies.

The diocese of Ambanja, located on the north western coast of Madagascar, recently started a Catholic university. Currently, courses are being held in temporary premises until the school finishes its final preparations and the long-awaited project becomes a reality.

“There are 70 students enrolled in the law program and another 35 in agronomy,” says Father Rosario Vella, Bishop of Ambanja. “Next year we would like to start courses in business and economics as well as ecology and tourism, because this is a tourist area where there is a great need for environmental protection.”

“The choice of university programs responds to the job opportunities and the needs of the area. The course in law is really necessary because there is no justice in Madagascar and the poor are discriminated against and the rights of the weakest are often trampled upon,” adds Bishop Vella.

Because many students will need to travel to attend the university, the diocese has set up a safe housing option where students are able to live and study under the care of family or school personnel.

In the city of Bemaneviky in northern Madagascar, a Salesian program started last year is working to close the digital divide. Because of a lack of funding and limited access to technology, many youth in Bemaneviky have had no training in technology, including basic computer and internet skills. The program provided new computers, projectors and a printer to local schools and, through a collaboration with Computer Scientists Without Borders, was able to train teachers, most with no experience using a computer, in basic computer skills and use of the new equipment. So far, the training has been intense but effective.

“This is an exciting addition to the schools in Madagascar,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “The impact has been far reaching. Students are learning new technology skills and with updated technology and better communication, many families have access to a wealth of knowledge for the first time.”

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Sources:

ANS – Madagascar – The Excellent Contribution of Catholic Education in a Country in Crisis

Salesian Missions – MADAGASCAR: New Partnership is Closing the Digital Divide

UNICEF – Madagascar

The post MADAGASCAR: New Educational Opportunities Provide Training in High Employment Sectors Helping Youth Escape Poverty first appeared on MissionNewswire.

According to UNICEF, 70 percent of Madagascar’s almost 19 million population live in poverty. This percentage includes 5.7 million youth between the ages of 10 and 24 years. This number is expected to double by 2025 with youth expected to continue to face huge challenges.

A new Salesian program in Bemaneviky, Madagascar is working to bring technology training to youth. Salesians have been working in Bemaneviky for many years and run elementary, middle and high schools educating over 3,200 students in this particularly disadvantaged area.

In September 2012, the Salesians began collaborating with Computer Scientists Without Borders, an organization formed by professional information technology volunteers, and Monclick, one of the leading online sellers of technology products in Italy. A “Back to School” Campaign was initiated which provided the Salesian program four percent of all of Monclick’s online sales through the fall. The program raised close to 35,000 euro, substantially more than the partners expected.

The money raised is helping to create new opportunities for both teachers and students. As a result of this initiative, new equipment including 15 notebooks, one projector and one multifunction printer has been purchased and teachers have been given access to new technology training that they in turn will pass along to their students.

“Students now have the ability to learn more about technology and benefit from its use,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Teachers also benefit by learning new skills and students will have more hands-on use of information technology.”

Volunteers from Computer Scientists Without Borders are training the teachers, most of whom have no experience using a computer, in basic computer skills in addition to teaching them how to utilize the new equipment. The training is intense but has been effective.

“In just nine days I carried out an intensive basic computer course,” explains Mr. Tordini, a volunteer. “I left them with documentation in French, some taken from the internet, some put together ad hoc, and I urged them to study, try, make mistakes and then try again.”

“It is incredible how much we take it for granted and assume that there is universal access and how much we undervalue the power, in terms of freedom and human development, that this can have in places where they have been excluded,” adds Mr. Tordini.

Driving this initiative is Computer Scientists Without Borders, founded in 2005, with the aim to use knowledge and computer tools to help people living in poverty in marginalized communities. Their goal is to close the digital divide – those with access to technology and those without. The organization believes that access to technology is an effective means of aiding social and economic development.

“This is an exciting addition to the schools in Madagascar,” adds Fr. Hyde. “The impact has been far reaching. Students are learning new technology skills and with updated technology and better communication, many families have access to a wealth of knowledge for the first time.”

Sources

ANS – Italy – New technologies at Bemaneviky: mission complete

UNICEF – Madagascar Statistics

The post MADAGASCAR: New Partnership is Closing the Digital Divide first appeared on MissionNewswire.

According to UNICEF, of Madagascar’s almost 19 million population, 70 percent live in poverty. This percentage includes 5.7 million youth between the ages of 10 and 24 years. This number is expected to double by 2025 with youth expected to continue to face huge challenges.

In Bevaneviky the Salesians run elementary, middle and high schools educating over 3,200 students. This area is particularly disadvantaged and many youth are suffering from the effects of the widespread abuse of khat, a cheap but socially devastating drug. With the creation of a computer room as a result of this new charitable initiative, the Salesians intend to offer the best technology training available, helping youth to bridge the digital gap and in turn spread information about and prevent the effects of the dangerous drug.

“Students will now have the ability to learn more about technology and benefit from its use,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Teachers will benefit by learning new skills and students will have more hands-on use of information technology.”

Driving this initiative is Computer Buffs Without Frontiers, founded in 2005, with the aim to use knowledge and computer tools to help people in poverty who are living in marginalized communities. Their goal is to close the digital divide – those with access to technology and those without. The organization believes that access to technology is an effective means of aiding social and economic development.

Monclick decided to partner with Computer Buffs Without Frontiers and donate a portion of the proceeds of their autumn sales to the Bevaneviky initiative. The proceeds provide the funding to create the computer room at the Salesian school and to train its teachers.

“In addition to its practical results this sort of collaboration with Monclick has great symbolic value,” says Girolamo Botter, president of Computer Buffs Without Frontiers. “It shows how commercial companies can make a contribution to our mission to reduce the digital divide in the most disadvantaged areas of the world without any detriment to its own commercial interests of making a profit.”

The Salesians and youth in Madagascar are happy to be recipients of the results of this collaboration.

“This is an exciting addition to the schools in Madagascar,” adds Fr. Hyde. “The impact will be far reaching. Students will be able to use technology skills in ways that will benefit their entire community. With updated technology and better communication, many families will have access to a wealth of knowledge for the first time.”

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Sources:

ANS – Computer studies supporting education

UNICEF – Madagascar Statistics

The post MADAGASCAR: Computer Scientists Without Borders Helps Bring New Services, Technology Training to Youth first appeared on MissionNewswire.