BURUNDI

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

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

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

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

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

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

Burundi has seen more than a decade of violence and conflict, contributing to widespread poverty according to UNICEF. Children are some of the most severely affected by the country’s rampant poverty. Fifty-three percent of children under the age of 5 suffer from growth stunting caused by inadequate food, low-quality diet, poor infant feeding practices, poor household management of childhood diseases and the general decline of the country’s health system.

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Sources:

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

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

Salesian Missions – Burundi

UNICEF – Burundi

*Any goods, services, or funds provided by Salesian Missions to programs located in this country were administered in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control.

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BURUNDI

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

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

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

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

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

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

Burundi has seen more than a decade of violence and conflict, contributing to widespread poverty according to UNICEF. Children are some of the most severely affected by the country’s rampant poverty. Fifty-three percent of children under the age of 5 suffer from growth stunting caused by inadequate food, low-quality diet, poor infant feeding practices, poor household management of childhood diseases and the general decline of the country’s health system.

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Rise Against Hunger

Salesian Missions – Burundi

UNICEF – Burundi

*Any goods, services, or funds provided by Salesian Missions to programs located in this country were administered in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control.

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BURUNDI

(MissionNewswire) More than 1,600 students attending Don Bosco high schools in Ngozi and Buterere, Burundi*, had access to better nutrition during the second half of 2024 as a result of a partnership between Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, and Rise Against Hunger, an international humanitarian organization growing a global movement to end hunger.

The feeding program created positive changes at the schools. At Don Bosco Ngozi, students had more energy and better engaged with their studies. During the period, Don Bosco Ngozi organized summer camps for youth to offer them positive activities during the break. Once school started, there were various sporting and cultural activities organized during this time, including a soccer tournament.

One of the recipients at Don Bosco Ngozi was Jean Nixon Ndemeye, aged 13. He said, “I feel very happy and encouraged. In the future, I would like to become a doctor in medicine to help other people. Since the Rise Against Hunger meals, I am enjoying eating with my classmates and I have more energy for sports.”

He added, “When I hear about other people who are committing themselves to doing good, like those making it possible for us to eat these meals, I feel confident that I can do something for others.”

In Buterere, the economic situation is dire. There is a lack of fuel for vehicles and an unstable communication network. During a three-month period, the price of almost all items tripled. This situation has increased the number of school dropouts as families require youth to work to pay for food and other necessities of family life.

The meals offered an incentive to keep students at Don Bosco Buterere, which provides a youth center, a technical and vocational training center, a secondary school, a parish, and a shrine. More than 600 youth attend programs at the oratory each day. Salesians offer sports, games and cultural programs. The school has roughly 700 students and the parish is one of the most popular in the area.

Burundi has seen more than a decade of violence and conflict, contributing to widespread poverty according to UNICEF. Children are some of the most severely affected by the country’s rampant poverty. Fifty-three percent of children under the age of 5 suffer from growth stunting caused by inadequate food, low-quality diet, poor infant feeding practices, poor household management of childhood diseases and the general decline of the country’s health system.

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Rise Against Hunger

Salesian Missions – Burundi

UNICEF – Burundi

*Any goods, services, or funds provided by Salesian Missions to programs located in this country were administered in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control.

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BURUNDI

(MissionNewswire) More than 1,600 students attending Don Bosco high schools in Ngozi and Buterere, Burundi*, had access to better nutrition during the first half of 2024 as a result of a partnership between Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, and Rise Against Hunger, an international humanitarian organization growing a global movement to end hunger.

One of the recipient schools, Don Bosco Buterere, provides a youth center, a technical and vocational training center, a secondary school, a parish, and a shrine. More than 600 youth attend programs at the oratory each day. Salesians offer sports, games and cultural programs. The school has roughly 700 students and the parish is one of the most popular in the area.

After youth received the meals, Salesians noticed a positive change. A Salesian said, “We have witnessed the large number of youth attending organized programs with interest and commitment. We are pleased to see the enthusiasm in the community for these activities and hope to encourage continued involvement from the children and their families.”

Gad Lamec Mbonyumugenzi, age 13, was one of the recipients. He has been at the Don Bosco school for one year. Mbonyumugenzi boards at the school, and he has developed friendships with his classmates and housemates. Before coming to Don Bosco Buterere, he was living with his father. When his dad was away working, he stayed with his grandmother, which caused some instability in his life. Mbonyumugenzi is glad to now have stability at Don Bosco Buterere and to be living with the same people throughout the school year.

A Salesian said, “As with many young men his age, he enjoys three meals a day, playing soccer and other games. When they don’t eat the Rise Against Hunger meals, they eat cassava bread or cassava maize. When he considers his life at home and the life at Don Bosco, he will always say, ‘I feel at home here.’”

Burundi has seen more than a decade of violence and conflict, contributing to widespread, poverty according to UNICEF. Children are some of the most severely affected by the country’s rampant poverty. Fifty-three percent of children under the age of 5 suffer from growth stunting caused by inadequate food, low-quality diet, poor infant feeding practices, poor household management of childhood diseases and the general decline of the country’s health system.

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Rise Against Hunger

Salesian Missions – Burundi

UNICEF – Burundi

*Any goods, services, or funds provided by Salesian Missions to programs located in this country were administered in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control.

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BURUNDI

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Ngozi High School in Burundi* is working to complete a sanitation project thanks to funding from the Salesian Missions “Clean Water Initiative.” Salesian Missions is the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The school has 1,248 students but has not been able to keep up with modernizing and increasing the number of toilets, even though the number of students has increased each year.

The “Clean Hygienic Facilities for a Big Smile” project will install water facilities, wastewater channels, and other necessary amenities to ensure that the facilities are clean, safe, and hygienic. Work is half-way completed as of the end of July 2024.

A Salesian explained, “Before this project started, the toilet facilities were in a state of disrepair. The new upgrades made possible through this funding will play a crucial role in ensuring the health and safety of the youth who utilize them. Clean and hygienic facilities are essential for preventing the spread of diseases and promoting good hygiene practices. By providing these facilities, we are not only improving the physical well-being of the youth but also their overall quality of life.”

The Salesian Missions “Clean Water Initiative” makes building wells and supplying fresh, clean water a top priority for every community in every country in which Salesian missionaries work.

Burundi has seen more than a decade of violence and conflict which has contributed to widespread poverty, according to UNICEF. Children are some of the most severely affected by the country’s rampant poverty. Fifty-three percent of children under the age of 5 suffer from growth stunting caused by inadequate food, low-quality diet, poor infant feeding practices, poor household management of childhood diseases and the general decline of the country’s health system.

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

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesians of Don Bosco AGL Province Facebook

Salesian Missions – Burundi

UNICEF – Burundi

*Any goods, services, or funds provided by Salesian Missions to programs located in this country were administered in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control.

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BURUNDI

(MissionNewswire) More than 1,600 students attending Don Bosco high schools in Ngozi and Buterere, Burundi*, had access to better nutrition during the second half of 2023 thanks to a partnership between Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, and Rise Against Hunger, an international humanitarian organization growing a global movement to end hunger.

Burundi is one of the poorest countries in the world. Across the country, people are facing high levels of food insecurity due to the political and economic situation, poor agricultural production, and rapid population growth. Fuel shortages also make transportation of goods difficult.

One of the recipient schools, Don Bosco High School in Ngozi, has 1,088 students, including 778 boys and 310 girls. Since its foundation, the school has faced food shortages due to a lack of funding. The available land is not enough to produce a sufficient quantity of food to feed the 650 students in the boarding school.

The fortified rice-meals provided by Rise Against Hunger are making a difference in this shortfall. The students have three meals a day at school. In the morning, they are given porridge and at lunch, they have cassava bread. The Rise Against Hunger meals are given to them at dinner, which the students enjoy.

One of the young students who received the meals is Bwitonzi Gaby Charbel, age 13, who is studying in class eight. When his parents brought him to Don Bosco High School, Charbel struggled with the transition to a boarding school. It was his first time living outside of the family home. Today, Charbel is healthy and plays basketball games with his classmates. He is also active in choir, and he sings and dances during school functions.

During his free time, Charbel helps on the farm, having befriended the chickens and goats. He visits the farm at least once a day. Inspired by the school farm, Charbel started a small farm with three chickens at his home during the holidays.

When asked about his plans, Charbel noted, “I want to become a great farmer, able to provide for the needs of my family and other vulnerable children.” After he struggled in school, Charbel was able to get back on track. The meals have been helping him. When asked what he enjoys most within the school, Charbel said, “In this school, I like three things: Rise Against Hunger meals, the farm and the music.”

Burundi has seen more than a decade of violence and conflict which has contributed to widespread poverty, according to UNICEF. Children are some of the most severely affected by the country’s rampant poverty. Fifty-three percent of children under the age of 5 suffer from growth stunting caused by inadequate food, low-quality diet, poor infant feeding practices, poor household management of childhood diseases and the general decline of the country’s health system.

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Rise Against Hunger

Salesian Missions – Burundi

UNICEF – Burundi

*Any goods, services, or funds provided by Salesian Missions to programs located in this country were administered in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control.

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BURUNDI

(MissionNewswire) Educators who work with poor and street children in Rukago, Burundi*, took part in a training workshop focused on educational strategies for disadvantaged youth and ongoing teacher training. The educators are part of the Children, Alumni & Friends of Don Bosco, and the workshop was hosted by alumni.

During the workshop, Ms. Honorine, a psychologist and past pupil, highlighted the difficulties many minors face in situations of neglect and abuse. Many, she noted, are faced with no affection or support from adults and it negatively impacts their lives.

Father Jean Paul Ndayikengurutse explained the ways in which Salesian education is focused on prevention with the aim of protecting children from future abuse and neglect. With regards to Salesian educators, he noted they must be characterized by loving kindness, availability and presence.

Fr. Ndayikengurutse said, “A good Salesian educator must therefore maintain Don Bosco’s intentions, in educating good Christians and honest citizens. Salesian pedagogy must be based on aspects such as trust, welcoming and listening.”

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

Burundi, located in the heart of the African Great Lakes region, has seen more than a decade of violence and conflict which has contributed to widespread poverty, according to UNICEF. Children are some of the most severely affected by the country’s rampant poverty. Fifty-three percent of children under the age of 5 suffer from growth stunting caused by inadequate food, low-quality diet, poor infant feeding practices, poor household management of childhood diseases and the general decline of the country’s health system.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Burundi – A workshop for educators working with street children organized by the Alumni of Don Bosco

Salesian Missions – Burundi

UNICEF – Burundi

*Any goods, services, or funds provided by Salesian Missions to programs located in this country were administered in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control.

The post BURUNDI: Educators attend training first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Better nutrition for students in Burundi.

(MissionNewswire) Students attending Don Bosco High School, located in Ngozi, Burundi*, had access to better nutrition during the second half of 2022 thanks to a partnership between Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, and Rise Against Hunger, an international humanitarian organization growing a global movement to end hunger.

The school has been facing challenges with a lack of food due to excessive rain that destroyed crops in the region. Prices have also risen dramatically as a result of the cost of oil in the country due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Oil has become impossible to find, slowing the transport of goods. Don Bosco High School struggles to provide food to students and to pay the salaries of workers so they can feed their families.

In addition to providing Rise Against Hunger meals, Salesians with the school are developing an agriculture project on six hectares of school land. They planted maize, beans and vegetables. Students are already able to eat some of the vegetables grown on the new farm.

Father Elie Nyandwi, economer of the school, said, “Since we started receiving the Rise Against Hunger meals, our organization can now breathe and save some money for solving some of the many other problems that we face. Burundi is in the Great Lakes region of Africa, a region which is socially, economically and politically unstable. We have many orphans and other vulnerable young people who need a lot of support.”

One of the recipients of the rice-meals is Denis Niyonsaba, age 13, who is studying in grade eight. Niyonsaba said that his parents sent him to the school because of its good reputation due in part to the Rise Against Hunger meals and the quality of the education. During lunch and supper provided by the school, he likes to sit with his friends who spend their time together reading books and playing basketball.

Niyonsaba said, “I want to become a journalist to help raise awareness in our society especially among young people to work hard and help develop our country.”

Rise Against Hunger partners with Salesian Missions, which works to identify needs and coordinate delivery of 40-foot shipping containers full of meals and supplemented with additional supplies when available. The partnership was developed in 2011 and since that time shipments have been successfully delivered to countries around the globe. The meals and life-saving aid have helped to nourish poor youth at Salesian schools and programs and care for those in need of emergency aid during times of war, natural disasters and health crises.

Burundi has seen more than a decade of violence and conflict which has contributed to widespread poverty, according to UNICEF. Children are some of the most severely affected by the country’s rampant poverty. Fifty-three percent of children under the age of 5 suffer from growth stunting caused by inadequate food, low-quality diet, poor infant feeding practices, poor household management of childhood diseases and the general decline of the country’s health system.

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Rise Against Hunger

Salesian Missions – Burundi

UNICEF – Burundi

*Any goods, services, or funds provided by Salesian Missions to programs located in this country were administered in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control.

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BURUNDI

(MissionNewswire) Mission Don Bosco, the Salesian Mission office in Turin, Italy, has provided support for a new center in Kagwema, Burundi*, a town of 60,000 people. Infrastructure and services are lacking, and as a result, many children and youth are unable to receive an education.

The goal of the Salesian project is to start with the construction of a parish church. This will be followed by the construction of an oratory to welcome the children of the community.

A Salesian missionary with Mission Don Bosco, said, “Thanks to the work of Salesian missionaries, we want to kindle hope for the people of Burundi and start a new center in the village of Kagwema. We believe in a tomorrow of equality, justice and development for all, which is why we support with all our strength the new Salesian missions in the poorest countries.”

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

Burundi, located in the heart of the African Great Lakes region, has seen more than a decade of violence and conflict which has contributed to widespread poverty, according to UNICEF. Children are some of the most severely affected by the country’s rampant poverty. Fifty-three percent of children under the age of 5 suffer from growth stunting caused by inadequate food, low-quality diet, poor infant feeding practices, poor household management of childhood diseases and the general decline of the country’s health system.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Burundi – Giving light to a new mission: the support of “Missioni Don Bosco” to Salesian project for Kagwema

Mission Don Bosco

Salesian Missions – Burundi

UNICEF – Burundi

*Any goods, services, or funds provided by Salesian Missions to programs located in this country were administered in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control.

The post BURUNDI: New center to serve children first appeared on MissionNewswire.

BURUNDI

(MissionNewswire) A new secondary school, known as Lycée Don Bosco in Buterere, Burundi, received funding for materials to build 100 desk benches and 600 books thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The school, which is operating in an unused vocational training center, is educating 165 students.

“The school needed educational materials and someplace for the students to sit while learning their lessons,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions. “Donors were able to help ensure that the students had what they needed to learn. A proper desk, seat and materials also bring a sense of dignity for the students in the school.”

The desk benches were created in a workshop to help keep down the cost and also provide professional training to students—giving them hands-on experience and preparing them for the workforce.

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

Burundi, located in the heart of the African Great Lakes region, has seen more than a decade of violence and conflict which has contributed to widespread poverty, according to UNICEF. Burundi ranks 185 out of 189 countries on the 2017 United Nations Human Development Index and close to 70 percent of its residents live below the poverty line.

Children are some of the most severely affected by the country’s rampant poverty. Fifty-three percent of children under the age of 5 suffer from growth stunting caused by inadequate food, low-quality diet, poor infant feeding practices, poor household management of childhood diseases and the general decline of the country’s health system.

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Burundi

UNICEF – Burundi

*Any goods, services, or funds provided by Salesian Missions to programs located in this country were administered in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control.

The post BURUNDI: Students benefit from new desks and books first appeared on MissionNewswire.

BURUNDI

(MissionNewswire) Students attending Lycée Don Bosco, located in Bujumbura, Burundi, had access to better nutrition during the second quarter of 2020 thanks to a partnership between Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, and Rise Against Hunger, an international relief organization that provides food and life-changing aid to the world’s most vulnerable.

Many of the students attending Lycée Don Bosco come from poor families who barely have enough to eat once a day. The rice-meals are provided to students during school hours so students have the strength and energy to focus on their studies and gain the skills needed for later employment. Salesian missionaries at Lycée Don Bosco noted that 396,990 cooked meals were provided, and the donation has had a positive impact on students and teachers.

Placide Habimana is one student attending Lycée Don Bosco who benefited from the rice-meal donation. He is in the last class of secondary school and studying biochemistry and earth science. Before receiving the donation, Habimana was having difficulty studying. He’d often fall asleep during school lessons and was too weak from hunger to play sports. After receiving better nutrition, Habimana studies well and follows directions from his teachers. He even has more energy to connect with his peers.

Habimana said, “The Rise Against Hunger rice is well appreciated, not by myself only, but by all students. As it contains nutrients, it is very nourishing and it is good for our good growth.”

Mbaga Corneille, principal of Lycée Don Bosco, also noted how well students are doing since receiving the rice-meals. “Students are happy, work better, keep smiling, play well and are regularly attending school. It is the same with the staff,” she said.

Burundi, located in the heart of the African Great Lakes region, has seen more than a decade of violence and conflict which has contributed to widespread poverty, according to UNICEF. Burundi ranks 185 out of 189 countries on the 2017 United Nations Human Development Index and close to 70 percent of its residents live below the poverty line.

Children are some of the most severely affected by the country’s rampant poverty. Fifty-three percent of children under the age of 5 suffer from growth stunting caused by inadequate food, low-quality diet, poor infant feeding practices, poor household management of childhood diseases and the general decline of the country’s health system.

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Rise Against Hunger

Salesian Missions – Burundi

UNICEF – Burundi

*Any goods, services, or funds provided by Salesian Missions to programs located in this country were administered in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control.

The post BURUNDI: Students improve at school with rice-meal donation first appeared on MissionNewswire.

BURUNDI

(MissionNewswire) The Maltese National Federation of Past Pupils and Friends of Don Bosco and the Association des Anciens de Don Bosco au Burundi have collaborated to launch the new project “Giving Every Child a Chance – Helping Poor Burundi Children.” This project, which started in September 2020, is helping 38 poor children attend school.

The children are orphaned and do not have any other means to attend school. They spend their time begging on the streets. The aim of the project is to support these children in their education, as well as help some of their mothers earn a living and learn healthy cooking and budgeting skills.

This project helped provide the funding for integration and supervision of children through games, singing and dancing, monitoring children’s education, purchase of school uniforms, payment for school fees, tutoring for children who need help with homework, and support, supervision and training for mothers. Children in the project now have regular school attendance.

The project has also had a positive effect in the local community. Since most of these children wandered the streets, child begging has declined because these children are now in school and learning. This positive change impressed people and the mothers had much pride in their children’s accomplishments.

For the feast of St. John Bosco, the Burundi Past Pupils organized a pilgrimage to the sanctuary of Mary Help of Christians in Buterere. On the feast day, they celebrated Mass in their parish and after, the children and their mothers were invited for a meal to celebrate.

“All children deserve a second chance at a positive life,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “This collaborative project is ensuring that these young children are able to access education and learn the skills to advance in school and later gain employment. This is changing families and the community.”

Burundi, located in the heart of the African Great Lakes region, has seen more than a decade of violence and conflict which has contributed to widespread poverty, according to UNICEF. Burundi ranks 185 out of 189 countries on the 2019 United Nations Human Development Index and close to 70 percent of its residents live below the poverty line.

Children are some of the most severely affected by the country’s rampant poverty. Fifty-three percent of children under the age of 5 suffer from growth stunting caused by inadequate food, low-quality diet, poor infant feeding practices, poor household management of childhood diseases and the general decline of the country’s health system.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Malta – Turning Burundi’s Child Street Beggars to School Children

Maltese National Federation of Past Pupils and Friends of Don Bosco

Salesian Missions – Burundi

UNICEF – Burundi

*Any goods, services, or funds provided by Salesian Missions to programs located in this country were administered in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control.

The post BURUNDI: Poor children attend school through collaborative project first appeared on MissionNewswire.

BURUNDI

(MissionNewswire) The Salesian Parish in Rukago, Burundi, has started working directly with people with disabilities. This past summer, an initial meeting was held at the local Salesian Center to discuss ways in which the community could support those with disabilities, including by offering vocational training so that people could live a more independent life.

Salesian Father Benjamin Gahungu, the parish priest, said, “Diversity in society is a wealth that must not be hidden by fear. The parish is organizing to offer vocational training to promote autonomy. People with disabilities have many skills and talents that we will help them discover and develop to fight poverty. Our duty is to encourage and accompany.”

At the initial meeting, there was a presentation and a question and answer session. Following this, Fr. Gahungu met with people and listened to the ways in which they needed support and the injustices they have suffered, including the isolation and judgment they encountered from other people, sometimes even their own families. Fr. Gahungu took the time to console and encourage them.

People with disabilities made many recommendations about how the Salesian community could support them, and Fr. Gahungu is now in the process of slowly implementing many new activities. Father Raphaël Katanga, the Salesian community economer, and Sister Claudette Habarugira, head of the parish Caritas, are in ongoing contact with those who attended the meeting to keep supporting and listening to their needs.

As Salesians work to roll out new vocational training, they have begun a search for funding for the purchase of sewing machines and other equipment to be used in the training. The course offered will provide a certificate of professional qualification upon completion.

Since the primary objective of this new initiative is the social integration of people with disabilities, the Salesian community is also providing recreational, sporting and cultural activities that help people with disabilities to develop self-esteem, build identity, and maintain physical and mental health.

Burundi, located in the heart of the African Great Lakes region, has seen more than a decade of violence and conflict which has contributed to widespread poverty, according to UNICEF. Burundi ranks 185 out of 189 countries on the 2019 UN Human Development Index and close to 70 percent of its residents live below the poverty line.

Children are some of the most severely affected by the country’s rampant poverty. Fifty-three percent of children under the age of 5 suffer from growth stunting caused by inadequate food, low-quality diet, poor infant feeding practices, poor household management of childhood diseases and the general decline of the country’s health system.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Burundi – New frontier of apostolate for people with disabilities

Salesian Missions – Burundi

UNICEF – Burundi

*Any goods, services, or funds provided by Salesian Missions to programs located in this country were administered in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control.

The post BURUNDI: Salesian Parish in Rukago rolls out new vocational training and activities for people with disabilities first appeared on MissionNewswire.

BURUNDI

(MissionNewswire) Salesian priests Father Benjamin Gahungu and Father Raphael Katanga, from the Salesian parish in Rukago, Burundi, along with 25 youth leaders from the oratory, visited the sick and prisoners in the nearby town of Gahombo. The group broke into two teams, and one headed to a local hospital while the other went to the prison.

Fr. Katana held Mass at the hospital and at the end of the celebration, aided by hospital staff, distributed food and laundry soap to all the sick and health care personnel. Fr. Katanga said, “It was a moment of relief and consolation for the sick housed in the hospital. In our service, we also made sure that patients who are alone and have no relatives or friends to support them would receive something extra.”

The other group of youth offered the same assistance and comfort to prisoners. The visit was a great surprise for the prisoners and the guards, who were able to share a moment of emotion and serenity. Salesians in Rukago seek to motivate youth and show them the impact that they can have on the society around them. It is also an opportunity for youth to give back.

“The youth at the parish in Rukago have decided to become protagonists of change,” said Fr. Katanga. “They carry out charitable activities among the most vulnerable without expecting anything in return. Others participate in community programs for the renovation of roads and bridges. Sometimes they participate in the construction and renovation of homes for the needy.”

He added, “They, like other Christians in the parish, have understood that there can be no authentic Christian life without social commitment, especially in favor of the neediest.”

Salesian missionaries in Rukago operate a parish, schools, a youth center and an orphanage. In November 2019 Salesian missionaries inaugurated a new building for the Maison Cana orphanage. The orphanage is managed by the Daughters of Mary –Our Lady of Cana and was founded in 1994 by Salesian Father Vital Minani, who today is the vicar of the Mary Mother of God house in Rukago. The building is a large two-story structure. The work began in 2012 with the ground floor and continued in various stages based on the availability of funds from various benefactors, mainly from the Salesian Congregation.

Burundi, located in the heart of the African Great Lakes region, has seen more than a decade of violence and conflict which has contributed to widespread poverty, according to UNICEF. Burundi ranks 185 out of 189 countries on the 2019 UN Human Development Index and close to 70 percent of its residents live below the poverty line.

Children are some of the most severely affected by the country’s rampant poverty. Fifty-three percent of children under the age of 5 suffer from growth stunting caused by inadequate food, low-quality diet, poor infant feeding practices, poor household management of childhood diseases and the general decline of the country’s health system.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Burundi – Salesians and young people visit hospital and prison in Gahombo

Salesian Missions – Burundi

UNICEF – Burundi

*Any goods, services, or funds provided by Salesian Missions to programs located in this country were administered in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control.

The post BURUNDI: 2 Salesian priests and 25 youth leaders from Salesian parish in Rukago visit the sick and prisoners in Gahombo first appeared on MissionNewswire.

BURUNDI

(MissionNewswire) The Salesian Parish in Rukago, Burundi, is continuing its fight against the spread of COVID-19. The pandemic has become a priority for the government since President Évariste Ndayishimiye was elected democratically in June 2020. Father Raphaël Katanga, economer of the Salesians in Rukago, explained that the new president has strengthened the fight against COVID-19 and fully supports any initiative.

The Salesian Parish has taken a number of steps to help fight the virus and keep the community safe. It has provided food for vulnerable families, in particular for the Pygmy population. The parish has carried out a widespread prevention campaign to ensure local communities understand the threat of coronavirus and the steps to take to prevent the spread of infection. Through the support of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, Salesians have also installed hand-washing stations in eight churches, 15 schools and the Don Bosco Oratory.

“Installing hand-washing stations in front of churches, offices, schools and playgrounds is an effective means of fighting the coronavirus pandemic while giving the local population the hope of living,” said Fr. Katanga. “With the funding, we have also supported some vulnerable families who were at risk of facing food shortage due to the limited circulation of goods and people.”

Salesian missionaries in Rukago operate a parish, schools, a youth center and an orphanage. In November 2019 Salesian missionaries inaugurated a new building for the Maison Cana orphanage. The orphanage is managed by the Daughters of Mary –Our Lady of Cana and was founded in 1994 by Salesian Father Vital Minani, who today is the vicar of the Mary Mother of God house in Rukago. The building is a large two-story structure. The work began in 2012 with the ground floor and continued in various stages based on the availability of funds from various benefactors, mainly from the Salesian Congregation.

Burundi, located in the heart of the African Great Lakes region, has seen more than a decade of violence and conflict which has contributed to widespread poverty, according to UNICEF. Burundi ranks 185 out of 189 countries on the 2019 UN Human Development Index and close to 70 percent of its residents live below the poverty line.

Children are some of the most severely affected by the country’s rampant poverty. Fifty-three percent of children under the age of 5 suffer from growth stunting caused by inadequate food, low-quality diet, poor infant feeding practices, poor household management of childhood diseases and the general decline of the country’s health system.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Burundi – Salesians of Rukago support fight against COVID-19

Salesian Missions – Burundi

UNICEF – Burundi

*Any goods, services, or funds provided by Salesian Missions to programs located in this country were administered in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control.

The post BURUNDI: Salesian Parish in Rukago continues fight against coronavirus with prevention campaign and activities first appeared on MissionNewswire.

BURUNDI

(MissionNewswire) The Salesian Parish in Rukago, Burundi, has access to hand-washing stations thanks to funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. This project, which benefited 65,000 people in the parish and local community, provided hand-washing stations in eight churches, 15 schools and the Don Bosco Oratory.

“Installing hand-washing stations in front of churches, offices, schools and playgrounds is an effective means of fighting the coronavirus pandemic while giving the local population the hope of living,” said Father Raphaël Katanga, economer of the Salesian Community in Rukago. “With the funding, we have also supported some vulnerable families from a local indigenous group, who were at risk of facing food shortage due to the limited circulation of goods and people.”

Salesian missionaries in Rukago operate a parish, schools, a youth center and an orphanage. In November 2019 Salesian missionaries inaugurated a new building for the Maison Cana orphanage. The orphanage is managed by the Daughters of Mary – Our Lady of Cana and was founded in 1994 by Salesian Father Vital Minani, who today is the vicar of the Mary Mother of God house in Rukago. The building is a large two-story structure. The work began in 2012 with the ground floor and continued in various stages based on the availability of funds from various benefactors, mainly from the Salesian Congregation.

“The Maison Cana orphanage is a place of hope and safety for youth in the area who have lost their parents and have nowhere else to turn,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions. “These children, especially now in the face of a global pandemic, have a safe place to live and their basic needs met while being able to focus on their education.”

Burundi, located in the heart of the African Great Lakes region, has seen more than a decade of violence and conflict which has contributed to widespread poverty, according to UNICEF. Burundi ranks 185 out of 189 countries on the 2019 UN Human Development Index and close to 70 percent of its residents live below the poverty line.

Children are some of the most severely affected by the country’s rampant poverty. Fifty-three percent of children under the age of 5 suffer from growth stunting caused by inadequate food, low-quality diet, poor infant feeding practices, poor household management of childhood diseases and the general decline of the country’s health system.

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Burundi

UNICEF – Burundi

*Any goods, services, or funds provided by Salesian Missions to programs located in this country were administered in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control.

The post BURUNDI: Salesian Missions provides funding for hand-washing stations and food support for Salesian Parish in Rukago first appeared on MissionNewswire.

BURUNDI

(MissionNewswire) More than 1,200 students attending Lycée Don Bosco, located in Bujumbura, Burundi, had access to better nutrition during the third quarter of 2019 thanks to a partnership between Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, and Rise Against Hunger, an international relief organization that provides food and life-changing aid to the world’s most vulnerable.

Many of the students attending Lycée Don Bosco come from poor families who barely have enough to eat once a day. The rice-meals are provided to students during school hours so students have the strength and energy to focus on their studies and gain the skills needed for later employment. Salesian missionaries at Lycée Don Bosco noted that the donation has had a positive impact on students and teachers.

“The rice-meal donation has been a critical part of helping students have the proper nutrition they need to focus in school,” says Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions. “Prepared students are more likely to learn valuable skills that will help them gain employment and break the cycle of poverty in their lives while enabling them to give back to their communities.”

Rise Against Hunger partners with Salesian Missions, which works to identify needs and coordinate delivery of 40-foot shipping containers full of meals and supplemented with additional supplies when available. The partnership was developed in 2011 and since that time shipments have been successfully delivered to countries around the globe. The meals and life-saving aid have helped to nourish poor youth at Salesian schools and programs and care for those in need of emergency aid during times of war, natural disasters and health crises.

“The partnership with Rise Against Hunger allows Salesian Missions to expand its services for youth in need,” adds Fr. Baek. “Operating feeding programs and providing other life-changing supplies for youth is integral to the success of our students and their ability to gain an education.”

Burundi, located in the heart of the African Great Lakes region, has seen more than a decade of violence and conflict which has contributed to widespread poverty, according to UNICEF. Burundi ranks 185 out of 189 countries on the 2017 UN Human Development Index and close to 70 percent of its residents live below the poverty line.

Children are some of the most severely affected by the country’s rampant poverty. Fifty-three percent of children under the age of 5 suffer from growth stunting caused by inadequate food, low-quality diet, poor infant feeding practices, poor household management of childhood diseases and the general decline of the country’s health system.

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Rise Against Hunger

Salesian Missions – Burundi

UNICEF – Burundi

*Any goods, services, or funds provided by Salesian Missions to programs located in this country were administered in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control.

The post BURUNDI: More than 1,200 students at Lycée Don Bosco have access to better nutrition thanks to Rise Against Hunger rice-meal donation first appeared on MissionNewswire.

BURUNDI

(MissionNewswire) More than 1,200 students attending Lycée Don Bosco, located in Bujumbura, Burundi, had access to better nutrition in the second quarter of 2019 thanks to a partnership between Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, and Rise Against Hunger, an international relief organization that provides food and life-changing aid to the world’s most vulnerable.

Many of the students attending the school come from poor families who barely have enough to eat once a day. A student who comes to school on an empty stomach will have trouble focusing on lessons. The rice-meals are provided to students during school hours so they have the strength and energy to focus on their studies, pay attention and gain the skills needed for later employment.

Leadership at Lycée Don Bosco is pleased with the donation because of its positive impact for students and teachers. Nteturuye Liberate, vice principal and dean of students, said, “Rise Against Hunger meals help the whole community including students, staff and other workers. The rice has a good taste and is easy to cook. Now students are better able to follow their lessons.”

Rise Against Hunger partners with Salesian Missions, which works to identify needs and coordinate delivery of 40-foot shipping containers full of meals and supplemented with additional supplies when available. The partnership was developed in 2011 and since that time shipments have been successfully delivered to countries around the globe. The meals and life-saving aid have helped to nourish poor youth at Salesian schools and programs and care for those in need of emergency aid during times of war, natural disasters and health crises.

“The partnership with Rise Against Hunger allows Salesian Missions to expand its services for youth in need,” says Father Mark Hyde, director of Salesian Missions. “Operating feeding programs and providing other life-changing supplies for youth is integral to the success of our students and their ability to gain an education.”

Burundi, located in the heart of the African Great Lakes region, has seen more than a decade of violence and conflict which has contributed to widespread poverty, according to UNICEF. Burundi ranks 185 out of 189 countries on the 2017 UN Human Development Index and close to 70 percent of its residents live below the poverty line.

Children are some of the most severely affected by the country’s rampant poverty. Fifty-three percent of children under the age of 5 suffer from growth stunting caused by inadequate food, low-quality diet, poor infant feeding practices, poor household management of childhood diseases and the general decline of the country’s health system.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Rise Against Hunger

Salesian Missions – Burundi

UNICEF – Burundi

*Any goods, services, or funds provided by Salesian Missions to programs located in this country were administered in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control.

The post BURUNDI: Students at Lycée Don Bosco have access to better nutrition thanks to Salesian Missions partnership with Rise Against Hunger first appeared on MissionNewswire.

BURUNDI

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries in Rukago, Burundi, inaugurated a new building for the Maison Cana orphanage. The orphanage is managed by the Daughters of Mary – Our Lady of Cana and was founded in 1994 by Salesian Father Vital Minani, who today is the vicar of the Mary Mother of God house in Rukago.

The building is a large two-story structure. The work began in 2012 with the ground floor and continued in various stages based on the availability of funds from various benefactors, mainly from the Salesian Congregation. The initial build of the first floor was completed thanks to the donation from the Formons une Famille (Let’s form a family) Foundation in Quebec, Canada.

The inauguration event brought together Salesians, representatives from the local government, Ignace Ntawembarira, delegate of the Ministry of Human Rights, Social Affairs and Gender Issues, Guy Ménard from the Formons une Famille Foundation and local children.

After a blessing of the building and Catholic Mass, the group took a tour of the building and was entertained by fold dances to the beat of drums. They also participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony, which marked the official inauguration of the new building.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation of the Formons une Famille foundation, Ménard congratulated Salesian missionaries and the Daughters of Cana. He recalled with emotion the moment when the foundation met those involved with the project and what the orphanage meant to the local community.

At the end of the event, Ntawembarira gave the children a ton of rice from the Ministry and stressed that this orphanage offers children a real family, education, care, love and guidance to help them become good citizens who will actively participate in the development of Burundi.

“The Maison Cana orphanage will be a place of hope and safety for youth in the area who have lost their parents and have nowhere else to turn,” says Father Mark Hyde, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “These children will have a safe place to live and their basic needs met while being able to focus on their education.”

Burundi, located in the heart of the African Great Lakes region, has seen more than a decade of violence and conflict which has contributed to widespread poverty, according to UNICEF. Burundi ranks 184 out of 188 countries on the 2015 UN Human Development Index and close to 70 percent of its residents live below the poverty line.

Children are some of the most severely affected by the country’s rampant poverty. Fifty-three percent of children under the age of 5 suffer from growth stunting caused by inadequate food, low-quality diet, poor infant feeding practices, poor household management of childhood diseases and the general decline of the country’s health system.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Burundi – Blessing and inauguration of “Maison Cana” orphanage

Salesian Missions – Burundi

UNICEF – Burundi

*Any goods, services, or funds provided by Salesian Missions to programs located in this country were administered in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control.

The post BURUNDI: Salesian missionaries inaugurate new building for the Maison Cana orphanage first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Students attending Lycée Don Bosco often have challenges with hunger. Many do not have enough to eat and their studies suffer because of it. Students miss school or do not pay attention. They cannot focus on an empty stomach. One of the students, 18-year-old Irakoze Anderson Mike, was unable to concentrate during his school lessons. He came from a poor family and was lucky if he had one meal a day at home. He often did not follow the lessons from his teacher because he was prone to sleeping during class because of weakness and hunger.

After having access to the rice-meals at school, things changed for Mike. He said, “Now that I am able to eat at school, I can focus both in the morning and afternoon classes. I have enough energy to play sports, too, and spend time with my friends, who also like and appreciate the Rise Against Hunger meals.”

Mbaga Corneille, principal of Lycée Don Bosco, has seen positive outcomes for other students. She said, “Students are happy and studying well. They are enjoying more time with their peers now that they have the energy from the rice-meals.”

Rise Against Hunger partners with Salesian Missions, which works to identify needs and coordinate delivery of 40-foot shipping containers full of meals and supplemented with additional supplies when available. The partnership was developed in 2011 and since that time shipments have been successfully delivered to countries around the globe. The meals and life-saving aid have helped to nourish poor youth at Salesian schools and programs and care for those in need of emergency aid during times of war, natural disasters and health crises.

“The partnership with Rise Against Hunger allows Salesian Missions to expand its services for youth in need,” says Father Mark Hyde, director of Salesian Missions. “Operating feeding programs and providing other life-changing supplies for youth is integral to the success of our students and their ability to gain an education.”

Burundi, located in the heart of the African Great Lakes region, has seen more than a decade of violence and conflict which has contributed to widespread poverty, according to UNICEF. Burundi ranks 185 out of 189 countries on the 2017 UN Human Development Index and close to 70 percent of its residents live below the poverty line.

Children are some of the most severely affected by the country’s rampant poverty. Fifty-three percent of children under the age of 5 suffer from growth stunting caused by inadequate food, low-quality diet, poor infant feeding practices, poor household management of childhood diseases and the general decline of the country’s health system.

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Sources:

Rise Against Hunger

Salesian Missions – Burundi

UNICEF – Burundi

*Any goods, services, or funds provided by Salesian Missions to programs located in this country were administered in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control.

The post BURUNDI: More than 1,200 students at Lycée Don Bosco had access to better nutrition thanks to Rise Against Hunger rice-meals first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Salesian missionaries in the area are working to improve opportunities for vocational and technical skills training for youth so they are better able to find and retain stable employment. More than 230 students attend the vocational training center taking courses in mechanics, carpentry, welding and construction. In addition to their studies, they dedicate time to traditional activities such as catechism and sports.

In 2017, the Spanish Salesian-run organization, Don Bosco Solidarity, launched a project called, “Improving the Opportunities of Women in Rukago.” The initiative was launched to help women gain the skills needed to find and retain employment and is in direct response to the stigma of HIV and high rates of sexual violence and maternal mortality faced by women in Burundi.

The project is fostering the participation of young women in the field of vocational training. New courses have been developed in cooking and hotel management in addition to workshops that are helping to educate the community about gender equality and the benefits of quality employment for women.

Bridging the gap between school curriculum and the practical skills needed to succeed in the labor market, the project offers women a chance to put the skills they have learned in the classroom into practice under the guidance of qualified workers and supervisors. Through this work in the field, students are learning new techniques and gaining a hands-on application of classroom studies.

“Access to education is providing women opportunities they may never have imagined possible,” says Father Mark Hyde, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Women are the backbone of the family unit and families succeed when women are able to access quality employment. Additional workshops will also help women make better decisions in their lives.”

“We are also very grateful to our donors who helped Salesian missionaries develop a new kitchen at the center so that students can have a proper meal at lunch. The older kitchen was not adequate given the number of students. This new kitchen enables Salesian staff to better meet the needs of students,” adds. Fr. Hyde.

Burundi, located in the heart of the African Great Lakes region, has seen more than a decade of violence and conflict which has contributed to widespread poverty, according to UNICEF. Burundi ranks 184 out 188 countries on the 2015 UN Human Development Index and close to 70 percent of its residents live below the poverty line.

Children are some of the most severely affected by the country’s rampant poverty. Fifty-three percent of children under the age of 5 suffer from growth stunting caused by inadequate food, low-quality diet, poor infant feeding practices, poor household management of childhood diseases and the general decline of the country’s health system.

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Sources:

BURUNDI: Vocational training project launched in 2017 has trained 40 young women in hotel and restaurant industries

Salesian Missions Projects

UNICEF – Burundi

*Any goods, services, or funds provided by Salesian Missions to programs located in this country were administered in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control.

The post BURUNDI: Salesian Missions donors provide funding for new kitchen at Salesian Vocational Training Center first appeared on MissionNewswire.

To date, more than 40 young young women have received quality training in the hotel and restaurant employment sectors. In addition, an employment office was created to assist students with resumes, interviewing and connecting with employers who are hiring.  The project offers courses in cooking and hotel management as well as workshops that help educate the community about gender equality and the benefits of quality employment for women.

Bridging the gap between classroom curriculum and the practical skills needed to succeed in the labor market, the project offers women a chance to put the skills they have learned into practice under the guidance of qualified workers and supervisors. Through this work in the field, students learn new techniques and gain a hands-on application of classroom studies.

Thanks to Don Bosco Solidarity, the Don Bosco Vocational Training Center has been provided with all the equipment and materials necessary for practical lessons. A collaboration between various public and private organizations in the area has helped to renovate various rooms and provide refrigerators, kitchen utensils, food and other related goods.

“Access to education will provide women opportunities they may never have imagined possible,” says Father Mark Hyde, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Women are the backbone of the family unit and families succeed when women are able to access quality employment. Additional workshops will also help women make better decisions in their lives.”

Don Bosco Solidarity has launched similar programs for women in countries around the globe. In El Alto, Bolivia, the organization supports women through literacy education and skills training programs. In Kara, Togo, more than 1,000 women have accessed literacy training through Don Bosco Solidarity and in Mador, Morocco, dressmaking and embroidery training programs for young women at risk of social exclusion have been created by the organization.

“All women deserve a chance at a better life,” adds Fr. Hyde. “At Don Bosco Vocational Training Center, Salesian missionaries help women overcome barriers to success by providing them an education and the necessary skills to find and retain employment so they can better support themselves and help their communities.”

Burundi, located in the heart of the African Great Lakes region, has seen more than a decade of violence and conflict which has contributed to widespread poverty, according to UNICEF. Burundi ranks 184 out 188 countries on the 2015 UN Human Development Index and close to 70 percent of its residents live below the poverty line.

Children are some of the most severely affected by the country’s rampant poverty. Fifty-three percent of children under the age of 5 suffer from growth stunting caused by inadequate food, low-quality diet, poor infant feeding practices, poor household management of childhood diseases and the general decline of the country’s health system.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Burundi – A better future for the country’s young women

UNICEF – Burundi

*Any goods, services, or funds provided by Salesian Missions to programs located in this country were administered in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control.

The post BURUNDI: Vocational training project launched in 2017 has trained 40 young women in hotel and restaurant industries first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Children are some of the most severely affected by the country’s rampant poverty. Fifty-three percent of children under the age of 5 suffer from growth stunting caused by inadequate food, low-quality diet, poor infant feeding practices, poor household management of childhood diseases and the general decline of the country’s health system.

“I’m a priest with a young spirit. I love to play and chat, listen to and share the problems of so many young people who come to our community,” says Fr. Jean Paul. “I am the first of nine children and the only one of my family to have become a priest. I fell in love with the charisma, mission and work that the Salesians, following the spirit of Don Bosco, live and transmit to the young. I attended their oratory since childhood because they had a community right in my hometown, Ngozi, and that’s where my vocation was born.”

Because of the extreme poverty in the region, Salesian missionaries are helping youth as much as they can. The youth center and parish are open every day. Youth are able to take part in sports, cultural and educational activities. They have a safe place to connect with their peers and access to adults who provide them the mentorship and support they need. Fr. Jean Paul has noted that 60,000 people attend the parish and youth center activities.

“We also have 235 students who attend our vocational training center,” adds Fr. Jean Paul. “At the Don Bosco Artisanal Center, there are courses in mechanics, carpentry, welding and construction from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. In addition to studies, they also dedicate time to traditional activities, such as catechism and sports.”

Salesian missionaries in the area aim to improve the vocational and technical skills training for youth so they are better able to find and retain stable employment. Also in Janauary 2017, the Spanish Salesian-run organization Don Bosco Solidarity launched the project “Improving the Opportunities of Women in Rukago.” The new initiative was launched to help women gain the skills needed to find and retain employment and is in direct response to the level of sexual violence, stigma of HIV and high maternal mortality rate faced by women in Burundi.

The project will foster the participation of young women in the field of vocational training. New courses have been developed in cooking and hotel management, as well as workshops that will help educate the community about gender equality and the benefits of quality employment for women. Bridging the gap between the school curriculum and the practical skills needed to succeed in the labor market, the project will also offer women a chance to put the skills they have learned in the classroom into practice under the guidance of qualified workers and supervisors. Through this work in the field, students will learn new techniques and gain a hands-on application of classroom studies.

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Sources:

ANS – Burundi – Fr Jean Paul’s mission for Rukago youth

MissionNewswire – BURUNDI: New Salesian Project Aims to Help Women Gain the Education and Skills Needed for Employment

UNICEF – Burundi

*Any goods, services, or funds provided by Salesian Missions to programs located in this country were administered in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control.

The post BURUNDI: Salesian missionaries provide vocational education to help youth prepare for the future first appeared on MissionNewswire.

The project was launched in January 2017, and the Salesian teams working together are motivated to implement the initiatives so that local women can have better opportunities in the future. The project will foster the participation of young women in the field of vocational training. New courses have been developed in cooking and hotel management, as well as workshops that will help educate the community about gender equality and the benefits of quality employment for women.

Bridging the gap between the school curriculum and the practical skills needed to succeed in the labor market, the project will also offer women a chance to put the skills they have learned in the classroom into practice under the guidance of qualified workers and supervisors. Through this work in the field, students will learn new techniques and gain a hands-on application of classroom studies.

“Access to education will provide women opportunities they may never have imagined possible,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Women are the backbone of the family unit and families succeed when women are able to access quality employment. Additional workshops will also help women make better decisions in their lives.”

Don Bosco Solidarity has launched similar programs for women in countries around the globe. In El Alto, Bolivia, the organization strengthened women through education in literacy and skills training. More than 1,000 women accessed literacy training through Don Bosco Solidarity in Kara, Togo, and in Mador, Morocco, the organization created dressmaking and embroidery training for young women at risk of social exclusion.

“All women deserve a chance at a better life,” adds Fr. Hyde. “At Don Bosco Vocational Training Center, Salesian missionaries help women overcome barriers to success by providing them an education and the necessary skills to find and retain employment so they can better support themselves and help their communities.”

Burundi, located in the heart of the African Great Lakes region, has seen more than a decade of violence and conflict which has contributed to widespread poverty, according to UNICEF. Burundi ranks 184 out 188 countries on the 2015 UN Human Development Index and close to 70 percent of its residents live below the poverty line.

Children are some of the most severely affected by the country’s rampant poverty. Fifty-three percent of children under the age of 5 suffer from growth stunting caused by inadequate food, low-quality diet, poor infant feeding practices, poor household management of childhood diseases and the general decline of the country’s health system.

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Sources:

ANS – Burundi – “In Favour of Women”: Solidaridad Don Bosco

UNICEF – Burundi

*Any goods, services, or funds provided by Salesian Missions to programs located in this country were administered in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control.

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The situation further escalated on May 13 following an attempted coup as President Nkurunziza left for the Summit of the East African Community which was intended to try to resolve the crisis. As a result, the country faces growing tension, and since April, close to 100,000 Burundians have fled the country seeking shelter and sparking a humanitarian crisis in the neighboring countries of Rwanda, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. At the same time, refugees along the shores of Lake Tanganyika in Tanzania are dealing with a cholera epidemic making a challenging situation all the more difficult.

Within Burundi, Salesian missionaries operate several schools and vocational training programs. A Salesian vocational training center in Buterere, a suburb of the capital Bujumbura, is no longer holding classes due to protests and ongoing chaos that has paralyzed normal daily activities. Many residents have left the capital in search of shelter with family and friends in other parts of the country and others have left for neighboring countries. While classes are suspended, youth are still welcome at the vocational school for afternoon activities and relief from the chaos and violence.

“The difficult situation in Burundi has been going on for a month,” reported Salesian missionaries on the ground in a recent Salesian ANS article. “At first it was just a political problem. Now, to everyone’s surprise, the situation is getting worse day-by-day. It is difficult to know what will happen tomorrow let alone the next day. The tensions will not be without consequences for the social and economic life of all the people.”

In northern areas of the country, classes continue to operate as usual in institutions like the Don Bosco School in Ngozi, a large Salesian boarding school. Also fully operational is the Don Bosco Vocational Training Center Gatenga, located in the city of Ruyigi in eastern Burundi, where students are learning the craft of wood making. The wood making program is part of local Salesian missionaries’ efforts to provide training in trade skills as well as valuable work experience in an effort to increase future employment opportunities for youth in the area.

Even students living and studying in Salesian programs far from the capital are struggling to concentrate on their studies for fear of the chaos and violence reaching them. Many families have had to take in relatives who fled from Bujumbura resulting in additional people straining accommodations, available food and supplies. Salesian missionaries are currently monitoring and assessing the situation day by day.

Burundi, located in the heart of the African Great Lakes region, has experienced more than a decade of violence and conflict which has contributed to widespread poverty, according to UNICEF. Burundi ranks 180 out 187 countries on the 2014 UN Human Development Index and close to 70 percent of its residents live below the poverty line.

Children are some of the most severely affected by the country’s rampant poverty. Fifty-three percent of children under the age of five suffer from growth stunting caused by inadequate food, low-quality diet, poor infant feeding practices, poor household management of childhood diseases and the general decline of the country’s health system.

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Sources:

ANS – Burundi – “It is hard to know what will happen tomorrow, never mind the day after”

UN – Burundi: UN urges return to political dialogue amid ongoing tensions, humanitarian crisis

UNICEF – Burundi

*Any goods, services, or funds provided by Salesian Missions to programs located in this country were administered in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control.

The post BURUNDI: Salesian Missionaries Continue Programs in Wake of Ongoing Political Tension and Humanitarian Crisis first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Bridging the gap between school curriculum and the practical skills needed to succeed in the labor market, all the programs offered at the vocational training center allow students to put the skills they have learned in the classroom into practice under the guidance of qualified workers and supervisors. Through this work in the field, students learn new techniques and gain a hands-on application of classroom studies.

“Access to education provides opportunities to youth they may never have imagined possible,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Salesian programs are able to meet the diverse needs of students, allowing them to focus on their studies while gaining life skills that help them make better decisions and find future employment.”

In addition to vocational training, students at the Don Bosco Vocational Training Center learn problem solving skills, social skills and conflict management. The goal is to graduate students who are not only prepared to enter into the workforce but who will succeed in their chosen occupations.

“Through the Don Bosco Vocational Center, youth in Burundi acquire a strong sense of responsibility and improve their coping and social skills to succeed in the workplace,” explains Fr Hyde. “It’s also a win-win for employers who have a chance to train valuable young and enthusiastic new workers for their companies.”

The center also offers programs in welding and auto mechanics, among other trades. Increasing the chances for successful employment, Salesian missionaries have built collaborative relationships with local employers, helping to ease the transition for students from school to employment. Through the program, teachers and employers hold monthly meetings and carefully monitor students’ progress to guarantee that the on-the-job training contributes to enhancing students’ technical skills.

Burundi, located in the heart of the African Great Lakes region, has seen more than a decade of violence and conflict which has contributed to widespread poverty, according to UNICEF. Burundi ranks 180 out 187 countries on the 2014 UN Human Development Index and close to 70 percent of its residents live below the poverty line.

Children are some of the most severely affected by the country’s rampant poverty. Fifty-three percent of children under the age of five suffer from growth stunting caused by inadequate food, low-quality diet, poor infant feeding practices, poor household management of childhood diseases and the general decline of the country’s health system.

“All youth deserve a chance at a better life,” adds Fr. Hyde. “At Don Bosco Technical School, Salesian missionaries help youth overcome barriers to success while teaching them how to take responsibility for their own lives. By providing youth an education and the necessary skills to find and retain employment, they are able to support themselves and help their communities.”

Sources

UNICEF – Burundi

*Any goods, services, or funds provided by Salesian Missions to programs located in this country were administered in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control.

The post BURUNDI: Students Learn the Craft of Wood Making for Future Employment first appeared on MissionNewswire.

According to UNICEF, Burundi, which is located in the heart of the African Great Lakes region, has seen more than a decade of violence and conflict which has contributed to widespread poverty. Burundi ranks 167 out 177 countries on the 2008 UN Human Development Index, and close to 70 percent of its residents live below the poverty line.

Children are some of the most severely affected by this rampant poverty. Fifty-three percent of children under the age of five suffer from growth stunting caused by inadequate food, low-quality diet, poor infant feeding practices, poor household management of childhood diseases and the general decline of the country’s health system.

Don Bosco High School, Ngozi was the primary recipient of the donation from Stop Hunger Now. The school has close to 750 students gaining a secondary education and the necessary foundation to help them pursue advanced studies. Students both live and learn at the school and are eligible to receive three balanced meals while in the program.

“Many of the youth who participate in Salesian programs in Burundi are malnourished,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “When youth receive nutritious meals, they are better prepared to take part in educational programs being offered.”

Don Bosco Buterere Youth Center was another recipient of the Stop Hunger Now donation. Here, Salesians care for at-risk youth and orphans once living on the streets, providing them food, shelter and an education. For some of the youth, the fortified-rice meals are the only balanced meal they receive in a day. The Salesian Professional Center, Rukago also received the fortified-rice meals. This trade school helps poor youth learn professional trades that lead to livable wage employment.

“Access to nutritious meals allows youth to be better prepared to take part in school activities and focus on their education,” adds Fr. Hyde. “Prepared students are more likely to learn valuable skills that will help them gain employment, break the cycle of poverty in their lives and enable them to give back to their communities.”

“The partnership with Stop Hunger Now allows Salesian Missions to expand the scope of services to youth in need,” says Jessica O’Connor, property and logistics officer at the Salesian Missions Office for International Programs. “Operating feeding programs for youth in Salesian schools whose families cannot afford to feed them is very important and integral to the success of our students and their ability to gain an education.”

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Sources:

UNICEF – Poverty in Burundi

Stop Hunger Now

*Any goods, services, or funds provided by Salesian Missions to programs located in this country were administered in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control.

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