SUDAN

(MissionNewswire) The Daughters of Mary Help of Christians Dar Mariam House in Khartoum, Sudan*, was again impacted by the ongoing war in the country. On Jan. 2, a sniper from one of the rebel groups involved in the conflict set fire to the second floor of the house. Rooms and the hall on a side of the floor were badly damaged. With help from neighbors and soldiers, the fire was extinguished in two hours.

“No one was injured. Thank God. May his will and his glory always prevail,” said Father Jacob Thelekkadan, an Indian Salesian missionary who has been living in the Dar Mariam House since shortly after the outbreak of the war.

The Dar Mariam House is home to Salesian sisters, Fr. Thelekkadan, mothers and children, and a group of men, including some who are elderly and sick. This is the second time the house has been impacted by the war. On Nov. 3, 2023, it was hit by a large bomb, which damaged several classrooms and structures. There were only minor injuries given the destruction.

The war between Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) started on April 15, 2023. Since then, there has been no public transport, electricity is sporadic and water is becoming scarce.

The most official data available from October 2023 indicated that there about 10,000 dead and almost 12,000 injured. The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees noted that at the end 2023, the conflict had caused almost 7.1 million internally displaced people and more 1.3 million refugees.

Salesian sisters will continue to monitor the situation and do what they can for those most in need.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Sudan – Sniper sparks a fire at the FMA house in Karthoum

Salesian Missions – Sudan

UNHCR Sudan

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

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SUDAN

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries in Kuajok, South Sudan*, have opened their doors to welcome refugees from the ongoing war in Sudan*. The war started on April 15 in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, and since that time people have been fleeing the country in search of safety. While estimates vary, an ACN article noted that according to U.N. special envoy for Sudan Volker Perthes, at least 5,000 people have been killed, and over 12,000 wounded since the conflict started.

Salesians in South Sudan have been responding to refugee needs and providing primary school to children. Salesians have been in Kuajok since 2018, taking care of street children and running a primary school.

While refugees have fled, Salesian missionaries and sisters have remained in Khartoum. The Dar Mariam Mission was struck on Nov. 3 with the bomb blasting the building’s second floor. The building houses children and women, including five Salesian sisters.

No one was killed in the blast, but one young mother and her two children, aged 7 and 4, received minor head wounds. All those who required medical treatment have been released from the hospital. Father Jacob Thelekkadan, the resident priest, explained that the women and children were on the ground floor at the time.

The floor, which sustained most of the damage, houses most of the bedrooms. Fr. Thelekkadan told ACN that the bomb broke in two when it hit the building, causing two explosions. “The first part of the bomb shattered a teacher’s room, hurting him on both his legs, but not very seriously. The second part of the bomb shattered the two rooms of the sisters and their room doors flew off and fell a meter away.”

Before the fighting broke out, Fr. Thelekkadan was in charge of St Joseph’s Vocational Center in Khartoum, which has since closed because of heavy fighting. He remained to support the Salesian sisters, who are looking after women and children, as well as the elderly and sick. Salesian sisters will continue to monitor the situation and do what they can for those most in need.

With more than 36% of its population living in poverty, Sudan is one of the poorest countries in the world, according to UNICEF. Low incomes and food deficiencies are common, and ongoing violence and civil unrest exacerbate already harsh conditions. Despite these challenges, more youth are in school today than ever before. There remain, however, some 3.2 million children between the ages of 6-16 out of school with the highest rates among nomadic populations, those living in rural areas and in the poorest households.

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Sources:

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

ACN United Kingdom – SUDAN: Missile hits Sisters’ house

ANS – South Sudan – The Don Bosco mission in Kuajok opens its doors to refugees from Sudan

Salesian Missions – Sudan

UNICEF – Sudan

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

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SUDAN

(MissionNewswire) Salesian sisters with Daughters of Mary Help of Christians are still serving those in need even in the face of ongoing conflict within Khartoum, Sudan*. The war between Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) started on April 15. There is no public transport, electricity is sporadic and water is becoming scarce.

While Salesian sisters in Shajara, close to Khartoum, had to close the elementary school and the women’s center, they are still serving those most in need. They are providing informal classes, giving food and shelter to several hundred people and also caring for the injured.

The Salesian sisters opened their center in Shajara in 1989. They are currently the only representatives of the Catholic Church in the vicinity of the Sudanese capital. The Salesian sisters’ residence is surrounded by poor families living in iron shacks.

The sisters have opened their classrooms and their residence for the poor and transformed the space into a house of prayer. They have established a playground for poor children where they can play during the day and a safe haven where they can sleep at night. About 80 children with their mothers live there. The number rises to more than 150 people a night.

The Salesian sisters offer breakfast daily to about 300 children and people who live around their residence. They are also offering medical support to those who are injured. Every day, between 15 and 20 injured patients come for medical help.

Salesian missionaries were also working in the area. They had a vocational school and St. Joseph Parish in Khartoum and another center in the city of El Obeid, 500 kilometers from Khartoum. A Salesian missionary, who is the director of the vocational school, explained, “All three have been closed due to insecurity and the dangers that lie ahead. The Salesians from these communities have left the country and I am staying with the Salesian sisters in Shajara.”

He added, “There is little known about the conflict because of the limited movement of people. In most areas the electricity has been interrupted for several weeks and temperatures are hot. In addition, running water has become a luxury in most areas of Khartoum, and the supply has also been drastically reduced. Some shops have been looted and many others have run out of supplies.”

Salesian sisters will continue to monitor the situation and do what they can for those most in need.

With more than 36% of its population living in poverty, Sudan is one of the poorest countries in the world, according to UNICEF. Low incomes and food deficiencies are common, and ongoing violence and civil unrest exacerbate already harsh conditions. Despite these challenges, more youth are in school today than ever before. There remain, however, some 3.2 million children between the ages of 6-16 out of school with the highest rates among nomadic populations, those living in rural areas and in the poorest households.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Sudan – The Salesian oasis in Khartoum has been without electricity or water for almost 100 days, in the midst of war

Salesian Missions – Sudan

UNICEF – Sudan

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

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SUDAN

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries at the St. Joseph Vocational Technical School in Khartoum, Sudan,* have been forced to leave the school due to the advance of paramilitaries and the ongoing insecurity in the area. Salesians and students have taken refuge several kilometers away. Sudan has been struggling with a bloody internal war that broke out after weeks of power struggles.

According to the World Health Organization, there are more than 900 dead and more than 6,000 injured. More than 2.2 million people have been forced to flee their homes. International organizations report several cases of brutal violence, looting and killings. The situation is dire and close to 11.7 million lack access to food, water, shelter and medical care according to the United Nations.

In addition, there are only a few hospitals that remain open in Khartoum. Some have been occupied while others have closed. Many have been bombed. Sudan has been beset by wars for decades, including the conflict in Darfur in 2003 and the devastating humanitarian crisis that followed. It is also in a very unstable region with many neighboring countries having suffered major political upheavals and conflicts, causing millions of refugees.

Salesians across the country have been responding, providing support for the most vulnerable including women, children, the elderly, people with disabilities and those suffering from severe malnutrition. The three Salesian centers operating in Sudan are the St. Joseph Vocational Technical Center in Khartoum, St. Joseph’s in Kalakala and the Don Bosco Vocational Technical School in El Obeid.

In response to the growing needs, the Mission Don Bosco Office in Turin, Italy, has launched an appeal to help send basic necessities to Salesians for distribution to the people most affected by the conflict.

A Salesian explained, “Everything is needed, from basic necessities such as food and water, to medical care, vaccinations, and maternal and child health services. In addition, the displaced population needs sanitation facilities to prevent the spread of diseases, psycho-social support services, and the creation of safe spaces for women and children who have suffered abuse and violence.”

With more than 36% of its population living in poverty, Sudan is one of the poorest countries in the world, according to UNICEF. Low incomes and food deficiencies are common, and ongoing violence and civil unrest exacerbate already harsh conditions. Despite these challenges, more youth are in school today than ever before. There remain, however, some 3.2 million children between the ages of 6-16 out of school with the highest rates among nomadic populations, those living in rural areas and in the poorest households.

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Missioni Don Bosco

ANS – Sudan – A country devastated by violence for years

Salesian Missions – Sudan

UNICEF – Sudan

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

The post SUDAN: Salesian missionaries respond to dire situation first appeared on MissionNewswire.

SUDAN

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries in Khartoum, Sudan,* have been helping to support the local population since war broke out between two rival generals on April 15. Since that time, almost 1.4 million people have been displaced according to a report from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Even before the fighting, Sudan has faced years of political instability and had millions of people internally displaced. Sudan is also home to some 1.3 million refugees from other countries like Syria, Eritrea and South Sudan. As of May 23, 730 individuals had been killed and 5,500 others wounded, according to Sudan’s Federal Ministry of Health.

Salesian missionaries in Khartoum are living halfway between the two fronts. Father Jacob Thelekkadan, rector, explained, “To everyone’s astonishment, on Saturday, April 15, shots and heavy gunfire were heard. One bomb fell in the laboratories of the Salesian St Joseph’s vocational school. Fortunately, at a time when the students were elsewhere. It was almost a miracle, considering that on Saturdays the classrooms are filled again after the Friday prayer, according to the precepts of Islam.”

After rescuing the youth, Salesians immediately began to put in place assistance for families who asked for protection and assistance. Some needed food while others needed medical care. Salesians report that everyone in Sudan wants a durable ceasefire to replace food supplies, reconnect water and electricity, and allow humanitarian relief to protect the innocent people caught in the civil war.

Salesians have decided to stay in Khartoum and El-Obeid, where they operate two vocational schools that provide youth with job skills. The schools are accessible to the children of Muslim families, and the public institutions of the country are in support of the Salesian efforts that have been taking place for more than 40 years. Salesians also operate parishes and primary schools in the country.

With more than 36% of its population living in poverty, Sudan is one of the poorest countries in the world, according to UNICEF. Low incomes and food deficiencies are common, and ongoing violence and civil unrest exacerbate already harsh conditions. Despite these challenges, more youth are in school today than ever before. There remain, however, some 3.2 million children between the ages of 6-16 out of school with the highest rates among nomadic populations, those living in rural areas and in the poorest households.

School enrollment and retention is affected by weak curriculum in Sudanese schools and inadequate educational materials and teacher training. According to UNICEF, more than 40% of teachers are untrained. Ongoing conflict and the high cost of education, particularly in rural areas where parents have to pay school fees, also affect enrollment rates.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Sudan – The Salesians remain with the people during the emergency

Salesian Missions – Sudan

UNICEF – Sudan

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

The post SUDAN: Salesians provide support for those impacted by civil war first appeared on MissionNewswire.

SUDAN

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries with St. Joseph Vocational Training Center in Khartoum, Sudan, are offering a new solar energy project for the students taking the electricity course. The new training is engaging students in hands-on exploration in the field of renewable energy. This project was made possible thanks to Bosco Global and financial support from Magone Foundation and the Provincial Council of Huesca, all in Spain.

During the 2021-2022 academic year, first- and second-year electricity students installed several solar panels in three different buildings on the school grounds. Students had the opportunity to learn the installation process, operation and proper use of the solar panels.

A Salesian missionary explained the project’s importance. “Power outages of 10 hours a day can occur in Sudan, so solar energy is a key alternative to this problem, as well as making a very positive contribution to the environment. Currently, renewable energy is booming in the country.”

Focused on the educational benefit, the Salesian missionary added, “We were able to adapt the students’ education to the realities and challenges of our society, and to offer quality education that serves to improve the employability of our young people, and to achieve a dignified life for them and their families. In addition, thanks to the use of this natural source, we also saved on resources, bringing a higher quality of life to all those who attend the educational complex.”

The students appreciated the use of solar panels and were encouraged to continue focusing on using renewable energy. St. Joseph Vocational Training Center also offers courses in welding, mechanics, air conditioning, carpentry, automotive mechanics, masonry and computer science.

With more than 36 percent of its population living in poverty, the Sudan is one of the poorest countries in the world, according to UNICEF. Low incomes and food deficiencies are common and ongoing violence and civil unrest exacerbate already harsh conditions. Despite these challenges, more youth are in school today than ever before. There remain, however, some 3.2 million children between the ages of 6-16 out of school with the highest rates among nomadic populations, those living in rural areas and in the poorest households.

School enrollment and retention is affected by weak curriculum in Sudanese schools and inadequate educational materials and teacher training. According to UNICEF, more than 40 percent of teachers are untrained. Ongoing conflict and the high cost of education, particularly in rural areas where parents have to pay school fees, also affect enrollment rates.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Sudan – Solar energy for “St. Joseph” Vocational Training Center in Khartum

Salesian Missions – Sudan

UNICEF – Sudan

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

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Together Chanwoo and Br. Bois opened a classroom at the St. Joseph’s Vocational Training Center sponsored by the graduates of the Seoul Don Bosco Center. The new classroom features 15 computers that will be used to teach CAD (computer-aided design). Brother Bois also gave lessons to the teachers to prepare them to teach classes.

Another classroom with 20 computers was opened, sponsored by a woman from Korea, and will be used to teach students how to use a keyboard to type in English and Arabic as well as learn the basic functions of the most commonly used computer programs. Brother Bois says, “What a joy it was to see all the computers turned on together.”

The support offered by Salesian graduates from Korea has grown each year. Last year, Salesian missionaries were provided two new lathes which were the first new machines the schools have had access to. Founded by Salesian Father Vincenzo Donati and brothers, Jim and Andrew Coming, the schools have lacked funding to purchase anything but second-hand machines which over time, have developed many problems. The Salesian vocational schools appreciate every bit of help from the outside in supporting their educational initiatives.

Brother Bois recalls, “I was at the St. Joseph’s Vocational Training Center in 1991–1992, and then too, the school only had a small budget. We could only buy second-hand machines. After we recruited 20 young people, I taught them for four months, then Jim Comino took my place. In collaboration with Fr. Vincenzo Donati, he developed the school until it was taking in 300 students.”

Brother Bois adds, “They also had a request from the local police to teach the boys from the prison. That very morning, two military trucks arrived at the school full of boys who were willing to learn the skills offered in the special courses prepared for them.”

One of the challenges facing the St. Joseph Vocational Training Center is a lack of qualified teachers. Most of the original teachers received their training at the center and had been recruited from refugee camps in the area that is now South Sudan. When South Sudan declared independence, the majority of teachers wanted to return to their homeland. Recruiting new teachers with the knowledge and experience in teaching practical subjects has been difficult.

A young Salesian missionary from India is currently working in the Sudan to bring the vocational training center back to what it had been, starting with the welding section where almost all the machines are close to unusable.

“We will try to see what we can do since we have still some of our budget left over. If we are called upon again and if it is the will of God, we are ready,” adds Br. Bois.

With more than 46 percent of its population living in poverty, the Sudan is one of the poorest countries in the world, according to UNICEF. Low incomes and food deficiencies are commonplace and ongoing violence and civil unrest exacerbate already harsh conditions. Despite these challenges, more youth are in school today than ever before with school attendance up to 73 percent compared to 68 percent in 2008. There remain, however, some 3.2 million children between the ages of 6 and 16 out of school with the highest rates among nomadic populations, those living in rural areas and in the poorest households.

School enrollment and retention is affected by weak curriculum in Sudanese schools and inadequate educational materials and teacher training (according to UNICEF, more than 40 percent of teachers are untrained). Ongoing conflict and the high cost of education, particularly in rural areas where parents have to pay school fees, also affect enrollment rates.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Sudan – “What a joy to see all the computers turned on!”

UNICEF – Sudan

The post SUDAN: Salesian graduates from Don Bosco Center in Seoul, Korea initiate projects to help Salesian vocational centers in Khartoum and El Obedid first appeared on MissionNewswire.

The school has been doing so well that it was the recent site of important government visits. In March 2017, the Queen of Qatar, Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser, visited the school. In December 2016, several members of the Sudan State Legislative Assembly visited it and in November 2016, the school hosted visits from officials with UNICEF and the Ministry of Education. All of the visits were in recognition of the exceptional vocational training students receive at the Salesian school.

Currently, the school has 220 students and issues recognized certificates in several three-year courses including general mechanics, auto-mechanics, welding, plumbing, carpentry, construction and electrical engineering. Career counseling and job placement services help students make the transition from the classroom into the workforce with more than 75 percent of graduates finding employment in their chosen field. Many students who attend the technical school are escaping the violence of a civil war that has torn apart South Sudan and disrupted its education system.

In addition, the school runs a primary school focused on literacy, which was started in 2005. Today, there are 242 children in the program. UNICEF in El Obeid supplies all the school materials for the literacy program, and the United Nations World Food Program supplies the food to feed the students one meal a day while at school.

From 2004 through December 2015, the school also ran a program bringing boys from Darfur to the school for an intensive 10-month training program in various technical trades. More than 5,000 students graduated from this program while in operation. The project aimed to educate poor youth but also helped them to unify. There had been much fighting in Darfur among local tribes but bringing the boys to the Don Bosco campus meant they had to learn and live together. This helped them go back united and bring a sense of peace to their communities.

“The Don Bosco Technical School is well known in the North Kordofan State and employers know that students from the school excel in their employment,” says Father Dominic P.D., director of the school. “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.”

With more than 46 percent of its population living in poverty, the Sudan is one of the poorest countries in the world, according to UNICEF. Low incomes and food deficiencies are commonplace and ongoing violence and civil unrest exacerbate already harsh conditions. Despite these challenges, more youth are in school today than ever before with school attendance up to 73 percent compared to 68 percent in 2008. There remain, however, some 3.2 million children between the ages of 6 and 16 out of school with the highest rates among nomadic populations, those living in rural areas and in the poorest households.

School enrollment and retention is affected by weak curriculums in Sudanese schools and inadequate educational materials and teacher training (according to UNICEF, more than 40 percent of teachers are untrained). Ongoing conflict and the high cost of education, particularly in rural areas where parents have to pay school fees, also affect enrollment rates.

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Sources:

ANS – Sudan – “They all appreciate the services offered by Don Bosco to the young”

UNICEF – Poverty in Sudan 

The post SUDAN: Don Bosco Technical School in El Obeid Has Trained Thousands of Poor Youth for Employment first appeared on MissionNewswire.

“Every child has a uniform and a hot meal every day, and the sick children are taken to the doctor,” says Sr. Teresa Roszkowska of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. “Visits are made to families living in very difficult conditions, in particular to young mothers. Some very poor families live close to our community, and we help them daily with supplies and food to eat.”

The school provides students a sense of normalcy and structure. Before classes begin the children have 15 minutes of gymnastics set to music. The exercises help the children to relax and calm down before classes. On Fridays and Sundays more than 300 children attend the youth center attached to the school, where children play games, watch a movie or just enjoy themselves with their peers. Some bathe and others wash their clothes, because where they live there is no water. At the end, youth are provided biscuits, sweets, soap or whatever other supplies that have been donated.

Once children finish the primary school, they are able to access secondary and technical training at the Salesian-run St. Joseph Technical School in Khartoum, which has been training poor and internally displaced youth since 1986. Shortly after its opening, enrollment at the school reached close to 900 students. Today, enrollment is just over 650 students and more than 50 are young offenders from local prisons working toward a second chance in life.

“Gaining an education can provide new opportunities young people never even imagined were possible,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “It’s more than just classroom training. Students have access to life skills that help them make better decisions and aid in later employment.”

Students at St. Joseph’s Technical School can choose from a range of programs including carpentry, electronics, auto mechanics and the operation of a printing press. Included in the programs are health services and food assistance. Career counseling and job placement services are also offered once students complete their studies.

“All youth deserve a chance at a better life,” adds Fr. Hyde. “At St. Joseph’s Technical School we help youth take responsibility for their own lives by providing them the skills to find and keep a job that will support themselves and help their communities.”

The Sudan is one of the poorest countries in the world, and according to UNICEF, has close to 46 percent of its population living in poverty. Low-incomes and food deficiencies are the norm and ongoing violence and civil unrest exacerbate already harsh conditions. Despite these conditions, more youth are in school today than ever before with school attendance up to 73 percent compared to 68 percent in 2008. There remain however, some 3.2 million children between the ages of six and 16 out of school. The rate of out of school children is highest among nomadic populations, those living in rural areas and in the poorest households.

School enrollment and retention is affected by weak curriculum in Sudanese schools, inadequate training of teachers (41 percent are untrained, according to UNICEF) and inadequate educational materials for students. Ongoing conflict and the high cost of education, particularly in rural areas where parents have to pay school fees, also affect enrollment rates. To meet the needs of the millions of out-of-school youth, Salesian missionaries in the Sudan work to educate poor youth and provide them a path out of poverty.

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Sources:

(PHOTO: ANS)

ANS – Sudan – The inhuman life of so many of our brothers and sisters

UNICEF – Sudan Statistics

The post SUDAN: Salesian Missionaries Provide Education to More Than 1,000 Students in Primary and Technical Education first appeared on MissionNewswire.

With a special focus on young offenders in juvenile detention centers, Salesian missionaries have been working with this population for 17 years. During the most recent academic year, Salesian Father Johnson Paulraj, rector of the community and director of reformatories, along with Mr. Fakreldeen, principal of the school, visited the juvenile detention centers at Kobar and Jeref and selected students to attend the program based on their interest and the intensity of their imprisonment.

“Gaining an education can provide new opportunities young people never even imagined were possible,” says Fr. Paulraj. “It’s more than just classroom training. Students have access to life skills that help them make better decisions and aid in later employment.”

Students at St. Joseph’s Technical School can choose from a range of programs including carpentry, electronics, auto mechanics and the operation of a printing press. Included in the programs are health services and food assistance. Career counseling and job placement services are also offered once students complete their studies.

“All youth deserve a chance at a better life,” says Fr. Paulraj. “At St. Joseph’s Technical School we help youth take responsibility for their own lives by providing them the skills to find and keep a job that will support themselves and help their communities.

Students are transported daily from the detention centers to the Salesian school. They are also provided breakfast before they attend classes. In addition to traditional classroom studies, students are also provided a chance to participate in recreation and sports programs. These activities provide these students to learn team building and problem solving skills while having the chance to release the stress and sadness of being incarcerated.

Through this program, students have an opportunity to use their time at the juvenile detention center wisely by gaining the skills and experience needed to find and retain employment once they are released. Instead of returning to a life of crime, they are able to positively contribute back to their communities.

The Sudan is one of the poorest countries in the world with 46 percent of its population living in poverty, according to UNICEF. Low incomes and food deficiencies are commonplace and ongoing violence and civil unrest exacerbate already harsh conditions. Despite these challenges, more youth are in school today than ever before with school attendance up to 73 percent compared to 68 percent in 2008. There remain, however, some 3.2 million children between the ages of six and 16, out of school, with the highest rates among nomadic populations and those living in rural areas and in the poorest households.

School enrollment and retention is affected by weak curriculum in Sudanese schools and inadequate educational materials and teacher training (according to UNICEF, more than 40 percent of teachers are untrained). Ongoing conflict and the high cost of education, particularly in rural areas where parents have to pay school fees, also affect enrollment rates.

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Sources:

Salesian Newsletter – Juvenile Delinquents Reformed through Don Bosco Ways

UNICEF – Poverty in Sudan 

The post SUDAN: Salesian Programs Offer a Second Chance to Youth Offenders by Providing Education, Path Out of Poverty first appeared on MissionNewswire.

“At a time of such change and turmoil, this region simply cannot afford to let 21 million children fall by the wayside,” said Maria Calivis, regional director for UNICEF MENA (Middle East and North Africa), said in a statement from Beirut.

“These children must be given the opportunity to acquire the skills they need through education in order to play their part in the region’s transformation,” she added. According to a joint report released by UNICEF and the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), a 40 per cent reduction in the number of out-of-school children in the MENA region over the past decade provided hope and opportunities for millions.

According to the report, 12.3 million children and young adolescents in the Middle East and North Africa are out of school. In addition, according to recent calculations, more six million children and young adolescents are at risk of dropping out.

An additional three million children are out of school in Syria and Iraq, where conflict has destroyed large parts of the education system. As the violence expands, millions more are at risk of becoming a ‘lost generation’ deprived of the knowledge and skills needed to be successful adults.

Working to provide a safety net for youth in situations like this is the focus of the Salesians of Don Bosco, which operates schools, youth centers and humanitarian aid programs in some of the countries outlined in the report (as part of the more than 130 countries they serve).

“All youth deserve a chance at a better life,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Salesian schools 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.”

SYRIA

In Syria, Salesian missionaries continue to provide for Syrian youth and families in need at three centers. Each of the three centers is staffed by three Salesian priests and a deacon and have been in operation since well before the start of the war providing educational classes, meeting space and social development and sporting activities to youth and their families. The centers also offer trauma counseling, emergency shelter, nutritious meals and medical referrals to those in need.

Several other countries around the region are experiencing armed conflicts or political turmoil that prevents children from learning, according to the join report.

Full regional recommendations and country-specific recommendations outlined in the report can be found at www.oosci-mena.org.

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PHOTO CREDITS:

Main photo: Getty Images © austinmann – child in a Unicef tent in Sudan

Other photos courtesy of the Don Bosco Vocational Training Centre – El Obeid

SOURCES:

Original press release on the release of the report from the UN Press Centre

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Out-of-School Children Initiative (OOSCI)

UNESCO: Education for All Global Monitoring Report (PDF of full report, available here

MissionNewswire: SYRIA: Salesian Missionaries Continue to Provide for Syrian Youth and Families in Need at Three Centers within Syria

MissionNewswire: SUDAN: More than 1,200 Youth Receive Education, Employment Opportunities at Salesian Technical School

MissionNewswire: SUDAN: Degree Training Programs Help Youth Find Stable Employment

The post MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA: Protecting Education for Children in Conflict first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Offering one-year intensive training programs in auto mechanics, general mechanics, welding, electricity, building, carpentry and plumbing, the technical school trains its students in the skills necessary to become qualified professionals. Career counseling and job placement services help students make the transition from the classroom into the workforce with more than 75 percent of graduates finding employment in their chosen field.

In response to a need for more advanced professional training in 2004, the technical school expanded its offerings to include more extensive three-year degree programs. Since then, more than 300 students have successfully completed three-year degree programs with 80 percent of those graduating finding stable employment in their field of study.

Many students who attend the technical school are escaping the violence of a civil war that has torn apart South Sudan and disrupted its education system. Joseph, a 15 year old boy, was forced to abandon his home and flee to a refugee camp where he found few opportunities to gain an education. Since being accepted into the Don Bosco Technical Center, he is being educated and learning a trade, giving him the opportunity for future employment and a productive, stable life. He is one of 400 boys who attend the school from around the country.

“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.”

With more than 46 percent of its population living in poverty, the Sudan is one of the poorest countries in the world, according to UNICEF. Low incomes and food deficiencies are commonplace and ongoing violence and civil unrest exacerbate already harsh conditions. Despite these challenges, more youth are in school today than ever before with school attendance up to 73 percent compared to 68 percent in 2008. There remain, however, some 3.2 million children between the ages of six and 16 out of school with the highest rates among nomadic populations, those living in rural areas and in the poorest households.

School enrollment and retention is affected by weak curriculums in Sudanese schools and inadequate educational materials and teacher training (according to UNICEF, more than 40 percent of teachers are untrained). Ongoing conflict and the high cost of education, particularly in rural areas where parents have to pay school fees, also affect enrollment rates.

“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.”

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Sources

Don Bosco Vocational Training Centre – El Obeid

UNICEF – Poverty in Sudan 

The post SUDAN: More than 1,200 Youth Receive Education, Employment Opportunities at Salesian Technical School first appeared on MissionNewswire.

School enrollment and retention is affected by weak curriculums in Sudanese schools and inadequate educational materials and teacher training (according to UNICEF, more than 40 percent of teachers are untrained). Ongoing conflict and the high cost of education, particularly in rural areas where parents have to pay school fees, also affect enrollment rates.

To meet the needs of the millions of out-of-school youth, Salesians in the Sudan are working to educate poor youth and provide them a path out of poverty. The Salesian-run Don Bosco Technical School in El Obeid, the capital of the state of North Kordofan in southern Sudan, has been providing services and educational opportunities for poor youth since 2001. Since its inception, more than 1000 youth have received education, training and workforce development services.

Don Bosco Technical School offers a variety of programs to best meet the needs of the youth it serves. Soon after the school opened, one-year intensive training programs began in auto mechanics, general mechanics, welding, electricity, building, carpentry and plumbing. These programs trained students to become qualified professionals, ready to join the workforce. And with career counseling and job placement services provided once students complete their studies, close to 70 percent of the more than 600 graduates of these programs have found stable employment in their chosen fields.

In 2004, the technical school expanded to offer more extensive, three-year degree programs. Sine then, more than 300 students have successfully completed the three-year degree programs with 80 percent of those graduating finding stable employment in their field of study.

“Gaining an education can provide new opportunities young people never imagined were 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 their students, allowing them to focus on their studies while gaining life skills to help them make better decisions and find future employment.”

Salesian programs in the Sudan also offer students a chance to access health services and nutritional assistance. One program for street youth provides 24 hour care to 35 young boys and gives them access to free housing, nutrition, school fees, medication and clothing. An evening program provides educational opportunities to an additional 120 young boys and girls who receive a free education, textbooks, school stationery and an evening meal.

“All youth deserve a chance at a better life,” adds Fr. Hyde. “At Don Bosco Technical School, Salesians 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.”

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Sources:

Don Bosco Vocational Training Centre – El Obeid

UNCEF – Poverty in Sudan 

The post SUDAN: Degree Training Programs Help Youth Find Stable Employment first appeared on MissionNewswire.

School enrollment and retention is affected by weak curriculums in Sudanese schools, inadequate training of teachers (41 percent are untrained, according to UNICEF) and inadequate educational materials for students. Ongoing conflict and the high cost of education, particularly in rural areas where parents have to pay school fees, also affect enrollment rates.

To meet the needs of the millions of out-of-school youth, Salesians in the Sudan work to educate poor youth and provide them a path out of poverty. The Salesian-run St. Joseph Technical School in Khartoum has been training poor and internally displaced youth since 1986. Shortly after its opening, enrollment at the school reached close to 900 students. Today, enrollment is just over 650 students and more than 50 are young offenders from local prisons working toward a second chance in life.

“Gaining an education can provide new opportunities young people never even imagined were possible,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “It’s more than just classroom training. Students have access to life skills that help them make better decisions and aid in later employment.”

Students at St. Joseph’s Technical School can choose from a range of programs including carpentry, electronics, auto mechanics and the operation of a printing press. Included in the programs are health services and food assistance. Career counseling and job placement services are also offered once students complete their studies.

“All youth deserve a chance at a better life,” adds Fr. Hyde. “At St. Joseph’s Technical School we help youth take responsibility for their own lives by providing them the skills to find and keep a job that will support themselves and help their communities.”

The Salesian commitment to teacher training as a critical indicator of student success is seen in the Sudan where educators are forced to tackle more than teaching basic coursework. The training helps educators address issues they are confronted with in their classrooms while advancing their professional skills.

Recently, 53 students enrolled in a three week Salesian-run teacher training program received nationally-recognized teacher certification. The course was run by Salesian International Voluntary Service for Development (VIS) volunteers who trained students at the public centers for professional training in Khartoum and El Obeid. The training included theoretical education and practical hands-on training to impart the skills needed for technical training.

The newly certified teachers will work directly with Sudanese students in classroom settings, educating and training them in the hopes they will go on to find livable wage employment to break the cycle of poverty.

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Sources

Salesians of Don Bosco South Sudan– St. Joseph’s Technical School

UNICEF – Sudan Statistics

The post SUDAN: Students Gain Nationally-Recognized Teacher Certification at Salesian-run St. Joseph’s Technical School first appeared on MissionNewswire.

In early July, Salesian International Voluntary Service for Development (VIS) volunteers conducted a training workshop on psycho-pedagogical techniques for teachers in primary schools and some junior secondary schools that collaborate with the Don Bosco Vocational Training Center in El Obeid.

The training was created based on the expressed needs of teachers at the schools who had provided input based on their everyday work experience and specific issues that had arisen with their students. Out of the teachers’ self-assessments, four main themes were identified and highlighted during the training. The workshops focused on aspects of trauma counseling that foster skills in listening to students in high-risk situations, classroom management and teaching methods, communication and stress management.

Fifty teachers attended the week-long training consisting of five lessons of four hours each. Led by Nasreen Hassan, a psychologist and trainer with the Sudanese Ministry of Health and Jafar Mahmud, a psychologist and trainer with Jasmar, a local nongovernmental organization, the teachers participated in lectures, discussions, group work and role play centered on their individual experiences.

“Salesian educators have a very important job to do and play a very important role in their student’s lives,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Our students often have complicated backgrounds and complex needs. They come from very poor conditions and some have experienced violence and hardship children should never have to face.”

“Training like this helps prepare our teachers to be better educators and to better serve their students,” adds Fr. Hyde.

Salesian VIS volunteers have been working in the Sudan since 2006 and established themselves in El Obeid in early 2013 to improve the education and training offered by the Don Bosco Vocational Training Center and its network of partners.

VIS volunteers work in other areas of the Sudan as well, including Khartoum, Wau, Tonj and Nyala. They offer job-oriented, vocational training to youth from refugee camps in Khartoum and Darfur, improve access to schooling for returnee communities in Southern Sudan and empower women through livelihood skills training. The VIS volunteers, together with their primary partner, the Salesians of Don Bosco, are bringing hope for a brighter future to thousands of Sudanese people.

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Sources

ANS – Sudan – Psycho-pedagogical training for teachers

UNICEF – Sudan Statistics

Don Bosco Vocational Training Center in El Obeid

The post SUDAN: Teacher Training Helps Educators Learn New Skills for Teaching High-Risk Students first appeared on MissionNewswire.

According to the UN Refugee Agency, more than 113,000 Sudanese refugees are in refugee camps in South Sudan’s Upper Nile and another 67,000 in Unity State. Years of war have displaced many from their homes. Most recently, an outbreak of hepatitis E has affected more than 6,000 people in South Sudan refugee camps since July. The agency is reporting that 111 of those infected have died.

Late this past January, Gabriele Buracchi, a VIS volunteer, spent time at the Mayo Camp.

“When we arrived the schools were packed with children from six to 14 years of age ready to welcome the visitors,” says Buracchi. “It was a happy atmosphere, with local songs and national anthems of both South and North Sudan and a good sign of respect and integration between the two macro-communities in the country.”

“The pupils were at ease and when we asked them what big things they wanted to achieve, a host of hands shot up, all wanting to express their wish,” adds Buracchi.

The happy atmosphere was in contrast to the reality of the struggles of those in the camps. Buracchi witnessed five students sharing a plate of lentils and one bread roll. A teacher explained that there isn’t enough food available for the children so they must share. Books are lacking but students and teachers get creative by making block notes by cutting educational exercise books in half and holding the pages together with sticky tape.

The Salesians in the camp make do as well as they can under the circumstances, prioritizing keeping the children safe and continuing on with their studies. Education remains the focus as a way of helping youth achieve a viable future.

“I have seen there is much to be done,” says Buracchi. “There are a total of 17 classrooms, five made of brick, seven of earth and straw and the rest have all collapsed because of a lack of funds to repair them at the end of the rainy season. The same goes for the toilets – all in bad disrepair because of the weather.”

“One finds uncertainty at the end of the day, on one hand discouragement and the other encouragement,” adds Buracchi. “After seeing the situation, the motivation of students and teachers, those helping and believing in things, keeping on with the hard work seems the only way to go.”

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Sources

ANS – Sudan – A Day in the Refugee Camp at Mayo

UNHCR – Hepatitis E affects thousands, kills 111 in South Sudan refugee camps

The post SUDAN: Salesians Provide Education, Give Hope to Youth in Refugee Camp first appeared on MissionNewswire.