UGANDA

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Uganda

UNHCR – Uganda Refugees

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UGANDA

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Rise Against Hunger

Salesian Missions – Uganda

World Bank – Uganda

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

UGANDA

Center ensures education remains a pathway out of poverty

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Children and Life Mission (CALM) in Namugongo, Uganda is part of the “You are daily bread” project supported by Mission Don Bosco in Turin, Italy. The project helps support youth in accessing education and thriving once they are in school.

A Salesian explained, “Back to school time brings with it the excitement for many. The streets are full of children and young people with colorful school bags and dreams in their hearts. They return to school ready to build their future. But not for everyone. Millions of children in the world do not even know about school or cannot attend it because they are too poor, too far away or are living on the streets forced to survive.”

The Salesian added, “This is why education is at the forefront of what Salesian missionaries provide around the globe. Education is a pathway out of poverty, but we need to make sure vulnerable youth have access not only to school but to the supports that help them thrive once they are there.”

Mission Don Bosco is helping support youth in school not only at Don Bosco CALM but at Don Bosco Deodurga in India and the Don Bosco Boys Home in Sunyani, Ghana.  The Salesian noted, “Thanks to the generosity of so many benefactors from all over the world, these centers enable so many youth to go to school, and even more, to experience the joy and serenity of their childhood.”

Don Bosco CALM rescues, rehabilitates and reintegrates children who have been living on the street back into society. Salesians meet basic needs and provide education, socio-cultural activities and recreation — such as sports programming — to help youth have a bright future.

Salesians work primarily with boys without homes and those who have been orphaned, battered and neglected. Salesians also provide support for other vulnerable youth and children, including those with HIV/AIDS. All of the children are in school with some attending Don Bosco Primary School, Salesian secondary schools and vocational training institutes.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Uganda – School starts at CALM too

Salesian Missions – Uganda

World Bank – Uganda

The post UGANDA: Youth supported to gain an education at Don Bosco CALM first appeared on MissionNewswire.

UGANDA

(MissionNewswire) The Salesian Vocational Training School, located inside of the Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp in Uganda, has a new high-capacity water tank thanks to funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The funding is part of the Salesian Missions “Clean Water Initiative.”

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

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

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

Ozele Pascal, aged 32, is one of the beneficiaries who lives at the camp. Originally from the Alur tribe in the Democratic Republic of Congo, he serves as a volunteer in agricultural activities, including crop cultivation and animal husbandry. He is also employed as a gardener at Don Bosco Mission Palabek.

Pascal said, “My hope is to see the community focus on sustainable food production through kitchen gardening and the construction of decent housing, including homes, latrines, and shelters. I wish for improved access to clothes and basic needs, better hygiene, and moral development within the community.”

He added, “Before the installation of the 150,000-liter water tank, we faced significant water shortages, especially during the dry season. Access to sufficient water for drinking, hygiene, cooking and sanitation was a major challenge. The absence of an irrigation system meant limited capacity to irrigate crops, which affected food production. When I saw the installation of the water tank, I was very excited. I thought the tank was enormous and recognized its purpose for water storage. I was happy about this development because it signified an improvement in our water access. I am optimistic that it will positively impact our community.”

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Uganda

UNHCR – Uganda Refugees

The post UGANDA: Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp has new water tank thanks to funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

UGANDA

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries were able to establish a sick bay for children who are ill at Don Bosco CALM Nursery and Primary School in Uganda thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The sick bay will provide services to more than 700 children.

Uganda faces significant challenges in providing health care, particularly to vulnerable populations, including children from low-income backgrounds. Limited access to health care facilities, a high disease prevalence and limited financial resources make it difficult for children to receive timely and adequate medical care.

A Salesian explained, “Establishing a sick bay at Don Bosco CALM ensures that children have the immediate medical care that they need, ensuring that minor injuries and illness are treated properly. This will also help manage chronic conditions, provide first aid, and offer preventive care like vaccinations, hygiene education and nutritional support that children need. Further, this will help cut down on time lost from school due to illness, allowing children to grow up healthy and have a better quality of life.”

Nine-year-old Daniel is one of the children who has received care in the new area. He used to be frequently sick and missed many days of school. He said, “I used to stay in bed for days when I got sick. At the sick bay, the nurse is kind and I don’t fear being sick anymore.”

The sick bay is staffed by a nurse who assess and treats the children. She said, “When Daniel first came in, he was scared and in pain. But soon, he was back to playing soccer with his friends.”

Don Bosco CALM rescues, rehabilitates and reintegrates children who have been living on the street back into society. Salesians meet basic needs and provide education, socio-cultural activities, and recreation such as sports programming to help youth have a bright future.

Salesians work primarily with boys without homes and those who have been orphaned, battered, and neglected. Salesians also provide support for other vulnerable youth and children, including those with HIV/AIDS. All of the children are in school with some attending Don Bosco Primary School, Salesian secondary schools and vocational training institutes.

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Uganda

World Bank – Uganda

The post UGANDA: Don Bosco CALM establishes sick bay for children thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

UGANDA

(MissionNewswire) More than 2,100 youth at Salesian schools in Uganda have access to better nutrition through a partnership between Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, and Rise Against Hunger, an international humanitarian organization growing a global movement to end hunger. Three Salesian schools received meals in the second half of 2024.

More than 650 youth at Don Bosco Children and Life Mission (Don Bosco CALM) benefited from the nutritious meals, as well as more than 1,000 students at the Don Bosco School Bombo and close to 400 students at the Salesian vocational school in Kamuli.

In Uganda, like the rest of East Africa, food prices have increased, which has in turn impacted feeding programs at Salesian schools. These economic challenges are a result of climate change that affected the agriculture sector, doubling the cost of basic food staples like maize, rice and beans.

A Salesian noted, “The Rise Against Hunger meals supported the academic activities at the Salesian centers. The meals provided adequate nutrition for the students and staff, allowing them to continue their teaching and learning activities without interruption. At the center in Kamuli, the donation uplifted community spirit and strengthened the bond among parents and stakeholders, who appreciated the assistance during a tough period. It also enabled the school to channel its scarce resources into other pressing priorities, such as procuring teaching materials and maintaining facilities, thereby enhancing the learning environment.”

One of the recipients at Don Bosco CALM was David Musoke, age 18, who is living with HIV. He is now going to secondary school and getting the medication he needs, and he has a safe place to stay that provides nutritious meals.

The meal program has made a big difference in Musoke’s life. He said, “My immune system has improved, and I don’t get sick as often. I have more energy for school and playing with my friends. I want to become a doctor and be able to help other children like me have a better life.”

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

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Don Bosco CALM

Rise Against Hunger

Salesian Missions – Uganda

World Bank – Uganda

The post UGANDA: More than 2,100 youth receive Rise Against Hunger meals through a partnership with Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

UGANDA

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries in the Atede community in the Gulu district of Uganda have been able to purchase land for a new agriculture school thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The new Salesian school will provide a source of education for poor youth while also growing food to address food security issues. Currently, the district only has a few secondary schools and one vocational school.

The new school will feature areas for livestock as well as land for growing staple crops like maize, sweet potatoes and other vegetables. The harvest from these crops will help bolster the school’s feeding programs for its students. Students will also learn how to run an agribusiness to sell the surplus.

A Salesian explained, “The school will focus on teaching students sustainable and environmentally friendly farming techniques. They will have practical and hands-on lessons that will also incorporate education on agribusiness. Salesians will also focus on agriculture research, experimentation and innovation. The bonds between the school and the local community will strengthen through these agriculture initiatives.”

Nearly 21% of the population in Uganda lives below the poverty line, according to the World Bank. This number rises to 33% for those living in the northern region where poverty is greatest. While the country has seen some economic growth as well as improvement in its U.N. Human Development Index ranking over the last 20 years, the country still ranks near the bottom at 159 out of 193 countries. After decades of war left many displaced, the people of Uganda face many significant challenges as they work to rebuild their country.

Uganda’s literacy rate has improved with 73% of the population literate, but only 23% of Ugandans go on to acquire a secondary education. According to UNICEF, one of the biggest challenges in the country is combating the serious increase of HIV/AIDS that has left millions of children orphaned.

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Uganda

World Bank – Uganda

The post UGANDA: Salesian missionaries purchase land for agriculture school thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

UGANDA

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries living and working among the refugees at Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp in the border town of Palabek, Uganda, aim to focus some of their programmatic efforts on young mothers. The camp is currently home to nearly 72,000 refugees and asylum seekers, mostly from South Sudan, and 60% are under age 13. Salesians have been supporting refugees since the opening of the camp in 2016.

According to the rules of the education system in Uganda, students who are pregnant or nursing mothers cannot attend school, which means that many of these young women do not receive the education and training they need.

A Salesian explained, “If they do go to school, they usually stop breastfeeding because they do not have facilities to have their babies nearby when they are in class. This is something unthinkable for many of these young mothers, who do not have other means to feed their babies.”

The Salesian added, “Almost all of these teenage mothers in Palabek have fled war and have not had the time or support they need to develop, improve their self-esteem, or learn how to look after children. They need training and information on how to care for their babies and themselves. It is difficult for them to maintain basic hygiene routines and healthy habits due to the lack of external supports available to them.”

Salesians want to create a safe space for babies to stay while mothers are in class. This would make it easier for these mothers to continue breastfeeding and would give them peace of mind. The goal is to be able to provide skills training and emotional education to promote healthy habits, good hygiene, and higher self-esteem.

The Salesian explained, “We are sure that with a little support and a program dedicated to these young mothers, the future will be better and brighter for all of them. A future full of hope, dreams, and joy for them and their babies. Through Don Bosco, they could overcome the challenges they face, develop their talents, make friends, build peace, train in leadership skills, and be well-equipped for the future.”

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Sources:

Photo and information courtesy of Salesians of Ireland

ANS – Uganda – The Teenage Mothers of Palabek

Salesian Missions – Uganda

UNHCR – Uganda Refugees

The post UGANDA: Salesians aim to help teen mothers in refugee resettlement camp first appeared on MissionNewswire.

UGANDA

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries with Don Bosco Children and Life Mission (Don Bosco CALM), in Namugongo, northeast of Kampala, Uganda, had the funding for a rain harvest water system thanks to the Salesian Missions “Clean Water Initiative.” Salesian Missions is the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The project was completed in June 2024.

The new water system has ensured reliable clean water for the 558 students at the Salesian school along with staff, others on campus and people in the nearby community. The water is available for drinking, cooking and hygiene. The new system is also working to ensure that the campus no longer floods during heavy rains by controlling the impact of running water over the grounds. With the addition of the new system, Salesians are saving money on expensive water bills and can reinvest this money into the school.

Okori Timothy, age 10, is one of the students who have benefited from the project. He explained, “Before the new water system, my friends and I struggled to have the water we needed for washing clothes and for bathing. During the rainy season it was difficult to play because the field would be flooded. This new water system is solving both problems. We have the water we need and can use the grounds to play and be with our friends.”

Don Bosco CALM rescues, rehabilitates and reintegrates street children back into society. Salesians meet basic needs and provide education, socio-cultural activities, and recreation such as sports programming to help youth have a bright future.

Salesians work primarily with boys without homes and those who have been orphaned, battered, and neglected. Salesians also provide support for other vulnerable youth and children, including those with HIV/AIDS. All of the children are in school with some attending Don Bosco Primary School, Salesian secondary schools and vocational training institutes.

Uganda’s literacy rate has improved with 73% of the population literate, but only 23% of Ugandans go on to acquire a secondary education. Nearly 21% of the population in Uganda lives below the poverty line, according to the World Bank. This number rises to 33% for those living in the northern region where poverty is greatest. While the country has seen some economic growth as well as improvement in its U.N. Human Development Index ranking over the last 20 years, the country still ranked near the bottom at 159 out of 193 countries in 2024.

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Don Bosco CALM

Salesian Missions – Uganda

World Bank – Uganda

The post UGANDA: School benefits from new water harvesting system thanks to the Salesian Missions ‘Clean Water Initiative’ first appeared on MissionNewswire.

UGANDA

(MissionNewswire) Close to 1,700 youth at Salesian schools in Uganda have better nutrition through 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. Four Salesian schools received a donation in the first half of 2024.

More than 600 youth at Don Bosco Children and Life Mission (Don Bosco CALM) benefited from the nutritious meals, as well as nearly 700 students at the Don Bosco School Bombo and 380 students at the Salesian vocational schools in Bombo and Kamuli.

In Uganda, like the rest of East Africa, food prices have increased, which has in turn impacted feeding programs at Salesian schools. These economic challenges are a result of climate change that affected the agriculture sector, doubling the cost of basic food staples like maize, rice and beans.

A Salesian noted, “We struggle to access basic foodstuffs like we used to. The price of food keeps increasing. The deployment of armed forces, due to the upcoming election, in the towns also makes people have doubts about what will happen tomorrow and scares off some of the farmers from participating in the local markets because they have no guarantee that their efforts will not be wiped out by violence.”

The Salesian added, “The Rise Against Hunger donation helped us to manage the crises that had impacted the schools. We did not have to struggle to provide meals for our students, who have been able to continue with their academic activities.”

One of the students is Kalema Ronald, age 14, who is in grade seven at Don Bosco Nursery and Primary School. He lives with his mother who works as a vendor in the market, and he came to Don Bosco CALM after his mother reached out for support for his education. He explained, “Before the Rise Against Hunger meals at Don Bosco CALM, my friends and I struggled to have a balanced diet because we were only eating posho and beans for lunch and supper.”

Salesians report that the meals have helped the students have the energy, confidence, and strength they need to focus on their studies and excel in school. Ronald wants to go into business after he’s done with school. “I thank the donors and providers of the Rise Against Hunger meals for their support of children in need.”

Don Bosco CALM rescues, rehabilitates and reintegrates children who are living on the street back into society. Along with meeting basic needs, Salesians provide education, socio-cultural activities and recreation to help youth have a bright future.

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

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Don Bosco CALM

Rise Against Hunger

Salesian Missions – Uganda

World Bank – Uganda

The post UGANDA: Close to 1,700 youth receive Rise Against Hunger meals through partnership with Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

UGANDA

(MissionNewswire) Nearly 1,700 youth at Salesian schools in Uganda had better nutrition 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.

More than 600 youth at Don Bosco Children and Life Mission (Don Bosco CALM) received fortified rice-meals provided by Rise Against Hunger, as well as nearly 700 students at the Don Bosco School Bombo and 380 students at the Salesian vocational schools in Bombo and Kamuli.

Don Bosco CALM rescues, rehabilitates and reintegrates children who are living on the street back into society. Along with meeting basic needs, Salesians provide education, socio-cultural activities, and recreation such as sports programming to help youth have a bright future.

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

One of the recipients of the meals is Edward Kavuma, age 12. He attends primary school at the Don Bosco Nursery and Primary School and lives with his aunt who is a subsistence farmer in a rural community in Wakiso. He previously was not studying because his aunt could not afford the school fees.

He said, “Before this Rise Against Hunger donation, it was a challenge to have a balanced diet as we were only eating posho and beans for lunch and supper because it is what the school administration could afford.”

The Rise Against Hunger meals have increased the well-being of the students because the meals are rich in nutrients. Kavuma and his classmates found the meals delicious, and the meals gave them the confidence and strength to continue with their studies. Kavuma added, “I want to be a doctor in the future and I have confidence that I will.”

The students at the vocational schools have also echoed how important the meals are for their well-being. Alex Mulangira, age 22 and a student at Don Bosco Vocational Training School Bombo, said, “Before the donation, my classmates and I would often go hungry at school because we did not have food for lunch. Some of the students dropped out because of this. With the Rise Against Hunger meals, we all have the strength and confidence to continue studying. This is important because I am studying to become a plumber and know now I will succeed.”

Uganda’s literacy rate has improved with 73% of the population literate, but only 23% of Ugandans go on to acquire a secondary education. Nearly 21% of the population in Uganda lives below the poverty line, according to the World Bank. This number rises to 33% for those living in the northern region where poverty is greatest.

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Don Bosco CALM

Rise Against Hunger

Salesian Missions – Uganda

World Bank – Uganda

The post UGANDA: Nearly 1,700 students receive Rise Against Hunger meals thanks to partnership with Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

UGANDA

(MissionNewswire) Students attending Don Bosco Primary School, part of Don Bosco Children and Life Mission (Don Bosco CALM), in Namugongo, northeast of Kampala, Uganda, received new school uniforms, sports uniforms and school supplies thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco.

The 200 children, ages 5-13, were from families most in need. They could not afford to buy their children new school uniforms or the school supplies to take part in educational activities.

Mbabazi Prosper, age 9, was one of the recipients. He lives with his grandmother who is unable to buy the things he needs for school. Prosper said, “I was not going to school before because my grandmother could not afford the school fees. Now I study at Don Bosco and I’m sure I will succeed in the future. Thanks to the donors we received new uniforms, books and pencils that allow us to participate in school. We are all grateful.”

Many of the students who received the donation drew pictures and wrote notes in thanks for the donation that allows them to fully participate in their education.

Don Bosco CALM rescues, rehabilitates and reintegrates street children back into society. Salesians meet basic needs and provide education, socio-cultural activities, and recreation such as sports programming to help youth have a bright future.

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

Uganda’s literacy rate has improved with 73% of the population literate, but only 23% of Ugandans go on to acquire a secondary education. Nearly 21% of the population in Uganda lives below the poverty line, according to the World Bank. This number rises to 33% for those living in the northern region where poverty is greatest. While the country has seen some economic growth as well as improvement in its U.N. Human Development Index ranking over the last 20 years, the country still ranked near the bottom at 166 out of 191 countries in 2022.

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Don Bosco CALM

Salesian Missions – Uganda

World Bank – Uganda

The post UGANDA: Students receive new school uniforms, supplies through funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

UGANDA

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries live and work among the refugees at Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp in the border town of Palabek, Uganda. They have been supporting refugees since the opening of the camp in 2016.

Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp is currently home to nearly 72,000 refugees and asylum seekers, mostly from South Sudan, and 60% are under age 13. It was officially set up to reduce congestion in larger refugee camps in the northwestern corner of Uganda. The country has 28 refugee camps for people from Ethiopia, Somalia, Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Sudan and South Sudan. Nearly 1.5 million refugees reside in Uganda, according to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR).

Palabek is not the typical African refugee camp but rather a settlement where local Ugandans from the north of the country and newcomers live together. The site provides a safe haven for many people who have lost their homes and loved ones to conflict, violence and persecution.

Salesians have established schools including a vocational training center and a parish, built a church and 17 chapels in nearby villages, and helped with education, food distribution and pastoral work. They organize youth sports and music. Education is a primary focus and one of the most effective tools young refugees can use to build their future.

Father Ubaldino Andrade, rector of the Salesian community in Palabek, said, “We need more Salesians to work in Palabek. Many young people are growing up without the care of parents who have returned to South Sudan.”

The Salesians in Palabek explained that refugees live in extreme poverty, working hard every day to survive and eating very little, sometimes only once a day. Many youth are forced to leave school to work breaking stones, making coal or collecting firewood. Others work in agriculture, planting maize or looking after animals. The few who manage to go to school have to walk long distances and lack educational materials and sufficient food. Many become mothers and fathers at a very young age, with no livelihood, experience or job.

Uganda is known for its unique and humanitarian refugee policy. The country welcomes refugees and grants them the right to work and freedom of movement. Despite the difficult living conditions and the trauma, refugees in the Palabek settlement form a community based on mutual support and solidarity. Local authorities and organizations are working to ensure security and maintain peace in the settlement. Residents of the surrounding villages and towns often share their resources with the refugees and help them integrate.

Salesian missionaries also operate in communities outside of Palabek including a refugee settlement in Kyaka. Their goal is to provide more locations for educational and pastoral work as more resources become available.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Uganda – Palabek: this is not a refugee camp

Salesian Missions – Uganda

UNHCR – Uganda Refugees

The post UGANDA: Salesians provide education and support for young refugees first appeared on MissionNewswire.

UGANDA

(MissionNewswire) Workshops with eco-club members were recently held at three vocational training centers in Palabek, Bombo and Kamuli, Uganda. Youth were trained on topics such as climate-friendly agriculture, waste management, solar technology and sustainable business development. The participants were able to take this knowledge back to their training centers after the workshop. The goal is to ensure that as many youth as possible have access to this important information.

A Salesian missionary said, “Environmental protection and sustainability have a permanent place at training centers in Uganda. At many Don Bosco schools and vocational training centers around the globe there are now eco-clubs that work locally for environmental and climate protection.”

The eco-clubs and focus on sustainability were motivated by the teachings of Pope Francis’ 2020 Laudato Si’, which underlined the importance of education and training that will help youth foster environmental responsibility.

Salesian vocational training centers offers a number of courses in construction, electrical installation, electrical repair, electronics, hospitality, tourism, materials development and textiles. Because Salesian missionaries live in the communities in which they work, they are able to develop courses that give students the skills necessary to meet the demands of the local job market. The goal being to help each student transition out of the classroom directly into work.

Nearly 21% of the population in Uganda lives below the poverty line, according to the World Bank. This number rises to 33% for those living in the northern region where poverty is greatest. While seeing some economic growth as well as improvement in its United Nations Human Development Index ranking over the last 20 years, Uganda still ranks near the bottom at 159 out of 189 countries. After decades of war left many displaced, the people of Uganda face many significant challenges as they work to rebuild their country.

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Photo courtesy of Don Bosco Green Alliance

Don Bosco Green Alliance – Sustainability workshop organized in Uganda

Salesian Missions – Uganda

World Bank – Uganda

The post UGANDA: Youth learn to protect environment first appeared on MissionNewswire.

UGANDA

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries run Don Bosco Children and Life Mission (Don Bosco CALM), located in the town of Namugongo, just northeast of the city of Kampala, Uganda. The Salesian organization rescues, rehabilitates and reintegrates street children back into society. Salesians meet basic needs and provide education, socio-cultural activities and recreation like sports programming to help youth have a bright future.

Don Bosco CALM works primarily with homeless boys and those who have been orphaned, battered, and neglected. They also work with other vulnerable youth and children, including those who are HIV/AIDS positive. Currently, the organization has 165 children in its care. All of the children are in school with some attending Don Bosco Primary School, Salesian secondary schools and vocational training institutes.

Peter is one of the youth at Don Bosco CALM. When he was only 9 months old, his mother placed him in the care of his grandmother and then disappeared from his life. At age 6, Peter lost his father. When none of his other family members could take care of him, he spent seven years on the streets.

Thanks to intervention by Peter’s aunt, he went to live at Don Bosco CALM, where he had trusting adults to provide support. One Salesian said, “As soon as he arrived, he received the care he needed and was enrolled in school. At school, he discovered the desire to study, obtained very good scores, and always stood out for his commitment and results. Today, Peter happily attends secondary school and gives everyone a smile, cheerfulness and his gratitude for this journey.”

Nearly 21% of the population in Uganda lives below the poverty line, according to the World Bank. This number rises to 33% for those living in the northern region where poverty is greatest. While the country has seen some economic growth as well as improvement in its U.N. Human Development Index ranking over the last 20 years, the country still ranks near the bottom at 166 out of 191 countries in 2022. After decades of war left many displaced, the people of Uganda face many significant challenges as they work to rebuild their country.

Uganda’s literacy rate has improved with 73% of the population literate, but only 23% of Ugandans go on to acquire a secondary education. According to UNICEF, one of the biggest challenges in the country is combating the serious increase of HIV/AIDS that has left millions of children orphaned.

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

ANS – Africa – Bread of hope and rebirth in Mekanissa and CALM

Don Bosco CALM

Salesian Missions – Uganda

World Bank – Uganda

The post UGANDA: Homeless youth find hope for bright future first appeared on MissionNewswire.

UGANDA

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries live and work among the refugees at Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp in Uganda. While other humanitarian organizations provide services to the camp, the Salesians are the only ones living there among the people. They have been supporting refugees since the opening of the camp in 2016.

Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp is currently home to nearly 72,000 refugees and asylum seekers, mostly from South Sudan. It was officially set up in April 2016 to reduce congestion in larger refugee camps in the northwestern corner of Uganda. The country has 28 refugee camps for people from Ethiopia, Somalia, Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Sudan and South Sudan. Nearly 1.5 million refugees reside in Uganda, according to the UNHCR, the United Nations Refugee Agency.

Brother Máximo Herrera, a Salesian from Argentina and a missionary in Africa, described life inside the camp for the Salesians. “The town where we buy food is 80 kilometers away, on a mountain road, and we have been eating what the people here eat — maize and beans. Then we have our house, which is kind of like a headquarters. Eight kilometers from the house is the school, which is for vocational training, the only one there. And then we engage in all the leisure activities including sports, theater and music. The most difficult thing for a refugee is to manage time because they often have nothing to do.”

Salesian missionaries are offering much-needed psychosocial support and pastoral care for thousands of Christian residents in the camp. They also operate four nursery schools that educate more than 1,000 children. In addition, there are over 700 children attending Salesian primary and secondary schools, and more than 700 families are supported by other initiatives. Salesian missionaries also launched a vocational training center to offer life skills and other training to help young refugees prepare for employment.

Bro. Herrera added, “South Sudan is very insecure because the tribes are fighting each other. So those who come into the camp, mostly women, and manage to get the children educated, they don’t want to go back. We have a program that allows children to go to secondary school outside the camp. Salesians think about the future, about giving tools to the children so that they can achieve their objectives.”

Salesian missionaries also operate in communities outside of Palabek including a refugee settlement in Kyaka. Their goal is to provide more locations for educational and pastoral work as more resources become available.

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

ANS – Uganda – Living and working in a refugee camp: the Salesian presence in Palabek

Salesian Missions – Uganda

UNHCR – Uganda Refugees

The post UGANDA: Salesians live and work in refugee camp first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Better nutrition for Don Bosco Bombo schools in Uganda.

(MissionNewswire) Poor youth gaining their education through Don Bosco Bombo schools, located in Bombo, Uganda, had access to better nutrition 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 rice-meal shipment was distributed in the second quarter of 2022.

The region, like the rest of East Africa, saw big economic changes in 2022. Prices of basic commodities, especially fuel and food, increased and impacted the management of Don Bosco schools. In particular, prices of basic food staples have almost doubled due to the economic crises after the COVID-19 pandemic and the change of weather that caused food scarcity.

Salesians operate a secondary school, vocational training center, boarding house and parish in Bombo. The local community is mainly poor and relies on agriculture and informal businesses. Salesians provide education and pastoral programs.

“Our community needs basic support to be able to fulfill our educational mission,” explained Father Thomas Cyprian, rector of Salesians of Don Bosco Bombo Namaliga mission. “Rise Against Hunger meals helped us to manage the food crises in our institutions and greatly assisted in making the last quarter successful. The impact of the food crisis was not felt so much as a result. Our beneficiaries continued their teaching and learning activities without interruption.”

Martha Nafuuna, age 18, was one of the recipients. She is from a poor family that is not able to afford private schooling and chose to join Don Bosco Vocational Training Center in Bombo to gain an education. Nafuuna recalled her life before receiving Rise Against Hunger meals. “Before this donation, I could not see my future in this school. Many students were worried and forced to drop out because the school had reached its capacity and was not able to provide housing or food to the students.”  

Nafuuna gratefully acknowledges the impact Rise Against Hunger meals have had on her life. Receiving the meals saved her from having to drop out and she can continue working toward her career aspirations. The meals provided her with a balanced lunch and have improved her general well-being. Her concentration in class has improved and she feels fuller for longer periods in the day because of the nutritious diet the meals offer. She and her classmates, with whom she shares the meals, found the meals delicious.

Nafuuna added, “Thanks to Rise Against Hunger meals, I can focus on my coursework so that one day I will find employment to sustain my family and improve their livelihoods. I want to be a professional fashion designer and I have confidence that I will.”

Nearly 21 percent of the population in Uganda lives below the poverty line, according to the World Bank. This number rises to 33 percent for those living in the northern region where poverty is greatest. While the country has seen some economic growth as well as improvement in its United Nations Human Development Index ranking over the last 20 years, the country still ranks near the bottom at 159 out of 189 countries. After decades of war left many displaced, the people of Uganda face many significant challenges as they work to rebuild their country.

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Don Bosco Bombo

Salesian Missions – Uganda

World Bank – Uganda

The post UGANDA: Poor students stay in school with rice-meal shipment first appeared on MissionNewswire.

(MissionNewswire) Salesian Missions Australia has launched an emergency relief appeal for food relief to help support Salesian programs in the Horn of Africa. Salesians have been providing access to food relief, education, basic necessities and agriculture programs, especially in the wake of food shortages and unrest in the region.

Food shortages have increased in the Horn of Africa and Central Africa where Salesians have programs. According to an article in CathNews, food shortages continue to increase in these areas as the number of internally displaced people continues to swell as conflict in the region uproots people in search of safety.

In Tigray, Ethiopia*, Salesian missionaries are distributing food to more than 3,000 families while also repairing damaged schools and churches that currently house many families. In Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo*, increased conflict has sent thousands of people flooding into the city and seeking shelter on the playgrounds surrounding Don Bosco Ngangi Youth Center.

At Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp in Uganda, Salesians operate many educational and social programs. With decreasing food rations available from the World Food Program, Salesians have been working through food distribution and agriculture programs to increase the food availability for those in the camp.

Father Ubaldino, rector of the Salesian community in Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp, has established 25 farming groups, involving 1,250 people who attend to over 92 acres of maize, soybeans, and sunflowers. While maize is a diet staple of the people at Palabek, it cannot be consumed without processing. Salesian Missions Australia has purchased a maize huller and maize miller, which are vital in aiding the food crisis.

Fr. Ubaldino said, “The agriculture groups are very important because they enable those involved to contribute to their families, supplement food rations, and restore dignity.”

In Juba, South Sudan*, close to 4,000 children access Salesian primary and secondary school. In addition to providing access to education, Salesians are providing women’s programs and sports programs for children in the camp.

Salesians in Australia and around the globe will continue to monitor the growing crisis in the region and work to address it through food aid, other supplies and direct donations.

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Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions Australia

CathNews – Salesian launch emergency appeal for displaced Africans

Salesian Missions Australia

Salesian Missions

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

The post AFRICA: Families receive food aid as need grows first appeared on MissionNewswire.

UGANDA

(MissionNewswire)  Salesian missionaries at Don Bosco Children and Life Mission (Don Bosco CALM), located in the town of Namugongo just northeast of the city of Kampala, Uganda, received funding for five dairy cows thanks to a partnership between Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, and the DD Lynch Family Foundation, an organization that gives to Catholic causes to end human suffering.

With the funding, Salesians bought five dairy cows to provide milk for children in their programs. Four of the cows are now pregnant. An earlier donation by the DD Lynch Family Foundation provided the funding for a modern cowshed so the cows live in good conditions and are cared for by a veterinary doctor and a full-time shepherd.

The project will be sustainable because the cows will multiply, increasing milk productivity. This prevents malnutrition among the children who live in the orphanage and attend the primary school at Don Bosco CALM. Most of the children cared for by the Salesians were once living on the street and are HIV positive or in some other vulnerable situation.

“Salesians at Don Bosco CALM face challenges in feeding the children, paying for their school fees and scholastic materials, and providing medical assistance,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions. “These cows will have a significant impact on the Salesians’ ability to provide nutrition for the children, something that is needed. We appreciate the DD Lynch Family Foundation for supporting the children that we serve.”

Nearly 21 percent of the population in Uganda lives below the poverty line, according to the World Bank. This number rises to 33 percent for those living in the northern region where poverty is greatest. While the country has seen some economic growth as well as improvement in its UN Human Development Index ranking over the last 20 years, the country still ranks near the bottom at 159 out of 189 countries. After decades of war left many displaced, the people of Uganda face many significant challenges as they work to rebuild their country.

Uganda’s literacy rate has improved with 73 percent of the population literate, but only 23 percent of Ugandans go on to acquire a secondary education. According to UNICEF, one of the biggest challenges in the country is combating the serious increase of HIV/AIDS that has left millions of children orphaned.

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Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Don Bosco CALM

Salesian Missions – Uganda

World Bank – Uganda

The post UGANDA: Funding purchases 5 dairy cows for milk for children first appeared on MissionNewswire.

UGANDA

(MissionNewswire) Students with Don Bosco Vocational Center, operating inside of Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp in Uganda, celebrated the feast day of St. John Bosco, the Salesian founder, on Jan. 31. Throughout the day, 250 students from various courses—agriculture, solar energy, construction, motorcycle mechanics, sewing, carpentry, blacksmithing, hairdressing and motor vehicle driving—enjoyed a celebration together that included music by a new Salesian brass band. Teaching and administrative staff also enjoyed the festivities.

The celebration began with the first Catholic Mass since the beginning of the school year, and then members of the Salesian community shared their experience of St. John Bosco with the youth. The day also featured several competitions and contests where students could earn points to trade for personal items like soap, toothbrushes, and sandals. They could also trade points for candy, drinks and cookies.

Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp was officially set up in April 2016 to reduce congestion in larger refugee camps in the northwestern corner of Uganda. Several agencies are involved in providing food and education within the camp. While some have left because of the pandemic, Salesians have remained.

Salesian missionaries at the settlement are offering much needed psychosocial support and pastoral care for thousands of Christian residents. They also operate four nursery schools that educate more than 1,000 children. In addition, there are children attending Salesian primary and secondary schools, and more than 700 families are supported by other initiatives. To date, the vocational center has trained more than 600 youth, most of them refugees who have returned to South Sudan to contribute to their country.

A recent introduction of upcoming courses brought together many people who are interested in what the center has to offer. Father Ubaldino Andrade, rector of the Salesian community in Palabek, said, “This fact testifies that the young people of the refugee camp are hungry for an education that allows them to offer their families a better quality of life and to contribute to the reconstruction of their country.”

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, educational centers in Uganda had been closed for nearly two years, which was one of the longest closure rates in the world. When the country’s president allowed educational centers to reopen, many were unable because they no longer had the resources and teaching staff to operate. Many teachers had to turn to other professions in order to help support their families. In addition, some school buildings had been turned into rental homes during the pandemic. Salesian educational centers continue to be a place where youth are nurtured, and they can access the skills to achieve self-sustainability.

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

ANS – Uganda – Celebrating Don Bosco in Palabek, always with young people in mind

Don Bosco Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp

Salesian Missions – Uganda

The post UGANDA: 250 students at refugee camp celebrate together first appeared on MissionNewswire.

UGANDA

(MissionNewswire) A new basketball court is now available to youth at Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp in Uganda. The idea of creating a space for youth to play sports began in 2019 when a benefactor gave a basketball to the youth. At the time, there was no place where they could use it. From that day forward, youth have been waiting to see a court built where they could play and connect with their peers.

“Sports are more than just recreation for youth,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Playing team sports encourages leadership skills as well as teaches youth to work as part of a team. Youth also learn important social skills and have opportunities for growth and maturity.”

Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp was officially set up in April 2016 to reduce congestion in larger refugee camps in the northwestern corner of Uganda. Several agencies are involved in providing food and education within the camp. While some have left because of the pandemic, Salesians have remained.

Salesian missionaries at the settlement are offering much needed psychosocial support and pastoral care for thousands of Christian residents. They also operate four nursery schools that educate more than 1,000 children. In addition, there are children attending Salesian primary and secondary schools, and more than 700 families are supported by other initiatives.

Salesians run a special sponsorship program to help youth attend school outside of the camp. Many children and older youth have to walk 10 to 15 kilometers (approximately 6.2 to 9.3 miles) each day to reach the schools. The sponsorship program enables Salesians to take youth to boarding facilities outside of the camp and closer to the schools. Youth are able to live and study there, as well as have access to healthy nutrition and recreational activities.

For those seeking education inside the camp, Salesians also operate the Don Bosco Vocational Center where youth can access the skills to achieve self-sustainability. To date, the center has trained more than 600 youth, most of them refugees who have returned to South Sudan to contribute to their country.

Father Ubaldino Andrade, rector of the Salesian community in Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp, said, “Youth at the refugee camp are hungry for an education that allows them to offer their families a better quality of life and to contribute to the reconstruction of their country. At the technical and vocational level, many young refugees want to go out to work so they can learn a trade and head back to their country of origin, which is South Sudan for many of them. Their goal is to help contribute to the reconstruction of the country, destroyed by many years of violence and war.”

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

ANS – Uganda – A basketball court in Palabek to bring young people closer to sport

Don Bosco Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp

Salesian Missions – Uganda

The post UGANDA: New court helps youth connect at refugee camp first appeared on MissionNewswire.

UGANDA

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Vocational Center, operating inside Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp in Uganda, offers education and vocational training to help young refugees prepare for employment. There are courses in mechanics, sewing, construction, agriculture, hairdressing and solar energy. The center provides support for 56,000 refugees and 11,000 Ugandans from the northern region.

Don Bosco Vocational Center has become a place where youth are nurtured, and they can access the skills to achieve self-sustainability. To date, the center has trained more than 600 youth, most of them refugees who have returned to South Sudan to contribute to their country.

The recent introduction of upcoming courses brought together many people who are interested in what the center has to offer. Father Ubaldino Andrade, rector of the Salesian community in Palabek, said, “This fact testifies that the young people of the refugee camp are hungry for an education that allows them to offer their families a better quality of life and to contribute to the reconstruction of their country.”

Fr. Andrade added, “At the technical and vocational level, many young refugees want to go out to work, they want to learn a trade, that in most cases, allows them to return to South Sudan and contribute to the reconstruction of the country, destroyed by many years of violence and war.”

He highlighted a recent success. “We have the case of a student who learned mechanics and then took a driving course. She returned to South Sudan and is working as a driver in an agency, with a salary of $700 per month, far above the minimum wage in Uganda.”

Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp was officially set up in April 2016 to reduce congestion in larger refugee camps in the northwestern corner of Uganda. Several agencies are involved in providing food and education within the camp. While some have left because of the pandemic, Salesians have remained.

Salesian missionaries at the settlement are offering much needed psychosocial support and pastoral care for thousands of Christian residents. They also operate four nursery schools that educate more than 1,000 children. In addition, there are children attending Salesian primary and secondary schools, and more than 700 families are supported by other initiatives.

Salesians also run a special sponsorship program to help youth attend school outside of the camp. Many children and older youth have to walk 10 to 15 kilometers (approximately 6.2 to 9.3 miles) each day to reach the schools. The sponsorship program enables Salesians to take youth to boarding facilities outside of the camp closer to the schools. Youth are able to live and study there, as well as have access to healthy nutrition and recreational activities.

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

ANS – Uganda – Palabek Refugee Camp: Don Bosco Vocational Center offers Education

Don Bosco Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp

Salesian Missions – Uganda

The post UGANDA: Young refugees prepare for employment first appeared on MissionNewswire.

UGANDA

(MissionNewswire) Poor youth and their families in Uganda had access to better nutrition 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. The rice-meal shipment, which was sent in 2020, was shared among three programs of Don Bosco Children and Life Mission (Don Bosco CALM) including projects in Bombo, Kamuli, and CALM Namugongo.

The rice-meals helped 300 families have better nutrition over five months of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. This was particularly important as many of these families had no way to earn even a meager income for food during this time. The Rise Against Hunger meals were sometimes the only nutrition they had.

Kirabo, a seventh-grade student at Don Bosco CALM, was one of the recipients of the rice-meals. Kirabo was found abandoned at the entrance of the Church of Salesians of Don Bosco Bombo Namaliga as a baby. The parish priest contacted the local council chairperson who advised him to report the case to the police. Kirabo was then taken to a home for infants at the missionaries of charity sisters in Kampala. When he was 5 years old, Kirabo was transferred to Don Bosco CALM for rehabilitation and care with other boys.

Kirabo is healthy because he receives Rise Against Hunger meals and cared for in the Don Bosco community. He has big plans in his life. “I want to work harder to become a bank manager in Centenary Bank in the future,” Kirabo explained. Kirabo also acknowledged the big impact the Rise Against Hunger meals has brought to his life.

Kirabo’s teacher at Don Bosco Nursery and Primary School has also seen how healthy nutrition has benefited the students. Elizabeth Anzoo said, “I started teaching Kirabo right from the opening of the institution in 2016. Kirabo is a bright humble boy who likes education. Besides that, his hobby after enjoying Rise Against Hunger meals is soccer. All in all, the time I have spent in this institution, Rise Against Hunger meals have greatly improved the well-being of the children at Don Bosco CALM and in other Don Bosco communities in Uganda.”

The rice-meal donation was able to feed more than just students in Don Bosco programs. Entire families were supported with the 2020 donation. Father Elie Nyandwi, director of Don Bosco Primary School and vice-legal representative of Salesians of Don Bosco in Uganda, said, “It is really important for the Salesians to feed poor children and their families whenever it is possible. Last year, due to COVID-19 we were urged to distribute all the Rise Against Hunger meals to feed our beneficiaries and their families. Each family managed to get three boxes of meals throughout the whole year.”

Nearly 21 percent of the population in Uganda lives below the poverty line, according to the World Bank. This number rises to 33 percent for those living in the northern region where poverty is greatest. While the country has seen some economic growth as well as improvement in its United Nations Human Development Index ranking over the last 20 years, the country still ranks near the bottom at 159 out of 189 countries. After decades of war left many displaced, the people of Uganda face many significant challenges as they work to rebuild their country.

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Don Bosco CALM

Salesian Missions – Uganda

The post UGANDA: 300 families receive healthy nutrition thanks to rice-meal shipment first appeared on MissionNewswire.

UGANDA

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries living and working at Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp in Uganda are able to provide education to refugee children thanks in part to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco.

Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp is currently home to more than 56,000 refugees and asylum seekers. It was officially set up in April 2016 to reduce congestion in larger refugee camps in the northwestern corner of Uganda. Several agencies are involved in providing food and education within the camp. While some have left because of the pandemic, Salesians have remained.

Salesians offer education to refugee children in the camp. There are 100 children in primary school, 54 in secondary school and 25 older youth in the Don Bosco Vocational Training Center where they learn skills in sewing, solar energy, mechanics, agriculture, construction and hairdressing.

Salesians also run a special sponsorship program to help youth attend school outside of the camp. Many children and older youth have to walk 10 to 15 kilometers (approximately 6.2 to 9.3 miles) each day to reach the schools. The sponsorship program enables Salesians to take youth to boarding facilities outside of the camp closer to the schools. Youth are able to live and study there, as well as have access to healthy nutrition and recreational activities.

For older youth who want to learn technical skills not offered at the Don Bosco Training Center in the camp, Salesians also offer a sponsorship program. The program brings young refugees to other centers outside of the camp where they can learn plumbing, blacksmithing, driving, animal care and other skills.

Father Ubaldino, rector of the Salesian community in Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp said, “At the technical and vocational level, many young refugees want to go out to work, they want to learn a trade, that in most cases, allows them to return to South Sudan and contribute to the reconstruction of the country, destroyed by many years of violence and war.”

“We have the case of a student who learned mechanics and then took a driving course. Now she returns to South Sudan and is working as a driver in an agency, with a salary of $700 per month, far above the minimum wage in Uganda,” Fr. Ubaldino added. “We are very grateful to our donors who have helped many children and young people make the dream of a good education come true, allowing them and their families to live a more dignified life.”

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Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Don Bosco Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp

Salesian Missions – Uganda

The post UGANDA: Refugee youth receive educational sponsorship thanks in part to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

UGANDA

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries with Don Bosco Namugongo in Kampala, Uganda, are responding to the needs of people impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Uganda is still in lockdown due to the recent deadly second wave. Health experts with the Uganda Medical Association have noted that 80 percent of people infected do not know they have the virus.

Most people in Uganda are no longer working because of the restrictions imposed by the government to contain the spread of the virus. This has impacted families who are daily wage earners and who are now left with no income.

Father Elie Nyandwi, director of Don Bosco Namugongo, said, “Salesians couldn’t remain relaxed and comfortable as we witnessed many people suffering due to hunger. Our Salesian community, with its limited resources, is assisting the poor during this critical moment by visiting and giving some food to the most vulnerable families.”

Other Salesian collaborators around the mission also are joining in to help feed the poor. There is a WhatsApp group where information is shared, and people are giving the little they have or are helping to distribute the food items, including maize flour, beans and cooking oil.

Fr. Nyandwi added, “As of now, the situation has gone beyond our capacity. For instance, on July 1, we identified 50 of the most vulnerable families from our neighborhood to be assisted. These families couldn’t reach the Salesian community due to the restrictions imposed by the lockdown. We organized some food to be delivered and offered 2 kg of beans and 2 kg of maize flour since the number kept increasing drastically. We also cut about 30 bunches of bananas from our garden with some vegetables and shared with them. We thank and appeal to all generous people who can participate and join us to help the needy in this period of lockdown.”

The cost of hospital care for those with COVID-19 is incredibly high in Uganda. Fr. Nyandwi explained, “Doctors have advised the people who have tested positive but have no symptoms to avoid moving outside their homes unless when seeking medical care. For now, the hospitals, both private and public, are overcrowded. The medical bill for patients remains exorbitant whereby some private hospitals do not fear charging up to 5 million Uganda shillings per day ($1,500 USD). Only a few rich people are able to raise such a big amount. That is why most of the patients remain at their homes and treat themselves with lemon juice mixed with ginger. These patients also steam herbs and eucalyptus leaves. Don Bosco Namugongo has a eucalyptus plantation that is visited frequently by both Salesians and neighbors searching for leaves.”

Nearly 21 percent of the population in Uganda lives below the poverty line, according to the World Bank. This number rises to 33 percent for those living in the northern region where poverty is greatest. While the country has seen some economic growth as well as improvement in its U.N. Human Development Index ranking over the last 20 years, the country still ranks near the bottom at 159 out of 189 countries. After decades of war left many displaced, the people of Uganda face many significant challenges as they work to rebuild their country.

Uganda’s literacy rate has improved with 73 percent of the population literate, but only 23 percent of Ugandans go on to acquire a secondary education. According to UNICEF, one of the biggest challenges in the country is combating the serious increase of HIV/AIDS that has left millions of children orphaned.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Uganda – Food distribution to vulnerable during lockdown in Uganda facing deadly 2nd Covid-19 wave

Salesian Missions – Uganda

World Bank – Uganda

The post UGANDA: Families impacted by pandemic lockdown receive food first appeared on MissionNewswire.

UGANDA

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries living and working at Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp in Uganda have been able to provide food aid and other critical supplies to people at the camp thanks to funding sent in November 2020 from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco.

Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp is currently home to more than 56,000 refugees and asylum seekers. It was officially set up in April 2016 to reduce congestion in larger refugee camps in the northwestern corner of Uganda. Several agencies are involved in providing food and education within Palabek. While some have left because of the pandemic, Salesians have remained.

Even before COVID-19, living conditions in Palabek were not easy. Food distribution was scarce and there were difficulties in accessing drinking water. With the arrival of the pandemic, everything has become even more complicated. The amount of food delivered to refugees once a month has been reduced by 30 percent, classes and activities were suspended, and episodes of violence, alcoholism, and teenage pregnancies began. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) warns that unless urgent action is taken to address the situation, levels of acute malnutrition, stunting and anemia are expected to rise, especially among children.

At Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp in Uganda, Salesians have distributed many tons of food and clothing, especially to the poorest.

With Salesian Missions funding, Salesians have been able to provide food, 300 blankets for those with disabilities, cookware and other items for people in need. The funding also paid for transportation costs from Kampala to Palabek, gas for transport vehicles around the camp and motorbike repairs. Other funding provided incentives to social workers who are working in the camp under difficult circumstances.

“With Salesian Missions support we have been able to provide food and other necessities for people in need, particularly those with disabilities,” said Father Ubaldino, a Salesian missionary working at Palabek. “This donation is greatly appreciated because there is hunger and malnutrition and other nutritional deficiencies among the refugees. This creates much frustration, anger and other social disturbances. With this donation and others, Salesians have distributed many tons of food and clothing, especially to the poorest.”

In addition, students at Don Bosco Vocational Training Center in Palabek were happy to receive a bus thanks to donors from Salesian Missions of Madrid, Spain. These youth are now able to explore initiatives and new opportunities away from the settlement.

Salesian missionaries at the settlement are offering much needed psychosocial support and pastoral care for thousands of Christian residents. They also operate four nursery schools that educate more than 1,000 children. In addition, there are over 700 children attending Salesian primary and secondary schools, and more than 700 families are supported by other initiatives. Salesian missionaries also launched a vocational training center to offer life skills and other training to help young refugees prepare for employment.

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Sources:

Photos courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Don Bosco Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp

Salesian Missions – Uganda

The post UGANDA: Refugees receive critical supplies first appeared on MissionNewswire.

UGANDA

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries living and working at Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp in Uganda have been able to provide food aid to 800 people at the camp thanks to funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco.

Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp is currently home to more than 56,000 refugees and asylum seekers. It was officially set up in April 2016 to reduce congestion in larger refugee camps in the northwestern corner of Uganda. Several agencies are involved in providing food and education within Palabek. While some have left because of the pandemic, Salesians have remained.

Even before COVID-19, living conditions in Palabek were not easy. Food distribution was scarce and there were difficulties in accessing drinking water. With the arrival of the pandemic, everything has become even more complicated. The amount of food delivered to refugees once a month has been reduced by 30 percent, classes and activities were suspended, and episodes of violence, alcoholism, and teenage pregnancies began. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) warns that unless urgent action is taken to address the situation, levels of acute malnutrition, stunting and anemia are expected to rise, especially among children.

“With Salesian Missions support we have been able to make around 800 bags with food in the month of November,” said Father Ubaldino, a Salesian missionary working at Palabek. “We will be able to provide almost the same quantity for Christians in the camp in addition to providing blankets, buckets, cooking oil and soap.”

With support from Salesian Missions, Salesian missionaries made and distributed bags with food to refugees in Uganda.

Fr. Ubaldino added, “This donation is greatly appreciated because there is hunger and malnutrition and other nutritional deficiencies among the refugees. This creates much frustration, anger and other social disturbances. Salesians have distributed many tons of food and clothing, especially to the poorest. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many families have also been supported with seeds and agricultural tools.”

In addition to providing food directly, Salesian missionaries are working to counter the food shortage through the cultivation of food including cereals, vegetables, and if possible, some cash crops such as sim sim, groundnuts and sunflower. The goals are to promote kitchen gardens of vegetables and fruits, hire land from the local Ugandans, and create agreements to work together with the host community. Salesians have provided several hundred kilos of maize, beans, soya beans, sim sim, groundnuts and many assorted vegetable seeds. They have also provided tons of cassava cuttings.

Salesian missionaries at the settlement are offering much needed psychosocial support and pastoral care for thousands of Christian residents. They also operate four nursery schools that educate more than 1,000 children. In addition, there are over 700 children attending Salesian primary and secondary schools, and more than 700 families are supported by other initiatives. Salesian missionaries also launched a vocational training center to offer life skills and other training to help young refugees prepare for employment.

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Sources:

Photos courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Don Bosco Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp

Salesian Missions – Uganda

The post UGANDA: Refugees receive critical food aid, support for farming first appeared on MissionNewswire.

UGANDA

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries at the Don Bosco Vocational Training Center in the Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp in Uganda launched the “Facial masks for refugees and host community” project on July 8. Since that time refugees have made and distributed more than 24,000 masks, earning praise and recognition from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The camp currently houses 56,000 people.

Salesians, alongside refugees in the camp, have been engaged in coronavirus prevention efforts since the start of the pandemic. Don Bosco Technical School was launched in Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp in January 2019. Despite limited material resources, some young volunteers from the sewing workshop began to make masks.

In the first months of the pandemic alone, more than 10,000 masks were distributed to the refugee population and administrative staff of the settlement. Uganda’s minister for refugees, Hilary Onek, visited the settlement in July and praised the Salesian project. She said, “The Don Bosco Center was very innovative and a pioneer in the production of masks not only in the settlement, but throughout the nation.”

Salesian missionaries also distributed seeds for farming, hygiene products and clothing. Father Ubaldino Andrade, Salesian at Palabek, said, “We had to start almost from scratch in Palabek.” Authorities in the settlement are working with Salesians to launch new income-generating activities for refugees. Success in manufacturing face masks for the refugee community could be the first step toward making uniforms for schools and other agricultural activities.

Even before COVID-19, living conditions in Palabek were not easy. Food distribution was scarce and there were difficulties in accessing drinking water. With the arrival of the pandemic, everything has become even more complicated. The amount of food delivered to refugees once a month has been reduced by 30 percent, classes and activities were suspended, and episodes of violence, alcoholism and teenage pregnancies began. The UNHCR warns that unless urgent action is taken to address the situation, levels of acute malnutrition, stunting and anemia are expected to rise, especially among children.

In addition to providing food directly, Salesian missionaries are working to counter the food shortage through the cultivation of food including cereals, vegetables, and if possible, some cash crops such as sim sim, groundnuts and sunflower. The goal is to promote kitchen gardens of vegetables and fruits, hire land from the local Ugandans, and create agreements to work together with the host community. Salesians have provided several hundred kilos of maize, beans, soya beans, sim sim, groundnuts and many assorted vegetable seeds. They have also provided tons of cassava cuttings.

Salesian missionaries at the settlement are offering much needed psychosocial support and pastoral care for thousands of Christian residents. They also operate four nursery schools that educate more than 1,000 children. In addition, there are over 700 children attending Salesian primary and secondary schools, and more than 700 families are supported by other initiatives. Salesian missionaries also launched a vocational training center to offer life skills and other training to help young refugees prepare for employment.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Uganda – UN awards Salesian missionaries’ work in Palabek for production of masks during pandemic

Don Bosco Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp

Salesian Missions – Uganda

The post UGANDA: Refugees make more than 24,000 masks to aid pandemic efforts first appeared on MissionNewswire.

UGANDA

(MissionNewswire) The Catholic News Service is reporting that 1.4 million refugees in Uganda are facing hunger because of aid disruption, loss of income and rising food prices linked to the COVID-19 crisis. Salesian missionaries living and working at the Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp are seeing the effects first hand. They have been supporting refugees since the opening of the camp in 2016.

Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp is currently home to nearly 46,000 refugees and asylum seekers. It was officially set up in April 2016 to reduce congestion in larger refugee camps in the northwestern corner of Uganda. Several agencies are involved in providing food and education within Palabek.

Salesian missionaries at the settlement are offering much needed psychosocial support and pastoral care for thousands of Christian residents. They also operate four nursery schools that educate more than 1,000 children. In addition, there are over 700 children attending Salesian primary and secondary schools, and more than 700 families are supported by other initiatives. Salesian missionaries also launched a vocational training center to offer life skills and other training to help young refugees prepare for employment.

Since the pandemic hit, conditions at Palabek have deteriorated with a loss of food and wages. The U.N. Refugee Agency warns that unless urgent action is taken to address the situation, levels of acute malnutrition, stunting and anemia are expected to rise, especially among children.

Adol Majok, a 38-year-old single mother, told her story to the Catholic News Service. She arrived at Palabek three years ago after her husband was killed during fighting in Pajok, South Sudan. After she was settled in the camp, Majok opened a small tea stall business where she sold tea, bread, biscuits, roasted peanuts, cakes and other food. Since the pandemic began, business has dried up along with her means to support her family.

Majok said in the Catholic News Service article, “My children are starving. They haven’t eaten anything for the last three days. They are going to die unless I get them food to eat.”

Salesian missionaries at Palabek are helping refugees with food, clothing and other essential goods. Salesian Father Lazar Arasu, director of Don Bosco Palabek Refugee Services, told Catholic News Service, “Refugees who are among vulnerable groups should be remembered because COVID-19 robbed them of the little that they had. They are suffering because they are the worst hit by the pandemic. The food ration has reduced because of the lockdown. But we are trying our best to help them with everything during this hard time.”

In addition to providing food directly, Salesian missionaries are working to counter the food shortage through the cultivation of food including cereals, vegetables, and if possible, some cash crops such as sim sim, groundnuts and sunflower. The goal is to promote kitchen gardens of vegetables and fruits, hire land from the local Ugandans, and create agreements to work together with the host community. Salesians have provided several hundred kilos of maize, beans, soya beans, sim sim, groundnuts and many assorted vegetable seeds. They have also provided tons of cassava cuttings.

“Because refugees do not have sufficient land but are interested in cultivating larger pieces of land, we have put them in groups and hired land for them from the local Ugandan neighbors,” explained Fr. Arasu. “Where necessary we have also plowed the land for them. When the locals are inspired to till more land, we also ended up helping them.”

Fr. Arasu is also concerned about the psychological impact of COVID-19. He told the Catholic News Service that he is worried that the economic hardship might further exacerbate mental health conditions in refugee populations. Providing information, counseling and psychosocial support for vulnerable refugees is something the Salesians have been doing and will continue to do.

“Refugees need our support and prayers all the time. They have experienced a lot. Many have been tortured, lost their loved ones, lost properties and even (been) raped,” said Fr. Arasu in the Catholic News Service article. “We are offering pastoral care and counseling to refugees during the pandemic to make them feel wanted.”

Salesians will continue to assess the ongoing situation at Palabek and work within their networks to provide support to those most in need.

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Don Bosco Palabek

Catholic News Service – COVID-19 robbed refugees ‘of the little that they had,’ says Salesian

Don Bosco Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp

Don Bosco Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp Facebook

Salesian Missions – Uganda

The post UGANDA: Salesian missionaries are providing food support to refugees in Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp in wake of the devastating hunger crisis brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic first appeared on MissionNewswire.

UGANDA

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries at the Don Bosco Vocational Training Center in the Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp in Uganda hosted the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) launch of the “Facial masks for refugees and host community” project on July 8. Salesians, alongside refugees in the camp, have been engaged in coronavirus prevention efforts such as making masks. The camp currently houses 56,000 people.

The Honorable Hilary Onek, minister for relief, disaster preparedness and refugees in the Ugandan Cabinet, said, “Don Bosco Palabek has been a pioneer in the production of face masks and was very innovative, not only in the Palabek settlement but throughout northern Uganda and across the nation.”

Despite very limited resources in Palabek, refugees began making masks and distributed them free of charge to other refugees and to all community workers. Charles Uma, administrative director of the Lamwo district, said, “When the lockdown in Uganda was declared on March 18, I received a generous number of masks from Palabek for district use.”

Felicitas Nebril, UNHCR regional manager, noted in her speech at the launch event, “This activity is the best example of refugees involved in socio-economic activities. Palabek has contributed to the well-being of refugees and local communities. You have become, in fact, the role models for the host community.”

Nebril also encouraged refugees to use the face masks regularly to maintain the settlement’s zero-COVID status. To date, a group of 20 girls has produced at least 10,000 masks of different shapes and sizes and will continue to produce others and distribute them for free.

In his speech, Onek said, “The eyes of Don Bosco’s missionaries were sharp in seeing the needs and challenges of the people. When the government had not provided funding for the masks for refugees, missionaries started production. By doing it in our district and in this new training center, you have made us proud.”

He thanked the Salesians for bringing the Don Bosco Vocational Training Center to this extreme corner of the country, a place that had been neglected for several decades. He noted, “You will raise well-prepared young people, both refugees and locals, and bring peace and harmony throughout the area.”

Salesian missionaries launched a vocational training center to offer life skills and other training to help young refugees prepare for employment. Young refugees can attend vocational training courses for free. Depending on the discipline, some courses run for 3-6 months while others run as long as a year. Salesian missionaries have also set up a job placement office that helps students make contact with companies that are hiring, prepare resumes and prep for interviews, and find internships and on-site training opportunities.

During this period of isolation, the Salesians living and working in Palabek have been engaged in implementing numerous COVID-19 prevention measures with the support of Don Bosco Jugendhilfe Weltweit and other supporters.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Uganda – Don Bosco Palabek pioneer in production of facial masks

Don Bosco Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp

Salesian Missions – Uganda

The post UGANDA: Salesian missionaries host UNHCR to launch ‘Facial masks for refugees and host community’ project at Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp first appeared on MissionNewswire.

UGANDA

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries at the Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp in Uganda are working to provide prevention information and food support in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. There have been no coronavirus deaths in Uganda to date, but there are 696 confirmed cases of infection.

It’s difficult to raise awareness among a population that has not yet personally witnessed the impact of a pandemic of this type, according to the Salesians active in the refugee camp. The camp currently houses 56,000 people who remain at great risk.

Father Jeffrey Albert, one of the Salesian missionaries living and working at Palabek, said, “Movements are found among refugees from South Sudan sneaking through the unofficial borders and from other refugee camps. About 50 of the transiting truck drivers who went to South Sudan have tested positive for coronavirus. We are concerned because refugees at the Palabek Refugee Settlement Camp are not following rules and regulations that could control the spread.”

Medical services provided to refugees have always been poor. There are only three health units, with minimal facilities. The facilities are used by those in the refugee camp and by the several thousand Ugandans who live in the surrounding areas. Now, due to the lockdown, providing medical services is even more difficult, and there is an increase in diseases such as stomach ulcers and other problems related to poor nutrition.

The closure of schools at the national level also affected the 11 primary schools and the secondary and technical schools, which serve more than 25,000 school-age refugee children and older youth. Because they are staying at home with less food than before and without lessons or any kind of distraction, children and youth are nervous and at times unruly.

The lockdown has also impacted food rations, decreasing them by 30 percent. It’s nearly impossible for families to have enough food to maintain themselves for the month. Father Lazar Arasu, head of the Salesian mission at Palabek, said, “This can also generate frustration, anger and other social unrest.”

Salesians are working to provide food to hungry people asking for food support. They are also handing out prevention materials inside the camp, in the surrounding community and across the border.

Salesian missionaries at the settlement are offering much-needed psycho-social support and pastoral care for thousands of Christian residents. They also operate four nursery schools that educate more than 1,000 children. In addition, more than 700 children are attending Salesian primary and secondary schools and more than 700 families are supported by other initiatives.

Salesian missionaries also launched a vocational training center to offer life skills and other training to help young refugees prepare for employment. Young refugees can attend vocational training courses for free. Depending on the discipline, some courses run for 3-6 months while others run as long as a year. Salesian missionaries have also set up a job placement office that helps students make contact with companies that are hiring, prepare resumes and prep for interviews, and find internships and on-site training opportunities

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Sources:

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

ANS – Uganda – Breaking point: the life of refugees in the time of Covid-19

Don Bosco Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp

Salesian Missions – Uganda

The post UGANDA: Salesians at Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp focus on prevention efforts and food support first appeared on MissionNewswire.

UGANDA

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries and refugees at the Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp in Uganda are facing food shortages as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. In April, refugees in the camp received 70 percent of their regular food ration. Because of the pandemic, there has been a lack of funding from international bodies and the food rations will be reduced further. Children will be further pushed into malnutrition and stunted growth, and their mothers into stress and worry.

Father Lazar Arasu, director of Don Bosco Palabek, said, “Once an elderly refugee leader came to his little grass hut carrying his meager portion of monthly ration of food consisting of 12 kilograms of maize flour, 9 kilograms of beans, and 900 milliliters of oil and broke down to tears. I tried to console him and inquired about the cause of his tears. With a heavy heart, he said, ‘Father, I am a leader, I have grown-up children, I lived a respectful life, but now I am forced to stand in queue and given this meager quantity of food that should take me for a month, It is a big humiliation for me to receive this food. I should be the one feeding others.’”

Salesian missionaries at Palabek are working to counter the food shortage through the cultivation of food including cereals, vegetables, and if possible, some cash crops such as sim sim, groundnuts and sunflower. The goal is to promote kitchen gardens of vegetables and fruits, hire land from the local Ugandans, and create agreements to work together with the host community.

Five Salesian missionaries live and work in Palabek along with the refugee population, so they can assess the need directly to provide solutions they know will work. As most organizations have left due to the uncertainty of COVID-19 and resulting lockdown, Salesians are the first service providers in action. They have provided several hundred kilos of maize, beans, soya beans, sim sim, groundnuts and many assorted vegetable seeds. They have also provided tons of cassava cuttings.

“Because refugees do not have sufficient land but are interested in cultivating larger pieces of land, we have put them in groups and hired land for them from the local Ugandan neighbors,” explained Fr. Arasu. “Where necessary we have also plowed the land for them. When the locals are inspired to till more land, we also ended up helping them. We thank our partners Don Bosco Jugendhilfe Weltweit for their support in this project.”

Uganda has become home for more than 1.3 million refugees—82 percent of whom are women and children—in the wake of the ongoing conflict in South Sudan, according to the UNHCR, the United Nations refugee agency. Millions have fled South Sudan and nearly 400,000 have died as a result of armed clashes. Many of those who have fled to Uganda have taken refuge at the Palabek Refugee Settlement in northern Uganda.

According to UNHCR, Palabek is currently home to nearly 56,000 refugees and asylum seekers. It was officially set up in April 2016 to reduce congestion in larger refugee camps in the northwestern corner of Uganda. Several agencies are involved in providing food and education within Palabek.

Salesian missionaries at the settlement are offering much-needed psycho-social support and pastoral care for thousands of Christian residents. They also operate four nursery schools that educate more than 1,000 children. In addition, more than 700 children are attending Salesian primary and secondary schools and more than 700 families are supported by other initiatives.

Salesian missionaries also launched a vocational training center to offer life skills and other training to help young refugees prepare for employment. Young refugees can attend vocational training courses for free. Depending on the discipline, some courses run for 3-6 months while others run as long as a year. Salesian missionaries have also set up a job placement office that helps students make contact with companies that are hiring, prepare resumes and prep for interviews, and find internships and on-site training opportunities.

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Don Bosco Palabek

Don Bosco Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp

Salesian Missions – Uganda

The post UGANDA: Salesian missionaries provide seeds and farming support at Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp to help mitigate food shortage first appeared on MissionNewswire.

UGANDA

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries at Don Bosco CALM, located in the town of Namugongo just northeast of the city of Kampala in Uganda, are working to keep youth in their programs safe while assessing what is happening with street children in the surrounding community. Salesians with Don Bosco CALM have also offered food support to the vulnerable families of beneficiaries of their programs.

For the street children in Uganda, the situation due to the COVID-19 virus has is very tense. Youth cannot access clean water and have no money to buy soap or sanitizers. Recently, a survey conducted by the government of Uganda within the districts of Kampala, Jinja, Mbale and Iganga indicated that there are more 30,000 street children.

“Before the virus, it was common to find street children sitting on verandas around most parts of the Kampala, waiting for the traffic to stop vehicles so they could beg,” explained Father Elie Nyandwi, director of Don Bosco CALM. “Others survived by searching dust or garbage bins for food while others pickpocketed unsuspecting people. Some others sold illegal drugs and stole from houses or shops around or beyond Kampala.”

Fr. Nyandwi sent Felix Rugaba, one of the social workers from Don Bosco CALM, out on his bicycle to assess how street children are coping with the current situation in Kampala.

Rugaba found children in hideouts in desperate conditions, wondering how they will survive the coming days. Talking to them was not easy because they fear most outsiders. Rugaba managed to talk to two street children who asked him not to reveal their names.

He spoke to a 15-year-old boy, Richard (not his real name), who revealed that life in the lockdown is not easy because they have nowhere to go and don’t know what to eat. In addition, Richard is also worried about the virus. He said, “We do not have water to drink, to wash our body, we do not have soap or sanitizers to wash our hands…the government should send us these items to help us survive in these difficult moments.”

Rugaba also spoke to a 12-year-old girl, Justine (not her real name), who also wonders how she will survive in this tough situation. She left home when she was 10 years old after being mistreated by her mother. Justine is worried about what will happen to her in the coming days. She said, “The government should help us because we have nowhere to go.”

Salesians at Don Bosco in Uganda are concerned about the street children and are looking for any local or foreign support to help ensure that street children are safe and have access to the services they need to survive the virus.

Nearly 21 percent of the population in Uganda lives below the poverty line, according to the World Bank. This number rises to 33 percent for those living in the northern region where poverty is greatest. While the country has seen some economic growth as well as improvement in its UN Human Development Index ranking over the last 20 years, the country still ranks near the bottom at 159 out of 189 countries. After decades of war left many displaced, the people of Uganda face many significant challenges as they work to rebuild their country.

Uganda’s literacy rate has improved with 73 percent of the population literate, but only 23 percent of Ugandans go on to acquire a secondary education. According to UNICEF, one of the biggest challenges in the country is combating the serious increase of HIV/AIDS that has left millions of children orphaned.

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Don Bosco CALM

Salesian Missions – Uganda

The post UGANDA: Salesians at Don Bosco CALM assess needs of street children during the coronavirus pandemic first appeared on MissionNewswire.

UGANDA

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries and refugees at the Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp in Uganda are working to help fight the coronavirus pandemic. They are working on prevention efforts within the camp by preparing detergent-based sanitizers for handwashing. They have also launched an initiative to make face masks, especially for youth. Salesian trainees are making masks and volunteering to educate fellow refugees and the Ugandan host community members.

Hundreds of masks are being made every day. Refugees have also helped Salesians to distribute them and educate people about how to use them properly. Beneficiaries of the masks include Army staff, police, health centers, market vendors and workers.

“Salesian missionaries are working to ensure that refugees at Palabek have what they need in the face of this pandemic,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Refugees have left behind nearly everything they had to protect themselves and their families. Being able to offer them support and education helps them to prepare for the future and build connections in their new community. Now through that education, refugees are able to give back to others at this time of need.”

Uganda has become home for more than 1.3 million refugees—82 percent of whom are women and children—in the wake of the ongoing conflict in South Sudan, according to the UNHCR, the United Nations refugee agency. Millions have fled South Sudan and nearly 400,000 have died as a result of armed clashes. Many of those who have fled to Uganda have taken refuge at the Palabek Refugee Settlement in northern Uganda.

According to UNHCR, Palabek is currently home to nearly 46,000 refugees and asylum seekers. It was officially set up in April 2016 to reduce congestion in larger refugee camps in the northwestern corner of Uganda. Several agencies are involved in providing food and education within Palabek.

Salesian missionaries at the settlement are offering much-needed psycho-social support and pastoral care for thousands of Christian residents. They also operate four nursery schools that educate more than 1,000 children. In addition, more than 700 children are attending Salesian primary and secondary schools and more than 700 families are supported by other initiatives.

Salesian missionaries launched a vocational training center to offer life skills and other training to help young refugees prepare for employment. Young refugees can attend vocational training courses for free. Depending on the discipline, some courses run for 3-6 months while others run as long as a year. Salesian missionaries have also set up a job placement office that helps students make contact with companies that are hiring, prepare resumes and prep for interviews, and find internships and on-site training opportunities.

The vocational training center currently has 450 students, 400 refugees and 50 host community Ugandans. The majority of students are young women and mothers who are finally having an opportunity to learn a skill. They are taking courses in tailoring, cosmetology and salon services such as hairdressing. Young men are learning automobile mechanics and motorcycle repair training. Agriculture classes are taught to all students no matter their primary area of study.

Close to 67 percent of Ugandans are either poor or highly vulnerable to poverty, according to UNICEF. While the country has seen some economic growth as well as improvement in its UN Human Development Index ranking over the last 20 years, the country still ranks near the bottom at 163 out of 188 countries. After decades of war left many displaced, the people of Uganda face many significant challenges as they work to rebuild their country.

Uganda’s literacy rate has improved with 73 percent of the population literate, but only 23 percent of Ugandans go on to acquire a secondary education. According to UNICEF, one of the biggest challenges in the country is combating the serious increase of HIV/AIDS that has left millions of children orphaned.

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Don Bosco Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp

Don Bosco Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp

Salesian Missions – Uganda

The post UGANDA: Salesians and refugees are aiding others with face masks and prevention education in response to coronavirus pandemic first appeared on MissionNewswire.

UGANDA

(MissionNewswire) More than 2,300 poor youth across three Salesian programs in Uganda had access to better nutrition thanks to a partnership between Salesian Missions and Rise Against Hunger, an international relief organization that provides food and life-changing aid to the world’s most vulnerable. The rice-meal shipment, which was sent during the fourth quarter of 2019, was shared with Don Bosco Children and Life Mission (Don Bosco CALM) in the town of Namugongo, Don Bosco Nursery and Primary School in Bombo, and Don Bosco Vocational School in Kamuli.

The rice-meals are provided to students at schools and children at the orphanage to ensure they have the energy and focus to gain an education and participate in social programs. Don Bosco CALM welcomes and gives hope to 165 children.

“Most of our beneficiaries are from the street, HIV positive and other vulnerable children,” said Father Elie Nyandwi, director of Don Bosco CALM and the Don Bosco Primary School. “Our financial, human and logistic resources are scarcely enough. We face challenges in feeding children, paying their school fees, scholastic materials, medical assistance, and paying monthly salaries for our workers. Since we started receiving the Rise Against Hunger meals, our organization can now breathe and save some money for solving some other children’s problems.”

Rise Against Hunger partners with Salesian Missions, which works to identify needs and coordinate delivery of 40-foot shipping containers full of meals, supplemented with additional supplies when available. The partnership was developed in 2011 and since that time, shipments have been successfully delivered to 20 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.

Today, 34 million people live in Uganda with half under 15 years of age. Many children and older youth have to deal with diseases such as malaria, respiratory infections, diarrhea and HIV/AIDS. The number of Ugandans living below the poverty line declined from 31.1 percent in 2006 to 19.7 percent in 2013, where it stands today.

Close to 67 percent of Ugandans are either poor or highly vulnerable to poverty, according to UNICEF. While the country has seen some economic growth, as well as improvement in its Human Development Index ranking over the last 20 years, the country still ranks near the bottom at 163 out of 188 countries. After decades of war left many displaced, the people of Uganda face many significant challenges as they work to rebuild their country.

Uganda’s literacy rate has improved with 73 percent of the population literate but only 23 percent of Ugandans go on to acquire a secondary education. According to UNICEF, one of the biggest challenges in the country is combating the serious increase of HIV/AIDS that has left millions of children orphaned.

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Don Bosco CALM

Rise Against Hunger

Salesian Missions – Uganda

The post UGANDA: More than 2,300 poor youth from 3 Salesian programs receive better nutrition thanks to Rice Against Hunger rice-meal shipment first appeared on MissionNewswire.

UGANDA

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries at Don Bosco Palabek, within the Palabek Refugee Settlement in Uganda, are providing much needed psycho-social support and pastoral care for thousands of Christian residents. They also operate four nursery schools that educated 743 students in 2019 with 222 graduating at the end of the year. Currently, there are 521 students in the four kindergartens. Salesian missionaries also started the Child Sponsorship program in 2019 with 63 refugee students, providing the financial support for them to attend primary, secondary and vocational schools.

Uganda has become home for more than 1.3 million refugees—82 percent of whom are women and children—in the wake of the ongoing conflict in South Sudan, according to the UNHCR, the United Nations refugee agency. Millions have fled South Sudan and nearly 400,000 have died as a result of armed clashes. Many of those who have fled to Uganda have taken refuge at the Palabek Refugee Settlement in northern Uganda.

According to UNHCR, Palabek is currently home to nearly 46,000 refugees and asylum seekers. It was officially set up in April 2016 to reduce congestion in larger refugee camps in the northwestern corner of Uganda. Several agencies are involved in providing food and education within Palabek.

Helping to ensure refugees are learning skills for employment, Salesian missionaries also operate a vocational training center to offer life skills and other training. Depending on the discipline, some courses run for 3-6 months while others run as long as a year. Salesian missionaries have also set up a job placement office that helps students make contact with companies that are hiring, prepare resumes and prep for interviews, and find internships and on-site training opportunities.

The vocational training center educated 230 students in 2019 with 193 students completing their courses and graduating by the end of the year. Young women graduated from courses in tailoring and salon services such as hairdressing. Young men studied automobile mechanics, motorcycle repair training and solar installation. Agriculture classes are also taught to all students no matter their primary area of study.

To further ensure refugees can earn a living, Salesian missionaries are helping refugees with saving and lending with 20 village savings groups and eight farmers groups that were provided seeds and farm tools within the settlement. Men, women and youth are engaged in the village savings groups.

Through savings meetings, key issues like gender-based violence prevention, business strategy, farming and nutrition, and other topics were discussed. Most of the members have appreciated the approach because they are able to share important information with each other for the benefit of individuals, their families and the community at large. Through the group formation and interventions at the zone level (neighborhoods) of the settlement, there is peace.

“Salesian missionaries are working to ensure that refugees at Palabek have an opportunity for education during their time in the camp,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Refugees have left behind nearly everything they had to protect themselves and their families. Being able to offer them support and education helps them to prepare for the future and build connections in their new community.”

Nearly 21 percent of the population in Uganda lives below the poverty line, according to the World Bank. This number rises to 33 percent for those living in the northern region where poverty is greatest. While the country has seen some economic growth as well as improvement in its UN Human Development Index ranking over the last 20 years, the country still ranks near the bottom at 159 out of 189 countries. After decades of war left many displaced, the people of Uganda face many significant challenges as they work to rebuild their country.

Uganda’s literacy rate has improved with 73 percent of the population literate, but only 23 percent of Ugandans go on to acquire a secondary education. According to UNICEF, one of the biggest challenges in the country is combating the serious increase of HIV/AIDS that has left millions of children orphaned.

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Don Bosco Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp

Salesian Missions – Uganda

World Bank – Uganda

The post UGANDA: Salesian missionaries educate close to 1,000 students in nursery schools and vocational training in 2019 first appeared on MissionNewswire.

UGANDA

(MissionNewswire) Robert Ocan, 33 years old, is a refugee at the Palabek Refugee Camp who assists Salesian missionaries with educational projects. Before he arrived at Palabek, Ocan was a professor of chemistry and mathematics in Pajok, South Sudan, which is located 15 kilometers from the border with Uganda. When war reached the almost 50,000 people living there in April 2017, Ocan had to flee for his safety, but he didn’t go alone.

Married with two young children, Ocan heard the rebel gunfire in the city center. As soon as he did, he organized not only his family’s escape but also the escape of almost 7,000 other people. Thanks to his mobile phone, he warned the schoolteachers to bring the children into the bush. Ocan recalled, “They ran and escaped with what they were wearing and had no water or food with them.”

When Ocan was young, he also had to flee with his parents during the war of independence in Sudan. But this time, when Ocan fled to Uganda, everything was easier because the country is welcoming refugees. Ocan noted, “UNHCR buses took us to Palabek, the last refugee settlement that was opened in northern Uganda.”

Uganda has become home for more than 1.3 million refugees—82 percent of whom are women and children—in the wake of the ongoing conflict in South Sudan, according to the UNHCR, the United Nations refugee agency. Millions have fled South Sudan and nearly 400,000 have died as a result of armed clashes. Many of those who have fled to Uganda, like Ocan and his family, have taken refuge at the Palabek Refugee Settlement in northern Uganda.

According to UNHCR, Palabek is currently home to nearly 46,000 refugees and asylum seekers. It was officially set up in April 2016 to reduce congestion in larger refugee camps in the northwestern corner of Uganda. Several agencies are involved in providing food and education within Palabek.

“Robert is the mediator of any conflict among the refugees, but also the highest authority of the refugees before those who manage the settlement. He has continuous meetings with UN authorities and the prime minister’s office and regularly visits every part of the camp to check that everything is in order,” explained Mariatzu, a refugee who arrived with him from Pajok.

Ocan receives no salary for his work. He is also involved in all the educational projects that the Salesians have undertaken in Palabek. Salesian missionaries at the settlement are offering much-needed psycho-social support and pastoral care for thousands of Christian residents. They also operate four nursery schools that educate more than 1,000 children. In addition, there are over 700 children attending Salesian primary and secondary schools, and more than 700 families that are supported by other initiatives.

Salesian missionaries launched a vocational training center to offer life skills and other training to help young refugees prepare for employment. Young refugees are able to attend vocational training courses for free. Depending on the discipline, some courses run for 3-6 months while others run as long as a year. Salesian missionaries have also set up a job placement office that helps students make contact with companies that are hiring, prepare resumes and prep for interviews, and find internships and on-site training opportunities.

“I have a hope of peace because Don Bosco is contributing to creating a new generation of young people,” said Ocan. “Don Bosco offers education, a great humanitarian and pastoral service and, above all, gives us hope for the future and trust in our capacities.”

Ocan’s dream, as with many refugees, is to return to South Sudan but acknowledges that it will take a few years. He added, “It is not enough for peace agreements to be signed. Clashes must end, free elections must be held, whoever wins must be recognized as the winner, a government must be formed and we all must start working together for peace. To do all this, at least five years must pass.”

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Sources:

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

ANS – South Sudan – Robert Ocan, the hero who saved over 7,000 people from death

Don Bosco Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp

Salesian Missions – Uganda

The post UGANDA: Refugee from South Sudan saved more than 7,000 in his community and is now working to help Salesian missionaries at Palabek Refugee Settlement first appeared on MissionNewswire.

UGANDA

(MissionNewswire) In January, Salesian Father Martín Lasarte and Marco Fulgaro, a lay collaborator, visited Palabek Refugee Settlement in Uganda to oversee and verify the Salesian educational-pastoral work that has been carried out over the last two years.

Uganda has become home for more than 1.3 million refugees—82 percent of whom are women and children—in the wake of the ongoing conflict in South Sudan, according to the UNHCR, the United Nations refugee agency. Millions have fled South Sudan and nearly 400,000 have died as a result of armed clashes. Many of those who have fled to Uganda have taken refuge at the Palabek Refugee Settlement in northern Uganda.

According to UNHCR, Palabek is currently home to nearly 46,000 refugees and asylum seekers. It was officially set up in April 2016 to reduce congestion in larger refugee camps in the northwestern corner of Uganda. Several agencies are involved in providing food and education within Palabek.

Salesian missionaries at the settlement are offering much-needed psycho-social support and pastoral care for thousands of Christian residents. They also operate four nursery schools that educate more than 1,000 children. In addition, there are over 700 children attending Salesian primary and secondary schools and more than 700 families that are supported by other initiatives.

Salesian missionaries launched a vocational training center to offer life skills and other training to help young refugees prepare for employment. Young refugees are able to attend vocational training courses for free. Depending on the discipline, some courses run for 3-6 months while others run as long as a year. Salesian missionaries have also set up a job placement office that helps students make contact with companies that are hiring, prepare resumes and prep for interviews, and find internships and on-site training opportunities.

The vocational training center currently has 450 students, 400 refugees and 50 host community Ugandans. The majority of students are young women and mothers who are finally having an opportunity to learn a skill. They are taking courses in tailoring, cosmetology and salon services such as hairdressing. Young men are learning automobile mechanics and motorcycle repair training. Agriculture classes are taught to all students no matter their primary area of study.

“Salesian missionaries are working to ensure that refugees at Palabek have an opportunity for education during their time in the camp,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Refugees have left behind nearly everything they had to protect themselves and their families. Being able to offer them support and education helps them to prepare for the future and build connections in their new community.”

Salesian missionaries also operate in communities outside of Palabek including a refugee settlement in Kyaka. Their goal is to provide more locations for educational and pastoral work as more resources become available.

Close to 67 percent of Ugandans are either poor or highly vulnerable to poverty, according to UNICEF. While the country has seen some economic growth as well as improvement in its UN Human Development Index ranking over the last 20 years, the country still ranks near the bottom at 163 out of 188 countries. After decades of war left many displaced, the people of Uganda face many significant challenges as they work to rebuild their country.

Uganda’s literacy rate has improved with 73 percent of the population literate, but only 23 percent of Ugandans go on to acquire a secondary education. According to UNICEF, one of the biggest challenges in the country is combating the serious increase of HIV/AIDS that has left millions of children orphaned.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Uganda – Palabek: new missionary frontier

Don Bosco Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp

Salesian Missions – Uganda

The post UGANDA: Salesian missionaries providing education and support to close to 3,000 youth in Palabek Refugee Settlement first appeared on MissionNewswire.

UGANDA

(MissionNewswire) Poor youth in Uganda had access to better nutrition thanks to a partnership between Salesian Missions and Rise Against Hunger, an international relief organization that provides food and life-changing aid to the world’s most vulnerable. The rice-meal shipment, which was sent during the third quarter of 2019, was shared with Don Bosco Children and Life Mission (Don Bosco CALM) in the town of Namugongo. The Salesian organization provides services to close to 165 children and 230 students attending the Don Bosco Nursery and Primary School.

The rice-meals are provided to students at schools and children at the orphanage to ensure they have the energy and focus to gain an education and participate in social programs. Don Bosco Children and Life Mission is a home that welcomes and gives hope to 165 children.

“Most of our beneficiaries are from the street, HIV positive and other vulnerable children,” says Father Elie Nyandwi, director of Don Bosco CALM and the Don Bosco Primary School. “Our financial, human and logistic resources are scarcely enough. We face challenges in feeding children, paying their school fees, scholastic materials, medical assistance, and paying monthly salaries for our workers. Since we started receiving the Rise Against Hunger meals, our organization can now breathe and save some money for solving some other children’s problems.”

One recipient, 9-year-old Ivan Kato is a student in primary four at the Don Bosco Primary school. He lives at Don Bosco CALM with his twin brother Derrick Kakuru. They were both orphaned after their mother died in a road accident, shortly after giving birth to the twins. Kato and Kakuru were rescued by Samaritans Sisters who cared for them until they reached the school age.

Kato eats with moderation. At school, he is more concentrated on his academics. Kakuru likes toys and cartoon movies and has excelled at being a critical thinker. He often asks tough questions, recently even asking the origin of God. He is dreaming of becoming an architect in order to build a big and beautiful house for his family.

Today, 34 million people live in Uganda with half under 15 years of age. Many children and older youth have to deal with diseases such as malaria, respiratory infections, diarrhea and HIV/AIDS. The number of Ugandans living below the poverty line declined from 31.1 percent in 2006 to 19.7 percent in 2013, where it stands today.

Close to 67 percent of Ugandans are either poor or highly vulnerable to poverty, according to UNICEF. While the country has seen some economic growth, as well as improvement in its Human Development Index ranking over the last 20 years, the country still ranks near the bottom at 163 out of 188 countries. After decades of war left many displaced, the people of Uganda face many significant challenges as they work to rebuild their country.

Uganda’s literacy rate has improved with 73 percent of the population literate but only 23 percent of Ugandans go on to acquire a secondary education. According to UNICEF, one of the biggest challenges in the country is combating the serious increase of HIV/AIDS that has left millions of children orphaned.

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Don Bosco CALM

Rise Against Hunger

Salesian Missions – Uganda

The post UGANDA: Poor youth attending programs at Don Bosco Children and Life Mission receive healthy nutrition thanks to donation of Rise Against Hunger rice-meals first appeared on MissionNewswire.

UGANDA

(MissionNewswire) Two months after the premiere of the documentary “Palabek: Refuge of Hope” from award-winning filmmaker Raúl de la Fuente on Oct. 17 in Madrid, Spain, more than 20,000 students attending high school, bachelor’s degree courses and Salesian vocational training centers in Spain have seen the documentary and listened to Salesian Father Ubaldino Andrade speak about the film. The students have come to understand the difficult experiences faced by the refugees. They have also participated in activities that stand in solidarity with them.

Uganda has become home for more than 1.3 million refugees—82 percent of whom are women and children—in the wake of the ongoing conflict in South Sudan, according to the UNHCR, the United Nations refugee agency. Millions have fled the country and nearly 400,000 have died as a result of armed clashes. Many of those who fled to Uganda have taken refuge at the Palabek Refugee Settlement in northern Uganda.

The Palabek Refugee Settlement is currently home to 34,000 people. It was officially set up in April 2016 to reduce congestion in larger refugee camps in the northwestern corner of Uganda. Several agencies are involved in providing food and education within Palabek.

In his presentation to the students, Fr. Andrade noted, “The camp is like the courtyard of your school, but you can’t leave it, and 100, 200, up to 300 thousand people live there. Palabek is a settlement of 20 square km, where each family receives a plot of 30 square meters to build its hut and sow something there.”

He added, “Those who reside there are people who have fled war and certain death. They have left their lives, family, work, clothes, home. They arrive with nothing to start from scratch and then have to survive with difficulty just to have a little water, they are without money and with insufficient quantity of food, which is given to them once a month and is always the same.”

In the village there are mostly women and children, often escaping from war, having to walk at night up to the border. Fr. Andrade explained, “But despite everything, they are always happy, they smile, they want to talk, they greet you, they share what little they have and the younger ones appreciate the education they receive. The children of Palabek do not have to take anything to school, because there are no pens, notebooks or backpacks, in some cases they have to travel many kilometers on foot to attend classes. But the Salesians offer breakfast and food to all the children who attend the settlement schools, around 13,000 in number.”

In closing his presentation to the students, Fr. Andrade explained that there are many ways to help Salesian missionaries and refugees at Palabek. He said, “The first is through prayer, which does miracles. The second is to understand and convey the message that when we talk about refugees, migrants or unaccompanied minors, we’re not talking about suspect persons, thieves or terrorists, as some say, but they are people who have fled to save their lives. The third way to help is with money or solidarity initiatives, such as writing letters in English for the children there, or recording a video and sending it through the Salesian Mission Office Madrid and the Salesian Jóvenes y Desarrollo Foundation. The fourth way, for those who are a little older, is to go to Palabek as a volunteer. We are waiting for you there and I guarantee you that your life will change.”

Salesian missionaries at the settlement are offering much needed psycho-social support and pastoral care for thousands of Christian residents. They also operate four nursery schools that educate more than 1,000 children. In addition, there are over 700 children attending Salesian primary and secondary schools and more than 700 families that are supported by various other initiatives.

Young refugees are also able to attend vocational training courses for free. Depending on the discipline, some courses will run for 3-6 months while others will run as long as a year. Salesian missionaries have also set up a job placement office that will help students make contact with companies that are hiring, prepare resumes and prep for interviews, and find internships and onsite training opportunities.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Spain – Nearly 20,000 students of Salesianos have seen “Palabek” film documentary, listened to Fr Andrade

Don Bosco Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp

Salesian Missions – Uganda

The post UGANDA: More than 20,000 students view the new documentary “Palabek: Refuge of Hope” first appeared on MissionNewswire.

UGANDA

(MissionNewswire) The Salesian Mission Office Madrid and the Salesian Jóvenes y Desarrollo Foundation presented a new documentary “Palabek: Refuge of Hope” from award-winning filmmaker Raúl de la Fuente on Oct. 17, in Madrid, Spain. Other screening locations will follow in Spain and other European cities in the coming weeks.

Uganda has become home for more than 1.3 million refugees—82 percent of whom are women and children—in the wake of the ongoing conflict in South Sudan, according to the UNHCR, the United Nations refugee agency. Millions have fled the country and nearly 400,000 have died as a result of armed clashes. Many of those who have fled to Uganda have taken refuge at the Palabek Refugee Settlement in northern Uganda.

The Palabek Refugee Settlement is currently home to 34,000 people. It was officially set up in April 2016 to reduce congestion in larger refugee camps in the northwestern corner of Uganda. Several agencies are involved in providing food and education within Palabek.

Salesian missionaries at the settlement are offering much needed psycho-social support and pastoral care for thousands of Christian residents. They also operate four nursery schools that educate more than 1,000 children. In addition, there are over 700 children attending Salesian primary and secondary schools and more than 700 families that are supported by various other initiatives.

Young refugees are also able to attend vocational training courses for free. Depending on the discipline, some courses will run for 3-6 months while others will run as long as a year. Salesian missionaries have also set up a job placement office that will help students make contact with companies that are hiring, prepare resumes and prep for interviews, and find internships and onsite training opportunities.

Ordinary life in the camp is the main theme of the documentary, with a focus on the daily difficulties and uncertainty of the future of these people. The film offers moving stories of refugees arriving from all over the world and shows the dreams that keep them alive, along with the work that the Salesians do with them, offering education, support and hope.

Alice and Gladys, two young refugees and mothers, have started a new life in the settlement of Palabek thanks to the study opportunities offered to them by the Salesians. Thanks to a scholarship, Alice is finishing high school in a village near Palabek, while Gladys is the only girl who attends the Motorcycle Repair course of the Don Bosco Technical School.

“This new documentary sheds light on the realities faced by those who have had to leave everything behind to save their own lives and now live with the painful difficulties of being separated from their families and waiting for peace to be able to return home,” says Father Mark Hyde, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco.

Close to 67 percent of Ugandans are either poor or highly vulnerable to poverty, according to UNICEF. While the country has seen some economic growth, as well as improvement in its Human Development Index ranking over the last 20 years, the country still ranks near the bottom at 163 out of 188 countries. After decades of war left many displaced, the people of Uganda face many significant challenges as they work to rebuild their country.

Uganda’s literacy rate has improved with 73 percent of the population literate but only 23 percent of Ugandans go on to acquire a secondary education. According to UNICEF, one of the biggest challenges in the country is combating the serious increase of HIV/AIDS that has left millions of children orphaned.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Spain – “Palabek. Refugio de esperanza”, documentary about refugees’ life and dreams

Don Bosco Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp

Salesian Missions – Uganda

Salesian Missions – Spain

UGANDA: Young women from South Sudan are learning the skills needed to earn a living at Palabek Refugee Settlement

The post UGANDA: Salesian Mission Office Madrid and Salesian Jóvenes y Desarrollo Foundation present the new documentary “Palabek: Refuge of Hope” first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Don Bosco Green Alliance members work to create an environment that is safe and caring for all life on the planet while building up a new generation of environmentally committed citizens and leaders. The Alliance’s priorities are combating pollution, reducing global warming and eliminating disposable plastics. In each of these areas, it aims to partner with ongoing global campaigns promoted by the United Nations Environment Program (UN Environment) or other international organizations.

Green Club students and leaders gathered in for a three-day workshop at the Don Bosco Vocational Training Center in Bombo. The workshop, facilitated by young trainers from Jugend Eine Welt and local experts, focused on environmental education. Among the participants were students and patrons of three Don Bosco Green Clubs including the clubs in Kamuli, Bombo and Palabek. The workshop equipped participants with materials and tools for environmental awareness-raising among local populations.

After the workshop in Bombo, the team continued its work at the Palabek Refugee Settlement in northern Uganda. The Palabek Refugee Settlement is currently home to 34,000 people. It was officially set up in April 2016 to reduce congestion in larger refugee camps in the northwestern corner of Uganda. Several agencies are involved in providing food and education within Palabek.

Salesian missionaries recently opened the first Vocational Training Center in the settlement. It currently has 450 students, 400 of whom are refugees and 50 whom are host community Ugandans. The majority of students are young women and mothers who are finally having an opportunity to learn a skill. They are taking courses in tailoring, cosmetology and salon services such as hairdressing. Young men are learning automobile mechanics and motorcycle repair training. Agriculture classes are taught to all students no matter their primary area of study.

With the support of Father Jeffery Canisius Albert, principal of the Don Bosco Vocational Training Center in Palabek, a Green Club workshop and tree planting activities took place. He said, “The positive, optimistic approach of the young trainers from Jugend Eine Welt, their open-minded and cheerful appearance is very contagious. We really look forward to continuing this fruitful cooperation in the future.”

Close to 67 percent of Ugandans are either poor or highly vulnerable to poverty, according to UNICEF. While the country has seen some economic growth, as well as improvement in its Human Development Index ranking over the last 20 years, the country still ranks near the bottom at 163 out of 188 countries. After decades of war left many displaced, the people of Uganda face many significant challenges as they work to rebuild their country.

Uganda’s literacy rate has improved with 73 percent of the population literate but only 23 percent of Ugandans go on to acquire a secondary education. According to UNICEF, one of the biggest challenges in the country is combating the serious increase of HIV/AIDS that has left millions of children orphaned.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Uganda – Don Bosco Green Club workshops in Uganda

Don Bosco Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp

Jugend Eine Welt – Don Bosco Green Clubs

UNICEF – Uganda

Salesian Missions – Uganda

The post UGANDA: Don Bosco Green Club workshops held in Bombo and the Palabek Refugee Settlement first appeared on MissionNewswire.

The rice-meals are being provided to students at schools and children at the orphanage to ensure they have the energy and focus to gain an education and participate in social programs. Don Bosco Children and Life Mission is a home that welcomes and gives hope to 165 children including those who are orphans, HIV positive, living on the streets or otherwise vulnerable. In addition, Don Bosco CALM has opened its doors to children refugees mainly from South Sudan, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“Our organization faces a lot of challenges to find enough food to feed our children who are mostly adolescent, therefore in need of big quantity of food,” says Father Elie Nyandwi, director of Don Bosco CALM and the Don Bosco Primary School. “It is our responsibility to look for the best ways to find food for our beneficiaries. Most of time, we face financial crisis, and we don’t get enough funds to pay school fees, scholastic materials, medical treatment, food, and salaries for our workers. Food remains the priority since it is the basic need for all human beings. Thus, the Rise Against Hunger meals are highly needed and loved in our organization. Without it, general panic is immediately noticed.”

One recipient, 15-year-old Enock Katumba, is a student at Don Bosco Primary school who began living at Don Bosco CALM four years ago. Katumba is the first born in a family of four children. His mother died of HIV/AIDS and his father left the family after a dispute with this employer, leaving the children alone.

Katumba was rescued by a woman who could not care for him so she brought him to a hospital, which referred him to Don Bosco CALM. Arriving at the Don Bosco home, he was placed in a primary one class because he lacked early access to education so he needed to catch up to his peers. Ever since, has been among the five best students in his class. Katumba does not hide his disappointment about the life he left behind in his village. He says, “I suffered a lot, my body was very weak, I am happy of being here where I eat well. I am only worried about my young sister and two brothers who are still suffering a lot in the village.” Katumba dreams of becoming a pilot in order to visit many countries. He also hopes that one day he will become a leader in his village and save many children who have nobody to help them.

Salesian missionaries report that students who have access to nutritious food fare much better in school. They have an ability to focus more, are more engaged in their studies and have better outcomes in their coursework.

Today, 34 million people live in Uganda with half being under 15 years of age. Many children and older youth have to deal with diseases such as malaria, respiratory infections, diarrhea and HIV/AIDS. The number of Ugandans living below the poverty line declined from 31.1 percent in 2006 to 19.7 percent in 2013, where it stands today.

Close to 67 percent of Ugandans are either poor or highly vulnerable to poverty, according to UNICEF. While the country has seen some economic growth as well as improvement in its Human Development Index ranking over the last 20 years, the country still ranks near the bottom at 163 out of 188 countries. After decades of war left many displaced, the people of Uganda face many significant challenges as they work to rebuild their country.

Uganda’s literacy rate has improved with 73 percent of the population literate but only 23 percent of Ugandans go on to acquire a secondary education. According to UNICEF, one of the biggest challenges in the country is combating the serious increase of HIV/AIDS that has left millions of children orphaned.

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Sources:

Don Bosco CALM

Rise Against Hunger

Salesian Missions – Uganda

The post UGANDA: More than 1,700 youth access better nutrition at Salesian programs thanks to Rise Against Hunger rice-meals first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Here, Gladys, a 23-year-old mother, is attending course work at Don Bosco Technical School so she is able to learn the skills needed to repair the motorcycle she drives. Gladys is the only woman attending the motorcycle repair course. She attends the course while also working as a seamstress making small repairs on clothing with a sewing machine. Gladys says, “I don’t care that I’m the only girl. For me, it’s clear that I have to know how to repair the motorbike in case it breaks during the journey.”

As soon as she can, she plans to ride her motorcycle to South Sudan to visit her mother and son. Gladys fled from South Sudan when she understood that staying could mean being killed at any time, and her will to live overcame the fear of migration. She says, “One day they shot a bus full of people. I managed to throw myself to the ground and survived, but many people died.”

Gladys’ focus is on her son. “I want to give him a good education,” she says. She also hopes that one day it will be possible to have peace in her country. She adds, “We need peace in order to be able to think about the long-term future and to be able to continue smiling at life, without having to worry about how much time I will have to stay in a refugee settlement.”

The Palabek Refugee Settlement is currently home to 34,000 people. It was officially set up in April 2016 to reduce congestion in larger refugee camps in the northwestern corner of Uganda. Several agencies are involved in providing food and education within Palabek.

Salesian missionaries at the settlement are offering much-needed psycho-social support and pastoral care for thousands of Christian residents. They also operate four nursery schools that educate more than 1,000 children. In addition, there are over 700 children attending Salesian primary and secondary schools and more than 700 families that are supported by various other initiatives.

Salesian missionaries launched the new vocational training center to offer life skills and other training to help young refugees prepare for employment. Thousands of refugees, representatives of non-governmental organizations and a government delegation participated in the opening ceremonies celebrating the center.

Young refugees are able to attend vocational training courses for free. Depending on the discipline, some courses will run for 3-6 months while others will run as long as a year. Salesian missionaries have also set up a job placement office which will help students make contact with companies that are hiring, prepare resumes and prep for interviews, and find internships and on-site training opportunities.

The vocational training center currently has 450 students, 400 of whom are refugees and 50 are host community Ugandans. The majority of students are young women and mothers who are finally having an opportunity to learn a skill. They are taking courses in tailoring, cosmetology and salon services such as hair dressing. Young men are learning automobile mechanics and motorcycle repair training. Agriculture classes are taught to all students no matter their primary area of study.

Close to 67 percent of Ugandans are either poor or highly vulnerable to poverty, according to UNICEF. While the country has seen some economic growth as well as improvement in its Human Development Index ranking over the last 20 years, the country still ranks near the bottom at 163 out of 188 countries. After decades of war left many displaced, the people of Uganda face many significant challenges as they work to rebuild their country.

Uganda’s literacy rate has improved with 73 percent of the population literate but only 23 percent of Ugandans go on to acquire a secondary education. According to UNICEF, one of the biggest challenges in the country is combating the serious increase of HIV/AIDS that has left millions of children orphaned.

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Sources:

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

ANS ‒ Uganda – In the midst of terrifying statistics, a young mother – a biker – struggles to survive

Don Bosco Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp

The post UGANDA: Young women from South Sudan are learning the skills needed to earn a living at Palabek Refugee Settlement first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Close to 77,500 meals were provided to youth in Uganda over the third and fourth quarter of 2018 thanks to Rise Against Hunger rice-meal shipments. In addition, 64 individuals were trained in the cooking and preparation of the meals. Among the beneficiaries were children from the local refugee camp which hosts children and families who have fled from South Sudan, Burundi and Rwanda. These children and those in the surrounding communities need access to nutritious food that provides them the energy and focus to gain an education and participate in social programs.

“At Don Bosco CALM, most of our beneficiaries are from the street, HIV positive and other vulnerable children,” explains Father Elie Nyandwi, director of Don Bosco CALM and the Don Bosco Primary School. “Our financial, human and logistic resources are scarce. We face challenges in feeding children, paying their school fees, scholastic materials, medical assistance and paying monthly salaries for our workers. We have few funding people and organizations, and the Uganda Government does not help support our work. Since we started receiving the Rise Against Hunger meals, our organization can now breathe and save some money for solving some other children’s problems.”

Children at Don Bosco CALM receive nutritious Rise Against Hunger meals every day. Vianny is a student at the Don Bosco Primary School and lives at Don Bosco CALM. Originally from the Ugandan district of Butambala, he came to Don Bosco CALM a year ago and was warmly welcomed by the other students. At home, he and his family were only eating a meal made of cassava bread and beans once a day.

Vianny says, “I want to a policeman in future in order to keep law and order in this village.” Vianny enjoys the rice-meals with beans which make him strong and healthy. He states that children at Don Bosco CALM no longer suffer from hunger because of Rise Against Hunger. After having a meal, Vianny relaxes and plays with his friends before resuming his academic studies.

“We welcomed Vianny after listening to his touching story from his family poor financial background,” adds Fr. Nyandwi. “I remember the first time I met him, I greeted him but he did not answer. After enjoying the Rise Against Hunger meals, he is the first one to come to greet me everywhere he finds me. His gorgeous smile reveals his internal joy caused by being loved, fed well and cared for in most of his needs by different stakeholders of our institution. He is always among the five best pupils performing well in his class. I wish him success in his life.”

Today, 34 million people live in Uganda with half being under 15 years of age. Many children and older youth have to deal with diseases such as malaria, respiratory infections, diarrhea and HIV/AIDS. The number of Ugandans living below the poverty line declined from 31.1 percent in 2006 to 19.7 percent in 2013, where it stands today.

Close to 67 percent of Ugandans are either poor or highly vulnerable to poverty, according to UNICEF. While the country has seen some economic growth as well as improvement in its Human Development Index ranking over the last 20 years, the country still ranks near the bottom at 163 out of 188 countries. After decades of war left many displaced, the people of Uganda face many significant challenges as they work to rebuild their country.

Uganda’s literacy rate has improved with 73 percent of the population literate but only 23 percent of Ugandans go on to acquire a secondary education. According to UNICEF, one of the biggest challenges in the country is combating the serious increase of HIV/AIDS that has left millions of children orphaned.

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Don Bosco CALM

Rise Against Hunger

Salesian Missions

The post UGANDA: Close to 77,500 meals provided to poor youth at Don Bosco Children and Life Mission and Don Bosco Primary School thanks to Rise Against Hunger rice-meal shipment first appeared on MissionNewswire.

The Palabek Refugee Settlement is currently home to 34,000 people. It was officially set up in April 2016 to reduce congestion in larger refugee camps in the northwestern corner of Uganda. Several agencies are involved in providing food and education within Palabek.

Salesian missionaries at the settlement are offering much-needed psychosocial support and pastoral care for thousands of Christian residents. They also operate four nursery schools that educate more than 1,000 children. In addition, there are over 700 children attending Salesian primary and secondary schools and more than 700 families that are supported by various other initiatives.

Salesian missionaries launched the new vocational training center to offer life skills and other training to help young refugees prepare for employment. Thousands of refugees, representatives of non-governmental organizations and a government delegation participated in the opening ceremonies celebrating the center.

Young refugees are able to attend vocational training courses for free. Depending on the discipline, some courses will run for 3-6 months while others will run as long as a year. Salesian missionaries have also set up a job placement office which will help students make contact with companies that are hiring, prepare resumes and prep for interviews, and find internships and on-site training opportunities.

The vocational training center currently has 450 students, 400 of whom are refugees and 50 are host community Ugandans. The majority of students are young women and mothers who are finally having an opportunity to learn a skill. They are taking courses in tailoring, cosmetology and salon services such as hair dressing. Young men are learning automobile mechanics and motorcycle repair training. Agriculture classes are taught to all students no matter their primary area of study.

The center, like the four nursery schools and nine primary schools operated by Salesian missionaries at Palabek, also offers a food program so students are ensured one hot meal a day. Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, has provided funding in the past to help support 60 students who are accessing the feeding program in the Palabek Salesian schools.

“Vocational training is critical to help these young refugees adapt to their new surroundings and prepare for the future,” says Father Mark Hyde, director of Salesian Missions. “Through the new vocational training, youth will be able to give themselves and their families social stability and improve their living conditions. We know that students are dealing with much more than learning a trade so ensuring they have access to proper nutrition it critical.”

Salesian missionaries arrived at the Palabek Refugee Settlement in June 2017. At the start, the precariousness of the situation forced Salesian missionaries to live in huts with the refugees. Eventually, they built simple rooms, sanitation and water facilities, small structures for gatherings and various chapels and schools for children.

Close to 67 percent of Ugandans are either poor or highly vulnerable to poverty, according to UNICEF. While the country has seen some economic growth as well as improvement in its Human Development Index ranking over the last 20 years, the country still ranks near the bottom at 163 out of 188 countries. After decades of war left many displaced, the people of Uganda face many significant challenges as they work to rebuild their country.

Uganda’s literacy rate has improved with 73 percent of the population literate but only 23 percent of Ugandans go on to acquire a secondary education. According to UNICEF, one of the biggest challenges in the country is combating the serious increase of HIV/AIDS that has left millions of children orphaned.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Uganda – Inauguration of Salesian Vocational Training Center in Palabek refugee camp

Don Bosco Palabek Refugees Resettlement Camp

The post UGANDA: Salesian missionaries launch new vocational training center at Palabek Refugee Settlement first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Comino’s goal is to help refugees better learn a trade and have the equipment necessary to do so. Often, students at the refugee settlement do not have the tools to practice their trade or make necessary repairs. Comino is aiming to change that by sending boxes of metal, computers, mixers, shovels, spades and even a forklift that will be used to lift loads.

Helping in this endeavor is Flavio Filippi, a former business owner in the field of tools and hardware sales. Since leaving his business to his children, Filippi has decided to give back. He is working to provide as much material as possible to Comino to send to the Palabek Refugee Settlement. The shipment is expected to arrive in Uganda in February.

Comino envisions refugees being able to set up small workshops so they can continue expanding their technical skills in their chosen trade in order to begin earning a living. The goal being to grant refugees the dignity of earning a living and supporting themselves and their community.

Salesian missionaries are offering much-needed psychosocial support and pastoral care for thousands of Christian residents in the Palabek Refugee Settlement in addition to operating four nursery schools that educate more than 1,000 children. In addition, there are over 700 children attending Salesian primary and secondary schools and more than 700 families that are supported by various other initiatives.

Currently, Salesian missionaries are in the process of constructing a vocational/technical training center with the intention of offering life skills training and other training to help youth prepare for employment.

Salesian missionaries arrived at the Palabek Refugee Settlement in June 2017. At the start, the precariousness of the situation forced Salesian missionaries to live in huts with the refugees. Eventually, they built simple rooms, sanitation and water facilities, small structures for gatherings and various chapels and schools for children.

Close to 67 percent of Ugandans are either poor or highly vulnerable to poverty, according to UNICEF. While the country has seen some economic growth as well as improvement in its Human Development Index ranking over the last 20 years, the country still ranks near the bottom at 163 out of 188 countries. After decades of war left many displaced, the people of Uganda face many significant challenges as they work to rebuild their country.

Uganda’s literacy rate has improved with 73 percent of the population literate but only 23 percent of Ugandans go on to acquire a secondary education. According to UNICEF, one of the biggest challenges in the country is combating the serious increase of HIV/AIDS that has left millions of children orphaned.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Italy – Sending materials to Palabek to build small workshops

Don Bosco Palabek Refugees Resettlement Camp

The post UGANDA: Italian Salesian missionary is sending equipment and supplies to Palabek Refugee Settlement to support refugees in their technical education first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Escorted by the police, and with the Red Cross on hand to ensure the good health of all the participants, the runners ran 13 km during the race. The winners were a 13-year-old girl competing in the women’s run and a young boy from the oratory competing in the men’s run. Both received bicycles as a reward for their victories.

At the end of the race, Salesian Philippe Gbao, vicar of the Kamuli Salesian house and the person in charge of pastoral care in the Kamuli community, explained to the crowd the significance of the event and the Immaculate Conception feast day. He also took the opportunity to highlight the importance of offering a comprehensive education to all.

The competition provided an opportunity to bring awareness to the work of Salesian missionaries on behalf of poor and at-risk youth. Salesian missionaries and other staff were able to highlight the great work happening at the Salesian vocational training school in Kamuli and at the oratory.

A former mayor of the city of Kamuli who also participated in the marathon, thanked Salesian missionaries for their work with youth in the local community and invited all those who were present to be ambassadors of Don Bosco in promoting the importance of education and social support for poor youth.

“In Uganda, Salesian schools not only provide a space for learning, they also help meet the basic needs of their students,” says Father Mark Hyde, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “We have seen the devastating results of conflict on individual lives, families and countries, but we are also seeing how people, especially poor youth in Uganda, are making enormous efforts to overcome the challenges that they’ve faced to build better lives for themselves. Access to education is critical for youth to learn and develop the skills for employment and success later in life.”

The number of Ugandans living below the poverty line declined from 31.1 percent in 2006 to 19.7 percent in 2013 where it still stands today. While the country has seen some economic growth as well as improvement in its Human Development Index ranking over the last 20 years, it still ranks near the bottom at 163 out of 188 countries.

After decades of war left many displaced, the people of Uganda face many significant challenges as they work to rebuild their country. While 73 percent of Uganda’s population is literate, only 23 percent of Ugandans go on to acquire a secondary education, according to UNICEF. Salesian programs give Ugandan students a space for learning while also helping to meet their basic needs.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Uganda – “Don Bosco Marathon” in Kamuli to raise awareness against domestic violence

UNICEF – Uganda 

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The training center already offers a number of courses in construction, electrical installation, electrical repair, electronics, hospitality, tourism, materials development and textiles. Because Salesian missionaries live in the communities in which they work, they are able to develop courses that give students the skills necessary to meet the demands of the local job market. The goal being to help each student transition out of the classroom directly into work.

“Salesian missionaries in Uganda work directly with poor and disadvantaged youth to provide hope for a positive future through education and training as well as sporting, recreational and cultural activities,” says Father Mark Hyde, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Salesian programs aim to provide youth with the technical education needed to find and retain long-term employment in order to help them break the cycle of poverty and contribute back to their families and communities.”

Since nearly 86 percent of the population of Uganda earns their income through farming, Salesian missionaries are providing agriculture training in addition to vocational and technical training in the country. The agriculture training is offered on six hectares of land on the grounds of the Don Bosco Children and Life Mission, located in the town of Namugongo, just 10 miles northeast of the city of Kampala in Central Uganda. The program provides agriculture education to 140 students who are encouraged to farm the land. Food grown through the program feeds the students and those living in surrounding communities.

Through the use of better farming techniques and better cultivation of the land, in 2015, the farm produced cabbage, carrots, onions, beans, corn, manioc, eggplant, peppers and sweet potatoes in abundance. The program has also expanded to include a piggery with three pigs, one of which produced eight piglets that are being raised on the farm. With a goal of eventually raising more than 200 pigs, Salesian missionaries have constructed an area to house a larger population of pigs and have installed water pipes to be used for cleaning and to provide drinking water for the animals.

The number of Ugandans living below the poverty line declined from 31.1 percent in 2006 to 19.7 percent in 2013, where it still stands today. While the country has seen some economic growth as well as improvement in its Human Development Index ranking over the last 20 years, it still ranks near the bottom at 163 out of 188 countries.

After decades of war left many displaced, the people of Uganda face many significant challenges as they work to rebuild their country. While 73 percent of Uganda’s population is literate, only 23 percent of Ugandans go on to acquire a secondary education, according to UNICEF. Salesian programs give Ugandan students a space for learning while also helping to meet their basic needs.

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Salesian Missions Projects

UGANDA: Salesian Missionaries Provide Agriculture Training to 140 Students

UNICEF – Uganda 

The post UGANDA: Salesian Missions donors provide funding for new wing for the Don Bosco Vocational Training Center first appeared on MissionNewswire.

The Palabek Refugee Settlement is currently home to 42,000 people with an average of 300 new refugees from South Sudan arriving each week. It was officially set up in April 2016 to reduce congestion in larger refugee camps in the northwestern corner of Uganda.

Several agencies are involved in providing food and education within Palabek. Salesian missionaries are offering much-needed psychosocial support and pastoral care for thousands of Christian residents. They also operate four nursery schools that educate more than 1,000 children. In addition, there are over 700 children attending Salesian primary and secondary schools and more than 700 families that are supported by various other initiatives. Salesian Missions is the only organization whose missionaries are living in the camp among the refugees.

Josephine is 26 and arrived in Palabek almost a year and a half ago. She fled the war in South Sudan when her village near the border was attacked and the shootings and violence made her fear for her life and for the lives of her three children aged 8, 6 and 3.

Josephine’s story is similar to that of most of the refugees who arrive at Palabek. Stories of having to flee at night to avoid being discovered and having to walk several days without food or water until reaching the border. Those fleeing include professional doctors, professors, policemen, lawyers and engineers. In the camp, they become refugees trying to reestablish their lives in a new country.

Josephine is an exception in Palabek as most of the refugees aspire to stay in Uganda and she wants peace in South Sudan so she can return home. She says, “My husband is a teacher and he works in the capital of South Sudan. We are in contact and as soon as the situation improves, I want to reach him.”

Josephine’s mother and brother live with her in a hut and take care of the children when they are not at school. Like all the families at Palabek, in addition to their humble home, they have a small 30 square meter vegetable garden. After meeting Salesian missionaries in the chapel, Josephine started to work with them. She explains, “At the beginning I would prepare porridge for kindergarten children, then they hired me as a cook.”

Josephine adds, “Salesian missionaries give us hope through the education they give to our children and the formation they offer to us. It is a way for us to feel useful when we think of the future, of peace in our country and of being able to return to our home.”

In order to better help refugees, Salesian missionaries are in the process of constructing a vocational/technical training center with the intention of offering life skills and other training to help youth prepare for employment.

Close to 67 percent of Ugandans are either poor or highly vulnerable to poverty, according to UNICEF. While the country has seen some economic growth as well as improvement in its Human Development Index ranking over the last 20 years, the country still ranks near the bottom at 163 out of 188 countries. After decades of war left many displaced, the people of Uganda face many significant challenges as they work to rebuild their country.

Uganda’s literacy rate has improved with 73 percent of the population literate but only 23 percent of Ugandans go on to acquire a secondary education. According to UNICEF, one of the biggest challenges in the country is combating the serious increase of HIV/AIDS that has left millions of children orphaned.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Uganda – Josephine, a young refugee mother in Uganda, dreams of peace in South Sudan

Don Bosco Palabek Refugees Resettlement Camp

The post UGANDA: A young refugee dreams of peace in the South Sudan while working with Salesian missionaries in the Palabek Refugee Settlement first appeared on MissionNewswire.

The Palabek Refugee Settlement is currently home to 42,000 people with an average of 300 new refugees from South Sudan arriving each week. It was officially set up in April 2016 to reduce congestion in larger refugee camps in the northwestern corner of Uganda.

Several agencies are involved in providing food and education within Palabek. Salesian missionaries are offering much-needed psychosocial support and pastoral care for thousands of Christian residents. They also operate four nursery schools that educate more than 1,000 children. In addition, there are over 700 children attending Salesian primary and secondary schools and more than 700 families that are supported by various other initiatives.

Currently, Salesian missionaries are in the process of constructing a vocational/ technical training center with the intention of offering life skills and other training to help youth prepare for employment.

There are seven Salesian missionaries who are working at the settlement; two from the D.R. Congo, one from Congo Brazzaville, three from India and one from Venezuela. Father Martin Lasarte recently visited the camp and provided some insight into the work being conducted there. He says, “The work done by Salesians is an eminently pastoral task. There are eleven chapels in the camp where Mass is celebrated and training is offered to young people and families.”

Father Lazar Arasu, a Salesian missionary overseeing the work at Palabek, has noted that in addition to Palabek, other large camps are situated in the northwest districts of Arua, Yumbe, Adjumani and Moyo, each hosting hundreds of thousands of refugees.

Salesian missionaries arrived at the Palabek refugee settlement in June 2017. At the start, the precariousness of the situation forced Salesian missionaries to live in huts with the refugees, but little by little they built simple rooms, sanitation and water facilities, small structures for gatherings and various chapels and schools for children.

Close to 67 percent of Ugandans are either poor or highly vulnerable to poverty, according to UNICEF. While the country has seen some economic growth as well as improvement in its Human Development Index ranking over the last 20 years, the country still ranks near the bottom at 163 out of 188 countries. After decades of war left many displaced, the people of Uganda face many significant challenges as they work to rebuild their country.

Uganda’s literacy rate has improved with 73 percent of the population literate but only 23 percent of Ugandans go on to acquire a secondary education. According to UNICEF, one of the biggest challenges in the country is combating the serious increase of HIV/AIDS that has left millions of children orphaned.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Uganda – “Where there are Salesians, education is always a priority.” Palabek refugee camp

Don Bosco Palabek Refugees Resettlement Camp

The post UGANDA: Salesian missionaries are providing education to children and older youth in Palabek Refugee Settlement first appeared on MissionNewswire.

The funding is providing educational courses, medical treatment, medicines and nutritional meals for youth living with HIV/AIDS. These youth are also eligible to receive counseling, recreation opportunities, medical observation and critical antiretroviral therapy treatments (ART). The Salesian program has been particularly effective because youth are able to study and build peer relationships in a safe and supportive environment free from the stigma and rejection they previously encountered.

“The work of Salesian missionaries around the globe goes beyond education,” says Father Mark Hyde, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “We aim to serve the whole person by making sure that basic needs like health and nutrition are met in addition to other social service needs.”

Don Bosco Children and Life Mission provides more than 140 at-risk boys aged 6 to 18 access to primary, secondary and technical education along with sports programming, youth clubs, guidance counseling and life skills training. Students also have the opportunity to participate in a variety of extracurricular activities including jazz band, brass band, acrobatics and programs by Youth Alive Uganda, an organization that works with youth to promote social skills and values.

In addition, Salesian feeding programs in the country have proven critical to student success. When children, particularly those suffering from illness, come to school hungry, they are less likely to follow the instructions of their educators and improve their performance. As a result of Salesian feeding programs, students are thriving. Many have gained weight, suffered fewer illnesses and become more focused on their studies. Teachers are seeing better student performance in class, a decrease in absenteeism and an increase in program enrollment rates.

The number of Ugandans living below the poverty line declined from 31.1 percent in 2006 to 19.7 percent in 2013, where it stands today. While the country has seen some economic growth as well as improvement in its Human Development Index ranking over the last 20 years, the country still ranks near the bottom at 163 out of 188 countries.

After decades of war left many displaced, the people of Uganda face many significant challenges as they work to rebuild their country. While 73 percent of Uganda’s population is literate, only 23 percent of Ugandans go on to acquire a secondary education, according to UNICEF. Salesian programs give Ugandan students a space for learning while also helping to meet their basic needs.

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Salesian Missions Projects

UNICEF – Uganda 

The post UGANDA: Salesian Missions donors provide funding for medical and nutritional support for youth living with HIV/AIDS first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Two separate donations were able to help support the school. One donation provided the funding for 150 choir robes and items for church such as a monstrance, church bells, an audio mixer amplifier and two microphones. Another donation provided 150 children new school uniforms. The children attending the school are between 7 and 18 years old and are primarily street children, orphans, refugees and children from other vulnerable situations.

Since the purchase of the materials, Salesian missionaries are taking measures for the sustainability of the items. Choir robes will be washed and ironed once a week and kept in a safe room at the Salesian Community Center. The other liturgical objects will also be secured in a safe place. Youth will wash their uniforms twice a week and keep them neat and tidy.

Robert Sanya is one of the beneficiaries of the donation. He was living with his family in South Sudan before violence broke out and his family was forced to separate in search of safety. Robert found his way into a Catholic church where he met Salesian Father Sudhir who sheltered the boy for a year. Robert does not know where the rest of his family is or even if his father who served in the national army is still alive.

Robert was in grade 4 when the family separated. When he was with Fr. Sudhir he did not go to school but constantly spoke of being able to return to his studies. Father Sudhir contacted Father Elie Nyandwi to help Robert access education through CALM as it was impossible for him to go back to his home in South Sudan. Father Nyandwi was able to honor the request, and Robert is now attending grade 5 at Don Bosco Primary School.

Salesian missionaries in Uganda have been actively engaged in improving programs and services to better meet the needs of youth. CALM currently hosts 155 children and about 60 older youth attend the Salesian school in Bombo during the school year. Others attend the Don Bosco school in Namugongo along with 40 students who are not part of the CALM programming.

“In Uganda, Salesian schools not only provide a space for learning, they also help meet the basic needs of their students,” says Father Mark Hyde, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “We have seen the devastating results of conflict on individual lives, families and countries, but we are also seeing how people, especially poor youth in Uganda, are making enormous efforts to overcome the challenges that they’ve faced to build better lives for themselves. Access to education is critical for youth to learn and develop the skills for employment and success later in life.”

Today, 34 million people live in Uganda, half are under 15 years of age. Many children and older youth have to deal with diseases such as malaria, respiratory infections, diarrhea and HIV/AIDS. The number of Ugandans living below the poverty line declined from 31.1 percent in 2006 to 19.7 percent in 2013, where it stands today. While the country has seen some economic growth as well as improvement in its Human Development Index ranking over the last 20 years, it still ranks near the bottom at 163 out of 188 countries. After decades of war left many displaced, the people of Uganda face many significant challenges as they work to rebuild their country.

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Sources:

United Nations Human Development Report

The post UGANDA: Donations provide liturgical items and school uniforms for students attending Don Bosco Primary School first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Uganda hosts close to 1.3 million refugees, the majority coming from South Sudan. Others are fleeing from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Somalia, Burundi and several other countries. Father Lazar Arasu, a Salesian missionary overseeing the work at Palabek, has noted that in addition to Palabek, other large camps are situated in the northwest districts such as Arua, Yumbe, Adjumani and Moyo, each hosting hundreds of thousands of refugees.

“The settlement started in March 2017, and people are arriving in hundreds to date,” explains Fr. Arasu in his recent article in Leadership Magazine-Uganda. “Women and children constitute 86 percent of the settlement. Others are young male adults and one percent are elderly men and women. The settlement is full of young adolescent girls. Often it makes us wonder, what is their future? How can we be of service to them? Young male adults are believed to be guarding their properties in their home countries and fighting in warring factions.”

The Palabek Refugee Settlement is divided into eight zones. Zones are further divided into blocks. Each block may have more than 100 households. Each household has five to seven people, not necessarily belonging to the same family. Each household is given a plot of land measuring 30 by 30 meters. On the land provided, refugees build little huts and a latrine as well as cultivate some food. It is called a settlement because people are allowed to live as long as they want. They will not be asked to go back to their home country if they choose to remain in Uganda.

On arrival, a household is given one tarpaulin, a few tree-poles, a few meters of rope, a set of cooking utensils, a solar light and sleeping mats for each person. It is up to the refugees to fend for other needs such as clothes and other basic necessities of daily living. Often refugees arrive at the camp hungry, thirsty and with only the clothes they are wearing. In tears, they narrate the many atrocities and human rights violations they have gone through at the time of leaving their home land.

“Human life is not only food, clothing and shelter,” adds Fr. Arasu in the article. “Refugees are in need of security, education, psychosocial support and several other basic things for meaningful living. People have been reduced to zero. They have lost their homes, properties and above all, their dear ones, and their dignity as human beings.”

Within Palabek several agencies are involved in providing food and education. Salesian missionaries are offering much-needed psychosocial support and pastoral care for thousands of Christians. They are also running four nursery schools that educate more than 1,000 children. In addition, Salesian missionaries are in the process of constructing a vocational/ technical training center with the intention of offering life skills and other training to help youth prepare for employment in the near future. Currently, there are four Salesian priests in the settlement.

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Photo courtesy Don Bosco Palabek Refugees Resettlement Camp

The post UGANDA: Salesian missionaries are providing pastoral, social development and educational initiative at Palabek Refugee Settlement first appeared on MissionNewswire.

The local fire brigade was able to put out the fire before it spread to other neighboring buildings, including the Salesian Vocational Training Center, which is close to the dormitory. The fire, however, fully destroyed the dormitory building and all of the boys’ material possessions. They currently have nothing but the clothes they were wearing at morning prayers.

Father Gaudens Murasandonyi, a Congolese Salesian missionary working at the Salesian center, said that the boys are now housed in other locations on the Salesian complex and are waiting to find an alternative solution for their accommodation. On learning of the disaster, local bishop Msgr. Paul Ssemogerere, of the diocese of Kasana-Luweero, visited the center to bring comfort to the children and to the community.

The Salesian community, in collaboration with the local Salesian planning and development office, is in the process of planning fundraising initiatives to raise money to be able to restore some of the items the boys lost, particularly items for school, and also rebuild the dormitory. All of the boys affected come from families who are living in conditions of poverty. For some, attending the Salesian school is their only opportunity to gain an education. Because the boys are from distant villages, living at the school was necessary for them to engage in their studies.

St. Mary’s Namaliga secondary school is among the more than 5.500 Salesian schools around the globe that demonstrate the power of education as an effective means of breaking the cycle of poverty while giving the most vulnerable youth a sense of personal dignity and self-worth. Salesian-run vocational, technical, professional and agricultural schools provide practical skill training helping youth to become productive, contributing adults in their communities.

In Uganda, Salesian schools not only provide a space for learning, they also help meet the basic needs of their students. Elementary and secondary schools offer a feeding program where meals are provided to students during the school day and serve as an incentive for families to send their children to school. Access to nutritious meals makes students better prepared to take part in school activities and focus on their education.

“In Uganda, Salesian schools not only provide a space for learning, they also help meet the basic needs of their students,” says Father Mark Hyde, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “We have seen the devastating results of conflict on individual lives, families and countries, but we are also seeing how people, especially poor youth in Uganda, are making enormous efforts to overcome the challenges that they’ve faced to build better lives for themselves. Access to education is critical for youth to learn and develop the skills for employment and success later in life.”

Today, more than 41 million people live in Uganda, half under 15 years of age. Many children and older youth have to deal with diseases such as malaria, respiratory infections, diarrhea and HIV/AIDS. The Human Development Index ranking has noted that in its most recent assessment, Uganda still ranks near the bottom at 163 out of 188 countries.

A Uganda National Household Survey conducted in 2016 shows that the number of people living in poverty now stands at 10 million, up from 6.6 million in 2013. While the country has seen some economic growth, the poverty rates in some areas of the country, particularly in eastern Uganda, have increased. The majority of Ugandans, about 80 percent according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, depend on agriculture for their livelihoods. After decades of war left many displaced, the people of Uganda still face many significant challenges as they work to rebuild their country.

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ANS – Uganda – Salesian children’s dormitory in Bombo destroyed by fire

United Nations Human Development Report

New Vision – Poverty figures go up in Uganda

ANS photo

The post UGANDA: Fire destroys dormitory that housed 100 boys attending local Salesian secondary school first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Salesian missionaries have been actively engaged in improving the programs and services to better meet the needs of youth. Most recently, missionaries have been working to launch a primary school for youth in the region. The initiative was launched in 2015 by Salesian Brother Hubert Twagirayezu, who had asked the Salesian Mission office in Turin, Italy for financial support.

CALM currently hosts 155 children. Older youth, about 60 of them, attend the Salesian school in Bombo during the school year. The others attend the Don Bosco school in Namugongo together with 40 students who are not part of the CALM programming. The classes have between 10 and 25 children with two teachers, but more space is needed. While there are other schools in the area, those environments are not suitable for the needs of youth from the CALM program. In addition, the higher school fees prohibit many poor families from sending their children to them.

Phase one of the school project has now been completed. Salesian missionaries have fully painted a pre-existing building, purchased school desks, and completed construction of a technical and management support building. The work was also supported by local workers who were employed to help with the building, adding a further benefit to the local workforce.

Salesian missionaries also plan to launch phase two of the project, which includes building a new wing to the school complex. Once completed, families in the area and nearby villages can benefit from registering their children and have them attend.

“In Uganda, Salesian schools not only provide a space for learning, they also help meet the basic needs of their students,” says Father Mark Hyde, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “We have seen the devastating results of conflict on individual lives, families and countries, but we are also seeing how people, especially poor youth in Uganda, are making enormous efforts to overcome the challenges that they’ve faced to build better lives for themselves. Access to education is critical for youth to learn and develop the skills for employment and success later in life.”

Today, 34 million people live in Uganda, half are under 15 years of age. Many children and older youth have to deal with diseases such as malaria, respiratory infections, diarrhea and HIV/AIDS. CALM helps youth are often most in need. This new project will allow Salesian missionaries to ensure that students receive a quality education in their early years to lay the foundation for later schools and skills training.

Close to 67 percent of Ugandans are either poor or highly vulnerable to poverty, according to UNICEF. While the country has seen some economic growth as well as improvement in its Human Development Index ranking over the last 20 years, the country still ranks near the bottom at 163 out of 188 countries. After decades of war left many displaced, the people of Uganda face many significant challenges as they work to rebuild their country.

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Sources

ANS – Uganda – Namugongo school towards “phase two”

United Nations Human Development Report

The post UGANDA: Salesian missionaries complete new primary school for students attending Don Bosco Children and Life Mission first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Salesian missionaries working within the refugee camp report that 86 percent of the refugees there are women and children. The elderly comprise two percent. There are very few men, but a significant number of teenage boys are among the population. After reporting to the security, each household of five people is given a shelter and a few household items. Shelters are made of tarpaulin roofs and walls are held together with sticks and nails. Each household is given 30×30 meters of land, as well as 100 liters of water a day to manage all the home needs.

The archbishop of Gulu recently appointed Salesian Father Lazar Arasu as the chaplain of the refugees in the archdiocese. Salesian missionaries founded five chapels in the camp including St. John Bosco, Mary Help of Christians, Holy Cross, Daniel Comboni and Mother Theresa. The chapels are used for Catholic mass as well as a meeting place for young women and their children. There are games for youth, community meetings on peace issues and agriculture activities. Salesian missionaries are in the process of setting up nursery and primary schools. The goal is additional vocational training will follow.

Fr. Arasu is working with some of the youth in the camp to help teach them additional skills to aid the construction efforts. Catholics in the camp have donated six large plots of land for the construction of chapels and educational programs. Many of the refugees in the camp are the ones who have built its existing structures, including the small house that Fr. Arasu lives in. He is grateful for all of the work that refugees do in the camp to help one another.

“It is not the Salesians who distribute food, but the refugees who support the Salesians and offer some of their food to new friends and pastors,” says Fr. Arasu. “In the evening after 5.00 p.m., staff from other humanitarian agencies leave the refugee camp to return to their own lodgings, in a nearby city, after a hard day’s work. The Salesians, instead, remain in the refugee camp, among the people.”

Close to 67 percent of Ugandans are either poor or highly vulnerable to poverty, according to UNICEF. While the country has seen some economic growth as well as improvement in its Human Development Index ranking over the last 20 years, the country still ranks near the bottom at 163 out of 188 countries. After decades of war left many displaced, the people of Uganda face many significant challenges as they work to rebuild their country.

Uganda’s literacy rate has improved with 73 percent of the population literate but only 23 percent of Ugandans go on to acquire a secondary education. According to UNICEF, one of the biggest challenges in the country is combating the serious increase of HIV/AIDS that has left millions of children orphaned.

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Sources:

ANS – Uganda – Mission among Palabek refugees is officially open: a prophetic presence

ANS – Uganda – Palabek refugee camp welcomes new Salesian presence

ANS – Uganda – Fr Arasu: “These vulnerable young people are the reason for our being here”

Don Bosco Palabek Refugees Resettlement Camp

The post UGANDA: Salesian missionaries building new structures and programs in Palabek Refugee Camp first appeared on MissionNewswire.

The news report notes that roughly 2,000 people come across Uganda’s borders fleeing from famine, drought and violence in neighboring countries. Many refugees are from South Sudan, where famines were declared this year. ABC reports that the number of people struggling to find enough food each day has grown to 6 million, the highest level of food insecurity the country has ever seen. The United Nations says almost 276,000 people are estimated to be severely malnourished and in need of immediate life-saving aid.

Salesian missionaries working within the refugee camp report that 86 percent of the refugees there are women and children. The elderly comprise two percent. There are very few men but a significant number of teenage boys are among the population. After reporting to the security, each household of five people is given a shelter and few household items. Shelters are made of tarpaulin roofs and walls are held together with sticks and nails. Each household is given 30×30 meters of land as well as 100 liters of water a day to manage all the home needs.

The archbishop of Gulu recently appointed Salesian Father Lazar Arasu as the chaplain of the refugees in the archdiocese. Salesian missionaries founded five chapels in the camp including St. John Bosco, Mary Help of Christians, Holy Cross, Daniel Comboni and Mother Theresa. The chapels are used for Catholic mass as well as a meeting place for young women and their children. There are games for youth, community meetings on peace issues and agriculture activities. Salesian missionaries are in the process of setting up nursery and primary schools. The goal is additional vocational training will follow.

“Salesian missionaries provides humanitarian assistance as well as educational programs for refugee and internally displaced people around the world,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “In addition to meeting basic needs, educational programs seek to address the need for systematic skills training for youth and primary wage earners responsible for the welfare of their family.”

Close to 67 percent of Ugandans are either poor or highly vulnerable to poverty, according to UNICEF. While the country has seen some economic growth as well as improvement in its Human Development Index ranking over the last 20 years, the country still ranks near the bottom at 163 out of 188 countries. After decades of war left many displaced, the people of Uganda face many significant challenges as they work to rebuild their country.

Uganda’s literacy rate has improved with 73 percent of the population literate but only 23 percent of Ugandans go on to acquire a secondary education. According to UNICEF, one of the biggest challenges in the country is combating the serious increase of HIV/AIDS that has left millions of children orphaned.

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Sources:

Salesian Missions

ABC.net.au – Uganda’s refugee intake dwarfs European countries as South Sudan crisis worsens

UNICEF – Uganda 

The post UGANDA: Salesian missionaries assist women and youth in Palabek Refugee Camp first appeared on MissionNewswire.

During the 2015-2016 school year, 170 children were enrolled at the primary school with the number expected to rise. Before the project was launched, the two existing kindergarten classes at the elementary school were filled beyond capacity. The crowded classrooms made it challenging for students to learn and difficult for teachers to provide the individual attention students need most. In addition, the limited space reduced the number of new students the school could accept.

While the land was leveled and the walls of the new classrooms raised, funding is still needed to finish the classrooms including doors, windows and new seating for the students. Don Bosco Elementary School is among the more than 5,300 Salesian schools around the globe that demonstrate the power of education as an effective means of breaking the cycle of poverty while giving the most vulnerable youth a sense of personal dignity and self-worth. Salesian-run vocational, technical, professional and agricultural schools provide practical skill training helping youth to become productive, contributing adults in their communities.

In Uganda, less than 25 percent of elementary school graduates enroll in secondary school, according to UNICEF. At the Don Bosco Elementary School, Salesian missionaries are encouraging young students to further their education, believing that early learning is critical to a student’s academic and individual success and their ability to contribute to their communities in the future.

“Students learn better when they are in a comfortable structured environment with low student to teacher ratios,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “The addition of new kindergarten classrooms will allow for improved learning environments in the existing classrooms and the ability to enroll new students.”

In Uganda, Salesian schools not only provide a space for learning, they also help meet the basic needs of their students. Elementary and secondary schools offer a feeding program where meals are provided to students during the school day and serve as an incentive for families to send their children to school. Access to nutritious meals makes students better prepared to take part in school activities and focus on their education.

“We have seen the devastating results of conflict on individual lives, families and countries but we are also seeing how people, especially poor youth in Uganda, are making enormous efforts to overcome the challenges that they’ve faced to build better lives for themselves,” says Fr. Hyde, “Access to education is critical for youth to learn and develop the skills for employment and success later in life.”

Close to 67 percent of Ugandans are either poor or highly vulnerable to poverty, according to UNICEF. While the country has seen some economic growth as well as improvement in its Human Development Index ranking over the last 20 years, the country still ranks near the bottom at 163 out of 188 countries. After decades of war left many displaced, the people of Uganda face many significant challenges as they work to rebuild their country.

The donor has requested to remain anonymous.

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Sources:

Salesian Missions donor services

UNICEF – Uganda

The post UGANDA: Salesian Missions Announces Completion of Two New Kindergarten Classrooms Made Possible by Generous Donor first appeared on MissionNewswire.

The Don Bosco Children and Life Mission provides more than 140 at-risk boys aged 6 to 18 access to primary, secondary and technical education along with sports programming, youth clubs, guidance counseling and life skills training. Students also have the opportunity to participate in a variety of extracurricular activities including jazz band, brass band, acrobatics and Youth Alive Uganda, an organization that works with youth to promote social skills and values.

“The rice is so nutritious for the children and so powerful,” says Father Elie Nyandwi, the director of Don Bosco Children and Life Mission. “When children come to school hungry, they are less likely to follow the instructions of their educators and improve their performance. Some of them are even tempted to escape and go to look for food outside and dodge their lessons. Now children remain in class and pay attention. The food is power and makes our mission successfully achievable.”

Because Salesian missionaries work and live in the communities they serve, they are also perfectly positioned to ensure that the distribution of food aid reaches those who need it most. They also offer programs that teach agricultural techniques to increase local food production. Through ongoing partnerships like the one with Feed My Starving Children, Salesian missionaries are able to deliver life-saving food aid and other supplies to those in need in their communities.

“Salesian missionaries are an integral part of the existing infrastructure in many countries and Salesian Missions plays an important role in making sure aid from the United States reaches its destination country and gets into the hands of those who need it most,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco.

As a result of Salesian feeding programs, students are thriving. Many have gained weight, suffered fewer illnesses and become more focused on their studies. Teachers are seeing better student performance in class, a decrease in absenteeism and an increase in program enrollment rates.

Close to 67 percent of Ugandans are either poor or highly vulnerable to poverty, according to UNICEF. After decades of war left many displaced, the people of Uganda face many significant challenges as they work to rebuild their country. Uganda’s literacy rate has improved with 73 percent of the population literate but only 23 percent of Ugandans go on to acquire a secondary education. According to UNICEF, one of the biggest challenges in the country is combating the serious increase of HIV/AIDS that has left millions of children orphaned.

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Sources:

Feed My Starving Children

UNICEF – Uganda 

The post UGANDA: Children at Don Bosco Children and Life Mission Receive Donation of Rice-Meals from Feed My Starving Children first appeared on MissionNewswire.

The new music program was so successful that the number of musicians and the number of trumpets utilized increased until soon they were able to form a school band. Initially, the course was only on Sundays and lasted two hours. Some of the children that were learning the music liked it so much that they started to teach their friends the best way to play the trumpet. By the end of the school year so many students were learning that they were able to take part in a concert along with older and more experienced students.

As the students continued to make progress and their repertoire expanded, the band became increasingly skilled and other instruments were added. Today, the Don Bosco Band currently consists of a series of trumpets, trombones, tubas, a French horn, flutes, clarinets, drums, bass drums, cymbals and a saxophone. Salesian missionaries provide the instruments and the instruction as part of their overall educational program. The goal is for youth to develop their talents, gain self-confidence and enjoy the activity with their peers. The band is made up exclusively of students of the school and occasionally gives concerts to demonstrate the progress of the students.

“The Don Bosco Children and Life Mission is in a constant state of improvement to offer its students more diverse programming to help them discover and expand their talents,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “The progress that many of the band members have made has allowed them to take on the challenge of learning to play additional instruments, which  increases opportunities for students and the school to enhance the quality of the concerts, ensuring that the Don Bosco Music Band continues.”

Close to 67 percent of Ugandans are either poor or highly vulnerable to poverty, according to UNICEF. While the country has seen some economic growth as well as improvement in its Human Development Index ranking over the last 20 years, the country still ranks near the bottom at 163 out of 188 countries. After decades of war left many displaced, the people of Uganda face many significant challenges as they work to rebuild their country.

Uganda’s literacy rate has improved with 73 percent of the population literate but only 23 percent of Ugandans go on to acquire a secondary education. According to UNICEF, one of the biggest challenges in the country is combating the serious increase of HIV/AIDS that has left millions of children orphaned.

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SOURCES:

ANS – Uganda – Educating through music: the band of Don Bosco School in Kampala

Don Bosco Children and Life Mission

Human Development Report

UNICEF – Uganda

(Photo courtesy ANS )

The post UGANDA: Band Helps At-Risk Discover, Expand Talents first appeared on MissionNewswire.

While 86 percent of people living in Uganda make their living through farming, more youth are seeking jobs in urban areas often leaving small agricultural plots of land in rural areas uncultivated. The soil in Uganda is fertile with two rainy seasons and two harvests per year. In 2013, a first attempt was made to involve youth in the cultivation of the land through an agricultural project raising geese and ducks, pigs, goats and cows. After two years, the raising of the animals was successful but the farming of the land did not yield enough vegetables to feed the students at the school.

In 2015, with better farming techniques and better cultivation of the land, the farm produced cabbage, carrots, onions, beans, corn, manioc, eggplant, peppers and sweet potatoes in abundance. Recently, the program expanded to include a piggery with three pigs, one of which produced eight piglets that will be raised on the school farm. With a goal of eventually raising more than 200 pigs, construction has begun on the piggery in order to house a larger population of pigs and install water pipes to be used for cleaning as well as providing drinking water for the animals.

“The Don Bosco Children and Life Mission is in a constant state of improvement to increase its agriculture output in order to provide nutritious food for its students,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Thanks to this agricultural project, many youth have also learned a trade that guarantees them future employment and the ability to help their communities.”

With the addition of more quality teachers, the agriculture program continues to expand its training. The goal of the school is to provide young farmers with a basic education as well as advanced studies in the latest agricultural practices and modern technologies while moving towards efficiency in farming by exploring and testing new techniques in agriculture, horticulture, floriculture and animal husbandry. The school provides both classroom education and hands-on agriculture and livestock training on a working farm on the school campus.

Close to 67 percent of Ugandans are either poor or highly vulnerable to poverty, according to UNICEF. While the country has seen some economic growth as well as improvement in its Human Development Index ranking over the last 20 years, the country still ranks near the bottom at 163 out of 188 countries. After decades of war left many displaced, the people of Uganda face many significant challenges as they work to rebuild their country.

Uganda’s literacy rate has improved with 73 percent of the population literate but only 23 percent of Ugandans go on to acquire a secondary education. According to UNICEF, one of the biggest challenges in the country is combating the serious increase of HIV/AIDS that has left millions of children orphaned.

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Sources:

ANS – Uganda – Agricultural education for young people of Don Bosco Kampala

Don Bosco Children and Life Mission

Human Development Report

UNICEF – Uganda 

The post UGANDA: Salesian Missionaries Provide Agriculture Training to 140 Students first appeared on MissionNewswire.

The donated meals are provided to students during the school day and serve as an incentive for families to send their children to school. As a result of the donation, students are thriving. Many have gained weight, grown taller, suffered fewer illnesses and become more focused on their studies. Teachers are seeing better student performance in class and two programs have increased enrollment rates as a result of the feeding program.

“Access to nutritious meals allows youth to be better prepared to take part in school activities and focus on their education,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “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.”

Stop Hunger Now partners with Salesian Missions (in New Rochelle, N.Y.) which works to identify needs and coordinate delivery of 40-foot shipping containers full of meals supplemented with additional supplies when available. The partnership was developed in 2011 and since that time, more than 60 shipping containers, including more than 16 million rice-meals, have been successfully delivered to 19 countries around the globe. The meals and life-saving aid has 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 Stop Hunger Now allows Salesian Missions to expand its services for youth in need,” adds Fr. Hyde. “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.”

The recent Stop Hunger Now shipment also contained 54 boxes of soccer clothing and equipment. Sports programs are an integral part of many Salesian centers around the globe and encourage teamwork while imparting valuable leadership skills. They also teach important social skills and provide opportunities for participants to grow and mature.

The Don Bosco Children and Life Mission, the primary recipient of the donation, provides more than 200 at-risk boys aged 8 to 17 access to primary, secondary and technical education along with sports programming, youth clubs, guidance counseling and life skills training. Students also have the opportunity to participate in a variety of extracurricular activities including Jazz band, brass band, acrobatics and Youth Alive Uganda, an organization that works with youth to promote social skills and values.

Each year, Youth Alive Uganda works with Salesian students to organize a festival to showcase singing, drama and poetry performances and fine arts exhibits. These arts activities help students express themselves and realize their individuality while developing skills and talents outside of the classroom.

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Sources:

Don Bosco Children and Life Mission

UNICEF – Uganda 

The post UGANDA: Students Receive Soccer Equipment and Rice Meals in Recent Stop Hunger Now Donation first appeared on MissionNewswire.

The Don Bosco Children and Life Mission, located just outside of Kampala, the largest city and capital of Uganda, was the primary recipient of the rice-meal donation. Through an educational program at the mission, more than 200 at-risk boys aged 8 to 17 have access to primary, secondary and technical education along with sports programming, youth clubs, guidance counseling and life skills training. The rice-meal donation will be shared with the Salesian-run St. Mary’s Secondary School and Salesian Technical School, both located in Luweero, a town in Central Uganda as well as the Salesian-run Kira Primary School, located in Kira Town, a municipality in the Wakiso District of Central Uganda.

The meals are provided to students during the school day and serve as an incentive for families to send their children to school. As a result of the donation, students are thriving. Many have gained weight, grown taller, suffered fewer illnesses and become more focused on their studies. Teachers are seeing better student performance in class and two programs have increased enrollment rates as a result of the feeding program. Included in the latest shipment of rice meals was soap, protein and nutrition bars and soccer equipment and clothing.

“Access to nutritious meals allows youth to be better prepared to take part in school activities and focus on their education,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “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.”

The Don Bosco Children and Life Mission is in the process of increasing its agricultural productivity in order to continue to provide nutritious food to its students. Already harvesting sweet potatoes and other vegetables, the agriculture program has recently expanded to include a piggery with three pigs, one of which produced eight piglets that will be raised on the school farm. With a goal of eventually raising more than 200 pigs, construction has begun on the piggery in order to house a larger population of pigs and install water pipes to be used for cleaning as well as providing drinking water for the animals.

Close to 67 percent of Ugandans are either poor or highly vulnerable to poverty, according to UNICEF. While the country has experienced some economic growth as well as improvement in its Human Development Index ranking over the last 20 years, it still ranks near the bottom at 161 out of 186 countries. After decades of war left many displaced, the people of Uganda face many significant challenges as they work to rebuild their country.

Approximately 86 percent of Uganda’s 34 million inhabitants make their living farming but nearly 40 percent of Ugandans lack access to clean water for work and household use. Uganda’s literacy rate has improved with 73 percent of the population literate but only 23 percent of Ugandans go on to acquire a secondary education. According to UNICEF, one of the biggest challenges in the country is combating the serious increase of HIV/AIDS that has left millions of children orphaned.

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Sources:

Don Bosco Children and Life Mission

UNICEF – Uganda

The post UGANDA: Close to 1,500 Students Receive Better Nutrition Thanks to Rice-Meal Donation first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Don Bosco Children and Life Mission, located just outside of Kampala, the largest city and capital of Uganda, was the primary recipient of the rice-meal donation. Through an educational program at the mission, more than 200 at-risk boys aged 8 to 17 have access to primary, secondary and technical education along with sports programming, youth clubs, guidance counseling and life skills training. The rice meals were also shared with the Salesian-run Children’s Project in Luweero, a town in Central Uganda.

The meals are provided to students during the school day and serve as an incentive for families to send their children to school. As a result of the donation, students are thriving. Many have gained weight, suffer fewer illnesses and are more focused on their studies. Teachers are seeing better student performance in class and the two programs have increased enrollment rates as a result of the feeding program.

“Access to nutritious meals allows youth to be better prepared to take part in school activities and focus on their education,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “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.”

Included in the shipment of rice meals, coordinated by Salesian Missions, were donated books and soap as well as a box of sports equipment donated by the soccer team at Oswego State University in New York. The sports equipment donation was facilitated by Paul Kwoyelo, a student at the university and member of its men’s soccer team. A former student of the Salesian-run St. Mary’s School in Uganda, Mr. Kwoyelo was eager to do something to support the Ugandan students.

“It’s been said to never forget where you came from and I was a student at St. Mary’s seven years ago,” said Kwoyelo in a note he sent to the students with the donation. “The Don Bosco community has played a big role in my life. Throughout my four years at St. Mary’s, I grew as a student, a Christian and a friend. I currently reside in the United States where I am studying computer science at a university. I find myself always reflecting over the wonderful times I had at St. Mary’s. I vividly remember the time when a package was delivered to the boys boarding from the United States. The package brought smiles to everyone’s faces and I have forever cherished that momentous occasion.”

“In the past few years, I have been fortunate enough to have met some great people in the U.S, including my coach and the Oswego State men’s soccer team,” added Kwoyelo.  “With the collaboration of these generous individuals, we were able to put together a package with the goal of making annual shipments to specific locations. I hope this package brings the same joy I once had, back when I was a student, and I hope it motivates everyone to keep working hard.”

Close to 67 percent of Ugandans are either poor or highly vulnerable to poverty, according to UNICEF. While the country has seen some economic growth as well as improvement in its Human Development Index ranking over the last 20 years, the country still ranks near the bottom at 161 out of 186 countries. After decades of war left many displaced, the people of Uganda face many significant challenges as they work to rebuild their country.

Approximately 86 percent of Uganda’s 34 million inhabitants make their living farming but nearly 40 percent of Ugandans lack access to clean water for work and household use. Uganda’s literacy rate has improved with 73 percent of the population literate but only 23 percent of Ugandans go on to acquire a secondary education. According to UNICEF, one of the biggest challenges in the country is combating the serious increase of HIV/AIDS that has left millions of children orphaned.

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Sources:

UNICEF – Uganda

The post UGANDA: Salesian Students Have Better Nutrition Thanks to Rice Meals Donation from Stop Hunger Now first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Currently, the two existing kindergarten classes at the elementary school are filled beyond capacity. The crowded classrooms make it challenging for students to learn and difficult for teachers to provide the individual attention students need most. In addition, the limited space reduces the number of new students the school can accept. To address this need, the Don Bosco Elementary School is currently seeking funding to build and furnish another kindergarten classroom.

“Students learn better when they are in a comfortable structured environment with low student to teacher ratios,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “The addition of a new kindergarten classroom will allow for improved learning environments in the existing classrooms and the ability to enroll new students.”

Don Bosco Elementary School is among the more than 3,200 Salesian schools around the globe that demonstrate the power of education as an effective means of breaking the cycle of poverty while giving the most vulnerable youth a sense of personal dignity and self-worth. Salesian-run vocational, technical, professional and agricultural schools provide practical skill training helping youth to become productive, contributing adults in their communities.

In Uganda, Salesian schools not only provide a space for learning, they also help meet the basic needs of their students. Elementary and secondary schools offer a feeding program where meals are provided to students during the school day and serve as an incentive for families to send their children to school. Access to nutritious meals makes students better prepared to take part in school activities and focus on their education.

“We have seen the devastating results of conflict on individual lives, families and countries but we are also seeing how people, especially poor youth in Uganda, are making enormous efforts to overcome the challenges that they’ve faced to build better lives for themselves,” says Father Mark Hyde, “Access to education is critical for youth to learn and develop the skills for employment and success later in life.”

Close to 67 percent of Ugandans are either poor or highly vulnerable to poverty, according to UNICEF. While the country has seen some economic growth as well as improvement in its Human Development Index ranking over the last 20 years, the country still ranks near the bottom at 161 out of 186 countries. After decades of war left many displaced, the people of Uganda face many significant challenges as they work to rebuild their country.

Approximately 86 percent of Uganda’s 34 million inhabitants make their living farming but nearly 40 percent of Ugandans lack access to clean water for work and household use. Uganda’s literacy rate has improved with 73 percent of the population literate but only 23 percent of Ugandans go on to acquire a secondary education. According to UNICEF, one of the biggest challenges in the country is combating the serious increase of HIV/AIDS that has left millions of children orphaned.

Sources

UNCIEF – Uganda

The post UGANDA: Don Bosco Elementary School Planning Additional Kindergarten Class to Meet Growing Need first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Close to 67 percent of Ugandans are either poor or highly vulnerable to poverty, according to UNICEF. While the country has seen some economic growth as well as improvement in its Human Development Index ranking over the last 20 years, the country still ranks near the bottom at 161 out of 186 countries. After decades of war left many displaced, the people of Uganda face many significant challenges as they work to rebuild their country.

Approximately 86 percent of Uganda’s 34 million inhabitants make their living farming but nearly 40 percent of Ugandans lack access to clean water for work and household use. Uganda’s literacy rate has improved with 73 percent of the population literate but only 23 percent of Ugandans go on to acquire a secondary education. According to UNICEF, one of the biggest challenges in the country is combating the serious increase of HIV/AIDS that has left millions of children orphaned.

The donated meals from Stop Hunger Now are helping to enhance the educational environment for poor youth at three Salesian programs in Uganda. Students in elementary, technical and vocational schools in Kampala, Luweero and Kamuli were among the recipients.

The schools serve vulnerable children and focus on ending the cycle of poverty through education and workforce development opportunities. Through primary, secondary and technical schools, Salesian missionaries in Uganda focus their efforts on helping poor youth obtain an education and later, the job skills necessary for stable employment.

“We have seen the devastating results of conflict on individual lives, families and countries but we are also seeing how people, especially poor youth in Uganda, are making enormous efforts to overcome the challenges that they’ve faced to build better lives for themselves,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco.

Don Bosco Children and Life Mission, located just outside of Kampala, the largest city and capital of Uganda, was the primary recipient of the rice-meal donation. Through an educational program at the mission, more than 200 at-risk boys aged 8 to 17 have access to primary, secondary and technical education along with sports programming, youth clubs, guidance counseling and life skills training.

The meals are provided to students during the school day and serve as an incentive for families to send their children to school. As a result of the donation, students are thriving. Many have gained weight, suffer fewer illnesses and are more focused on their studies. Teachers are seeing better student performance in class as well as less conflict among students.

“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.”

With programs in more than 130 countries around the globe and extensive knowledge and experience with aid shipments, Salesian Missions has one of the largest networks currently working with Stop Hunger Now. Salesian Missions’ programs make up an integral part of the existing infrastructure in many countries and the organization plays an important role in making sure aid from the United States reaches its destination country and gets into the hands of those who need it most.

“The partnership with Stop Hunger Now allows Salesian Missions to expand its 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 – Uganda

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Don Bosco Children and Life Mission, St. Mary’s Secondary School, St. Joseph’s Primary School and Sacred Heart Sisters School will utilize the books for years to come.

“A new book in the hands of a student opens him or her up to the opportunities that are available through education,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco headquarted in New Rochelle, NY. “While this is true whether it takes place down the street or across the globe, it is especially powerful in places like Uganda.”

More than 550 boxes of books were donated to the four schools, covering a variety of subjects including geography, science and music, and have been made available in the classrooms and school libraries at these primary and secondary institutions.

“The books bring a great value to our school and academic performance,” says Barshir Sadick, a student at Don Bosco Children and Life Mission, one of the secondary schools that was a primary recipient of the donation. “Some of the books are quite colorful with drawings and images that the young students in the primary grades have also found fascinating and enjoyable.”

Don Bosco Children and Life Mission is located just outside of Kampala, the largest city and capital of Uganda, and provides services to more than 200 at-risk boys aged 8 to 17. The program offers primary, secondary and technical education along with sports programs, youth clubs, guidance counseling and life skills training. The donated books will aid the students in their academic pursuits.

As each boy at the mission grows and develops, he moves through different stages of the program until reaching the final goal of leading an independent, productive life.

“We have seen the devastating results of conflict on individual lives, families and countries but we are also seeing how people, especially poor youth in Uganda, are making enormous efforts to overcome everything that they’ve faced and build better lives for themselves,” adds Fr. Hyde.

Close to 67 percent of Ugandans are either poor or highly vulnerable to poverty, according to UNICEF. While the country has seen some economic growth as well as improvement in its Human Development Index ranking over the last 20 years, the country still ranks near the bottom at 161 out of 186 countries. After decades of war left many displaced, the people of Uganda face many significant challenges as they work to rebuild their country.

Approximately 86 percent of Uganda’s 34 million inhabitants make their living farming but nearly 40 percent of Ugandans lack access to clean water for work and household use. Uganda’s literacy rate has improved with 73 percent of the population literate but only 23 percent of Ugandans go on to acquire a secondary education. According to UNICEF, one of the biggest challenges in the country is combating the serious increase of HIV/AIDS that has left millions of children orphaned.

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Sources

UNICEF – Uganda

Salesian Missions – Uganda 

The post UGANDA: Donated Books Help Improve Educational Opportunities for Poor Youth first appeared on MissionNewswire.

“I read one book. The topic was about the systems in the human body. I read about building strong bones in the body,” says one student, Mulesigwa Wyclif, who wrote about what she has learned about bones, muscles and nerves in a thank-you letter decorated along the edges with flowers. The books are available for the students to use during their study time at the library and during their free time.

“A new book in the hands of a student opens him or her up to the opportunities that are available through education. While this is true whether it takes place down the street or across the globe, it is especially powerful in places like Uganda,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco.

Uganda ranks 157 out of 182 countries in the 2007 Human Development Index. The people of Uganda face many significant challenges as they work to rebuild their country after decades of war left many displaced. One such challenge is combating the serious increase of HIV/AIDS, which has left millions of children orphaned, according to UNICEF.

Recently, the war and the its effects on Africa’s children grabbed international headlines with the release of “KONY 2012,” a short film created by the U.S. nonprofit organization, Invisible Children, which focused on Ugandan guerrilla leader Joseph Kony.

“We have seen the devastating results of conflict on individual lives, families and countries. But we are also seeing how people here in Uganda are making enormous efforts to overcome everything that they’ve faced and build better lives for themselves,” says Fr. Hyde.

Another project of Salesian Missions in Uganda is the Don Bosco Children and Life Mission, located approximately 15 km from Kampala. It currently provides services to more than 210 at-risk boys, ages 8-17, through a variety of programs. These include:

• Educational programs where boys attend primary schools and technical courses to learn job skills.
• Sports to engage youth.
• Youth clubs that increase awareness around HIV/AIDS and sexuality.
• Guidance counseling and life skills training.

“As they grow and develop, boys move through different stages until they reach the final goal of an independent, productive life,” says Fr. Hyde.

In more than 130 countries around the world, Salesian Missions programs range from classroom education and feeding programs to agricultural and trade schools. They have provided orphanages and shelters for homeless youth to more than 3 million children. The focus of the Salesians’ work is on making education a reality, even for the poorest youth, while also providing the essentials such as food and housing.

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