EGYPT

(MissionNewswire) The Don Bosco Institute in Cairo, Egypt is the first Italian Industrial Technical Academy outside of Italy. Recognized by the Italian Ministry of Education since 1970, the institute is known for its educational excellence and is the only foreign institution included in what is known as the “4+2” system. This system allows students, after four years at the Salesian high school, to enroll in the Italian Industrial Technical Academy, which is made up of specialized post-diploma centers focused on advanced technology.

Currently, more than 1,000 Egyptian students, aged 14-18, are studying technical subjects, particularly mechatronics, computer science and electronics. The students are also excelling in mathematics and Italian language.

Last year, 60 students enrolled and successfully passed the admission tests for the Italian Industrial Technical Academy. With this initiative, they will be able to complete their two-year post-diploma program in Egypt instead of having to travel to Italy.

“Don Bosco’s mission has always been to educate citizens and believers, especially the most in need,” said Father Morcos Helmy, the institute’s director. “In 2026, we will celebrate 100 years of our presence in Egypt’s capital. We are the only foreign school included in the 4+2 system. We have about 70 teachers and 1,000 students. Every year we train 140 highly skilled technicians fluent in Italian.”

Salesians in Italy also launched Villaggio Italia (Italy Village) and have chosen the Don Bosco Institute as the host of the first Italian educational fair abroad. The two-day event identified students for placements in Italy or within the 300 Italian companies operating in Egypt.

“We have brought together 48 academies and 50 companies. With the 4+2 system, we are strengthening the connection between educational institutions and businesses,” explained Giuseppe Valditara, the Italian minister of education and merit, during the inauguration of Villaggio Italia, held in the courtyard of the Salesian-run institute.

###

Sources:

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

ANS – Egypt – Salesians, Governments, and Businesses Collaborate for Youth Training: “Villaggio Italia” as a Flagship of the “ITS Academy” Partnership

Salesian Missions

The post EGYPT: Youth gain specialized skills at Italian Industrial Technical Academy first appeared on MissionNewswire.

EGYPT

(MissionNewswire) Salesians in Alexandria, Egypt were able to facilitate summer activities for vulnerable youth at the Don Bosco Institute thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The 320 participating youth were from the city’s poorest neighborhoods in the communities surrounding the Sacred Heart Church of Alexandria.

The project successfully trained 50 volunteers about the Don Bosco program and its content. The volunteers, who had grown up at the center, related quickly to the youth and were able to be positive role models.

A Salesian noted, “The volunteers played a key role in looking after each child, fostering a safer environment, especially for young refugees. Additionally, a focus group discussion at the end of each day’s activities was vital for gathering feedback, building rapport, and establishing trust between the volunteers and the youth. These discussions provided a safe space for youth to express their needs, interests, and concerns, and enabled volunteers to tailor activities to create a more engaging experience. As a result, youth felt valued and heard, leading to increased engagement and satisfaction throughout the summer camp. The summer activities also contributed to well-being of the youth and their families.”

Through shared prayer sessions and storytelling, youth learned more about the Don Bosco environment as well as moral values and principles. Salesians also organized three trips that allowed youth to explore new environments, learn about different cultures and expand their horizons. The recreational activities during these trips offered enjoyment and relaxation, while the educational aspects enriched their knowledge and sparked their curiosity.

Mohmed Ahmed, age 13, was one of the youth enjoyed the summer activities, especially the trips and the t-shirt he received. A Salesian noted, “Mohmed also highlighted how the pastoral activities helped him reflect on key values that are helpful for him to navigate daily difficulties as a good Christian and as a positive citizen.”

Mohmed also enjoyed the sketches and workshops and making new friends. He appreciated how Salesians and the volunteers cared for everyone in the group. He noted that if they noticed a participant had a problem, they didn’t leave until it was resolved. Mohmed hopes the summer activities will continue every year so he can participate again.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions

The post EGYPT: Activities enrich lives of poor youth thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

EGYPT

(MissionNewswire) Almost 100 Egyptian youth are participating in the socio-sports school at the Don Bosco Institute in Alexandria, Egypt. The school is carried out in collaboration with the Salesian Mission Office in Madrid and the Real Madrid Foundation.

Through soccer and basketball, along with psychological and social support, boys and girls between the ages of 5-17 enjoy playing sports, put healthy values into practice and improve their school performance, all in an environment conducive to teamwork.

A Salesian explained, “Two days a week, youth are involved in three hours of soccer and basketball training. They are also provided a snack during this time. Sports and education complement each other, and youth learn study habits, hygiene and healthy eating, as well as the values of companionship and solidarity. Youth experience a positive transformation that translates into the development of discipline, punctuality and responsibility.”

The partnership between the Salesian Mission Office and the Real Madrid Foundation began in 2010 in a Salesian school in Senegal. Today, the collaboration has 21 projects in 15 countries and serves nearly 4,000 children each season, using educational sport and its values as a catalyst for the social betterment of youth and communities.

Both the Real Madrid Foundation and Salesians are aware that sports are important for social integration and the promotion of values like teamwork, communication, respect and team spirit. As part of the Real Madrid Foundation’s “They play, we educate” program, participants receive nutrition, family and psychological support, regular health checkups, the opportunity to participate in social and educational workshops, gymnastics, crafts, reading, and citizenship activities. Training sessions on topics such as health, hygiene, values, and the prevention of alcohol, tobacco, and drug abuse are also provided.

The socio-sports school in Alexandria also provided education on anti-bullying and anti-discrimination, fostering empathy, understanding and inclusion through the acceptance of differences, whether cultural, racial, religious or individual.

###

Sources:

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

ANS – Egypt – Study, sport and solidarity at Real Madrid’s Don Bosco Socio-Sports School in Alexandria

Salesian Missions

The post EGYPT: Youth grow through sports first appeared on MissionNewswire.

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries from Portugal and Cape Verde, through Mission Don Bosco, the Salesian Missionary Procure of the Sant’Antonio Province of Portugal (POR), have launched a campaign to help support those impacted by the 6.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Morocco on Oct. 1.  The earthquake, one of the strongest in recent decades, killed more than 2,800 people and injured more than 5,000.

The epicenter was recorded in the High Atlas Mountains, approximately 41 miles (71 kilometers) southwest of the city of Marrakech. Specialized teams at the scene reported total devastation with roads blocked and villages completely destroyed. In the epicenter area, many houses had been built using traditional High Atlas methods such as mud bricks. These homes quickly collapsed under the tremors.

The local population is struggling to overcome the devastation and faces an increasingly difficult time as efforts to rescue survivors diminished. Salesians are working to raise funding for humanitarian efforts to directly help those most in need. The donations will be sent to Cardinal Cristóbal López Romero, archbishop of Rabat, who will manage the distribution with the local Carias Diocesan. All funds will be used to provide aid to the victims.

Cardinal Romero explained, “What is worrying now are the victims, the many injured and the structural damage to buildings, even in small villages.”

Salesian programs provide education and social development services for poor and marginalized youth in Morocco. Over the last several years, Morocco has made significant strides toward reducing the number of Moroccans living in poverty. Despite progress, a drastic gap in wealth continues to exist between those living in urban and rural areas, according to the World Bank. Out of close to 4 million people living in poverty, 3 million are living in rural areas. Statistics show that while one in 10 persons are poor in urban regions, one in four are poor in rural areas.

###

Sources:

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

ANS – Portugal – ‘Missão Dom Bosco’ launches a campaign for the earthquake emergency in Morocco

World Bank – Morocco

The post MOROCCO: Fund launches for earthquake victims first appeared on MissionNewswire.

EGYPT

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries in Egypt have been offering training to assist refugees in gaining the skills needed for employment or self-employment through the Sunrise Project for Cairo’s Urban Refugees and Vulnerable Hosts since 2014. The project continued during the September 2021-2022 funding cycle and was made possible thanks to funding Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, received from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM). The project is facilitated through a Salesian technical and vocational training center in Cairo.

To date, the project has improved the livelihoods and quality of life of more than 3,000 Sub-Saharan African, Yemeni, and Syrian refugees, and vulnerable Egyptians. The popularity of the training continues to grow.

This popularity led to 498 trainees in the program and 375 successful graduates across 12 workshops. Of the graduates, 77% were refugees and 44% were women. Twenty-seven percent of trainees found formal employment. In addition, 80 trainees received a seed grant and one-on-one mentoring to start their own business. Of these trainees 75% were refugees and 69% were women. Salesians created a new method for the seed funding mentoring. Instead of an outside consultant coming in to work with the trainees, Salesians developed a business curriculum and utilized mentors acting as business trainers to build local capacity and provide trainees a more customized and tailored approach.

Follow-up with those who had received seed funding over the previous three years found that more than 65% of microenterprises were still operational after 12 months. Twenty-one percent of respondents said their income was sufficient to meet their household needs and 17% said they had enough to save.

The Sunrise Project team also developed a wider network of partners across to foster better outcomes for trainees. Among these are 24 companies and factories that are willing to employ refugees and guarantee their rights. This work has been important for securing internships for trainees and employment after graduation.

One of the most beneficial relationships the Sunrise Project team developed this year was with an Egyptian lawyer specializing in refugee and migrant workers’ rights. He led legal panel discussions with both employers and trainees at a career fair. The session for potential employers included information about refugees, refugee status, the international conventions on human rights and the U.N. Charter on the Rights of Refugees, how to legalize a refugee’s status within the scope of labor market in Egypt, and a refugee’s right in the workplace. The employers’ legal inquiries were answered and they were given a copy of a legal employment contract for refugees. The session for trainees included much of the same information, as well as occupational safety rules in the work environment.

“The technical training provided as part of the Sunrise Project allowed many participants to increase their skill level and find stable employment or start their own business,” said Father Timothy Ploch, interim director of Salesian Missions. “Additional services provided through the project have also been a real success, ensuring that participants have the wrap-around services they need to holistically support them to make the most of their training.”

In addition to the main employment skills training, the Sunrise Project provides life skills training, Arabic language lessons, health support, entrepreneurship literacy workshops, job panels, seed grants, and violence prevention training to help refugees build the skills needed to succeed in the workplace and adjust in their new environment. One of the great successes of the project is the additional social services, including transportation vouchers for travel to and from courses, fully funded for participants. Those engaged in the training are also provided vouchers to purchase groceries and other essentials from a local store. This helps to ensure that basic needs like nutrition are met so trainees can focus on their education and attend workshops regularly.

Egypt serves as both a destination and a transit country for refugees and asylum seekers. At the end of 2022, more than 289,000 refugees and asylum seekers were registered with the U.N. Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in Egypt, 47,000 of whom were newly registered. The vast majority have fled wars and conflict in their homelands and have come to Egypt seeking shelter and safety before moving on to their next destination. Many end up in Cairo’s slums without the means to make a living due to restrictive national labor laws for refugees and discrimination by Egyptians. Many of these refugees are women and children who have been forced into poverty with little means to provide for themselves.

###

Sources:

Salesian Missions

UNHCR – Global Focus Egypt

The post EGYPT: Sunrise Project provides technical skills training for refugees first appeared on MissionNewswire.

EGYPT

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Zeitoun, located in Cairo, Egypt, provides education and support to Sudanese refugees in the country. Work with refugees began in 2000 when several arrived at the Salesian organization hoping to celebrate Catholic Mass.

The Salesian community welcomed the refugees with open arms. Initially, the Comboni Fathers were responsible for working with the refugees but gradually that work transitioned over to the Salesian community.

Since space is very limited, Don Bosco Zeitoun Oratory organizes activities for refugees three days a week. An average of 250 children attend the oratory, and mothers have their own meetings. On the three days when not working with Sudanese refugees, the Don Bosco Zeitoun Oratory organizes activities for as many youth from the neighborhood as possible.

Recently, Father Alfred Maravilla, general councilor for missions, met with Sudanese refugees at Don Bosco Zeitoun where he celebrated Mass and thanked the refugees for their continued faith. Fr. Maravilla also encouraged parents “to share faith with your children and send them to the Salesian oratory, where they can grow in faith and learn skills to integrate into Egyptian society.”

“Salesian programs across Egypt provide education and social development services for youth and their families living in poverty and for refugees new to the country,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Youth, regardless of faith and religious background, are able to access the Salesian programs and gain assistance with homework, connect with their peers, and be connected with adults who provide mentorship and support in their lives.”

According to the World Bank, 26 percent of Egypt’s population lives in poverty while 49 percent of those living in Upper Egypt cannot provide for their basic needs of food and shelter. For the nearly third of Egyptians living in poverty, and the millions more in poor conditions, the country’s current economic difficult mean life is much harder with many struggling to put food on the table.

The country has witnessed significant political and economic changes since 2011. Through this transition, which includes periods of political unrest, the main income sources of the economy have been negatively impacted, particularly in the tourism sector, as well as revenues from the Suez Canal, oil and remittances from Egyptians working abroad.

###

Sources:

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

ANS – Egypt – General Councilor for Missions meets with Sudanese refugees

Salesian Missions – Egypt

World Bank – Egypt

The post EGYPT: Sudanese refugees receive education and support first appeared on MissionNewswire.

EGYPT

(MissionNewswire) The Salesian oratory in Alexandria, Egypt, is attended by many youth, most of whom are Muslims. Many of the staff and volunteers who work with youth there are also Muslim. The oratory has become a place where Muslims and Christians come together to connect with their peers and participate in activities organized by the Salesians.

During a recent visit to Salesian communities in Egypt, Father Alfred Maravilla, general councilor for missions, met with staff at the Salesian oratory. Fr. Maravilla urged them to treasure the universal and human values they learn in the oratory. He said, “Today in the world many consider anyone different from themselves as a threat. Instead, here in the oratory, you show that difference lived with respect and friendship can become an enrichment for everyone.” He also encouraged Salesians to continue making the oratory a true place where fraternity is built.

Salesian missionaries have been working in Egypt for more than 120 years. Primary and secondary education, high-quality vocational and technical schools, and youth centers are accessed by both Muslim and Christian youth, as well as refugees in need of services.

The Salesian House in Alexandria was founded in 1896 by Father Rua to provide education to the many Italian migrants who lived there. Today, the Don Bosco School in Alexandria educates close to 900 students, mostly Muslim, in classes ranging from primary school to vocational training. The courtyards and playgrounds of the Salesian House are filled with students after school who connect with their peers in a safe and supportive environment. The institute is recognized, and partially funded, by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“Salesian programs across Egypt provide education and social development services for youth and their families living in poverty,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Youth, regardless of faith and religious background, are able to access the Salesian program and gain assistance with homework, connect with their peers, and be connected with adults who provide mentorship and support in their lives.”

According to the World Bank, 26 percent of Egypt’s population lives in poverty while 49 percent of those living in Upper Egypt cannot provide for their basic needs of food and shelter. For the nearly third of Egyptians living in poverty, and the millions more in poor conditions, the country’s current economic difficulty means life is much harder with many struggling to put food on the table.

The country has witnessed significant political and economic changes since 2011. Through this transition, which includes periods of political unrest, the main income sources of the economy have been negatively impacted, particularly in the tourism sector, as well as revenues from the Suez Canal, oil and remittances from Egyptians working abroad.

Despite visible progress to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Egypt has not reached the anticipated targets for poverty reduction, environmental protection and gender equity. Egypt is still working on issues related to gender equality and the empowerment of women.

###

Sources:

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

ANS – Egypt – General Councilor for Missions visits Salesian Oratory in Alexandria: a true place where fraternity is built

Salesian Missions – Egypt

World Bank – Egypt

The post EGYPT: Muslim and Christian students connect first appeared on MissionNewswire.

EGYPT

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries continued offering training to assist refugees in gaining the skills needed for employment or self-employment in Egypt through the Sunrise Project for Cairo’s Urban Refugees and Vulnerable Hosts. The project is possible thanks to funding from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) through a Salesian technical and vocational training center in Cairo.

The project was first funded through Salesian Missions in 2014. To date, the project has improved the livelihoods and quality of life of more than 3,000 Sub-Saharan African, Yemeni and Syrian refugees and vulnerable Egyptians.

The Sunrise Project is popular among refugees with more than 2,000 applicants trying for the limited number of trainee openings. From the over 700 who were accepted and who completed baseline assessments, more than 500 received technical and vocational training. This led to 426 successful graduates from September 2020 to September 2021. In addition, 65 trainees received a seed grant and one-on-one mentoring, and 16 microentrepreneurs and past alumni received small business development grants.

In addition to financial support, the project also rented tables at three local bazaars so that microentrepreneurs could market their wares and services. These bazaars were particularly helpful for female microentrepreneurs who could display their sewing and handicrafts products or offer hairdressing or henna services. Fifteen beneficiaries participated across the three bazaars. Additionally, the markets enabled beneficiaries to distribute their business cards for networking and potential future customer sales.

This year, the project team also helped microentrepreneurs build brand partnerships with local businesses to display their products. Using the Sunrise Project’s network of partners, the team screened potential local partner stores and then matched small business owners based on product type, customer target, and quality. In the first year of this initiative, they successfully connected two microentrepreneurs: a Sudanese sewing small business was able to sell amigurumi (crocheted stuffed) dolls at a downtown gallery, and a Sudanese handicrafts small business was connected with the Souq Al Foustat shops that sell local artisanal goods.

Horreya Mohamad, from north Sudan who made and sold the amigurumi dolls, said, “I came to Egypt in 2018 and took the sewing course. I learned many new things. Since I was a child, I loved to design, but I did not know how to use a sewing machine. Now, through the course, I’ve started my own business where I sew bed sheets, bags, dolls, embroidered wedding napkins and other kinds of embroidery. Through the microenterprise training, I learned how to market my products, how to calculate my profits and how to deal with customers. This training changed a part of my life, and I am now more confident and can pay all of my bills.”

The Sunrise Project also provides life skills training, health awareness, entrepreneurship literacy workshops, job panels, seed grants, and violence prevention training to help refugees build the skills needed to succeed in the workplace and adjust to their new urban environments. One of the great successes of the project is the additional social services, including transportation vouchers for travel to and from courses, fully funded for participants. Those engaged in the training are also provided gender-specific hygiene kits and vouchers to purchase groceries and other essentials from a local store. This helps to ensure that basic needs like nutrition are met.

Each participant also receives a primary care checkup and eye exam with a doctor who comes to the school. Some medicine prescriptions are included as are referrals for secondary care as needed.

Egypt serves as both a destination and a transit country for refugees and asylum seekers. As of December 2021, there were 271,102 people of concern from over 60 countries registered by the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR). Syrians comprise more than 50 percent of the total number of people of concern. The rest are from Sudan, South Sudan, Eritrea and other countries.

The vast majority have fled wars and conflicts in their homelands and have come to Egypt seeking shelter and safety before moving on to their next destination. Many end up in Cairo’s slums without the means to make a living due to restrictive national labor laws for refugees and discrimination by Egyptians. Many of these refugees are women and children who have been forced into poverty with little means to provide for themselves.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Egypt

UNHCR – Egypt Global Focus

The post EGYPT: 426 refugees finish technical skills training for stable employment through a Salesian Missions project in Cairo first appeared on MissionNewswire.

EGYPT

(MissionNewswire) Students attending Salesian schools in Egypt have received scholarships thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. In total, 235 scholarships were provided for Sudanese and Egyptian students attending Salesian schools including the Don Bosco Center Zeitoun, Don Bosco Alexandria Institute, and a Salesian technical and vocational training center in Cairo.

The Salesian technical and vocational training center provides education to 859 young Egyptians to help them acquire professional and technical skills and expertise through five-year or three-year study paths. The Don Bosco Alexandria Institute provides education to 986 Egyptian students enrolled in kindergarten, primary, preparatory and secondary schools. Finally, the Don Bosco Center Zeitoun provides Sudanese and Egyptian youth recreational and educational activities. It welcomes 200 Sudanese youth and 220 Egyptian youth who benefit from psychological counseling and sustainable livelihood opportunities each year.

All of the students who received scholarships were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and struggled to pay their school fees due to the economic circumstances of their families. The funding also helped provide 13 projectors and 13 smartboards helping 50 teachers to have access to better technology to provide remote online learning for students.

One the students who received the scholarship said, “Economically speaking, I benefit from a scholarship due to my dad’s incapacity to cover the expenses, and also because I have another brother and my mum has a chronic disease. Because of this, we have many expenses and educational needs.”

Other students who received the scholarship funding come from single parent households and paying for school fees is a challenge. A student said, “I have a sister and we live with my mum, who is divorced. My mum’s income is not enough for us, since she pays the institute fees and my sister’s educational fees as well, and we don’t have anyone else to support us. In addition to this, there are also the daily expenses.”

Another student noted his academic achievement. “I applied for the Merit Scholarship because I have done my best, so that I could be the top of the class, and I finished my studies. Therefore, the scholarship will decrease the burden of the educational fees that my dad must pay.”

Salesian missionaries have been working in Egypt for more than 100 years. Primary and secondary education, high-quality vocational and technical schools, and youth centers are accessed by both Muslim and Christian youth, as well as refugees in need of services.

Egypt serves as both a destination and a transit country for refugees and asylum seekers. Egypt hosts more than 265,000 registered asylum seekers and refugees from 65 countries. The majority are from Syria, followed by Sudan, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Yemen and Somalia according to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR).

The vast majority have fled wars and conflict in their homelands and have come to Egypt seeking shelter and safety before moving on to their next destination. Many end up in Cairo’s slums and other urban settings without the means to make a living due to restrictive national labor laws for refugees and discrimination by Egyptians. Many of these refugees are women and children who have been forced into poverty with little means to provide for themselves. Egypt’s economic conditions have also increased the vulnerability of both refugees and host community members.

###

Sources:

Salesian Missions – Egypt

UNHCR – Egypt

The post EGYPT: Students receive scholarships through donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

EGYPT

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries are able to offer training to assist refugees in gaining the skills needed for employment or self-employment in Egypt, thanks to funding from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) through a Salesian technical and vocational training center in Cairo. In 2020, 629 individuals were registered for technical and vocational courses and 60 for the micro-enterprise part of the project.

Due to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, Salesians had to change how they provided the training with some courses provided online, one in a small group and some courses suspended until December when they resumed once again.

This hampered some students from gaining the hands-on skills needed for their courses. It also made finding work and starting businesses difficult for the micro-enterprise participants. Salesians handled the coordination and distribution of much-needed cash assistance, as well as provided health and safety precautions for those in the program.

The project was first funded through Salesian Missions in 2014. To date, the project has improved the livelihoods and quality of life of more than 3,000 Sub-Saharan African and Syrian refugees and vulnerable Egyptians.

Rimonda Nadi, a sewing course student from Egypt, said, “After the course, I started to buy fabrics and make baby clothes. Then I started to put my products in different clothes shops for sale. This is something that brought me extreme happiness and pride because I can finally depend on myself and start to work.”

Another student, Hebba Abbas from Sudan, enrolled in the make-up and hairdressing course. She explained, “Now I am able to do full makeup for girls and brides. I have an assistant working with me too. I do the makeup and Hanady does the manicure, pedicure and different hairstyles. We are searching for more opportunities to expand our business.”

The training is also helping students connect to better jobs in the market. Khaled Raafat, an Egyptian student in the electricity course, said, “Every time I tried to apply for jobs related to electrical work, I was passed over. Since taking the course and learning life skills, I went to a job fair and had success. I’m now in a training program for a multi-national company and a senior operator in that company.”

The project also provides life skills training, health awareness, entrepreneurship literacy workshops, job panels, seed grants, and violence prevention training to help refugees build the skills needed to succeed in the workplace and adjust in their new urban environments. One of the great successes of the project is the additional social services, including transportation vouchers for travel to and from courses, fully funded for participants. Those engaged in the training are also provided vouchers to purchase groceries and other essentials from a local store. This helps to ensure that basic needs like nutrition are met.

Each participant also receives a primary care checkup and eye exam with a doctor who comes to the school. Some medicine prescriptions are included as are referrals for secondary care as needed.

Egypt serves as both a destination and a transit country for refugees and asylum seekers. More than 221,675 people of concern from over 60 countries are registered by the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR)—a population increase of over 44 percent since 2016. Syrians comprise 57.8 percent of the total number of people of concern. Of the rest, 49.5 percent are from South Sudan and Sudan and 36.5 percent are from other countries in the Horn of Africa.

The vast majority have fled wars and conflict in their homelands and have come to Egypt seeking shelter and safety before moving on to their next destination. Many end up in Cairo’s slums without the means to make a living due to restrictive national labor laws for refugees and discrimination by Egyptians. Many of these refugees are women and children who have been forced into poverty with little means to provide for themselves.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Egypt

UNHCR – Global Focus Egypt

The post EGYPT: Refugees gain employment skills first appeared on MissionNewswire.

EGYPT

(MissionNewswire) Kedr, a 24-year-old man from Somalia who lives in Egypt, was able to get stable employment in the field of auto mechanics and earn enough of a living to support himself thanks to a project funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) through a Salesian technical and vocational training center in Cairo.

Kedr was in housekeeping and couldn’t find a better paying job. As a result, he could not afford to meet his basic living expenses. Kedr was challenged by being in a new community and found it hard to integrate into Egyptian society with both language and cultural barriers.

Kedr enrolled in the mechanics course and received scholarship funding through the project. He said, “I didn’t know anything about mechanics, but now I am like a doctor to the car.”

After Kedr finished the course, he started work as an intern and now has a permanent job and a fixed salary in the same shop. His income increased by more than 50 percent after finishing the course, and he can now afford his basic needs. Kedr no longer has to take loans or depend on his friends for his expenses.

Through the project, Salesian missionaries offer vocational and technical training to assist refugees in gaining the skills needed for employment in their new host countries, which for many is particularly challenging due to labor laws and a lack of established social and professional networks.

“The technical training has allowed many participants to increase their skill level and find stable employment that earns them a decent living,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions. “The additional social services provided through the project have also been a real success, ensuring that participants have the health screening they need as well as the nutrition in order to focus their attention on the training.”

This project also provides life skills training, health awareness, entrepreneurship literacy workshops, job panels, seed grants, and violence prevention training to help refugees build the skills needed to succeed in the workplace and adjust in their new urban environments. One of the great successes of the project is the additional social services, including transportation vouchers for travel to and from courses, fully funded for participants. Those engaged in the training are also provided vouchers to purchase groceries and other essentials from a local store. This helps to ensure that basic needs like nutrition are met.

Each participant also receives a voucher for a primary care checkup and eye exam with a doctor who comes to the school. Some medicine prescriptions are included as are referrals for secondary care as needed.

The project was first funded through Salesian Missions in 2014. To date, the project has improved the livelihoods and quality of life of nearly 2,500 Sub-Saharan African and Syrian refugees and vulnerable Egyptians.

Egypt serves as both a destination and a transit country for refugees and asylum seekers. More than 221,675 people of concern from over 60 countries are registered by the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR)—a population increase of over 44 percent since 2016. Syrians comprise 57.8 percent of the total number of people of concern. Of the rest, 49.5 percent are from South Sudan and Sudan and 36.5 percent are from other countries in the Horn of Africa.

The vast majority have fled wars and conflict in their homelands and have come to Egypt seeking shelter and safety before moving on to their next destination. Many end up in Cairo’s slums without the means to make a living due to restrictive national labor laws for refugees and discrimination by Egyptians. Many of these refugees are women and children who have been forced into poverty with little means to provide for themselves.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions

UNHCR – Global Focus Egypt

The post EGYPT: Young refugee earns a stable living thanks to technical training he received through a Salesian Missions project in Cairo first appeared on MissionNewswire.

EGYPT

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Technical Institute in Cairo, Egypt, has new bathrooms and access to clean, fresh water thanks to funding from Salesian Missions “Clean Water Initiative.” Every year, Don Bosco Technical Institute welcomes more than 4,000 people who regularly attend classes and other activities, and they will now benefit from clean water access and proper sanitation.

Don Bosco Technical Institute’s bathrooms had dramatically deteriorated over the last few years. The toilets had cracks and bumps, and the floor insulation was losing its function due to high and frequent exposure to moisture and water accumulation under the floor. In addition, the materials used in the plumbing systems were showing signs of corrosion and deterioration which caused frequent leaks.

With Salesian Missions funding, Don Bosco Technical Institute improved and renovated the two bathrooms and installed two safe drinking water supplies. The project also entailed dismantling the old facilities and upgrading both the plumbing and electrical systems, including the use of LED lighting, which will provide a drastic reduction in energy costs and maintenance. Walls were plastered and a new concrete slab was poured. Five new toilets were provided in each bathroom in addition to new sinks. The school also hung posters above the sinks to remind students to practice good hygiene.

Don Bosco Technical Institute also purchased and installed two steel 240-liter water coolers, each of them with three taps. One will be placed inside the locker room and the other in the courtyard so students have water access during and after physical education sessions and during recreation.

“From safe drinking water and healthy sanitation to agriculture, water is essential for life,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “This water project in Egypt and others around the globe ensure Salesian centers have the water they need so staff and students can work and learn in a healthy environment.”

According to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), 32.5 percent of Egyptians lived below the poverty line in 2018, up from 27.8 percent in 2015 and 16.7 percent in 2000. Just more than 6 percent of Egyptians live in extreme poverty.

Egypt’s unemployment rate has reached 13.2 percent and that number almost doubles for women at 24.2 percent. Egypt, the 15th most densely populated country in the world, has been experiencing a rise in poverty and food insecurity, according to reports released by the United Nations food agency and its partners.

The country has witnessed significant political and economic changes since 2011. Through this transition, which includes periods of political unrest, the main income sources of the economy have been negatively impacted, particularly in the tourism sector, as well as revenues from the Suez Canal, oil and remittances from Egyptians working abroad.

Despite the visible progress to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, Egypt has not reached the anticipated targets for poverty reduction, environment protection and gender equity. Egypt is still working on issues related to gender equality and the empowerment of women.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Don Bosco Cairo

Salesian Missions – Clean Water Initiative

Salesian Missions – Egypt

UNDP – Egypt

The post EGYPT: Don Bosco Technical Institute has access to clean, fresh water and improved sanitation thanks to Salesian Missions ‘Clean Water Initiative’ first appeared on MissionNewswire.

EGYPT

(MissionNewswire) Nawal, a 47-year-old Sudanese single mother of four children, now has a small tailoring business thanks to a scholarship she received for training from a project funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) through a Salesian technical and vocational training center in Cairo, Egypt.

Before accessing the training at the Salesian center, Nawal worked as a maid, and she faced many hardships and challenges. She wasn’t able to cover the expenses of her children and struggled to find a job in her new community. Nawal started her course in 2018, and when she finished, she looked for a job in her field. First, she worked in a factory as an assistant, but after gaining more experience, she started her own business tailoring and making clothes.

Nawal now has an income that can cover her expenses and her children’s expenses. She also learned a lot from the life skills taught through the project. The life skills training helped her to deal with her children in a calm way. She also learned how to motivate herself and communicate with people in an effective way.

Nawal said, “People working in the center gave me faith in humanity all over again. They treated me like a human being and were professional in delivering the courses.”

Salesian missionaries offer vocational and technical training to assist refugees in gaining the skills needed for employment in their new host countries, which for many is particularly challenging due to labor laws and a lack of established social and professional networks.

In addition to the technical training, the project also provides life skills training, health awareness, entrepreneurship literacy workshops, job panels, seed grants, and violence prevention training to help refugees build the skills needed to succeed in the workplace and adjust in their new urban environments. One of the great successes of the project is the additional social services, including transportation vouchers for travel to and from courses, that are fully funded for participants. Those engaged in the training are also provided vouchers to purchase groceries and other essentials from a local store. This helps to ensure that basic needs like nutrition are met.

Each participant also receives a voucher for a primary care checkup and eye exam with a doctor who comes to the school. Some medicine prescriptions are included as are referrals for secondary care as needed.

The project was first funded through Salesian Missions in 2014. To date, the project has improved the livelihoods and quality of life of more than 1,300 Sub-Saharan African and Syrian refugees and vulnerable Egyptians.

Egypt serves as both a destination and a transit country for refugees and asylum seekers. More than 221,675 people of concern from over 60 countries are registered by the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR)—a population increase of over 44 percent since 2016. Syrians comprise 57.8 percent of the total number of people of concern. Of the rest, 49.5 percent are from South Sudan and Sudan and 36.5 percent are from other countries in the Horn of Africa.

The vast majority have fled wars and conflict in their homelands and have come to Egypt seeking shelter and safety before moving on to their next destination. Many end up in Cairo’s slums without the means to make a living due to restrictive national labor laws for refugees and discrimination by Egyptians. Many of these refugees are women and children who have been forced into poverty with little means to provide for themselves.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions

UNHCR – Global Focus Egypt

The post EGYPT: Mother of 4 from Sudan starts tailoring business thanks to Salesian Missions project in Cairo first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Don Bosco Zeitoun has a youth center as well as an excellent vocational school, recognized by the Italian state, that is attended by nearly 800 students from across the country. The school courtyard is often filled with Christian youth who are a minority in the country. Here, they have a safe space to connect with their peers.

In addition, Salesian missionaries provide services for 500 Sudanese and Syrian refugees between the ages of 15 to 25 years old. The center also provides assistance to close to 2,000 refugees including individuals and families who access the programs each month. Salesian missionaries provide emergency relief by meeting basic needs and providing shelter, safety and medical assistance.

For several years, as part of the collaboration between the Circumscription of Central Italy and the Salesians of Egypt, the Don Bosco Zeitoun youth center has welcomed young Italian volunteers who have put themselves at the service of the local children during the summer.

At the youth center, children—both Sudanese and Egyptians—play in the same courtyard. They learn from each other and share their cultures. They dance together and listen to Sudanese and Egyptian music. It’s these small gestures that break larger cultural barriers.

“We immediately felt welcomed. The youth center became our home. Every gesture received, from a handshake to a smile, has been helpful in creating bonds with every young person we’ve met,” explained the Italian volunteers. “At the Salesian parish, we felt the presence of the Lord in every heart that opened up to us. In the school, we learned to understand each other by speaking the language of the heart even if we didn’t share a common cultural language. Both in the parish and in the school, children learn to be respectful of each other’s differences.”

Salesian missionaries have been working in Egypt for more than 100 years. Primary and secondary education, high-quality vocational and technical schools, and youth centers are accessed by both Muslim and Christian youth, as well as refugees in need of services.

“Salesian programs across Egypt provide education and social development services for youth and their families living in poverty,” says Father Mark Hyde, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Youth, regardless of faith and religious background, are able to access the Salesian programs and gain assistance with homework, connect with their peers, and be connected with adults who provide mentorship and support in their lives.”

According to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), 32.5 percent of Egyptians lived below the poverty line in 2018, up from 27.8 percent in 2015 and 16.7 percent in 2000. Just more than 6 percent of Egyptians lives in extreme poverty. Egypt has been struggling to rebuild its economy following years of unrest since the 2011 uprising.

Egypt’s unemployment rate has reached 13.2 percent and that number almost doubles for women at 24.2 percent. Egypt, the 15th most densely populated country in the world, has been experiencing a rise in poverty and food insecurity, according to reports released by the United Nations food agency and its partners.

The country has witnessed significant political and economic changes since 2011. Through this transition, which includes periods of political unrest, the main income sources of the economy have been negatively impacted, particularly in the tourism sector, as well as revenues from the Suez Canal, oil and remittances from Egyptians working abroad.

Despite the visible progress to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Egypt has not reached the anticipated targets for poverty reduction, environment protection and gender equity. Egypt is still working on issues related to gender equality and the empowerment of women.

###

Sources:

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

ANS – Egypt – Volunteer experience of young people in Central Italy

UNDP – Egypt

Salesian Missions – Egypt

The post EGYPT: Italian volunteers spend time at Don Bosco Zeitoun’s youth center in Cairo first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Kénitra is a city on the outskirts of the capital city of Rabat and home to close to 800,000 people. The vocational training program in renewable energies is part of a broader Salesian educational center which has more than 1,200 students enrolled in elementary, secondary and vocational education.

Salesian missionaries have been providing education at the Salesian center since founding an elementary school there in 1937. After the country’s independence in 1956, Salesian missionaries expanded the school, adding secondary and vocational programs that help youth access training to meet the local labor market demands.

The Salesian schools in Kénitra offer students a comprehensive education, regardless of differences in religious beliefs. Today, the schools are run by three Salesian missionaries with the help of lay collaborators. The elementary, secondary and technical schools serve predominantly Muslim students.

The technical school directly prepares youth for employment with classes being offered in renewable energies, electronics, socio-cultural studies and community education. The College of Don Bosco, a hostel for students attending the École Don Bosco, provides space for extra lessons and additional educational support. There is also a library open to the public and a computer center available to the students.

“The goal is to provide a path out of poverty for poor youth through education, regardless of their religious affiliation,” says Father Mark Hyde, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Salesian schools provide necessary skills for youth to find success later in life, both personally and in the job market. Once they become employed, they are able to contribute back to their families and communities.”

Salesian missionaries in Kénitra provide services to roughly 120 Catholics, mostly from Sub-Saharan Africa, who attend the local parish and take part in several other initiatives that include cultural and sporting activities. Additional Salesian endeavors in Morocco meet the needs of street youth, offering ongoing support through cultural, sports and job training programs.

Over the last several years, Morocco has made significant strides toward reducing the number of Moroccans living in poverty. Despite progress, a drastic gap in wealth continues to exist between those living in urban and rural areas, according to the World Bank. Out of close to 4 million people living in poverty, 3 million are living in rural areas. Statistics show that while one in 10 persons are poor in urban regions, one in four are poor in rural areas.

Seventy-five percent of the country’s rural poor depend on agriculture for their livelihood yet access to farmable land is scarce. Many have access to only a limited amount of non-irrigated arable land which has scant agricultural potential. Poverty is equally prevalent in the country’s mountainous areas and fishing communities along the coast, which are home to some of the poorest Moroccans.

###

Sources:

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

ANS – Morocco – Salesian school “JUK SPEL” supports over 60 young people

World Bank – Morocco

The post MOROCCO: More than 60 poor and migrant youth are taking vocational training course in renewable energies at Salesian center first appeared on MissionNewswire.

“This daring and enriching project was launched for students in September 2018, with the announcement of our director and our educational consultant as well as ambassadors of the project, Mrs. Chemin and Mrs. Ducret. From that moment on, the whole class was enthusiastic and eager to meet the students of another Salesian high school outside Europe,” said students Alec and Clément.

Once the idea for the trip was approved, the students had to engage in various fundraising activities to help pay for travel costs. They also had to convince their parents of the value of the educational experience. Alec and Clément explained, “Some parents and even our companions had some fear before leaving, being for many the first time of a trip to Africa. And yet, as Msgr. Cristóbal López, the archbishop of Rabat, during our visit to his diocese said, ‘The world is my home and humanity is my family.’”

Even before leaving, the students of the two Salesian institutes separated by the Mediterranean were getting to know each other through the exchange of letters, videos and conversations on social networks. By the time the students were to meet in person, an excellent rapport had already developed.

“We were greeted by the Moroccan students with songs, poems, dances and flowers. Faced with such a welcome, the emotion moved us and we had no words to describe the joy and happiness of meeting our Moroccan Salesian brothers and sisters,” said Alec and Clément. “Then, over the next three days, we were able to fully put ourselves in their shoes and experience everyday life with them, in their homes.”

They added, “This journey has brought us another vision of Muslim culture and lifestyle in Morocco. We thank the students of Kénitra for their warm welcome and their joy of life. We would like to be able to welcome them and show them our customs and our lifestyle and we hope that this magnificent project continues.”

Salesian missionaries have been providing education in Kénitra since founding its first elementary school in 1937. After the country’s independence in 1956, Salesian missionaries expanded the school, adding secondary and vocational programs that help local youth access training to meet the local labor market demands.

The Salesian schools in Kénitra offer students a comprehensive education regardless of differences in religious beliefs. Today, the schools are run by three Salesian missionaries with the help of lay collaborators. The elementary, secondary and technical schools serve predominantly Muslim students.

###

Sources:

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

ANS – Morocco – Building bridges over Mediterranean: Salesian students on journey of discovery

The post MOROCCO: Students at the Salesian Institute of Gières in France visited Salesian students in Morocco for cultural learning first appeared on MissionNewswire.

The volunteers taught a month-long Italian language course to 160 boys participating in the program and evaluated their reading and conversation skills once or twice during the course. This allowed the volunteer teachers to have a better understanding of which students needed the most assistance while ensuring the students felt supported throughout the program.

“I have understood that the vocational training institute offers a unique opportunity for youth in Alexandria. The quality of the courses, the seriousness of the teachers and above all, the educational style that is provided, ensures that at the end of their three-year courses, students have the professional skills to find a career and have freedom of choice for their future,” says Chiara, one of the volunteer teachers.

Students attending the Don Bosco School and Salesian oratory in Alexandria are Muslim. There is no intent for conversion to Catholicism nor do students have to convert to attend programs.  Salesian missionaries have been working in Egypt for more than 100 years. Primary and secondary education, high-quality vocational and technical schools and youth centers are accessed by both Muslim and Christian youth as well as by refugees in need of services.

Originally called the Salesian House, the school complex was founded in 1896 in Alexandria by Father Rua to provide education to the many Italian migrants who lived there. Today the complex is called the Don Bosco School and it serves more than 900 students beginning with primary school and continuing through vocational training. The courtyards and playgrounds continue to be filled with students after school who connect with their peers in a safe and supportive environment. The school is recognized, and partially funded, by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“Salesian programs across Egypt provide education and social development services for youth and their families living in poverty,” says Father Mark Hyde, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Youth, regardless of faith and religious background, are able to access Salesian programs to gain assistance with homework and connect with their peers as well as adults who provide mentorship and support in their lives.”

According to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), 26 percent of Egypt’s population lives in poverty while 49 percent of those living in Upper Egypt cannot provide for their basic needs of food and shelter. Egypt’s unemployment rate has reached 13.2 percent and that number almost doubles for women at 24.2 percent. Egypt, the 15th most densely populated country in the world, has been experiencing a rise in poverty and food insecurity for the past three years, according to reports released by the United Nations food agency and its partners.

The country has witnessed significant political and economic changes since 2011. Through this transition, which includes periods of political unrest, the main income sources of the economy have been negatively impacted, particularly in the tourism sector, as well as revenues from the Suez Canal, oil and remittances from Egyptians working abroad.

Despite visible progress to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Egypt has not reached the anticipated targets for poverty reduction, environmental protection and gender equity. Egypt is still working on issues related to gender equality and the empowerment of women.

###

Sources:

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

ANS – Egypt – Salesian Institute offers unique and decisive opportunity for young lives of Alexandria

UNDP – Egypt

The post EGYPT: Salesian volunteers from Italy teach Italian language courses to students preparing for enrollment in Salesian Vocational Training Institute first appeared on MissionNewswire.

With seed funding provided by the Sunrise Project, Abkar, who has a bachelor’s degree in education, started the New Vision Center. This social and human development center offers a variety of courses including English language, computer and IT, human resources and human development and social psychology. Abkar aims to improve the skills and capabilities of refugees and enhance their performance and effectiveness in their new society. He is also helping to reduce illiteracy among the refugees and aid youth in skill development for employment.

Through the Sunrise Project, 400 refugees and vulnerable Egyptians are receiving support and 80 graduates from the program were invited to participate in in-depth seed fund grant training. These graduates submitted entrepreneurial project plans to the Sunrise team which chose to fund approximately 40 projects. Selected grantees, like Abkar, received $500 and six months of mentorship to launch their businesses.

“The technical training and seed grant program have allowed many participants to increase their skill level and launch their own businesses,” says Father Mark Hyde, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “The additional social services provided during this project have also been a real success, ensuring that participants have the health screening they need as well as the nutrition in order to focus their attention on the training.”

In 2014, Salesian Missions, thanks to support of external donors, began working with the Instituto Don Bosco in Cairo to fund scholarships as part of the Sunrise Project. This skills training program assists refugees and vulnerable Egyptians in gaining the technical and life skills they need to find employment and support their families in their new country.

Including this year, the Sunrise Project in Cairo has improved the livelihoods and quality of life of more than 1,300 Sub-Saharan African and Syrian refugees and vulnerable Egyptians. Of this total, 46.9 percent were female, 62.8 percent were African, 8.3 percent were Syrian and 28.9 percent were vulnerable Egyptians.

Egypt serves as both a destination and a transit country for refugees and asylum seekers. More than 221,675 people of concern from over 60 countries are registered by the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR)—a population increase of over 44 percent since 2016. Syrians comprise 57.8 percent of the total number of people of concern. Of the rest, 49.5 percent are from South Sudan and Sudan and 36.5 percent are from other countries in the Horn of Africa.

The vast majority have fled wars and conflict in their homelands and have come to Egypt seeking shelter and safety before moving on to their next destination. Many end up in Cairo’s slums without the means to make a living due to restrictive national labor laws for refugees and discrimination by Egyptians. Many of these refugees are women and children who have been forced into poverty with little means to provide for themselves.

Through the Sunrise Project, Salesian missionaries offer vocational and technical training to assist refugees in gaining the skills needed for employment in their new host countries, which for many is particularly challenging due to labor laws and a lack of established social and professional networks.

This project also provides life skills training, health awareness, entrepreneurship literacy workshops, job panels, seed grants and violence prevention training to help refugees build the skills needed to succeed in the workplace and adjust in their new urban environments. One of the great successes of the project are the additional social services including transportation vouchers for travel to and from courses, fully funded for participants. Those engaged in the training are also provided vouchers to purchase groceries and other essentials from a local store. This helps to ensure that basic needs like nutrition are met.

Each participant also receives a voucher for a primary care checkup and eye exam with a doctor who comes to the school. Some medicine prescriptions are included as are referrals for secondary care as needed.

###

Sources:

Salesian Missions

UNHCR – Global Focus Egypt

The post EGYPT: Sudanese refugee able to launch training center to help other refugees thanks to “Sunrise Project” first appeared on MissionNewswire.

In Alexandria in 1896, the Salesian House was founded by Father Rua to provide education to the many Italian migrants who lived there. Today, the Don Bosco School in Alexandria educates more than 900 students, mostly Muslim, in classes ranging from primary school to vocational training. The courtyards and playgrounds of the Salesian House are filled with students after school who connect with their peers in a safe and supportive environment. The institute is recognized, and partially funded, by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In Cairo, Salesian missionaries provide an excellent vocational school, recognized by the Italian state, that is attended by nearly 800 students from across the country. The school courtyard is often filled with Christian youth who are a minority in the country. Here, they have a safe space to connect with their peers. One Christian neighborhood in Cairo is particularly poor. It was built on a landfill and its residents survive by collecting waste and reselling recyclable materials.

Also in Cairo, the Salesian-run Don Bosco Zeitoun has been providing programs for poor youth and their families since 1985. Youth have access to counseling, team sports, music classes, tailoring courses, rights awareness and medical referrals. Here, Salesian missionaries provide services for 500 Sudanese and Syrian refugees between the ages of 15 to 25 years old. The center also provides assistance to close to 2,000 refugees including individuals and families who access the programs each month. Salesian missionaries provide emergency relief by meeting basic needs and providing shelter, safety and medical assistance.

“Salesian programs across Egypt provide education and social development services for youth and their families living in poverty,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Youth, regardless of faith and religious background, are able to access the Salesian program and gain assistance with homework, connect with their peers, and be connected with adults who provide mentorship and support in their lives.”

According to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), 26 percent of Egypt’s population lives in poverty, while 49 percent of those living in Upper Egypt cannot provide for their basic needs of food and shelter. Egypt’s unemployment rate has reached 13.2 percent and that number almost doubles for women at 24.2 percent. Egypt, the 15th most densely populated country in the world, has been experiencing a rise in poverty and food insecurity for the past three years, according to reports released by the United Nations food agency and its partners.

The country has witnessed significant political and economic changes since 2011. Through this transition, which includes periods of political unrest, the main income sources of the economy have been negatively impacted, particularly in the tourism sector, as well as revenues from the Suez Canal, oil and remittances from Egyptians working abroad.

Despite the visible progress to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Egypt has not reached the anticipated targets for poverty reduction, environment protection and gender equity. Egypt is still working on issues related to gender equality and the empowerment of women.

###

Sources:

Egypt – Schools, oratories, outskirts: Salesian presence in Egypt

UNDP – Egypt

The post EGYPT: Salesian missionaries provide education and social development programs for Christian and Muslim youth first appeared on MissionNewswire.

According to the UNHCR (The UN Refugee Agency), in January 2017, Egypt had more than 197,425 refugees and asylum seekers, up from 157,700 in 2014. The vast majority have fled wars and conflict in their homelands and have come to Egypt seeking shelter and safety. Many end up Cairo’s slums without means of making a living. Many of these refugees are women and children who have been forced into poverty with little means to provide for themselves.

Through the Sunrise Project, Salesian missionaries offer vocational and technical training to assist refugees in gaining the skills needed for employment in their new host countries, which for many is particularly challenging due to labor laws and a lack of established social and professional networks. Sudanese and Greater Horn Region refugees will make up 70 percent of those trained under the Sunrise Project while 30 percent will be vulnerable Egyptian host community individuals. Women will make up 40 percent of the participants.

This project also provides life skills training and violence prevention training to help refugees build the skills needed to succeed in the workplace and adjust in their new urban environments. One of the great successes of the project is the additional social services funded for participants. Those engaged in the training are also provided vouchers to purchase groceries and other needs from a local store. This helps to ensure that basic needs like nutrition are met for these individuals, as they work hard to meet the needs for themselves.

Participants are also given vouchers for health care. At the start of the project, local doctors and nurses would come to the Salesian center to provide these basic medical checkups, but Salesian missionaries have developed a relationship with a local hospital that now provides this medical care as well as any referrals for more specialized care if required from the initial wellness exams.

“The additional social services provided during this project have been a real success, ensuring that participants have the health screening they need as well as the nutrition in order to focus their attention on the training,” says Neill Holland, program officer at the Salesian Missions Office for International Programs. “The technical training has allowed many participants to increase their skill level and find employment, even if just in informal work settings. Many have reported back to us that they have also had an increase in income as a result of the training.”

As a result of focus groups conducted with the target population, the training courses are now more intensive three-month courses rather than spread out over nine months, as it was challenging for many participants to forgo an income during a long training period. Salesian missionaries plan to train 400 individuals this year, as well as provide 100 participants course-specific tool kits that will allow them to have the tools of their craft for employment. Graduates with viable business plans will receive managed seed funding capital grants to help them start their own businesses through equipment purchase and supplies to enable microenterprise development.

Also in Cairo, the Salesian-run Don Bosco Zeitoun has been providing programs for poor youth and their families since 1985. Youth have access to counseling, team sports, music classes, tailoring courses, rights awareness and medical referrals. Here, Salesian missionaries provide services for 500 Sudanese and Syrian refugees between the ages of 15 to 25 years old. The center also provides assistance to close to 2,000 refugees including individuals and families who access the programs each month. Salesian missionaries provide emergency relief by meeting basic needs and providing shelter, safety and medical assistance.

###

Sources:

UNHCR – Global Focus Egypt

The post EGYPT: Salesian Missions continues Sunrise Project to support refugees and vulnerable Egyptians thanks to external donor funding first appeared on MissionNewswire.

“Our programs are frequented by street children, orphans, children of workers, middle-class young people and people of many religious backgrounds,” says Fr. Kerio. “Then there are also the South Sudanese, refugees and displaced persons, the tribes and ethnic groups that are enemies in South Sudan, but here they are at peace with each other. So many prejudices have been dispelled because people find common ground and mutual understanding.”

The Salesian community provides education and social development services for youth and their families living in poverty in the region. Youth are able to access the Salesian program and gain assistance with homework, connect with their peers, and be connected with adults who provide mentorship and support in their lives. The community is also serving many South Sudanese refugees who have escaped violence and conflict in their home country. But many are faced with racial discrimination and challenges in Egypt. Salesian missionaries work to mitigate these difficulties through programs aimed at helping refugees integrate into their new communities.

In addition, Salesian missionaries have been helping Syrian refugees in Egypt as well as Turkey, and Lebanon since early 2012. Between 400 and 800 refugees are helped each day, many of whom are women and children. At these refugee sites, missionaries provide emergency relief by meeting basic needs and providing shelter, safety and medical assistance. Missionaries also offer technical skills training to assist refugees in the task of finding stable employment in their new host countries which for many is particularly challenging due to labor laws and a lack of established social and professional networks.

According to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), 26 percent of Egypt’s population lives in poverty, while 49 percent of those living in Upper Egypt cannot provide for their basic needs of food and shelter. Egypt’s unemployment rate has reached 13.2 percent and that number almost doubles for women totaling at 24.2 percent. Egypt, the 15th most densely populated country in the world, has been experiencing a rise in poverty and food insecurity for past three years, according to reports released by the United Nations food agency and its partners.

The country has witnessed significant political and economic changes since 2011. Through this transition, which includes periods of political unrest, the main income sources of the economy have been negatively impacted, particularly in the tourism sector, as well as revenues from the Suez Canal, oil and remittances from Egyptians working abroad, affected by the global economy.

Despite the visible progress to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Egypt has not reached the anticipated targets for poverty reduction, environment protection and gender equity. Egypt is still working on issues related to gender equality and the empowerment of women.

Sources

ANS – Egypt – Imagine a playground … a meeting place of cultures and peoples

UNDP – Egypt

The post EGYPT: Salesian Missionaries Offer Oratory and Parish in Cairo Community first appeared on MissionNewswire.

“In the past three months, the students at the Don Bosco Industrial Technical Institute have been working on the development of two innovative prototypes to implement solar power,” said the manager of the French Agency for Development. “This project was carried out in cooperation with AFD, IECD and Schneider Egypt in order to provide students with the tools and skills needed in the target market.”

Teachers from the Don Bosco Institute described the details of this project. They note students are working on developing a pump, which will use the energy generated by the sun through panels, without the use of batteries. It will be used for soil or water or to fill a tank depending on the energy generated in such a way that when the pump has more energy it will produce more water. A second project is also underway to develop ideas for how to provide a small house with solar energy, in addition to using the national power grid, depending on the availability of the sun.

“The idea of ​​the project is to teach students, the next generation of engineers, to be familiar with new technologies for the use of solar energy,” said an Egyptian manager of Schneider. “Of course, we know well the shortcomings and difficulties of our country from an economic point of view and rising costs. This is why we are concerned about the next generation of engineers.”

Students are also excited about learning how to use and develop solar energy and the ways in which it can produce clean energy. One student, Joseph, noted that the project is helping him to work better and faster with solar energy because he has had to deal with problem resolution, and this helped him to become a better technician.

According to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), 26 percent of Egypt’s population lives in poverty, while 49 percent of those living in Upper Egypt cannot provide for their basic needs of food and shelter. Egypt’s unemployment rate has reached 13.2 percent and that number almost doubles for women totaling 24.2 percent. Egypt, the 15th most densely populated country in the world, has been experiencing a rise in poverty and food insecurity for the past three years, according to reports released by the United Nations food agency and its partners.

The country has witnessed significant political and economic changes since 2011. Through this transition, which includes periods of political unrest, the main income sources of the economy have been negatively impacted, particularly in the tourism sector. This also includes revenues from the Suez Canal, oil and remittances from Egyptians working abroad that have been affected by the global economy.

Despite the visible progress to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, Egypt has not reached the anticipated targets for poverty reduction, environment protection and gender equity. Egypt is still working on issues related to gender equality and the empowerment of women.

###

Sources:

ANS – Egypt – Higher Education in the Salesian School in Cairo

UNDP – Egypt

The post EGYPT: Don Bosco Industrial Technical Institute Launches Projects on Harnessing Solar Energy first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Salesian missionaries have been providing education at the Salesian Center since founding its initial elementary school in 1937. After the country’s independence in 1956, Salesian missionaries expanded the school, adding secondary and vocational programs that provide coursework to help local youth access training to meet the local labor market demands.

The Salesian schools in Kénitra offer students a comprehensive education, regardless of differences in religious beliefs. Today, the schools are run by three Salesian missionaries with the help of lay collaborators. The elementary, secondary and technical schools serve predominantly Muslim students.

The technical school directly prepares youth for later employment. Classes are offered in electronics, socio-cultural studies and community education. The College of Don Bosco, a hostel for students attending the École Don Bosco, provides space for extra lessons and other forms of educational support. There is also a library open to the public and a computer center available to the boys at the Vocational Training School in Electronics and the girls at the Girls Training Center.

“The goal is to provide a path out of poverty for poor youth through education,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Salesian schools provide necessary skills for youth to have success later in life, both personally and in the job market.”

Salesian missionaries also provide services to roughly 120 Catholics, mostly from Sub-Saharan Africa, who attend the local parish and take part in several other initiatives that include cultural and sporting activities. Additional Salesian endeavors in Morocco meet the needs of street youth, offering ongoing support through cultural, sports and job training programs.

“Through our many programs, the Salesian missionaries offer vulnerable youth the best educational and work opportunities to help them break the cycle of poverty and have hope for a brighter future,” adds Fr. Hyde.

Over the last several years, Morocco has made significant strides toward reducing the number of Moroccans living in poverty. Despite progress, a drastic gap in wealth continues to exist between those living in urban and rural areas, according to the World Bank. Out of close to 4 million people living in poverty, 3 million are living in rural areas. Statistics show that while one in 10 persons are poor in urban regions, one in four are poor in rural areas.

Seventy-five percent of the country’s rural poor depend on agriculture for their livelihood yet access to farmable land is scarce. Many have access to only a limited amount of non-irrigated arable land, which has scant agricultural potential. Poverty is equally prevalent in the country’s mountainous areas and fishing communities along the coast, which are home to some of the poorest Moroccans.

###

Sources:

ANS – Morocco – Awarding of diplomas to 54 students of the Don Bosco Professional School Don Bosco-Kénitra

World Bank – Morocco

The post MOROCCO: Don Bosco Professional School Graduates 54 Students in Electrical Energy and Industrial Sectors first appeared on MissionNewswire.

The school, an institution in the city, was founded in 1937. After the country’s independence in 1956, Salesian missionaries expanded the school adding secondary and vocational programs that provide coursework to help local youth access training to meet the local labor market demands.

The school offers education that follows official programs in the country with courses offered in both French and Arabic. All of the teachers at the school are Muslim and the course in Islam is compulsory, except for three Christian students. Fr. Vega’s cultural week works to bridge the gap among religions and heritage among the local people while teaching local students and parents more about the life of St. John (Don) Bosco. The highlight of the program was his morning address.

“This morning I talked about responding to violence with non-violence,” said Fr Vega. “I quoted a passage from the Koran that says you have to protect yourself from violence. You must forgive.”

Many of the teachers have learned and share the principles of Salesian pedagogy. Habhoud Mohamed, professor of Arabic, is a Muslim. He calls himself a “Salesian Muslim.” He is also the author of a book about Don Bosco, which was published in Arabic and was widely read by the parents of the students.

“The spirit of Don Bosco can exist among Jews, Christians and Muslims. I act and I think as a Salesian,” says Mohamed.

Salesian missionaries also provide services to roughly 120 Catholics, mostly from Sub-Saharan Africa, who attend the local parish, as well as run several other initiatives that include cultural and sporting activities. Additional Salesian endeavors meet the needs of street youth, offering ongoing support through cultural, sports and job training programs.

Over the last several years, Morocco has made significant strides toward reducing the number of Moroccans living in poverty. Despite progress, a drastic gap in wealth continues to exist between those living in urban and rural areas, according to the World Bank. Out of close to 4 million people living in poverty, 3 million are living in rural areas. Statistics show that while one in 10 people are poor in urban regions, one in four are poor in rural areas.

Seventy-five percent of the country’s rural poor depend on agriculture for their livelihood yet access to farmable land is scare. Many have access to only a limited amount of non-irrigated arable land, which has scant agricultural potential. Poverty is equally prevalent in the country’s mountainous areas and fishing communities along the coast, which are home to some of the poorest Moroccans.

###

Sources:

ANS – Morocco – The Don Bosco School in Kenitra

World Bank – Morocco

The post MOROCCO: Cultural Week Aims to Teach Salesian Students and Their Families More About the Life of St. John (Don) Bosco first appeared on MissionNewswire.

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

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

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

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

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

“All youth deserve a chance at a better life,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Salesian schools help youth overcome barriers to success while teaching them how to take responsibility for their own lives. By providing youth an education and the necessary skills to find and retain employment, they are able to support themselves and help their communities.”

SYRIA

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

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

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

###

PHOTO CREDITS:

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

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

SOURCES:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For Salesian volunteer, Polona Dominik, a young Slovenian social worker, working with the Bosco Boys program fulfilled a lifelong dream. She came to Kenya in February 2012 and volunteered for two years with the organization. Today, she works at the headquarters for the Don Bosco East Africa Province.

“I always wanted to work with and for street children, first in my home country of Slovenia, then in Ethiopia with the Bosco Children program and later in Kenya,” says Dominik. “We had close to 200 former street boys in the Bosco Boys program in Langata and Kuwinda (suburbs of Nairobi) plus others who were under our sponsorship after completing the program at Bosco Boys. There were new requests daily for admissions, so as a social worker there was a great deal that I could do, and a great deal that I have learned which I could not have learned anywhere else.”

Youth living in Nairobi’s slums are at-risk for exploitation, forced labor and other abuses. Few attend the later stages of school as compared to those living in Kenya’s more rural areas. The few schools serving this disadvantaged community are beyond the financial means of most families. UNICEF noted that while Kenya has free and compulsory education, youth in poverty still cannot afford to attend school resulting in close to 90 percent of children from poor households failing to complete their basic education.

“I met children and their families with stories of suffering, poverty, negligence, abuse and devastation,” adds Dominik. “Every day I was meeting boys whose families were absent or unable to provide food, shelter and education so youth were forced to look after themselves by stealing or by earning a little through jobs on the street. There are countless numbers of children living like this in the slums of Nairobi and only a small percentage have the possibility of rehabilitation in a center like Bosco Boys.”

The Bosco Boys program provides education and workforce development opportunities. Students in the program who complete their primary education are assisted with secondary education or are advised to choose technical training in sister institutions. The secondary education is most often provided at Don Bosco Technical Secondary School, Embu, but can also be at another school close to a student’s home where they can be easily monitored.

In addition to the education provided, youth in the program are given professional counseling to help them overcome any difficulties they may face in their lives. The program also gives youth the tools to develop a positive healthy outlook on life and the education and training necessary to find stable employment.

Despite the steady growth of Kenya’s economy, according to UNICEF, more than half of the country’s population lives below the poverty line on less than one US dollar a day. UNICEF also notes that Kenya’s capital city, Nairobi, is home to 3 million residents, most of whom endure lives of extreme poverty in the city’s slums. The most vulnerable are families and children living in these urban slums and in areas of the country most affected by HIV/AIDS. Many do not have access to healthcare, nutrition, sanitation and education.

Sources

ANS – Kenya – “There is nothing nobler or more important in the world than saving the lives of needy children”

UNICEF – Kenya

The post KENYA: Salesian-run Bosco Boys Programs Provides Education to More Than 600 Poor Youth first appeared on MissionNewswire.

The civil war has left thousands dead and displaced hundreds of thousands more. Close to 80,000 people have sought refuge at several UN compounds across the country. In Juba, the largest city and capital of the country, 80 percent of those displaced are women and children. More than 350,000 people have fled to neighboring countries risking their lives and leaving everything they had behind.

South Sudan just entered its rainy season, and being a country with few paved roads, the flooded and muddy streets hamper relief efforts. UNICEF and the World Food Program recently issued a warning that South Sudan is falling rapidly into a nutrition crisis that could result in the deaths of more than 50,000 children from malnutrition over the course of this year. Over 7 million people are at risk of food insecurity and 4.9 million of them are in urgent need of humanitarian aid.

The current rainy season also presents a looming health crisis in the country. In May, a cholera outbreak was confirmed bringing with it the imminent threat of a health emergency. With only 15 percent of people having access to adequate sanitary latrines and 30 percent without access to safe water, the rainy season increases the risk of diseases, in particular diarrheal diseases.

Salesian missionaries have been working in Tonj, a town in the northwest region of South Sudan, for several years. Their focus has been on providing education and social development services for poor youth through the operation of primary and secondary schools and youth centers. In addition, the missionaries operate several medical clinics, including a leprosy clinic.

Recently, the Salesians of South Sudan, in collaboration with the Tonj Project Onlus, completed the first stages of construction on a new hospital in Tonj. The hospital will care for the poor and the sick in Tonj and its surrounding communities. The Tonj Project Onlus, founded by Salesian Father Omar Delasa of the Lombardy-Emiliana Province in Italy, provided volunteers who helped in the planning and construction of the hospital.

“Medical care is a very important part of Salesian work around the globe,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Salesian missionaries care for the sick in over 90 clinics and hospitals in the more than 130 countries we serve. Many of the hospitals and clinics are located in rural areas where access to medical care is limited.”

The new hospital in Tonj opened in late July after four years of planning and construction. The current facility consists of maternity and surgical wards and a residence for medical and administrative staff. The hospital will begin operation in the coming weeks, and the fully completed building will open in 2015.

###

Sources:

ANS – South Sudan – First stage of construction works for the new hospital in Tonj completed

UNICEF – In South Sudan, response to looming threats of disease and malnutrition is a race against time and the elements

The post SOUTH SUDAN: New Salesian Hospital Will Provide Medical Care for Poor and Sick in Tonj first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Seventy-five percent of the country’s rural poor depend on agriculture for their livelihood yet access to farmable land is scare. Many have access to only a limited amount of non-irrigated arable land, which has scant agricultural potential. Poverty is equally prevalent in the country’s mountainous areas and fishing communities along the coast, which are home to some of the poorest Moroccans.

This year, Salesians in Morocco are celebrating their 75^th year working in Kenitra, a city on the outskirts of the capital, Rabat. Kenitra is home to close to 800,000 people. Through a Salesian Center there, more than 1,200 youth attend elementary, secondary and vocational schools, receiving an education while learning new skills to one day find employment.

“The goal is to provide a path out of poverty for poor youth through education,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “We educate and provide necessary skills for youth to have success later in life, both personally and in the job market.”

The Salesian schools in Kenitra offer their students a comprehensive education, regardless of differences in religious beliefs. Today, the schools are run by three Salesians with the help of lay collaborators. The elementary, secondary and technical schools serve predominantly Muslim students. The Salesians also provide services to roughly 120 Catholics, mostly from Sub-Saharan Africa, who attend the local parish, as well as run several other initiatives that include cultural and sporting activities.

The technical school directly prepares youth for later employment. Classes are offered in electronics, socio-cultural studies and community education. The College of Don Bosco, a hostel for students attending the École Don Bosco, provides space for extra lessons and other forms of educational support. There is also a library open to the public and a computer center available to the boys at the Vocational Training School in Electronics and the girls at the Girls Training Center.

Additional Salesian endeavors in Morocco meet the needs of street youth, offering ongoing support through cultural, sports and job training programs.

“Through our many programs, the Salesians offer vulnerable youth the best educational and work opportunities to help them escape a life of poverty,” adds Fr. Hyde.

###

Sources

ANS – Morocco – 75 years of Salesian work at Kenitra

World Bank – Morocco

The post MOROCCO: Salesian Program Celebrates 75 Years Providing Education and Hope for Poor Youth first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Initially, a retreat to Alexandria had been planned for the Salesians in Egypt. Given the great uncertainty of the situation, the Salesians decided to stay in their own communities and to retreat to three Salesian houses instead.  Currently, all the Salesians in the communities in Egypt are well. There have been close calls, as just the other day, a tear-gas canister fired from the street came into a Salesian courtyard in Alexandria.

“Certainly we are following developments with some anxiety and we hope that soon things will quiet down,” Fr. Spreafico writes. “However, everyone is convinced that these events have seriously de-stabilized the country and now its future is uncertain. We Salesians have been in Egypt since 1896 and we love this country.”

In Egypt, the Salesians have a community in Alexandria and two houses in Cairo belonging to the Middle East Province which also includes Turkey, Iran, Syria, Lebanon and Israel. There are 16 Egyptian Salesians, 13 working in the Province and three others elsewhere.  “We are thinking very specially of them at this delicate and difficult time for the country,” Fr Spreafico concludes.

The post EGYPT: Amidst Turmoil, Salesians Will Not Retreat first appeared on MissionNewswire.