ANGOLA

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries with the School of Agriculture and Rural Volunteering, located in Moxico Velho, Luena, Angola, were able to complete construction projects thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. With the funding, Salesians rehabilitated the kitchen and created a school dining room for the students.

“This construction project will make significant improvements to the school and allow us to have a dedicated space to feed our students,” said a Salesian missionary. “We appreciate the donors who support this project. Our school primarily serves students in conditions of poverty and these changes will have a positive impact on them.”

This project directly impacted 36 youth, aged 17-23, who are undergoing volunteer training, with some preparing for the seminary. Two thousand villagers who rely on subsistence farming will also be able to use the new facilities.

The school works to develop volunteers experienced in agriculture, the general culture of the area, social development and seminary studies. Salesians will look at new educational initiatives in forestry and beekeeping.

In Angola more than a third of the population could be living on less than 2.15 dollars per day, according to the World Bank. Although the country’s recession ended in 2021, economic growth has lagged behind population growth, resulting in negative per capita growth for nine years. Unemployment has remained high, impacted women disproportionately, experiencing an unemployment rate of over 33% in the first quarter of 2024, compared to about 31 percent for men.

Salesian missionaries continue to rebuild infrastructure that was damaged during the civil war that lasted from 1975 to 2002. Much was destroyed during the conflict including schools, medical buildings and churches. Living within the communities in which they work, Salesian missionaries have been perfectly positioned to respond to local needs and lead projects for community betterment.

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Photo (from video) courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Angola

World Bank – Angola

The post ANGOLA: Salesian missionaries build kitchen and dining room at School of Agriculture thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

ANGOLA

(MissionNewswire) Representatives from the Opera Don Bosco Onlus Foundation in Milan, Italy, joined volunteers from International Volunteering for Development (VIS) to visit Salesian programs in Angola. The visit, which included Michela Vallarino, president of VIS, and Stefano Arosio, coordinator of the foundation, aimed to enhance the commitment of the teams supporting Salesian centers.

The delegation visited some of the main reception centers for children who have been living on the street, such as Casa Magone, the first reception center the Salesian opened in Angola, and Casa Margarida, a residential facility dedicated to the care and protection of the most vulnerable children. The delegation also visited the mother and child health center at the Divina Providencia Hospital in Luanda and the Nutriacção project, now in its second year of activity and aimed at improving nutritional conditions in vulnerable communities.

Arosio said, “The mission shared with VIS consolidates and further strengthens a collaboration that began some time ago. The trip was intense, visiting various Salesian multi-purpose centers and discovering how much work the Salesians do together with the VIS Angola Delegation, especially for street children.”

Vallarino also recounted her experience. She recalled, “Seeing the reality of these children up close means looking into their eyes and seeing their denied rights, immersing oneself in their resilience, their desire to live and dream. It means understanding how little it takes to make them feel loved and how we can work together to protect and promote their rights in a glimpse of future and hope.”

With this trip, the teams from two Salesian organizations reaffirm their shared commitment to human development, promoting inclusion, equity and sustainability in the poorest places around the globe.

Salesian missionaries in Angola also continue to rebuild infrastructure that was damaged during the civil war that lasted from 1975 to 2002. Much was destroyed during the conflict including schools, medical buildings and churches. Living within the communities in which they work, Salesian missionaries have been perfectly positioned to respond to local needs and lead projects for community betterment.

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

ANS – Angola – Fondazione Opera Don Bosco Onlus together with VIS on a mission to strengthen commitment to local communities

Opera Don Bosco Onlus Foundation

Salesian Missions – Angola

UNICEF – Angola

The post ANGOLA: Salesian representatives from Italy visit centers for vulnerable youth first appeared on MissionNewswire.

ANGOLA

(MissionNewswire) Salesians in Angola facilitate a program for youth in conflict with the law known as “A new beginning.” The program offers education courses, including professional skills training and psychological counseling, for the reintegration into a healthy family environment. Last year, 209 youth (186 boys and 23 girls) benefited from the project with support from the European Union, the Angolan government and UNICEF.

Angola has no facilities for youth who have broken the law. Some youth are sent to detoxification centers, and others are supported by social services. Many return to the streets, and after a short time they make the same mistakes. The Salesian program actively involves families, offering parents psychological support and the possibility of attending professional skill-building courses.

Francisco, age 16, is part of the program. He was involved in a brawl with a group of teens and stabbed another young man, who was injured and nearly died. The judge granted Francisco six months of probation and he served the sentence in the Salesian center.

Francisco explained, “When I came to the Salesians, I immediately liked the educators and the conversation they had with me about my friends, about quitting smoking and drinking, so much so that I even brought a friend with me to follow the course.” Francisco participated in the painting and drawing workshop.

The aim of all the courses is to strengthen self-esteem and social responsibility. Courses also contribute significantly to the construction and strengthening of the participants’ identity.

Program managers assist families and help guide the processes of behavioral change. In addition, they provide health support, education and opportunities for youth development, including access to cultural activities, sports and leisure time. All of these activities help youth reintegrate into society and live with a sense of fulfillment.

“My family was very happy to see me take these courses and participate in these activities. With the help of the project educators and my family, who supported me from the beginning, I really decided to start my life anew,” said Francisco.

Marquinha Pires is the mother of one of the beneficiaries. She said, “My son has been here for nine months. He is a new person and he behaves well. I thank the Salesians for the work they have done with us and with our children who have ended up before the juvenile judge. The program has helped us a lot in the re-education process.”

Pires attended one of the parenting courses offered. She said it has been useful for families with children who have broken the law because it helps parents to re-educate their children through various topics, such as assertive and positive communication, recovery and reintegration into society, and psychological and medical assistance.

She added, “The impossible became possible because we thought that the COVID-19 pandemic would stop the vocational courses provided by the program. But to our great joy this did not happen.”

Salesian missionaries in Angola also continue to rebuild infrastructure that was damaged during the civil war that lasted from 1975 to 2002. Much was destroyed during the conflict including schools, medical buildings and churches. Living within the communities in which they work, Salesian missionaries have been perfectly positioned to respond to local needs and lead projects for community betterment.

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

ANS – Angola – “A new beginning” gives a second chance to more than 200 young people in conflict with the law

Salesian Missions – Angola

UNICEF – Angola

The post ANGOLA: Youth in legal trouble gain support first appeared on MissionNewswire.

ANGOLA

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries have provided 150 families with corn seeds and fertilizer as part of the “The Mwenho Usupoka ‒ Life in Abundance” agriculture project taking place in Munda, Huambo, Angola.  The initiative was made possible thanks to the contribution of the Angolan company I.E.P. With this project, families will be able to increase the production of their farms to better be able to feed their families as well as sell the yield for additional income.

“Providing seeds and fertilizer helps farmers to expand their farms and have a better yield from their crops,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Along with providing the supplies directly, Salesians also help to show farmers better ways to tend to their farms for the greatest production of food for their families and community.”

In Angola, Salesian missionaries began work with street children during the 1990s when groups of children fleeing the war flowed into the capital. Today, long after the war has ended, children are still fleeing their homes for a variety of reasons. Many run away from home because of parent neglect, some as a result of abuse and others because they are thought to be sorcerers or witches who bring misfortune to their families.

“The educational opportunities provided by Salesian programs can be truly life-changing for children,” added Fr. Baek. “Through educational programs, both youth and adults have an opportunity to learn and develop the skills to become self-sufficient, supporting their families and communities.”

Salesian missionaries in Angola also continue to rebuild infrastructure that was damaged during the civil war that lasted from 1975 to 2002. Much was destroyed during the conflict including schools, medical buildings and churches. Living within the communities in which they work, Salesian missionaries have been perfectly positioned to respond to local needs and lead projects for community betterment.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Angola – Salesian agricultural project helps over 150 families increase their productive capacity

Salesian Missions – Angola

UNICEF – Angola

The post ANGOLA: Families increase farm production first appeared on MissionNewswire.

ANGOLA

(MissionNewswire) The Salesian-run “A New Beginning” program, in Luanda, Angola, protects and promotes the rights of children in conflict with the law. It is co-funded by the European Union and involves the collaboration of several organizations and institutions, both national and international. The program currently works with 208 youth, with 58 youth on probation, 83 taking part in community service, 28 with social protection measures and 39 awaiting a court decision.

Among the many activities involved in the project, youth and their families participate in workshops where youth tell personal stories of resilience and new beginnings. There is a focus on personal development, drawing and parenting skills. The goals of the program are family reintegration and the start of a new life through training and social skills.

One of the success stories of the program is Paulo Cayeye, who started having trouble with the law when he was 10 years old. His family was saddened because he spent most of his days on the streets, hanging out with people who introduced him to drugs, and committing crimes. Cayeye spent nearly two years in a detoxification center and saw a friend killed during a robbery.

His life changed thanks to the Salesian program. Today he is a role model for many youth and their families. Of his early life, Cayeye said, “I had a very turbulent and dangerous life because of what I was doing. We caused a lot of sadness and pain. We were five friends and no one could stop us. When I was in a rehab center, one of my friends tried to rob a store and the security guard shot him. I spent almost two years in that center, and when I got out, I decided to change my life and listen to my parents.”

Cayeye also has a message for parents of difficult children. He encouraged parents not to abandon their children when they are in trouble and to help them change their behavior. He said, “I am an example of this change, thanks to the ‘A New Beginning’ program and the Salesians. I have gone back to school and am taking a technical course in mechanics, which is one of my dreams with which I hope to help my parents.”

Cayeye concluded, “The program has provided me with medical and psychological care, as well as technical and practical courses, which have contributed greatly to my recovery with the full support of my family. Thanks to the Salesians, I am now a new person, ready to help other young people.”

According to UNICEF, more than 36 percent of the population of Angola lives in poverty. In addition, more than one in 10 children under the age of 14 has lost one or both parents and 43,000 are separated from their families. As a result, nearly a third of these children are working and child trafficking has become an emerging problem in the country.

In Luanda, Salesian missionaries provide education, shelter for homeless children and at-risk girls, and support for youth through social development programs. Salesian missionaries began their work with street children in Angola during the 1990s when groups of children fleeing the war flowed into the capital.

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

ANS – Angola – Paulo Cayeye, an example of resilience and regeneration, thanks to “A New Beginning” program

Salesian Missions – Angola

UNICEF – Angola

The post ANGOLA: Youth becomes role model of resilience first appeared on MissionNewswire.

ANGOLA

(MissionNewswire) During the last week of June, Salesians in Luanda, Angola, hosted a meeting of the SAAM project, an acronym for the “Supporting Alliance for African Mobility” project. The project, launched in 2020, is creating a vocational education and training network based on peer-to-peer connections among vocational training centers in Africa and Europe. The project is funded by the European Union under Erasmus+, the European Union’s program to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe.

The project has brought together two Salesian networks from Europe — CNOS-FAP (National Salesian Center for Vocational Training and Ongoing Education) in Italy and Tech Don Bosco in Spain — as well as 14 centers that belong to the Don Bosco Tech Africa network. Don Bosco International, the Brussels-based liaison office representing the Salesians of Don Bosco at the European Institutions, is part of the project’s steering committee.

“Sharing information and networking in this way allows Salesian centers in Europe and Africa to share best practices and learn from one another,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “This kind of sharing of information and expertise only bolsters the education experience for youth in Salesian vocational training centers.”

The first project meeting took place in Brussels before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe. Over the last two years, despite the challenges of travel restrictions, 27 vocational training experts have traveled from European countries to African countries to visit vocational training centers. In addition, 39 teachers from Africa have traveled to European centers while 34 European teachers have visited centers in Africa.

The next phase of project, to start in the fall of 2022, will have African students visiting European centers and taking part in internships in centers’ partner companies. The goal is to provide real-life work experience so students can apply what they learned in the classroom in the workforce.

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

ANS – Angola – SAAM: 2 more years of mobilities in Vocational Education and Training between Africa and Europe

CNOS-FAP

Don Bosco Tech Africa

Salesian Missions

Tech Don Bosco Spain

The post ANGOLA: Vocational network increases opportunities for youth first appeared on MissionNewswire.

ANGOLA

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries launched a new mission on the outskirts of Huambo, approximately 373 miles (600 km) from Angola’s capital city of Luanda. Invited by the local archbishop, three missionaries began their work in August 2021. Supported by seven volunteers, Salesians have started local pastoral care open to the more than 100,000 people who live in 15 villages within the parish.

The goal is to support local youth and women through education opportunities, particularly foundational learning and technical education in the agriculture and livestock sectors, which are main sources of business locally. Salesians also aim to open a primary school, literacy courses for about 2,000 women, and a network of oratories where more than 5,000 children from various villages can play and find a welcoming environment.

The small Salesian community, led by Father Santiago Christofersen and in close contact with the Superior of the Vice Province of Angola Father Martín Lasarte, has started manageable projects to help support the community. The first was the preparation of a small vegetable garden with an adjoining chicken farm.

Salesian missionaries began their work with street children in Angola during the 1990s when groups of children fleeing the war flowed into the capital. Today, long after the war has ended, children are still fleeing their homes for a variety of reasons. Many run away from home because of parent neglect, some as a result of abuse and others because they are thought to be sorcerers or witches who bring misfortune to their families.

In Luanda, there are eight Salesian programs including parishes, oratories and shelters. Not all the poor vulnerable youth flock to the city.  In Angola’s rural areas, many people live off subsistence farming, daily wage jobs, and small businesses, and they struggle to make even a meager wage.

“The educational opportunities provided by Salesian programs can be truly life-changing for children,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Through educational programs, both youth and adults have an opportunity to learn and develop the skills to become self-sufficient, supporting their families and communities.”

Salesian missionaries in Angola also continue to rebuild infrastructure that was damaged during the civil war that lasted from 1975 to 2002. Much was destroyed during the conflict including schools, medical buildings and churches. Living within the communities in which they work, Salesian missionaries have been perfectly positioned to respond to local needs and lead projects for community betterment.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Angola – A new Salesian mission is being born in Huambo

Mission Don Bosco

Salesian Missions – Angola

UNICEF – Angola

The post ANGOLA: Youth and women to gain education opportunities first appeared on MissionNewswire.

ANGOLA

(MissionNewswire) Jorge Fernandes, born in Portugal, is passionate about facing new challenges and adventures. He studied computer engineering and project management. After three years working in the Czech Republic as a software developer, he decided to go to Luanda, Angola, for one year as a Salesian missionary volunteer.

Being a Salesian missionary volunteer meant facing a lot of unknowns for Fernandes, but it was something that he enjoyed. He explained, “This experience allowed me to live a completely different sort of life. I didn’t know where I was going or what I was going to do. I wanted to understand better the purpose of my existence in this world. Before I went, I told myself that I would do ‘whatever it takes.’”

In Luanda, Salesian missionaries provide education, shelter for homeless children and at-risk girls, and support for youth through social development programs. Salesian missionaries began their work with street children in Angola during the 1990s when groups of children fleeing the war flowed into the capital. Today, long after the war has ended, children are still fleeing their homes for a variety of reasons. Many run away from home because of parent neglect, some as a result of abuse, and others because they are thought to be sorcerers or witches who bring misfortune to their families.

“I lived in one of the most dangerous slums in Angola,” explained Fernandes. “I tasted the difficulties, needs and joys of people. I went to a school to teach street children. This made me see life from a completely different perspective.”

Today, after his year with the Salesians, Fernandes is a teacher back in his hometown in Portugal. He credits his year in Angola in helping him to be a better teacher. Fernandes added, “I understand now that each of my students has a life story that deserves to have its space; that school is not just a place to learn things, but to learn to be. This new post-mission perspective makes me as open to those entrusted to me today in my work in Portugal as I had to be to those with whom I was in Angola as a missionary.”

Salesian missionaries in Angola have also been rebuilding infrastructure that was damaged during the civil war that lasted from 1975 to 2002. Much was destroyed during the conflict including schools, medical buildings and churches. Living within the communities in which they work, Salesian missionaries have been perfectly positioned to respond to local needs and lead projects for community betterment.

During the civil war, educational disparities were widespread but recent reforms have paved the way for more youth to have better access to education and social equality. According to UNICEF, more than 36 percent of the population lives in poverty. In addition, more than one in 10 children under the age of 14 has lost one or both parents and 43,000 are separated from their families. As a result, nearly a third of these children are working and child trafficking has become an emerging problem in the country.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Angola – Salesian missionary volunteering: discovering oneself in depth

Salesian Missions – Angola

UNICEF – Angola

The post ANGOLA: Volunteer teaches street children, gains perspective first appeared on MissionNewswire.

ANGOLA

(MissionNewswire) Dulce, Esperança and Paulo are three children among thousands who live in the Lixeira district of Luanda, Angola. These children are supported and cared for by Salesian missionaries who live and work in the region. Lixeira, which means garbage dump, is a neighborhood where survival is difficult amidst extreme conditions of poverty, dust and waste. Salesians provide nutritional and social support as well as educational projects for youth in need.

In response to the pandemic, Salesian staff members have been providing awareness information for children living on the streets and created an emergency center to welcome them and help them stay safe from the virus.

Youth are first met by members of the Salesian street outreach team and provided first aid if they need it. They are invited to Salesian reception houses where they can feel safe and support. If they are open to receiving support, youth are then entered into the school system and live in Salesian boarding houses. In 2019, the Don Bosco Mission in Turin, Italy, provided outreach support to 237 youth, aged 7 to 18, in the Lixeira district.

Salesian missionaries began their work with street children in Angola during the 1990s when groups of children fleeing the war flowed into the capital. Today, long after the war has ended, children are still fleeing their homes for a variety of reasons. Many run away from home because of parent neglect, some as a result of abuse and others because they are thought to be sorcerers or witches who bring misfortune to their families.

Educational opportunities provided by Salesian programs can be truly life-changing for children in Angola.

“The educational opportunities provided by Salesian programs can be truly life-changing for these children,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesians Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Through these programs, both youth and adults have access to schools and educational programs. Classes range from simple lessons in reading and writing for adults in refugee camps to shelter and education for street children. Students are also able to access life skills training, workforce development opportunities and nutrition programs.”

Salesian missionaries in Angola have also been rebuilding infrastructure that was damaged during the civil war that lasted from 1975 to 2002. Much was destroyed during the conflict including schools, medical buildings and churches. Living within the communities in which they work, Salesian missionaries have been perfectly positioned to respond to local needs and lead projects for community betterment.

During the civil war, educational disparities were widespread but recent reforms have paved the way for more youth to have better access to education and social equality. According to UNICEF, more than 36 percent of the population lives in poverty. In addition, more than one in 10 children under the age of 14 has lost one or both parents and 43,000 are separated from their families. As a result, nearly a third of these children are working and child trafficking has become an emerging problem in the country.

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

ANS – Angola – Hope for the future for children living in landfills

Salesian Missions – Angola

UNICEF – Angola

The post ANGOLA: Salesian missionaries provide safe shelter and support to homeless youth on the streets of Luanda first appeared on MissionNewswire.

ANGOLA

(MissionNewswire) The Salesian International Volunteering for Development (VIS) has opened a new shelter for youth and young single mothers in Luanda, Angola. Young women are able to live in the shelter, receive services and be protected from the dangers of the street.

Every year, the shelter will provide support to 20 underage single mothers. They will be able to access medical support, psychological assistance and vocational training courses. Family reunification will be made possible when appropriate.

“There are many barriers to education for young girls, especially underage single mothers, but Salesian programs around the globe work to eliminate those barriers and provide supportive services and education to all,” says Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Salesian missionaries have seen that young girls who are able to access safety, shelter and education are more often able to achieve financial independence and make better and healthier choices that affect not only themselves, but their families and communities as well.”

Dana is a 15-year old young woman from a broken home who recently came to the shelter. She was living under a bridge in Luanda with her baby daughter Sofia. While Dana found a family with other youth, she also faced violence and degradation, which only worsened with the spread of coronavirus.

Dana recently gave birth to Sofia at a small medical clinic on the outskirts of the city. Sofia’s first cradle was a cardboard box. Dana had few resources and knew she couldn’t raise her daughter in those conditions. She first met a VIS volunteer when Sofia was just a few weeks old.

When a VIS volunteer made the offer of the Salesian shelter, Dana wasn’t sure, but she finally accepted. Now, Dana feels at peace knowing she and her daughter are safe. They have access to resources they never had before, and Dana has a real chance to gain an education to be able to provide a better life for them both.

Salesian missionaries began their work with street children in Angola during the 1990s when groups of children fleeing the war flowed into the capital. Today, long after the war has ended, children are still fleeing their homes for a variety of reasons. Many run away from home because of parent neglect, some as a result of abuse and others because they are thought to be sorcerers or witches who bring misfortune to their families.

Once on the street, these children wander from neighborhood to neighborhood, sleep wherever possible, and survive due to small jobs like shining shoes, washing windows and carrying bags. Many girls end up prostituting themselves. Virtually all inhale gasoline and glue to calm the pangs of hunger and find relief from a sense of emptiness. Salesians created shelters and programs where street children can be safe and receive the care they need, including rehabilitation and reunification with their families when possible.

The educational opportunities provided by Salesian programs can be truly life-changing. Through these programs, both youth and adults have access to schools and educational programs. Classes range from simple lessons in reading and writing for adults in refugee camps to shelter and education for street children. Students are also able to access life skills training, workforce development opportunities and nutrition programs.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Angola – A cardboard cradle and a mother’s love

UNICEF – Angola

Salesian Missions – Angola

The post ANGOLA: Salesian VIS volunteers operate shelter that helps young mothers have a second chance in life first appeared on MissionNewswire.

ANGOLA

(MissionNewswire) As Angola faces the coronavirus pandemic, the most vulnerable in society are street children who have nowhere to turn and no one to care for them. Among the street children most at risk and most exposed are those in Luanda, the capital and largest city in Angola. These youth are supported by the Salesian International Volunteering for Development (VIS) and Salesian missionaries in the region.

“At this moment, our main concerns with the coronavirus are the structural deficiencies of the national health system and the devastating effects that the new instability is creating among the population, especially among the poorest and most vulnerable groups,” said Sergio Pitocco, a VIS representative.

To address some of the challenges, the Salesian “Let’s go together” project, which has been supported by the European Union and other benefactors, has opened a new emergency center where street children are offered a place live far from the dangers of street life.

Pitocco added, “For several years, we’ve been carrying out a reintegration program where children and adolescents are reintegrated into the family through several phases. The first phase of the program takes place on the streets with our educators and psychologists and is aimed at those who are starting along this path.”

Pitocco noted that street children are increasingly exposed to the risks of the street including diseases and violence from adults and often law enforcement, and they lack means to support themselves.

“About 50 children and adolescents have been welcomed into this new center that was once the Refugio House of the Salesian Center São Domingos Savio,” explained Pitocco.

In the center, boys and girls receive protection, nutrition, hygiene products and the attention of many social educators and volunteers who dedicate themselves to helping youth organize their daily lives, learn and respect the rules, and take responsibility for their futures.

Pitocco concluded, “We’re trying to ensure that this emergency can be transformed into an opportunity to carry out more empowerment for children and adolescents who are living in the streets and prepare a way for them to return home with their families.”

Salesian missionaries began their work with street children in Angola during the 1990s when groups of children fleeing the war flowed into the capital. Today, long after the war has ended, children are still fleeing their homes for a variety of reasons. Many run away from home because of parent neglect, some as a result of abuse and others because they are thought to be sorcerers or witches who bring misfortune to their families.

Once on the street, these children wander from neighborhood to neighborhood, sleep wherever possible and survive due to small jobs like shining shoes, washing windows and carrying bags. Many girls end up prostituting themselves. Virtually all inhale gasoline and glue to calm the pangs of hunger and find relief from a sense of emptiness. Salesians created shelters and programs where street children are safe and can receive the care they need, including rehabilitation and reunification with their families when possible.

With a 67 percent illiteracy rate, the educational opportunities provided by Salesian programs can be truly life-changing. Through these programs, both youth and adults have access to schools and educational programs. Classes range from simple lessons in reading and writing for adults in refugee camps to shelter and education for street children. Students are also able to access life skills training, workforce development opportunities and nutrition programs.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Angola – New emergency center to protect Luanda’s street children from contagion and violence

Salesian Missions – Angola

UNICEF – Angola

The post ANGOLA: Salesian VIS volunteers launch new center to help support street children first appeared on MissionNewswire.

ANGOLA

(MissionNewswire) Salesian reception houses for street children, including Casa Magone, Mamma Margherita, Anuarite and Kalakala, all located in Luanda, Angola, are currently hosting nearly 300 minors. Youth can find a place to sleep, water to wash with, clean clothes, food and the possibility of going to school. In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, Salesian missionaries have prepared themselves to protect the children of these centers.

“The government has asked us to host another hundred street children in a new center. We are doing that and have also brought the girls to the Salesian Daughters of Mary Help of Christians for help and support,” explained Salesian missionary Máximo Herrera.

Salesians are also receiving support from their community. Omar Mohamed, a local Muslim baker, is donating bread to Salesian programs to feed the street children to ensure they have enough to eat during this time.

Salesian missionaries began their work with street children in Angola during the 1990s when groups of children fleeing the war  flowed into the capital. Today, long after the war has ended, children are still fleeing their homes for a variety of reasons. Many run away from home because of parent neglect, some as a result of abuse and others because they are thought to be sorcerers or witches who bring misfortune to their families.

Once on the street, these children wander from neighborhood to neighborhood, sleep wherever possible and survive thanks to small jobs like shining shoes, washing windows and carrying bags. Many girls end up prostituting themselves. Virtually everyone inhales gasoline and glue to calm the pangs of hunger and find relief from a sense of emptiness. Salesians created shelters and programs where street children are safe and can receive the care they need, including rehabilitation and reunification with their families when possible.

Salesian missionaries in Angola have also been rebuilding infrastructure that was damaged during the civil war that lasted from 1975 to 2002. Much was destroyed during the conflict including schools, medical buildings and churches. Living within the communities in which they work, Salesian missionaries have been perfectly positioned to respond to local needs and lead projects for community betterment.

During the civil war, educational disparities were widespread but recent reforms have paved the way for more youth to have better access to education and social equality. According to UNICEF, more than 36 percent of the population lives in poverty. In addition, more than one in 10 children under the age of 14 has lost one or both parents and 43,000 are separated from their families. As a result, nearly a third of these children are working and child trafficking has become an emerging problem in the country.

With a 67 percent illiteracy rate, the educational opportunities provided by Salesian programs can be truly life-changing. Through these programs, both youth and adults have access to schools and educational programs. Classes range from simple lessons in reading and writing for adults in refugee camps to shelter and education for street children. Students are also able to access life skills training, workforce development opportunities and nutrition programs.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Angola – Omar Mohamed, a Muslim baker, gives bread to Don Bosco’s street children

Salesian Missions – Angola

UNICEF – Angola

The post ANGOLA: Salesian missionaries are caring for more than 300 street children in Salesian reception houses first appeared on MissionNewswire.

ANGOLA

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries in Angola provide education and social development services for youth, especially those living on the streets in Luanda, the country’s capital city. Berta André, an Angolan woman, has lived all her life in one of the poorest and most dangerous neighborhoods in Luanda. She raised five children as a single mother after her husband, who was an alcoholic, left the family.

When Salesian missionaries started their work looking after street children in Luanda, André knew it was her mission to serve. In the late 1990s, she quit her job and moved her five children into one of the Salesian houses for street children so she could oversee the house and care for those in need. Initially, there were eight street children at the house. A week later there were 12, and a year later, there were 25.

André said, “My older children helped me a lot. They were all brothers and sisters among them. I’d get up in the morning to prepare breakfast, get water for the bathroom, take them to school, take care of them when they were sick, everything was a sacrifice.”

André has been and is still much more than a mother for all of them. She is a symbol for the whole neighborhood because she takes time to visit the sick and be a guide in the community. She has played the role of teacher, nurse, bricklayer and more.

“I already feel some pain, but I want to consume myself in giving myself to others,” added André. “The missionaries told me that the Lord chose me. They helped me to discover that we must give ourselves to others, like Don Bosco. On one occasion I thought about throwing in the towel, but the Lord and Mary Help of Christians have always helped me.”

André knows the life of Mamma Margherita, one of the key figures in the life of Don Bosco. She reflected on her work, “The same things have happened to me, sometimes the boys stole from me, too, but when you work with your heart everything is easier. We have managed to help many children by preparing them to return to their families and to society, restoring their dignity to them. I don’t know how to thank God and Don Bosco for this.”

André’s greatest pride is the more than 100 children who have passed through her house who she has treated as her children. She said, “The children I have had have been exemplary.”

Salesian missionaries create shelters and programs where street children are safe and can receive the care they need, including rehabilitation and reunification with their families when possible.

Salesian missionaries in Angola have been rebuilding infrastructure that was damaged during a civil war in the country that lasted from 1975 to 2002. Much was destroyed during the conflict including schools, medical buildings and churches. Living within the communities in which they work, Salesian missionaries have been perfectly positioned to respond to local needs and lead projects for community betterment.

During the civil war, educational disparities were widespread but recent reforms have paved the way for more youth to have better access to education and social equality. According to UNICEF, more than 36 percent of the population lives in poverty. In addition, more than one in 10 children under the age of 14 has lost one or both parents and 43,000 are separated from their families. As a result, nearly a third of these children are working and child trafficking has become an emerging problem in the country.

With a 67 percent illiteracy rate, the educational opportunities provided by Salesian programs can be truly life-changing. Through these programs, both youth and adults have access to schools and education. Classes range from simple lessons in reading and writing for adults in refugee camps to shelter and education for street children. Students are also able to access life skills training, workforce development opportunities and nutrition programs.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Angola – Berta, Luanda’s Mother Margherita: “I want to consume myself in giving myself to others”

UNICEF – Angola

Salesian Missions – Angola

The post ANGOLA: One single mother oversees Salesian house street children, caring for more than 100 at-risk youth first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Every year, this new project will be able to provide shelter for up to 20 underage single mothers. Once at the shelter, they will be able to access medical and psychological assistance and vocational training courses. Family reunification will be made possible when appropriate.

“There are many barriers to education for young girls, especially underage single mothers, but Salesian programs around the globe work to eliminate those barriers and provide supportive services and education to all,” says Father Mark Hyde, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Salesian missionaries have seen that young girls who are able to access safety, shelter and education are more often able to achieve financial independence and make better and healthier choices that affect not only themselves, but their families and communities as well.”

Salesian missionaries began their work with street children in the 1990s when groups of children fleeing the war that tore the country apart for almost 30 years flowed into the capital. Today, long after the war has ended, children are still fleeing their homes for a variety of reasons. Many run away from home because of parent neglect, some as a result of abuse and others because they are thought to be sorcerers or witches who bring misfortune to their families.

Once on the street, these children wander from neighborhood to neighborhood, sleep wherever possible and survive thanks to small jobs like shining shoes, washing windows and carrying bags. Many girls end up prostituting themselves and virtually everyone inhales gasoline and glue to calm the pangs of hunger and find relief from solitude and a sense of emptiness.

Salesian missionaries create shelters and programs where street children are safe and can receive the care they need including rehabilitation and reunification with their families when possible.

Salesian missionaries in Angola have been rebuilding infrastructure that was damaged during a civil war in the country that lasted from 1975 to 2002. Much was destroyed during the conflict including schools, medical buildings and churches. Living within the communities in which they work, Salesian missionaries have been perfectly positioned to respond to local needs and lead projects for community betterment.

During the civil war, educational disparities were widespread but recent reforms have paved the way for more youth to have better access to education and social equality. According to UNICEF, more than 36 percent of the population lives in poverty. In addition, more than one in 10 children under the age of 14 has lost one or both parents and 43,000 are separated from their families. As a result, nearly a third of these children are working and child trafficking has become an emerging problem in the country.

With a 67 percent illiteracy rate, the educational opportunities provided by Salesian programs can be truly life changing. Through these programs, both youth and adults have access to schools and educational programs. Classes range from simple lessons in reading and writing for adults in refugee camps to shelter and education for street children. Students are also able to access life skills training, workforce development opportunities and nutrition programs.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Angola – In support of Luanda’s underage mothers

UNICEF – Angola

Salesian Missions – Angola

The post ANGOLA: Salesian missionaries are developing a new shelter for young single mothers in Luanda first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Sometimes youth have to be taken to the hospital. Young boys are persuaded to go to the local Salesian center which offers showers and hot meals. Currently, the center only serves boys. However, Salesian missionaries are in the process of equipping a center for girls so they will have a place to go to receive social development services and education.

The streets of Luanda offer little for the youth that live there. There is mud in the rainy season, dust in the dry season and garbage all year round. There is little hope for children who are forced by circumstance into the streets.

Many of these street youth have fathers who have abandoned them or who have passed away, violent stepfathers who throw them out of the house or force them to flee, mothers who are unable to face or deal with the hardship of life because they lack the economic means and cultural tools. The streets become the natural place to hide and seek refuge but they are full of danger, especially for girls who are often the victims of sexual exploitation.

For these girls, external injuries are treated much more readily than the emotional scars. Salesian missionaries aim to create a center where girls are safe and can receive the care they need.

“There are many barriers to education for young girls, especially those forced to live on the streets, but Salesian programs around the globe work to eliminate those barriers and provide supportive services and education to all,” says Father Mark Hyde, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Salesian missionaries have seen that young girls who are able to access safety, shelter and education are more often able to achieve financial independence and make better and healthier choices that affect not only themselves, but their families and communities as well.”

Salesian missionaries in Angola have been rebuilding infrastructure that was damaged during a civil war in the country that lasted from 1975 to 2002. Much was destroyed during the conflict including schools, medical buildings and churches. Living within the communities in which they work, Salesian missionaries have been perfectly positioned to respond to local needs and lead projects for community betterment.

During the civil war, educational disparities were widespread but recent reforms have paved the way for more youth to have better access to education and social equality. According to UNICEF, more than 36 percent of the population lives in poverty. In addition, more than one in 10 children under the age of 14 has lost one or both parents and 43,000 are separated from their families. As a result, nearly a third of these children are working and child trafficking has become an emerging problem in the country.

With a 67 percent illiteracy rate, the educational opportunities provided by Salesian programs can be truly life changing. Through these programs, both youth and adults have access to schools and educational programs. Classes range from simple lessons in reading and writing for adults in refugee camps to shelter and education for street children. Students are also able to access life skills training, workforce development opportunities and nutrition programs.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Angola – Chance for redemption for Luanda girls

UNICEF – Angola

Salesian Missions – Angola

The post ANGOLA: Salesian missionaries are creating a center for young girls at-risk in Luanda first appeared on MissionNewswire.

The network of Don Bosco Homes has various programs addressing the needs of street children. The first contact Salesian missionaries have with youth starts in the streets of Luanda. Shelter and educational programs are offered. Those who are interested are taken to the Miguel Magone house where they spend a night in safety and have meals the following day. Once youth begin preparation to live with other children, they go to the Mama Margarita Home and live there as boarding students. Here they can access education and gain the foundational skills needed for further education and long-term employment.

“We are thankful for the recent donation so we could buy food for the Mama Margarita Home, where there are currently 40 children,” says Brother Maximo Herrera, economer of Don Bosco Homes. “We have prioritized buying milk and sugar because they fortify students’ health and are expensive in Angola. All of the children are from the streets of Luanda and the majority have nutritional issues.”

The Don Bosco Homes has seen success with youth in its program. Pedro Caridade was once living on the street but after accessing the program he had a chance at a better life. Today, he is now an educator, teaching within the Don Bosco network. Caridade also accompanies other children in their reintegration process within their families and society. He became the first educator who completed all the stages in the Don Bosco Homes and was hired by Salesian missionaries.

Salesian missionaries in Angola have been rebuilding infrastructure that was damaged during a civil war in the country that lasted from 1975 to 2002. Much was destroyed during the conflict including schools, medical buildings and churches. Living within the communities in which they work, Salesian missionaries have been perfectly positioned to respond to local needs and lead projects for community betterment.

During the civil war, educational disparities were widespread but recent reforms have paved the way for more youth to have better access to education and social equality. According to UNICEF, more than 36 percent of the population lives in poverty. In addition, more than one in 10 children under the age of 14 has lost one or both parents and 43,000 are separated from their families. As a result, nearly a third of these children are working and child trafficking has become an emerging problem in the country.

With a 67 percent illiteracy rate, the educational opportunities provided by Salesian programs can be truly life changing. Through these programs, both youth and adults have access to schools and educational programs. Classes range from simple lessons in reading and writing for adults in refugee camps to shelter and education for street children. Students are also able to access life skills training, workforce development opportunities and nutrition programs.

Salesian Missions the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco.

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Sources:

Salesian Missions donor services

UNICEF – Angola

The post ANGOLA: Donation to Salesian Missions helps provide nutritious food to boarding school for street children first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Adjaime de Freitas Cadete, coordinator of the Salesian Network, addressed the topic of understanding and helping children living in the streets of Luanda, Angola. The talk illustrated what the children’s living conditions are in the streets of the city, the reasons motivating them to leave their families and what the proposals of the Salesian Network are to assist youth.

Paulo Kalesi, of the National Institute for Infancy, explained the child protection system for street children provided by the Angolan government. Salesian missionaries have been working with this agency for years to help ensure the safety and welfare of children. Kalesi further reflected on the family situations that push children to run from their families. He identified that the primary cause is weak and fragmented family ties and relationships that are often characterized by an unstable economic situation.

Professionals in the field determined that the best way to help youth in at-risk situations is through the collaboration of organizations and institutions that are actively supporting minors, and through the continued work of Salesian missionaries that focus on education, reconciliation and reunification. At the end of the roundtable discussion, stories of children who have been helped by Salesian programs were presented through photographs and video. Several older youth, who participate in the programs at the Salesian-run welcome center for street children Casa Mamã Margarida, provided musical performances and testimonies of their experiences.

“At-risk children, teenagers and young adults across Angola are achieving in the classroom and through alternative programs that fit their specific needs,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “The goal of Salesian missionaries is to have youth participate in programs that promote social inclusion, emotional development and access to education.”

Salesian missionaries in Angola have been rebuilding infrastructure that was damaged during a civil war in the country that lasted from 1975 to 2002. Much was destroyed during the conflict including schools, medical buildings and churches. Living within the communities in which they work, Salesian missionaries have been perfectly positioned to respond to local needs and lead projects for community betterment.

During the civil war, educational disparities were widespread but recent reforms have paved the way for more youth to have better access to education and social equality. According to UNICEF, more than 36 percent of the population lives in poverty. In addition, more than one in 10 children under the age of 14 has lost one or both parents and 43,000 are separated from their families. As a result, nearly a third of these children are working and child trafficking has become an emerging problem in the country.

With a 67 percent illiteracy rate, the educational opportunities provided by Salesian programs can be truly life changing. Through these programs, both youth and adults have access to schools and educational programs. Classes range from simple lessons in reading and writing for adults in refugee camps to shelter and education for street children. Students are also able to access life skills training, workforce development opportunities and nutrition programs.

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Sources:

ANS – Angola – Educational-Pedagogical Project for the Reintegration of Children and Adolescents in and from the Streets

UNICEF – Angola

The post ANGOLA: Salesian Missionaries Host Roundtable Discussion on How to Effectively Assist At-Risk Youth first appeared on MissionNewswire.

“The church of the mission begins to come alive at the first light of dawn,” says Galarza. “Groups come to pray, then you hear the voices of children and the young members of the youth symphony orchestra. These young people were the first people I met in the school where they study. It is lovely to see these small 6- or 7-year-olds able to read music and play with such skill.”

Bro. Randisi helps run the Don Bosco Sambizanga School in Luanda and oversees the Don Bosco Band (youth symphony orchestra). Salesian missionaries in Angola are using music education as a way to enhance social and academic development for disadvantaged youth. The band is just one of many programs offered at the school. Bro. Randisi began his work with the band in 2008, and through the years has captured the attention of many youth who have discovered their passion for music. Currently, more than 80 students take music lessons and participate in the Don Bosco Band.

Organized band activities have replaced idle time when students would browse the internet or loiter in markets or on the streets with little to do. The band brings much needed structure to the students’ lives as well as teaching valuable concepts like teamwork and collaboration. Participants become an integral part of the band’s larger community and find purpose in working together toward a common goal. The band has more than 95 instruments available. Students are able to choose the instrument they are most interested in and receive lessons, play the instrument in recitals and other events, and build relationships with like-minded peers.

Salesian missionaries in Angola have been rebuilding infrastructure that was destroyed during a civil war in the country that lasted from 1975 to 2002. Much was destroyed during the conflict including schools, medical buildings and churches. Living within the communities in which they work, Salesian missionaries have been perfectly positioned to respond to local needs and lead projects for community betterment.

During the civil war, educational disparities were widespread but recent reforms have paved the way for more youth to have better access to education and social equality. According to UNICEF, more than 36 percent of the population lives in poverty. In addition, more than one in 10 children under the age of 14 has lost one or both parents and 43,000 are separated from their families. As a result, nearly a third of these children are working and child trafficking has become an emerging problem in the country.

With a 67 percent illiteracy rate, the educational opportunities provided by Salesian programs can be truly life changing. Through these programs, both youth and adults have access to schools and educational programs. Classes range from simple lessons in reading and writing for adults in refugee camps to shelter and education for street children. Students are also able to access life skills training, workforce development opportunities and nutrition programs.

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Sources:

ANS – Angola – My days in Angola: “the missionaries are martyrs, examples of solidarity in the service of God”

UNICEF – Angola

The post ANGOLA: Salesian Programs Offer Education and Don Bosco Band to Provide Hope to Poor Youth first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Beginning directly after the war ended, Salesian missionaries sought and received aid for the reconstruction of schools, vocational training centers, medical clinics, bridges and general infrastructure. While they did not receive aid for the reconstruction of churches, missionaries sought financial support from within local communities and Salesian congregations. To date, more than seven Salesian churches have been rebuilt across Angola. In addition to being places of worship, Salesian churches function as community hubs where residents can gather and access services.

“Stable infrastructure is vital in a community,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Salesian schools, churches and community centers provide life-changing services to youth and their families living in conditions of poverty. These buildings also bring a sense of normalcy back to communities that experienced more than 27 years of destruction and war.”

During the civil war, educational disparities were widespread but recent reforms have paved the way for more youth to have better access to education and social equality. According to UNICEF, more than 36 percent of the population lives in poverty. In addition, more than one in 10 children under the age of 14 has lost one or both parents and 43,000 are separated from their families. As a result, nearly a third of these children are working and child trafficking has become an emerging problem in the country.

With a 67 percent illiteracy rate, the educational opportunities provided by Salesian programs can be truly life changing. Through these programs, both youth and adults have access to schools and educational programs. Classes range from simple lessons in reading and writing for adults in refugee camps to shelter and education for street children. Students are also able to access life skills training, workforce development opportunities and nutrition programs.

“At-risk children, teenagers and young adults across the country are achieving in the classroom,” adds Fr. Hyde. “They participate in programs that promote social inclusion, emotional development and access to education.”

In Luanda, the capital and largest city in Angola, the Salesian-run St. Kizito House functions as both a day and night shelter and offers a clean environment for boys who are accustomed to life on the streets. The house has a large playground at the back, ideal for sporting activities, and also boasts a new plumbing system with running water, bathroom facilities and a well-equipped kitchen. Currently, St. Kizito houses 20 boys between the ages of 10 and 15.

At the Don Bosco Sambizanga School in Lixeira, one of the poorest areas within the city of Luanda, Salesian missionaries run the Don Bosco Band. The band is one of many programs offered at the school and serves disadvantaged youth, many of whom have discovered a passion for music through their participation in the program. Started in 2008, the band currently has more than 80 participants.

Organized band activities have replaced idle time when students would often browse the internet or loiter in markets or on the streets with little to do. Participation in the band brings much needed structure to students’ lives as well as teaching valuable concepts like teamwork and collaboration. Participants become an integral part of the band’s larger community and find purpose in working together toward a common goal.

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Sources:

ANS – Angola – Salesians rebuilding churches, schools and infrastructure

Salesian Missions – Angola

UNICEF – Angola Statistics

The post ANGOLA: Salesian Missionaries Rebuild Infrastructure to Deliver Education and Social Programs first appeared on MissionNewswire.

The Road to Life program was started by the Salesian International Voluntary Service for Development (VIS) and is co-financed by the European Union. A recent theater production was performed by 10 participants in the program who shared their stories in front of an audience of more than 60 youth between the ages of 10 and 15. By performing their stories, these former street children are able to overcome the trauma they have suffered in the past.

“At-risk children, teenagers and young adults across Angola are achieving in the classroom and through alternative offerings like The Road to Life program,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “The goal is to have youth participate in programs that promote social inclusion, emotional development and access to education.”

The Road to Life program helps young people share their stories including who they are, where they come from and how they have achieved success in their lives. The stories are performed as songs, plays, poems or other creative outlets chosen by each participant. By performing their stories, participants are aided in their recovery while helping to encourage other young people to succeed. Marco, one of The Road to Life participants, read a poem he had written about his experience living on the streets and his success finding shelter and education at a Salesian center resulting in renewed hope for a better life.

Five other participants put on a collaborative play about their past experiences, the challenges they have overcome and their hopes for the future. The play focused on their educational pursuits, the job training they have received and the support from Salesian missionaries, volunteers and educators from VIS.

Casa Magone provides shelter and a safe place for youth coming in off the streets. Salesian missionaries at the shelter work to meet the basic needs of the youth who live there while helping them access counseling and education and later job training and stable employment.

“Our programs for street youth go beyond providing shelter and meeting basic needs,” says Fr. Hyde. “Salesian centers like Casa Magone provide a stable, nurturing environment that enables former street youth to access education and find a way out of poverty.”

The people of Angola are still recovering from a civil war that ended 13 years ago. During the war, educational disparities were widespread but recent reforms have paved the way for more youth to have better access to education and social equality. According to UNICEF, more than 36 percent of the population lives in poverty. In addition, more than one in 10 children under the age of 14 has lost one or both parents and 43,000 are separated from their families. As a result, nearly a third of these youth are working and child trafficking has been an emerging problem in the country.

With a 67 percent illiteracy rate, the educational opportunities provided by Salesian programs can be truly life changing. Through these programs, both youth and adults have access to schools and educational programs. Classes range from simple lessons in reading and writing for adults in refugee camps to shelter and education for street children. Students are also able to access life skills training, workforce development opportunities and nutritional programs.

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Sources:

ANS – Angola – “Testemunarte” another initiative to take the children from the streets

UNICEF – Angola

The post ANGOLA: New Performing Arts Program Helps Street Youth Tell their Stories first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Salesian Brother Andrés Randisi helps to run the Don Bosco Sambizanga School in Luanda and oversees the Don Bosco Band. The band is just one of  many programs offered at the school. Brother Randisi began his work with the band in 2008 and through the years has captured the attention of many youth who have discovered their passion for music. Currently, more than 80 students take music lessons and participate in the Don Bosco Band.

Organized band activities have replaced idle time when students would browse the internet or loiter in markets or on the streets with little to do. The band brings much needed structure to the students’ lives as well as teaching valuable concepts like teamwork and collaboration. Participants become an integral part of the band’s larger community and find purpose in working together toward a common goal.

“If Brother Andrés had not introduced me to the trumpet, my life today would be totally different today. I discovered my passion for music that day in that meeting with Brother Andrés,” says one student in the Don Bosco Band.

The band has more than 95 instruments available. Students are able to choose the instrument they are most interested in and receive lessons, play the instrument in recitals and other events and build relationships with like-minded peers.

“When we put a musical instrument in human hands and one can see how you can express feelings through it, a child changes both inside and out,” says Bro. Randisi. “They find the hidden treasure they didn’t know they had and have a sense of security. In addition, a student’s self-confidence grows, their personality matures and they all have big smiles. All happening because of a musical instrument.”

Salesian missionaries in Angola have long been providing services to at-risk and disadvantaged youth to help them get off the streets, gain access to education and better nutrition and find a path out of poverty. The Don Bosco Band project provides Angolan youth another opportunity to better their lives through education.

The people of Angola are still recovering from a civil war that ended 13 years ago. During the war, educational disparities were widespread but recent reforms have paved the way for more youth to have better access to education and social equality. According to UNICEF, more than 36 percent of the population lives in poverty. In addition, more than one in 10 children under the age of 14 has lost one or both parents and 43,000 are separated from their families. As a result, nearly a third of these youth are working and child trafficking has been an emerging problem in the country.

With a 67 percent illiteracy rate, the educational opportunities provided by Salesian programs can be truly life changing. Through these programs, both youth and adults have access to schools and educational programs. Classes range from simple lessons in reading and writing for adults in refugee camps to shelter and education for street children. Students are also able to access life skills training, workforce development opportunities and nutritional programs.

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Sources:

ANS – Angola – Awaken the Soul of Youth: with Don Bosco and with Music!

UNICEF – Angola

The post ANGOLA: Salesian Missionaries Provide Music Education for Disadvantaged Youth first appeared on MissionNewswire.

According to an OLPC article, the Salesian school was chosen by AIF, because of its “suitability criteria that would allow the development of the project.”

When the project began, students and teachers were unfamiliar with the technology and unsure how to use the computers effectively in the classroom. The African Innovation Foundation provided learning seminars for both teachers and students to train them in the necessary computer skills and help them to understand the value of this new learning tool.

Given the success of the pilot project, several more schools were awarded computers and the necessary training to get started. With the support of the Angolan Sovereign Fund, the project expanded to include additional Salesian provinces during the 2013-2014 school year. In 2015, the project expanded again to include the town of Calulo, in Northwest Angola.

“This project greatly expands educational access for disadvantaged students in Angola,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “There are benefits for both students and teachers as it is a great learning and teaching tool. The computers bring knowledge into the classroom that these students might not otherwise have access to.”

The donated computers are being used by students in third through sixth grade. At first, students used the computers to learn Portuguese and mathematics and once comfortable with the technology, they moved onto using the computers for all their school subjects. The XO computer is specially designed as a learning tool and built specifically for children in developing countries, including those living in some of the most remote environments. The laptops are small, about the size of a small textbook, and have built-in wireless internet and a unique screen that is readable under direct sunlight for children who go to school outdoors.

“Salesian missionaries in Angola have long been providing services to at-risk and disadvantaged youth to help them get off the streets, gain access to education and better nutrition and find a path out of poverty. This project provides Angolan youth another opportunity to better their lives through education,” adds Fr. Hyde.

The people of Angola are still recovering from a civil war that ended 13 years ago. During the war, educational disparities were widespread but recent reforms have paved the way for more youth to have better access to education and social equality. According to UNICEF, more than 36 percent of the population lives in poverty in Angola. More than one in 10 children under the age of 14 has lost one or both parents and 43,000 are separated from their families. As a result, nearly a third of these youth are working and child trafficking has been an emerging problem in the country.

With a 67 percent illiteracy rate, the educational opportunities provided by Salesian programs can be truly life changing. Through Salesian programs, both youth and adults have access to schools and educational programs. Classes range from simple lessons in reading and writing for adults in refugee camps to shelter and education for street children. Students are also able to access life skills training, workforce development opportunities and nutritional programs.

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Sources:

One Laptop per Child blog article

ANS – Angola – “Project Kamba Dyami”

UNICEF – Angola

The post ANGOLA: Successful Pilot Project with One Laptop per Child expands, impacting 1,700 students first appeared on MissionNewswire.

In Angola, 68 percent of the population lives in poverty – with 26 percent living in extreme poverty, according to United Nations Development Program statistics. Further, more than one in 10 children under the age of 14 has lost one or both parents and 43,000 are separated from their families. Nearly a third of these youth are working, according to UNICEF. Child trafficking is also an emerging problem in the country.

The Salesians have long been providing services to help the youth of Angola get off the streets, gain access to education and nutrition and find a way out of poverty. In several Salesian-run programs in Angola youth find shelter, nutrition, education – and hope.

According to UNICEF, Angola has a 67 percent illiteracy rate, making the educational opportunities provided by Salesian programs truly life changing. Through Salesian programs, both youth and adults have access to schools and educational programs in nine different communities. Classes range from simple lessons in reading and writing for adults in refugee camps to shelter and education for street children.

“At-risk children, teenagers and young adults across Angola are achieving in the classroom,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Mission – the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “They participate in programs that promote social inclusion, emotional development and access to education.”

The new St. Kizito house which functions as a day and night shelter is welcoming, colorful and offers a clean environment for the boys who are accustomed to life on the streets. The house has a large playground at the back, ideal for sporting activities, and also boasts a new plumbing system with running water, bathroom facilities and a well-equipped kitchen.

Currently, St. Kizito houses 20 boys between the ages of 10 and 15. Accepting refuge in the house is one of the first steps on the difficult path from life on the streets to education and the recovery of personal dignity often lost on the streets of Luanda. The new house is named after St. Kizito, a Ugandan, who died a martyr at 14 years of age. He served as the inspiration for the boys and Father Roberto Musante when coming up with the motto of the house, “We give a helping hand so that no-one goes back.”

“Our programs for street youth do more than just provide shelter and basic needs,” says Fr. Hyde. “Programs like St. Kizito house provide a foundation for youth to have a stable nurturing environment so they can access education and find a way out of poverty.”

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Sources:

ANS: Angola – A new house for street boys: a helping hand so that no-one goes back

Salesian Missions – Angola

UNICEF – Angola Statistics

The post ANGOLA: New Home For Boys Gives Hope to Street Children, Chance to Escape the Cycle of Poverty first appeared on MissionNewswire.