NAMIBIA

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries in Rundu, Namibia, completed phase three of a construction project for the new St. John Bosco Church thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The project will benefit more than 6,500 Catholics in the community.

With the funding, Salesians were able to buy roofing sheets to finish roofing the parts that remained from the previous phase of the project. They were also able to buy the steel for truces and weld them on the roof, finish brick work, and plaster the inside and outside of the entire church.

A Salesian noted, “The project has been a long time in the making. In 2018, the Catholic bishop took over the Cathedral Parish and asked Salesians to develop a parish with the outskirts of Rundu. In 2019, on the feast of St. John Bosco, a new parish was opened by the bishop and entrusted to the Salesians of Don Bosco to run it in perpetuity. The parish was dedicated to St. John Bosco. Since then, Salesians have been working to develop the parish and make it a home for the youth and the parish community.”

St. John Bosco community is one of 15 Salesian communities in Rundu. Within three years of its development, Salesians were able to build two community houses, a school, parish offices and a parish hall, which had been used as the church prior to the new one being built. The new space provides more comfort and better accessibility to all who worship there.

Salesian programs across Namibia are primarily focused on education. Salesian primary and secondary education in the country helps youth prepare for later technical, vocational or university study. Other programs help to support poor youth and their families by meeting the basic needs of shelter, proper nutrition and medical care.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Namibia

World Bank – Namibia

The post NAMIBIA: Salesians continue work on new St. John Bosco Church thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

NAMIBIA

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries in Rundu, Namibia have a new parish church thanks in part to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. With the funding Salesians were able to complete brick work, finish the slab, add walls and a roof, and finish windows, door frames, and doors. Today, there are 1,326 members of the church and 410 youth. The church will benefit more than 13,000 in the local community indirectly.

A Salesian noted, “The project has been a long time in the making. In 2018, the Catholic Bishop took over the Cathedral Parish and asked Salesians to develop a parish with the outskirts of Rundu. In 2019, on the feast of St. John Bosco, a new parish was opened by the Bishop and entrusted to the Salesians of Don Bosco to run it in perpetuity. The parish was dedicated to St. John Bosco. Since then, Salesians have been working to develop the parish and make it a home for the youth and the parish community.”

St. John Bosco community is one of 15 Salesian communities in Rundu. Within three years of its development, Salesians were able to build two community houses, a school, parish offices and a parish hall, which had been used as the church prior to the new one being built. The new space provides more comfort and better accessibility to all who worship there.

Salesian programs across Namibia are primarily focused on education. Salesian primary and secondary education in the country helps youth prepare for later technical, vocational or university study. Other programs help to support poor youth and their families by meeting the basic needs of shelter, proper nutrition and medical care.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Namibia

World Bank – Namibia

The post NAMIBIA: Salesian missionaries build new church thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

NAMIBIA

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Private School in Namibia received classroom furniture thanks to a donation from Furniture Reuse Solutions secured by Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. Furniture Reuse Solutions has a commitment to sustainability and societal benefit. The company provides charities and nonprofits with gifts-in-kind donations that aid in their humanitarian missions.

The furniture is being used in the classrooms, computer lab, staff room and small school hall. All of these locations lacked furniture before this donation arrived. The donation has impacted 230 students, 16 teaching staff and indirectly more than 500 parents who are happy with the resources for their children.

Wooden tables have been added to the staff room, where meetings are held and teachers do their lesson preparations. Previously, some teachers did not have teacher tables in their classrooms, so this has improved the environment and made their work easier to accomplish.

The combination of desks and chairs for students is the first of its kind at Don Bosco Private School. Salesians report that the furniture has made the learning environment more relaxing for the students, who would have otherwise been disadvantaged because of the lack of desks and chairs. The new desks and chairs also create neatness in the class and with more space for movement among the rows and for class activities. Both students and teachers appreciate the new classroom set-up. The school plans to add more classrooms in order to better serve the local population.

One of the students who benefited from the donation is Naita Cesilia Haure, age 11 and in fourth grade. She lives in Ndama, where most houses are made from pieces of corrugated iron with a tarp covering the outdoor cooking area. Ndama area is one of the most populated informal areas, with more than 76,000 people. It is also close to a garbage dump and has no running water or electricity for the majority of homes.

Haure is another beneficiary. She is the youngest of five children and lives in a two-room house with her single mother, who is a cleaner at the hospital. Every day, Haure wakes up early to walk about a mile in the dark with her mom to get to school. Haure participates in sports, plays, cultural dances and singing.

A Salesian said, “Being part of Don Bosco Private School has shaped her mindset to love life, to love learning and to aim for her dream of becoming a doctor one day. The donated furniture has helped to create a different world view and environment for Haure apart from her living conditions. It allows her to forget the struggles that she encounters every day to get to her happy place, the school, and sit on a comfortable chair with a desk to write on.”

Salesian programs across Namibia are primarily focused on education. Salesian primary and secondary education in the country helps youth prepare for later technical, vocational or university study. Other programs help to support poor youth and their families by meeting the basic needs of shelter, proper nutrition and medical care.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Namibia

World Bank – Namibia

The post NAMIBIA: Students have new school furniture thanks to donation secured by Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

NAMIBIA

(MissionNewswire) Salesians in Rundu, Namibia, have a new house thanks to funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The house will directly benefit 11 Salesians, five of whom will be there full-time. The house will also benefit more than 5,000 people in the community who will be accessing youth programs and the parish.

A Salesian said, “The Salesian community in Rundu is grateful to be able to have a Salesian house, where the growing number of Catholics in Rundu can find spiritual assistance and counseling as needs arise.”

The Don Bosco Parish opened in 2019. At the time, local business people and the community constructed a hall to be used as a church. Over the years, administration space was added. Priests were driving to the church daily for Masses and other pastoral activities, which was expensive for the parish. Salesians needed a local house where they could live and rest after providing for members of the community. The house also reduces overcrowding where the Salesians had been staying.

The most recent phase of construction began in April 2023. It included finalizing internal parts of the home, including six bedrooms, seven bathrooms, a sitting area, an entertainment area, a dining room, a kitchen, a storeroom, an office and a waiting room. Salesians also finished the roof, walls and installation of windows in the chapel, and the sacristy. In addition, plumbing and electrical work was completed.

The Salesian added, “The house that has been constructed with the funding from Salesian Missions will make the pastoral activities of the Salesians easier, especially allowing them to be near the youth who come to the parish for meetings, counseling and sporting activities.”

According to the World Bank, Namibia is one of nine countries in Africa considered as upper-middle income, but poverty is still prevalent with extreme wealth imbalances. Namibia’s poverty rate is 32% with an unemployment rate of 29.6%. Poverty in Namibia is acute in the northern regions of Kavango, Oshikoto, Zambezi, Kunene and Ohangwena, where upwards of one-third of the population lives in poverty. HIV prevalence in the country is 16.9%.

Salesian programs across Namibia are primarily focused on education. Salesian primary and secondary education in the country helps youth prepare for later technical, vocational or university study. Other programs help to support poor youth and their families by meeting the basic needs of shelter, proper nutrition and medical care.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Namibia

World Bank – Namibia

The post NAMIBIA: New parish house built with funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

NAMIBIA

(MissionNewswire) Sixty-three youth who attend the Don Bosco Center in Rundu, Namibia, had a healthy breakfast before school thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The youth ranged in age from 7-15 and were from poor families. This food helped to ensure they had at least one healthy meal a day.

“One of the youth who benefited from this donation is an abandoned young boy who always thanks and prays for the people who donate to us,” said Father Louis Malama, the Salesian parish priest who oversaw the project. “This breakfast program means a lot to the youth and families we serve. We appreciate the donors who help support our work.”

Don Bosco Youth Center, opened in 2002, provides shelter and services for homeless youth. The center offers computer classes for 65 students, preschool for 70 children and school for 104 students who have dropped out of formal education. In addition, more than 80 youth attend the daily oratory activities, including sports programming.

According to the World Bank, Namibia is one of nine countries in Africa considered as upper-middle income, but poverty is still prevalent with extreme wealth imbalances. Namibia’s poverty rate is 32% with an unemployment rate of 29.6%. Poverty in Namibia is acute in the northern regions of Kavango, Oshikoto, Zambezi, Kunene and Ohangwena, where upwards of one-third of the population lives in poverty. HIV prevalence in the country is 16.9%.

Salesian programs across Namibia are primarily focused on education. Salesian primary and secondary education in the country helps youth prepare for later technical, vocational or university study. Other programs help to support poor youth and their families by meeting the basic needs of shelter, proper nutrition and medical care.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Namibia

World Bank – Namibia

The post NAMIBIA: Youth receive breakfast thanks to donor funding first appeared on MissionNewswire.

(MissionNewswire) Residents of the Ruurumwe village, located outside of Rundu, Namibia, have access to clean water thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The project, part of the Salesian Missions “Clean Water Initiative,” provided a new borewell, water tank and pump.

NAMIBIA

The 550 people living in the village are poor and survive on small-scale farming and government grants. The water supply from a small seasonal river is erratic and too often not enough. During the summer, residents survive on water from holes and small wells, but this water is not safe for human consumption. The new borewell and 5,000-liter water storage tank will supply fresh, clean water for the entire village and allow people to grow food for the community.

One of the beneficiaries, Ethel Hamutenya, has had a difficult life. She had to stop school at grade 9 after she became pregnant, and she has not been able to go back. Hamutenya struggles to find work to earn money to feed herself and her child. She is grateful for the new water supply.

Hamutenya said, “Today I have a small garden that has given me hope in my life. I have planted some vegetables and my life has changed because of this water. If I work hard, after next year, I will have enough money to go back to school.”

According to the World Bank, Namibia is just one of nine countries in Africa considered as upper middle income, but poverty is still prevalent with extreme wealth imbalances. Namibia’s poverty rate is 32 percent with an unemployment rate of 29.6 percent. Poverty in Namibia is acute in the northern regions of Kavango, Oshikoto, Zambezi, Kunene and Ohangwena, where upwards of one-third of the population lives in poverty. HIV prevalence in the country is 16.9 percent.

Salesian programs across Namibia are primarily focused on education. Salesian primary and secondary education in the country helps youth prepare for later technical, vocational or university study. Other programs help to support poor youth and their families by meeting the basic needs of shelter, proper nutrition and medical care.

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

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Namibia

World Bank – Namibia

The post NAMIBIA: 550 people have clean water access thanks to the Salesian Missions ‘Clean Water Initiative’ first appeared on MissionNewswire.

NAMIBIA

(MissionNewswire) Youth attending Don Bosco Youth Center, in Rundu, Namibia, received nutritional support thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The funding provided breakfast and lunch to poor children ages 3-11 who attend local Salesian schools.

Hunger has been declared a national disaster in this drought-ridden country. Salesians running Don Bosco Youth Center were able to provide 200 children with two meals a day to help ensure healthy nutrition and give them the energy they need to be able to focus in school.

Emily Liyando, age 5, is one young recipient. Her mother died during childbirth, and she has never met her father. Liyando said, “I am cared for by my grandmother. I go to Don Bosco School in the morning and come home in the evening. We have nothing at home to eat so what I receive at Don Bosco is all that I have. I bring some home to share with my grandmother.”

Don Bosco Youth Center, opened in 2002, provides shelter and services for homeless youth. The center offers computer classes for 65 students, preschool for 70 children and school for 104 students who have dropped out of formal education. In addition, more than 80 youth attend the daily oratory activities including sports programming.

According to the World Bank, Namibia is just one of nine countries in Africa considered as upper middle income, but poverty is still prevalent with extreme wealth imbalances. Namibia’s poverty rate is 32 percent with an unemployment rate of 29.6 percent. Poverty in Namibia is acute in the northern regions of Kavango, Oshikoto, Zambezi, Kunene and Ohangwena, where upwards of one-third of the population lives in poverty. HIV prevalence in the country is 16.9 percent.

Salesian programs across Namibia are primarily focused on education. Salesian primary and secondary education in the country helps youth prepare for later technical, vocational or university study. Other programs help to support poor youth and their families by meeting the basic needs of shelter, proper nutrition and medical care.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Namibia

World Bank – Namibia

The post NAMIBIA: 200 youth receive meals thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

NAMIBIA

(MissionNewswire) Students at the Don Bosco Center and Don Bosco Primary School in Rundu, Namibia, have access to clean water thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The project, part of the Salesian Missions “Clean Water Initiative,” provided a new water tank and pump to supply fresh drinking water.

The water supply at the newly opened school has been limited due to water interruptions in the town of Rundu, which has created a challenging situation. The Don Bosco Center, which includes the primary school, administration, computer training center, chapel and other youth facilities, welcomes more than 600 people each day. The Don Bosco Primary School teaches children ages 2-10 who come from conditions of poverty in their home lives. The lack of water often cancelled classes and other programs at the Don Bosco Center.

To address this crisis, funding was provided for a 10,000-liter (2,641 gallon) water tank to avoid water interruptions that often last up to two weeks. The water tank, which has a lifespan of up to 15 years and can hold two weeks’ worth of water, was constructed at the center and connects to the school’s water supply line. A new water pump is helping the school to automatically pump water in the tank, improve water pressure, and save money, time, and energy.

“This new water tank and pump relieve the school management from the burden of going down to the river that is about 50 minutes away from the center to get water or suspend learning for such a lengthy period,” said Father Louis Malama, the Salesian parish priest who oversaw the project. “It saves the school time, money, and energy to ensure that a learning environment is maintained and is continuous for the children attending the school and others attending the center’s programs.”

According to the World Bank, Namibia is just one of nine countries in Africa considered as upper middle income, but poverty is still prevalent with extreme wealth imbalances. Namibia’s poverty rate is 32 percent with an unemployment rate of 29.6 percent. Poverty in Namibia is acute in the northern regions of Kavango, Oshikoto, Zambezi, Kunene and Ohangwena, where upwards of one-third of the population lives in poverty. HIV prevalence in the country is 16.9 percent.

Salesian programs across Namibia are primarily focused on education. Salesian primary and secondary education in the country helps youth prepare for later technical, vocational or university study. Other programs help to support poor youth and their families by meeting the basic needs of shelter, proper nutrition and medical care.

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

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Namibia

World Bank – Namibia

The post NAMIBIA: Students have clean water thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

NAMIBIA

(MissionNewswire) People living in the Ngwa-ngwa village, close to Rundu, Namibia, have access to clean water thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The project, part of the Salesian Missions “Clean Water Initiative,” provided a new borewell and water tank to supply fresh drinking water.

In Namibia, over one quarter of the population lacks access to clean water and more than half lack access to proper sanitation facilities. Inadequate water and sanitation are major causes of disease, and reduce a community’s ability to thrive.

Ngwa-ngwa is a small village of 250 people. Most of the people living there are poor and survive on small-scale farming and government grants. The village has erratic shortages of water. The only water source is a small river that runs during the rainy season and dries up in summer. During summer, people survive on water from unsafe holes and small wells, causing many to become sick. The COVID-19 pandemic has also created a demand for improved hygiene.

In order to address these water challenges, donor funding was used for a solar-powered borewell and a 10,000-liter tank (2,641 gallons). The tank was mounted three meters (3.2 yards) up from the ground to ensure stronger water pressure. Solar power was used as an alternative green energy. Two water taps have also been installed to allow people to collect water without difficulty.

“People in this village have struggled a lot and suffer so much due to lack of water,” said Father Louis Malama, the parish priest who oversaw the project. “Access to safe drinking water is vital for social well-being. The new water supply will alleviate unnecessary sicknesses and will help the start of a vegetable garden that will reduce poverty in the village.”

This new water source also provided clean water access at Don Bosco Youth Primary School in the village. Clean water will help prevent illness caused by waterborne disease and increase the number of children coming to school to learn.

According to the World Bank, Namibia is just one of nine countries in Africa considered as upper middle income, but poverty is still prevalent with extreme wealth imbalances. Namibia’s poverty rate is 32 percent with an unemployment rate of 29.6 percent. Poverty in Namibia is acute in the northern regions of Kavango, Oshikoto, Zambezi, Kunene and Ohangwena, where upwards of one-third of the population lives in poverty. HIV prevalence in the country is 16.9 percent.

Salesian programs across Namibia are primarily focused on education. Salesian primary and secondary education in the country helps youth prepare for later technical, vocational or university study. Other programs help to support poor youth and their families by meeting the basic needs of shelter, proper nutrition and medical care.

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

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Namibia

World Bank – Namibia

The post NAMIBIA: Village receives vital access to clean water first appeared on MissionNewswire.

NAMIBIA

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Youth Center in Rundu, Namibia, has a renovated a children’s playground thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. Prior to the renovations, the playground was in a dilapidated state and dangerous, leaving children without a place to play and connect with their peers.

With the donor funding, Salesians were able to buy renovation materials and paint. The children who attend the youth center come very poor families and some of them have been abandoned. Since the launch of the primary school, close to 120 children use the playground each morning before school. On the weekends, 180 youth attending programs at the youth center utilize the playground. To safeguard the playground, Salesians have asked the school to contribute a small amount of money toward the maintenance.

“Youth at the center would like to extend their thanks to donors who gave so generously to help renovate the playground,” said Martha Kalilomba, who attends activities at Don Bosco Youth Center. “The youth center has become more appealing since the renovation and we cannot express enough how much that means to us.”

Don Bosco Youth Center was opened in 2002, and provides shelter and services for homeless youth. The center offers computer classes for 65 students, pre-school for 70 children and school for 104 students who have dropped out of formal education. In addition, more than 80 youth attend the daily oratory activities including sports programming.

According to the World Bank, Namibia is just one of nine countries in Africa considered as upper middle income, but poverty is still prevalent with extreme wealth imbalances. Namibia’s poverty is 26.9 percent with an unemployment rate of 29.6 percent. Poverty in Namibia is acute in the northern regions of Kavango, Oshikoto, Zambezi, Kunene and Ohangwena, where upwards of one-third of the population lives in poverty. HIV prevalence in the country is 16.9 percent.

Salesian programs across Namibia are primarily focused on education. Salesian primary and secondary education in the country helps youth prepare for later technical, vocational or university study. Other programs help to support poor youth and their families by meeting the basic needs of shelter, proper nutrition and medical care.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Namibia

World Bank – Namibia

The post NAMIBIA: Don Bosco Youth Center renovates playground thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

NAMIBIA

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries in Rundu, Namibia, were able to feed vulnerable children who are part of the Don Bosco pre-school and parents thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco.  They also provided hand sanitizer for the prevention of COVID-19 and bought blankets. The project benefited 123 children ages 3-11 who are from poor families, orphans and from families headed by children.

“The funding provided from Salesian Missions enabled us to feed vulnerable children who are part of the Don Bosco Center’s pre-school. This is especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic when children are more at risk of malnutrition,” said Father Louis Malawa, project manager at the Don Bosco Center. “We supported some families that are struggling during this time, and the food and other supplies were greatly appreciated.”

Rundu is the second largest city in Namibia and is 435 miles away from the capital city of Windhoek. Rundu has two regions, Kavango West and Kavango East, and lies on the borders of Angola, Zambia and Botswana. It is a desert area and cultivation of food is very difficult, leaving the population of close to 110,000 people in abject poverty.

The Don Bosco Youth Center was opened in 2002, and provides shelter and services for homeless youth. The center offers computer classes for 65 students, pre-school for 70 children and school for 104 students who have dropped out of formal education. In addition, more than 80 youth attend the daily oratory activities including sports programming. The aim of the feeding project is to provide food for children who are now going through difficulties due to the hunger that has stricken the country.

Veronica, one of the recipients of the donation, said, “I am an orphan and have benefited so much from the help. Before the food that was provided, I was looking for food in bins and having to beg. Now I have food and clothes and feel very happy.”

According to the World Bank, Namibia is just one of nine countries in Africa considered as upper middle income, but poverty is still prevalent with extreme wealth imbalances. Namibia’s poverty is 26.9 percent with an unemployment rate of 29.6 percent. Poverty in Namibia is acute in the northern regions of Kavango, Oshikoto, Zambezi, Kunene and Ohangwena, where upwards of one-third of the population lives in poverty. HIV prevalence in the country is 16.9 percent.

Salesian programs across Namibia are primarily focused on education. Salesian primary and secondary education in the country helps youth prepare for later technical, vocational or university study. Other programs help to support poor youth and their families by meeting the basic needs of shelter, proper nutrition and medical care.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions

World Bank – Namibia

The post NAMIBIA: Donor funding from Salesian Missions provides nutritional support for 123 children first appeared on MissionNewswire.

NAMIBIA

(MissionNewswire) Youth attending the St. John Bosco Parish, which is part of the Don Bosco Youth Center in Rundu, Namibia, have access to clean, safe water through the installation of a new water tank thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The project, part of the Salesian Missions “Clean Water Initiative,” is impacting more than 7,300 people who are part of the church community.

In Namibia, more than one quarter of the population lacks access to clean water and more than half lacks access to proper sanitation facilities. Inadequate water and sanitation are major causes of disease, reducing a community’s ability to thrive. Prior to the new water tank, the church had no running water or proper sanitation. As a result, no one could use the church facilities and often programs at the youth center were cancelled.

Salesian missionaries now report that the water situation has improved, church services can start and they are compliant with COVID-19 requirements. Salesians are able to help prevent waterborne illness, and there are increased numbers of youth attending programs.

“The water project at St. John Bosco Parish was met with great success,” said Father Louis Malama, project manager at Don Bosco Youth Center. “The new water tank has improved and provided sufficient clean and safe water for youth who come for various programs and church services. We are thankful to our donors and to Salesian Missions.”

According to the World Bank, Namibia is just one of nine countries in Africa considered as upper middle income, but poverty is still prevalent with extreme wealth imbalances. Namibia’s poverty rate is 32 percent with an unemployment rate of 29.6 percent. Poverty in Namibia is acute in the northern regions of Kavango, Oshikoto, Zambezi, Kunene and Ohangwena, where upwards of one-third of the population lives in poverty. HIV prevalence in the country is 16.9 percent.

Salesian programs across Namibia are primarily focused on education. Salesian primary and secondary education in the country helps youth prepare for later technical, vocational or university study. Other programs help to support poor youth and their families by meeting the basic needs of shelter, proper nutrition and medical care.

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

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions

World Bank – Namibia

The post NAMIBIA: St. John Bosco Parish has clean water access thanks to the Salesian Missions ‘Clean Water Initiative’ first appeared on MissionNewswire.

“The funding provided from Salesian Missions enabled us to feed the children, especially with the outbreak of coronavirus. The children were able to stay indoors during this tough time because of the food supply that was available for them,” said Father Louis Malawa, project manager at the Don Bosco Center. “We even supported some families that were in dire need of food and at the verge of starvation. The food rations given to them was highly appreciated.”

Rundu is the second largest city in Namibia and it is 700 km away from the capital city of Windhoek. Rundu has two regions, Kavango West and Kavango East, and lies on the borders of Angola, Zambia and Botswana. It is a desert area and cultivation of food is very difficult, leaving the population of close to 110,000 people in abject poverty.

The Don Bosco Youth Center was opened in 2002, and provides shelter and services for homeless youth. The center offers computer classes for 65 students, pre-school for 70 children and school for 104 students who have dropped out of formal education. In addition, more than 80 youth attend the daily oratory activities including sports programming. The aim of the feeding project is to provide food for the children who are now going through difficulties due to the hunger that has stricken the country.

“As a center we want to provide these children with breakfast and lunch every day so that we can stop them from going back to the streets to beg and to expose themselves to the evils that take place in the streets,” added Fr. Malawa. “We also want to train people in food security in the sense that whatever they may produce through alternative farming, they can stock it for the future use instead of using it immediately. We appreciate of the donor funding, which is helping us to feed the children.”

According to the World Bank, Namibia is just one of nine countries in Africa considered as upper middle income, but poverty is still prevalent with extreme wealth imbalances. Namibia’s poverty is 26.9 percent with an unemployment rate of 29.6 percent. Poverty in Namibia is acute in the northern regions of Kavango, Oshikoto, Zambezi, Kunene and Ohangwena, where upwards of one-third of the population lives in poverty. HIV prevalence in the country is 16.9 percent.

Salesian programs across Namibia are primarily focused on education. Salesian primary and secondary education in the country helps youth prepare for later technical, vocational or university study. Other programs help to support poor youth and their families by meeting the basic needs of shelter, proper nutrition and medical care.

The Don Bosco Center nutritional project, like many that are funded by Salesian Missions, needs ongoing support from donors. To contribute to projects likes this, Salesian Missions offers a “Fund a Project” section on its website with more details.

###

Sources:

Photos courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions

World Bank – Namibia

The post NAMIBIA: Don Bosco Youth Center receives nutritional support thanks to Salesian Missions donors first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Rundu is the second largest city in Namibia and it is 700 km away from the capital city of Windhoek. Rundu has two regions, Kavango West and Kavango East, and lies on the borders of Angola, Zambia and Botswana. It is a desert area and cultivation of food is very difficult, leaving the population of close to 110,000 people in abject poverty.

The Don Bosco Youth Center was opened in 2002, and provides shelter and services for homeless youth. The center offers computer classes for 65 students, pre-school for 70 children and school for 104 students who have dropped out of formal education. In addition, more than 80 youth attend the daily oratory activities including sports programming. The aim of the feeding project is to provide food for the children who are now going through difficulties due to the hunger that has stricken the country.

“As a center we want to provide these children with breakfast and lunch every day so that we can stop them from going back to the streets to beg and to expose themselves to the evils that take place in the streets,” said Father Louis Malawa, project manager at the Don Bosco Center. “We also want to train people in food security in the sense that whatever they may produce through alternative farming, they can stock it for the future use instead of using it immediately. We appreciate of the donor funding, which is helping us to feed the children.”

According to the World Bank, Namibia is just one of nine countries in Africa considered as upper middle income, but poverty is still prevalent with extreme wealth imbalances. Namibia’s poverty is 26.9 percent with an unemployment rate of 29.6 percent. Poverty in Namibia is acute in the northern regions of Kavango, Oshikoto, Zambezi, Kunene and Ohangwena, where upwards of one-third of the population lives in poverty. HIV prevalence in the country is 16.9 percent.

Salesian programs across Namibia are primarily focused on education. Salesian primary and secondary education in the country helps youth prepare for later technical, vocational or university study. Other programs help to support poor youth and their families by meeting the basic needs of shelter, proper nutrition and medical care.

The Don Bosco Center nutritional project, like many that are funded by Salesian Missions, needs ongoing support from donors. To contribute to this project or others, Salesian Missions offers a “Fund a Project” section on its website with more details.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions

World Bank – Namibia

The post NAMIBIA: Don Bosco Youth Center receives nutritional support for 200 youth thanks to Salesian Missions donors first appeared on MissionNewswire.

As a result of this donation, Salesian missionaries report that the water situation has improved. Water is running most of the time and there has been an improvement in the hygiene of youth. In addition, youth programs are no longer interrupted because of water shortages.

“The water project at Don Bosco Youth Center was implemented very well and has produced very positive results,” says Father Louis Malama, project manager at Don Bosco Youth Center. “The new water tank has improved and provided sufficient clean and safe water for the young people who come for various youth programs at the center. We are thankful to our donors and to Salesian Missions.”

UN-Water estimates that worldwide 2.1 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water services and by 2050, the world’s population will have grown by an estimated 2 billion people, pushing global water demand up to 30 percent higher than today. One in four primary schools has no drinking water service, with students using unprotected water sources or going thirsty. In addition, UN-Water notes that more than 700 children under 5 years of age die every day from diarrheal disease linked to unsafe water and poor sanitation.

In response to this crisis, Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, has made building wells and supplying fresh, clean water a top priority for every community in every country in which Salesian missionaries work. The project in Namibia is just one of many that have been completed, with more in process.

“Water is essential for life, and it’s critical that Salesian programs around the globe have access to safe, clean water for the health and safety of those we serve,” says Father Mark Hyde, director of Salesian Missions. “Improving water and sanitation facilities brings a sense of dignity to children and ensures that teachers and students are working and learning in an environment that promotes proper hygiene and has safe drinking water.”

According to the World Bank, Namibia is just one of nine countries in Africa considered as upper middle income, but poverty is still prevalent with extreme wealth imbalances. Namibia’s poverty rate is 32 percent with an unemployment rate of 29.6 percent. Poverty in Namibia is acute in the northern regions of Kavango, Oshikoto, Zambezi, Kunene and Ohangwena, where upwards of one-third of the population lives in poverty. HIV prevalence in the country is 16.9 percent.

Salesian programs across Namibia are primarily focused on education. Salesian primary and secondary education in the country helps youth prepare for later technical, vocational or university study. Other programs help to support poor youth and their families by meeting the basic needs of shelter, proper nutrition and medical care.

###

Sources:

Salesian Missions

World Bank – Namibia

World Water Day 2019

The post NAMIBIA: As part of its “Clean Water Initiative,” Salesian Missions donors provide funding for new water tank at Don Bosco Youth Center first appeared on MissionNewswire.