MALI

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco 2000 Association has started its second phase of a training project for migrants returning to Africa from Italy. The initiative, one of the few still operational in the area, has recently started training 150 people, with 60% of them women, for agricultural and commercial cooperatives. Aly Traoré, a migrant who has returned to Mali* as a bridge between Italy and Africa, is leading the training.

An event, coordinated by the Treccani Foundation, launched the project with an international video call with mayors, village chiefs and local leaders. The project’s circular cooperation model, based on the skills of migrants trained in Italy and who have returned to their countries, represents how training can advance people living in difficult circumstances. The project is financed by the Italian Ministry of the Interior.

“Many youth leave the region for a better life elsewhere,” said a Salesian. “We want to ensure that they are able to either have the skills and training they need to remain in their communities or have support after they return home with new skills. This project is ensuring that those trained elsewhere, like in Italy, are able to come back and put their skills to work. We want people to be employed and contributing members of their families and communities.”

Since 2012, Mali has faced a political and security crisis that has been concentrated mainly in the north of the country. The crisis has now reached the center of the country and is affecting hundreds of people, especially children. Since 2018, the country has seen an increase in violence, insecurity and serious violations of international humanitarian law. The country faced two coup d’états in August 2020 and May 2021, and it continues to be marked by political and economic instability.

UNICEF has indicated that more than 2 million children between 5 and 17 do not go to school. More than half of children are still not literate. Children in Mali often have to drop out of school to work, enter child marriages or because of school closures. The country also struggles to find enough qualified teachers and textbooks for students. Only 73.8% of girls and 85.5% of boys are enrolled in primary school and only 15% of girls and 21% of boys continue to secondary school, UNICEF reports.

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ANS – Mali – Amid conflict and insecurity, ‘Don Bosco 2000’ starts training 150 young people and women with the RELINT project

Salesian Missions

UNICEF – Mali

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

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MALI

(MissionNewswire) The St. John Bosco Center in Sikasso, Mali*, organized an “Open Day” to present the work and achievements of the institute to teachers, students, partners and guests. Visitors were able to admire original works, ranging from handicrafts to technical productions, all created by students as part of their training.

A Salesian explained, “The day was an opportunity for the students to showcase the fruits of their learning through the sale of products and a series of exhibitions. It also allowed the center and its partners to strengthen ties and open the school’s doors to the local community, curious to discover the skills developed in this place of education.”

Teachers and students guided visitors through the stands, explaining the techniques used and the educational objectives pursued. With this initiative, the Salesian center reaffirmed its commitment to quality vocational training, showcasing how the student’s newly learned skills could improve their lives and their futures.

Since 2012, Mali has faced a political and security crisis that has been concentrated mainly in the north of the country. The crisis has now reached the center of the country and is affecting hundreds of people, especially children. Since 2018, the country has seen an increase in violence, insecurity and serious violations of international humanitarian law. The country faced two coup d’états in August 2020 and May 2021 and continues to be marked by political and economic instability.

UNICEF has indicated that more than 2 million children between 5 and 17 do not go to school. More than half of children are still not literate. Children in Mali often have to drop out of school to work, enter child marriages or because of school closures. The country also struggles to find enough qualified teachers and textbooks for students. Only 73.8% of girls and 85.5% of boys are enrolled in primary school and only 15% of girls and 21% of boys continue to secondary school, UNICEF reports.

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

ANS – Mali – Open Day at the St John Bosco Centre in Sikasso

UNICEF – Mali

Salesian Missions

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

The post MALI: Students’ skills and accomplishments showcased first appeared on MissionNewswire.

MALI

(MissionNewswire) Youth from Touba, Mali* have been able to strengthen their education and personal development thanks to a project promoted by Bosco Global with the support of the Government of the Autonomous Community of the Balearic Islands in Spain. This project improved the facilities and activities of the Saint Jean Bosco Youth Center and school complex to expand educational opportunities for 150 youth in the rural community.

The youth center is a safe space where youth can learn, share and grow in an environment of trust. Through the project, educational, cultural and sports activities have been implemented. In addition, workshops on intercultural dialogue, human rights awareness, a culture of peace and co-education were conducted, increasing the participation of youth in building a more just and cohesive society.

One of the main initiatives of the project was the renovation and expansion of the youth center, with the construction of a new multi-purpose hall to accommodate more youth. This renovation allowed for new training activities and created a more suitable environment for youth development. In addition, the youth center achieved energy self-sufficiency thanks to the installation of 12 solar panels for a stable electricity supply, a crucial resource in a region where power outages are frequent.

The project placed a special emphasis on the empowerment of young women and girls, who are often in a more vulnerable situation. At least 30 young women and girls participated in specific events where they learned about their rights and acquired professional skills to improve their future opportunities. These events included training in basic literacy and income-generating activities such as soap and oil production. Salesians also provided meeting spaces to strengthen their participation in community life.

A Salesian noted, “This approach has been instrumental in breaking down barriers of inequality and encouraging women’s participation in all areas of the center. The space allowed young women to feel valued and express their opinions without inhibition.”

The results of the project were very positive. Eighty percent of the youth who participated have improved their educational and social skills. Youth have noted that the youth center is a place that offers them support and tools to face the future with more confidence and security. Their awareness of their rights and their active role in society was also strengthened, promoting a more engaged citizenship.

The project leader said, “The project experience demonstrates the importance of continuing to invest in education and in spaces that foster the personal and collective growth of young people. Bosco Global and the local Salesian community reaffirm our commitment to continue working to ensure that the youth of Touba have access to quality education and opportunities that allow them to build a better future.”

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ANS – Mali – Education as a tool for change

Bosco Global

Salesian Missions

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

The post MALI: Youth improve educational and social skills with new project first appeared on MissionNewswire.

MALI

(MissionNewswire) The Salesian Père Michael Training Center in Bamako, the capital and largest city of Mali, is bringing joy, providing education, and cultivating peace among children and older youth. The center keeps its doors open all day and provides support to hundreds of youth from the Niarela district and the outskirts of the city.

Youth come to the center to play sports, learn music or study at its library. The center provides a safe haven where youth have an opportunity to live, dream of a future, study, and learn the importance of being committed and collaborating in groups. They are able to express themselves freely and access the support of adults.

The goal is to keep young people, ages 12-25, away from the street and harmful habits such as alcohol or drugs. Instead, youth are offered an educational space during their free time which promotes cultural activities and allows the development of values.

In November 2020, Bosco Global and the Municipality of Pozoblanco in Spain, launched a project to support the center. Over the last year, Salesian missionaries have been able to access sports equipment for the girls basketball team, set up a music training center, and organize health and hygiene awareness days to prevent diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle. Youth at the music training center are currently organizing an event in celebration of the year-long Bosco Global support project.

Bosco Global has appreciation and gratitude for all the people and organizations who made this project possible, especially those who are committed to young people and their right to have access to safe recreational activities.

Since 2012, Mali has faced a political and security crisis that has been concentrated mainly in the north of the country. The crisis has now reached the center of the country and is affecting hundreds of people, especially children. Since 2018, the country has faced an increase in violence, insecurity and serious violations of international humanitarian law. The country faced two coup d’états in August 2020 and May 2021.

According to the European Commission, some 750,000 people have been internally displaced since early 2018. In the first quarter of 2021, the number of civilians affected by serious human rights violations and abuses, including sexual or gender-based violence, increased by 25 percent. As a result of this crisis, the population is living in alarming conditions. It has affected access to food, water, health, safety and a means of livelihood.

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ANS – Mali – The value of a courtyard in a context of fragility

Bosco Global

European Commission – Mali

Salesian Missions

The post MALI: Center provides safe haven for youth first appeared on MissionNewswire.

MALI

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries operate the “Promotion of healthy educational entertainment for disadvantaged young people in the Niaréla neighborhood,” in Bamako, Mali. The project, supported by the Municipality of Pozoblanco in Spain, aims to strengthen support for disadvantaged youth through educational activities that promote cultural values ​​and the talent of each person. Youth take part in organized sports, music, and free-time activities that are healthy and safe.

Salesian Father Romeo Salami, who is working in Mali, said, “Seeing the boys and girls so happy in this project is something that gives me joy. Soccer and sport in general, as well as music and theater, are a way to bring joy even in times of confinement and social distance. Young people always need to feel together and united.”

In addition to this project, Salesians have been focused on COVID-19-related projects that are helping youth to stay safe during this challenging time. Fr. Salami added, “As in the whole world, here too COVID-19 has caused not only a health problem, but also a problem of reduced income or loss of jobs due to the confinement measures. And for the most vulnerable people, those who earn their living day to day, it’s a very tough situation. Our goal is to stand by the side of the most vulnerable young people and their families in Mali.”

Fr. Salami stressed the importance of solidarity during this time. With the support of Bosco Global, Salesians in Mali were able to provide essential food during the most difficult phases of the pandemic, carry out campaigns for raising awareness on COVID-19, promote proper hygiene and distribute materials to stem infections. Last year, Bosco Global also provided hand-washing stations in Salesian vocational training centers so youth could return to school.

Fr. Salami explained, “Thanks to the collaboration of Bosco Global we have managed to comply with the safety measures required in most of our projects. We distributed masks to every student and distributed disinfectants to the whole educational community.”

Since 2012, Mali has faced a political and security crisis that has been concentrated mainly in the north of the country. The crisis has now reached the center of the country and is affecting hundreds of people, especially children. In 2017, armed groups in the northern region and the Malian government signed a reconciliation agreement, but in 2018 the conflict reemerged. According to World Vision, currently more than 483,400 people need humanitarian assistance.

As a result of this crisis, the situation in the country has worsened and the population is living in alarming conditions. It has affected access to food, water, health, safety and a means of livelihood.

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ANS – Mali – Salesians in a climate of pandemic: “We must stand by the side of the most vulnerable young people and their families”

Bosco Global

World Bank – Mali

The post MALI: Vulnerable youth take part in safe free-time activities first appeared on MissionNewswire.

MALI

(MissionNewswire) Hand-washing stations have been installed in Salesian educational centers in Bamako, Sikasso and Touba, Mali, where educational activities have resumed. Salesian missionaries are well aware of the risks Mali faces during the pandemic, and they are working to protect and support youth and the most vulnerable families in their programs and communities.

Creating a culture of personal hygiene and careful hand-washing is one of the most important prevention measures. Father Romeo Salami, from the Salesian Planning and Development Office of the West Africa Province, is working to ensure local programs have what they need to provide a safe environment for youth. He also wishes to thank all of the people who collaborated in the “Faced with the pandemic, Global Solidarity” project, which raised funds to help these efforts.

“The installation of hand-washing devices in our vocational training centers in Bamako, Sikasso and Touba guarantees the continued education of the most vulnerable,” explained Fr. Salami.

Salesian educational centers had closed for months, but recently the government allowed activities to resume. Fr. Salami added, “Thanks to the collaboration of Bosco Global we have managed to comply with the safety measures required in most of our projects. We distributed masks to every student and distributed disinfectants to the whole educational community.”

Fr. Salami is confident that awareness campaigns to ensure compliance with security measures are essential to contain the pandemic. He concluded, “We are working very hard to sensitize the population about the risks of contagion and the necessary protective measures. It is not easy, in the context of poverty in which we work. But there is no choice, we must all be aware of our personal responsibility to stop the pandemic.”

Since 2012, Mali has faced a political and security crisis that has been concentrated mainly in the north of the country. The crisis has now reached the center of the country and is affecting hundreds of people, especially children. In 2017, armed groups in the northern region and the Malian government signed a reconciliation agreement, but in 2018 the conflict reemerged. According to World Vision, currently more than 483,400 people need humanitarian assistance.

As a result of this crisis, the situation in the country has worsened and the population is living in alarming conditions. It has affected access to food, water, health, safety and a means of livelihood.

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

ANS – Mali – Handwashing devices installed in most vulnerable schools against spread of pandemic

World Bank – Mali

The post MALI: Hand-washing stations now available for youth in Salesian educational centers in Bamako, Sikasso and Touba first appeared on MissionNewswire.

The campaign raises awareness of the dangers of youth migration. With a focus on youth leaving countries in Africa in search of a better life in Europe, it aims to prevent young migrants from becoming victims of crime and exploitation.

The campaign also provides analysis and research on the real reasons for migration, informs potential youth migrants about the risks of the journey and the real chances of success and gives individual guidance to those who want to leave. In doing so, the campaign is working to deter young people from leaving countries where people are most at risk of human trafficking. In collaboration with Salesian missionaries in Africa, the campaign will also raise funds to help with program development in targeted countries in Africa.

The Salesian Vocational Training Center in Bamako, Mali’s capital city, currently offers four diploma-based courses in metalworking, electricity and solar energy, automotive and agricultural mechanics and entrepreneurship. The center also awards a secondary school diploma in automotive mechanics and metalworking.

A goal of the campaign is to be able to offer these courses to additional youth in need. Salesian missionaries aim to increase the center’s enrollment from 433 students to 809 in the 2020 school year. They also plan to roll out a system to better identify vulnerable youth and make in-roads in helping them secure employment after graduation. In addition, the campaign will launch agricultural training in the rural town of Moribabougou that mostly targets women.

“The ‘Stop Trafficking’ campaign has found success in countries like Senegal where research there has shown that nearly 40 percent of youth leaving the country are leaving in search of better educational opportunities,” says Father Mark Hyde, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “With new and enhanced Salesian training programs in these countries, and now the expansion to Mali, Nigeria and Liberia, even more youth will have opportunities to stay in their home countries and gain an education. Once educated, they can find and retain employment and give back to their families and communities.”

Since 2012, Mali has faced a political and security crisis that has been concentrated mainly in the north of the country. The crisis has now reached the center of the country and is affecting hundreds of people, especially children. In 2017, armed groups in the northern region and the Malian government signed a reconciliation agreement, but in 2018 the conflict reemerged. According to World Vision, currently more than 483,400 people are in need of humanitarian assistance.

As a result of this crisis, the situation in the country has worsened and the population is living in alarming conditions. It has affected access to food, water, health, safety and a means of livelihood.

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

ANS – Mali – Vocational training to combat trafficking

SENEGAL: New initiatives launch in Senegal cities as part of the Stop Human Trafficking Campaign

World Bank – Mali

Salesian Missions – Mali

The post MALI: Salesian “Stop Trafficking” campaign launches in Mali to increase availability of vocational training first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Spanning 12 months, the project relies on the support of the Spanish municipalities of Utrera and Pozoblanco and will benefit youth served by the center who are experiencing situations of exclusion.

Children in Mali face many challenges including violence. A few years ago, the Madrid magazine, Misiones Salesianas, reported, “The population of Mali, after a year marked by violence, could neither sow nor harvest. Children will not see the colors of spring shine because their future is imperfect. Whether their future can be perfect depends on us. We take advantage of the joy of Easter to become a light that helps, after a year of darkness, to bring forth a new spring.”

Unfortunately, it seems that this situation has not changed and there have been more deaths, massacres, kidnappings and attacks on churches as well as on a Christian religious procession. Salesian missionaries are hoping that access to education will provide a path out of poverty and violence for many youth.

The Salesian center in Sikasso currently has 430 students enrolled and only 11 classrooms. In order to improve the services offered by the center and the quality of education, the new project includes the construction of a new building that accommodates eight fully-equipped classrooms. It is also assisting with the recruitment of new teachers.

Currently, the Salesian center offers vocational training in the automotive, electrical and metal construction sectors. With the addition of new classrooms, it will be able to provide supplementary training during holiday periods as well as recreational and leisure activities.

“Solidaridad Don Bosco is grateful for its supporters and will continue to bring awareness to the plight of both Salesian missionaries and the youth they serve in Mali,” says Father Mark Hyde, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “We know youth in Mali are dealing with much more than just needing access to education. Salesian programs are tailored to meet the needs of youth in the communities they serve. Those who are homeless and malnourished are simply not able to focus effectively on their studies while they struggle to meet their basic needs. Our services provide food and shelter so youth are able to focus on the education provided.”

Since 2012, Mali has faced a political and security crisis that has been concentrated mainly in the north of the country. The crisis has now reached the center of the country and is affecting hundreds of people, especially children. In 2017, armed groups in the northern region and the Malian government signed a reconciliation agreement, but in 2018 the conflict reemerged. According to World Vision, currently more than 483,400 people are in need of humanitarian assistance.

As a result of this crisis, the situation in the country has worsened and the population is living in alarming conditions. It has affected access to food, water, health, safety and a means of livelihood.

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

ANS – Mali – For future of youth the need to improve educational quality of Sikasso

World Bank – Mali

The post MALI: New project is helping to build new classrooms and improve the quality of education in Sikasso first appeared on MissionNewswire.

As a result of this crisis, the situation in the country has worsened and the population is living in alarming conditions. It has affected access to food, water, health, safety and a means of livelihood. Aware of the current circumstances, Salesian missionaries in Touba have developed a new project for the production and sale of soap.

With this initiative, Salesian missionaries and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians who work with the most vulnerable populations are offering the opportunity to support local development in an inclusive way and to strengthen the role of women in rural areas. So far, the project has impacted more than 50 girls and young women from the village of Touba. They are being trained in the production of soap and have been able to start a small emporium where they can market and sell what they produce.

The education of girls and young women helps them to improve their economic resources and those of their families. By earning an income, they are able to improve the health, nutrition and education of their families. In the same space where the soap production and lessons are being held, there is a recreational space. Here, girls and young women meet and share their experiences.

“Providing women a way to earn a living helps them to better support their families,” says Father Mark Hyde, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “We know youth in Mali are dealing with much more than just needing access to education. Salesian programs are tailored to meet the needs of the youth in the communities they serve. Homeless and malnourished youth are simply not able to focus effectively on their studies while they struggle to meet their basic needs. Our services provide food and shelter so youth are able to focus on the education provided.”

Mali is a landlocked country in West Africa and one of the five least developed countries in the world. More than 90 percent of Mali’s population lives in the more fertile southern region of the country. Nearly 75 percent of the population depends on agriculture, but the lack of rain often limits their crops. The country also has a drought every 10 to 15 years.

According to the World Bank, poverty in Mali is pervasive. Food sufficiency is dependent on the harshness and unpredictability of the climate which is compounded by seasonal variations in the weather which tend to be particularly acute during the pre-harvest period. While Mali experienced an overall drop in national poverty from 55.6 percent in 2001 to 43.6 percent in 2010, regional differences persist and in 2013, the poverty rate rebounded to 45 percent. Mali ranks 179 out of 188 countries on the United Nations Human Development Index for 2015.

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

ANS – Mali – Soaps that improve lives of women in Touba

World Bank – Mali

The post MALI: New project teaches girls and young women soap production so they can learn a trade and earn income first appeared on MissionNewswire.

The Salesian parish in Touba includes residents from 76 local villages. Recently, Salesian missionaries opened 15 classrooms to guarantee literacy education for the local community and started technical and vocational training projects. They also created a small sports center and constructed a boarding school that accommodates 50 students aged 12 to 17 who come from distant rural villages.

In the past, many youth from Touba ended primary school at the age of 12 or 13 and then had to move to the nearest city more than 20 kilometers away to continue their studies. In Mali, more than a million children do not attend primary school at all and an additional one million do not attend secondary school. In 2017, more than 650 schools were closed by terrorist groups. Father Edmond Dembele, Secretary General of the Episcopal Conference, observed that Mali has become “the epicenter of jihadi groups that are rampant in the Sahel.”

Salesian missionaries began construction of the St. John Bosco secondary school because the area offered no educational institutes for older students. The new high school now serves more than 400 youth from 17 villages in the region. Together with the construction of the new school, a gender awareness development plan is in place to facilitate girls’ access to education and to foster and welcome their participation in the activities of the local oratory.

Salesian missionaries aim to improve the quality of the educational services provided by investing in teacher training, the purchase of books for the library, the creation of a study hall that will remain open all day and the strengthening of the management and planning capabilities of the center. Salesian missionaries are also planning construction of a kitchen in the boarding school. The goal is to provide poor youth in Mali an educational foundation as well as the vocational and technical skills training necessary to find and retain employment.

“Education is always our primary focus,” says Father Mark Hyde, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “But we know youth in Mali are dealing with much more than just needing access to education. Salesian programs are tailored to meet the needs of the youth in the communities they serve. Homeless and malnourished youth are simply not able to focus effectively on their studies while they struggle to meet their basic needs. Our services provide food and shelter so youth are able to focus on the education provided.”

Mali is a landlocked country in West Africa and one of the five least developed countries in the world. More than 90 percent of Mali’s population lives in the more fertile southern region of the country. Nearly 75 percent of the population depends on agriculture, but the lack of rain often limits their crops. The country also has a drought every 10 to 15 years.

According to the World Bank, poverty in Mali is pervasive. Food sufficiency is dependent on the harshness and unpredictability of the climate, which is compounded by seasonal variations in the weather which tend to be particularly acute during the pre-harvest period. While Mali experienced an overall drop in national poverty from 55.6 percent in 2001 to 43.6 percent in 2010, regional differences persist and in 2013, the poverty rate rebounded to 45 percent. Mali ranks 179 out of 188 countries on the United Nations Human Development Index for 2015.

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

ANS – Mali – Salesians work for education and healthy development of minors

World Bank – Mali

The post MALI: Salesian missionaries launch educational initiatives to ensure poor and at-risk youth have access to education in Touba first appeared on MissionNewswire.

In the past, many youth from Touba ended primary school at the age of 12 or 13 years old, and then had to move to the nearest city, more than 20 kilometers away, to continue their studies. Salesian missionaries launched the construction of the secondary school because the area offered no educational institute for older students. The high school now serves more than 400 youth from 17 villages in the region.

Together with the construction of the new school, Salesian missionaries’ gender awareness development plan has also continued to facilitate girls’ access to education and to foster and welcome their participation in the activities of the local oratory.

This project also aims to improve the quality of the educational services provided by investing in teacher education, the purchase of books for the library, the creation of a study hall that will remain open all day, and on the strengthening of the management and planning capability of the center. The goal is to provide poor youth in Mali the educational opportunities needed to gain the foundational schooling and then later the vocational and technical skills needed to find and retain employment.

Salesian missionaries’ primary focus in the country is on the education of poor youth. They accomplish this through the operation of six primary schools, three secondary schools and six vocational training centers for older youth. At all these Salesian-run educational facilities, youth are able to gain an education while having access to support services, including family sponsorship and school feeding programs, that provide care for them and their families all with the goal of keeping youth in school as long as possible.

“Education is always our primary focus,” says Father Mark Hyde, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “But we know youth in Mali are dealing with much more than just having access to education. Salesian programs are tailored to meet the needs of the youth in the communities they serve. Homeless and malnourished youth are simply not able to focus effectively on their studies while they struggle to meet their basic needs. Our services provide food and shelter so youth are able to focus on the education provided.”

Mali is a landlocked country in West Africa and one of the five least developed countries in the world. More than 90 percent of Mali’s population lives in the more fertile southern region of the country. Nearly 75 percent of the population depends on agriculture, but the lack of rain often limits their crops. The country also has a drought every 10 to 15 years.

According to the World Bank, poverty in Mali is pervasive. Food sufficiency is dependent on the harshness and unpredictability of the climate, which is compounded by seasonal variations in the weather, which tend to be particularly acute during the pre-harvest period. While Mali experienced an overall drop in national poverty from 55.6 percent in 2001 to 43.6 percent in 2010, regional differences persist and in 2013, the poverty rate rebounded to 45 percent. Mali ranks 179 out of 188 countries on the United Nations Human Development Index for 2015.

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ANS – Mali – A school in Touba, in one of the world’s 10 poorest countries

World Bank – Mali

The post MALI: New Salesian St. John Bosco high school provides education for more than 400 youth from 17 local villages first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Foyer Don Bosco is part of the larger St. John Bosco School Complex, an educational center that hosts 60 boarding students who come from rural areas and poor families. Thanks to this new educational facility, youth will now have more opportunities to gain an education and continue their studies. Funding from the project has also provided a new classroom and sports equipment for the center so youth have a chance to participate fully in their school activities.

This project also aims to improve the quality of the educational services provided by investing in teacher education, the purchase of books for the library, the creation of a study hall that will remain open all day, and on the strengthening of the management and planning capability of the center. The goal is provide poor youth in Mali the educational opportunities needed to gain the foundational schooling and then later the vocational and technical skills needed to find and retain employment.

Salesian missionaries’ primary focus in the country is on the education of poor youth. They accomplish this through the operation of six primary schools, three secondary schools and six vocational training centers for older youth. At all these Salesian-run educational facilities, youth are able to gain an education while having access to support services, including family sponsorship and school feeding programs, that provide care for them and their families all with the goal of keeping youth in school as long as possible.

“Education is always our primary focus,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “But we know youth in Mali are dealing with much more than just having access to education. Salesian programs are tailored to meet the needs of the youth in the communities they serve. Homeless and malnourished youth are simply not able to focus effectively on their studies while they struggle to meet their basic needs. Our services provide food and shelter so youth are able to focus on the education provided.”

Mali is a landlocked country in West Africa and one of the five least developed countries in the world. More than 90 percent of Mali’s population lives in the more fertile southern region of the country. Nearly 75 percent of the population depends on agriculture, but the lack of rain often limits their crops. The country also has a drought every 10 to 15 years.

According to the World Bank, poverty in Mali is pervasive. Food sufficiency is dependent on the harshness and unpredictability of the climate, which is compounded by seasonal variations in the weather, which tend to be particularly acute during the pre-harvest period. While Mali experienced an overall drop in national poverty from 55.6 percent in 2001 to 43.6 percent in 2010, regional differences persist and in 2013, the poverty rate rebounded to 45 percent. Mali ranks 179th out of 188 countries on the United Nations Human Development Index for 2015.

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ANS – Mali – Foyer Don Bosco: Guaranteeing Access to Education

World Bank – Mali

The post MALI: New Salesian Complex Provides Educational Programs and Boarding Houses for Students first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Families are suffering greatly and many, mostly women and children, are at risk. Of the more than 330,000 people that have fled their homes in Mali, a fifth of them are children. A July 2012 press release by UNICEF noted that while the vast majority of malnourished children live in the southern parts of Mali the recent conditions in the north have reduced access to food, water and basic health care. Due to the prolonged drought, about 560,000 young children in Mali are at risk of acute malnutrition this year and between 175,000 and 220,000 of those will require life-saving treatment.

In addition to facing severe malnutrition, this same UNICEF release noted that violence against children in Bamako, Mali is rising. There is evidence that children are being killed and injured by explosive devices as well as recruited into armed groups and trained as guerrilla fighters. UNICEF noted that at least 175 boys ages 12-18 have so far been recruited into these armed groups. UNICEF also noted that eight girls have been raped or sexually abused in the region.

Access to education has also been affected, the press release said. The vast majority of schools have been closed in the region and close to 300,000 are without basic education. Children out of school are at a higher risk of recruitment, violence and exploitation.

“These numbers are reason for alarm especially because they represent only a partial picture of the child protection context in the north – an area where access for humanitarian workers is limited,” said Theophane Nikyema, UNICEF’s Representative in Mali, in the release. “Children in the North are witnessing or becoming victims of violence and they must be protected.”

Salesian Missions is among several organizations responding to the crisis in Mali. The Salesians have opened up one of their centers in order to take in refugee families. In addition, Salesian missionaries in Mali are organizing food distribution to remote areas where many victims are on the brink of starvation.

The Salesians have a long history of helping refugee and displaced populations. Salesian-run programs offer assistance in refugee camps throughout the world, often in the form of technical vocational training and job placement services, which empower refugees and internally displaced persons with marketable skills. Such training and assistance is provided in safe and supportive environments, enabling youth and their families to slowly rebuild their lives.

“As the crisis in Mali continues to unfold, youth remain at risk in Mali and in many other unstable regions around the world,” said Fr. Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions – the U.S. fundraising arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “We need your support to help ensure that the Salesians are able and prepared to accept and care for refugees victimized by war and violence and to assist us in caring for children and families in need.”

Donations are urgently needed to help feed and shelter displaced youth and their families. To make a donation please visit SalesianMissions.org.

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Photo: Reuters/Adama Diarra

Sources:

UNICEF: Violence against children is mounting in Mali

Salesian Missions: Crisis in Mali: Salesian Center Takes in Refugees

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