DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

(MissionNewswire) The Boys and Girls with Don Bosco Network closed the 40th year of work in the Dominican Republic in 2025, while also celebrating 90 years of Salesian work in the country. Today, the network has 12 local centers in the National District, Santo Domingo East, Barahona, La Vega, Jarabacoa and Mao, supporting more than 2,400 youth each day. Its programs include family support, education, technical training, youth leadership, health programs, environmental initiatives, sports and art.

Salesians held a Catholic Mass and Christmas concert in celebration. The Mass was presided over by Father José Pastor Ramírez, provincial of the Salesians in the Antilles, in collaboration with 15  Salesian priests from local Salesian centers.

In his homily, Fr. Ramírez explained that a country may have mountains, rivers and roads, but without bridges its people remain isolated. The bridge, he said, is not the destination or the goal, but it makes it possible for life to move forward.

In this way, he affirmed that the Salesian presence in the Dominican Republic has been a bridge of light that has allowed thousands of youth to pass to the other side toward opportunities, dignity and hope. Fr. Ramírez expressed his deep gratitude to the collaborators, volunteers, donors and institutional partners who have supported this mission over four decades.

On behalf of the Salesian Congregation, he urged the whole of society to renew its commitment to Dominican children and youth, recalling that there are still many gaps to close and that the country needs to continue strengthening spaces of care, education and support.

The Boys and Girls with Don Bosco Network began in 1985 as Canillitas con Don Bosco (Newspaper boys with Don Bosco) and has evolved, responding to the changing risks faced by youth. The formalization of the network in 1998, the territorial expansion, the addition of reception centers and the creation of the Don Bosco Foundation in 2013, have consolidated a comprehensive platform of care and social support.

Nearly half of youth under the age of 18 live in poverty in the Dominican Republic, according to UNICEF. Although the country’s economy has been steadily improving, the country’s poor people still struggle to get enough food to eat and to access safe drinking water and adequate housing. Only 30% of youth finish primary school and only 18% finish secondary school on time. Schools are in poor shape with nearly half having no access to safe drinking water and more than 60% lacking adequate bathroom facilities.

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ANS – Dominican Republic – Joint celebration of 90 years of Salesian presence and 40 years of Muchachos con Don Bosco

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UNICEF – Dominican Republic

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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

(MissionNewswire) The Stay with Us Shelter, located in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, gives youth who have been living on the street a home, family, school and a safe space to grow up. In December, the shelter celebrated 25 years of dedicated service to those most in need, and it continues to welcome youth in situations of vulnerability and abuse.

As the shelter grew so did its services. The shelter now includes a day program for youth who need support on a daily basis. The shelter also offers school support, educational workshops, recreational spaces, and psychological support for both youth and their families.

Several events marked the anniversary. A celebration was held on Dec. 5 for those currently living in the home, followed by a Dec. 7 meeting with former residents of the home that included a Catholic Mass and continued with moments of sharing among current and former residents. On Dec. 8, the whole community celebrated the work of the shelter and the impact it has had on youth and families in the region.

At the conclusion of the celebrations, the Salesians at the center said, “We carry on and will continue our mission forming good Christians and upright citizens, as St. John Bosco taught us.”

Nearly half of youth under the age of 18 live in poverty in the Dominican Republic, according to UNICEF. Although the country’s economy has been steadily improving, the country’s poor people still struggle to get enough food to eat and to access safe drinking water and adequate housing. Only 30% of youth finish primary school and only 18% finish secondary school on time. Schools are in poor shape with nearly half having no access to safe drinking water and more than 60% lacking adequate bathroom facilities.

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ANS – Dominican Republic – The ‘Quédate con Nosotros’ (Stay with us) hostel celebrates 25 years of service and hope

Salesian Missions

UNICEF – Dominican Republic

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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

(MissionNewswire) Casa Pinardi, a shelter for youth who are homeless and abandoned, reopened its doors in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, after work to renovate and enlarge the structure. Salesians added 18 new units to be able to take in more youth in need. Casa Pinardi has been a safe haven for children and adolescents in highly vulnerable situations since 1996, and prioritizes the social reintegration of youth through education, vocational training, and preparation for independent living.

Several dignitaries were involved in the opening of the new facility. One of them in attendance was Raquel Arbaje, first lady of the Dominican Republic and honorary president of the Cabinet for Childhood and Adolescence. She noted the importance of Casa Pinardi and how the center has been critical in the transformation of youth at risk.

Dr. Ligia Pérez Peña, executive chair of the National Council for Childhood and Adolescence, emphasized the fundamental role of the organization in strengthening the Dominican protection system and the rehabilitation of vulnerable children.

Father José Pastor Ramírez, provincial of the ANT province, noted that the Salesians maintained a commitment to being bridge builders for dignity and education. He explained, “Today we are celebrating the result of dedication to service, by the Salesians of Don Bosco and the National Council for Childhood and Adolescence, who have come together to renovate Casa Pinardi for the benefit of children in need.”

Nearly half of youth under the age of 18 live in poverty in the Dominican Republic, according to UNICEF. Although the country’s economy has been steadily improving, the country’s poor people still struggle to get enough food to eat and to access safe drinking water and adequate housing. Only 30% of youth finish primary school and only 18% finish secondary school on time. Schools are in poor shape with nearly half having no access to safe drinking water and more than 60% lacking adequate bathroom facilities.

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ANS – Dominican Republic – ‘Casa Pinardi’: a renovated shelter for vulnerable children and adolescents in Santo Domingo

Salesian Missions

UNICEF – Dominican Republic

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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

(MissionNewswire) Families of students attending the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in the Dominican Republic received meals to support their nutritional needs. The meals, impacting 550 people, were provided through a partnership between Rise Against Hunger, an international humanitarian organization growing a global movement to end hunger, and Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. Daughters of Mary Help of Christians distributed the meals to families during the second half of 2024.

Pierre Michel, a 24-year-old construction worker, was one of the recipients. His family, like many in the area, has faced significant economic challenges. Michel supports his wife and three young children, all of whom attend the Salesian school. Before receiving the meals, the family often struggled with having enough food, leading to added stress and concern about their well-being.

Michel is driven by his desire to offer a better life for his family. He immigrated from Haiti to the Dominican Republic in search of better opportunities and works long hours to meet his family’s basic needs. Despite the challenges, he remains determined to give his children a brighter future. Since his family started receiving the meals, their situation has greatly improved. Michel explained, “Now my children go to school more focused and full of energy because they have something nutritious to eat every day.”

The Rise Against Hunger meals have eased some of the financial strain on the family, allowing Michel to focus more on his work and less on day-to-day survival. The children are healthier and more engaged in school, and the family worries less about their next meal. Michel envisions a future where all children in his community have access to nutritious food, quality education, and a safe environment to grow and thrive.

Victor Flores, a community leader and volunteer in Jarabacoa who handed out the Rise Against Hunger meals, noted, “We have noticed a significant improvement in the health and morale of the children. They are more energized, participate more in school activities and show better academic performance. The community at large has witnessed a positive change, with healthier children and a more optimistic environment for the future.”

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Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Rise Against Hunger

Salesian Missions

UNICEF – Dominican Republic

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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

(MissionNewswire) The Network of Boys and Girls with Don Bosco provides educational and pastoral services for youth in situations of vulnerability and exclusion in the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Cuba*. Founded in 1985 in the Salesian Province of the Antilles, the institution is marking its 40th anniversary serving youth and their families.

Youth in these centers have been living on the street, are unaccompanied migrant minors, have dropped out of school or have low levels of schooling, live in extreme poverty, and have been victims of violence. Salesians support and educate youth through a series of programs in education, sport, culture, art, technical and vocational training, school monitoring, faith education, the promotion of human rights, employment, and the environment, among other programs that help them have hope for the future.

A Salesian explained, “The institution began with the initiative of Father Juan Linares to support youth who were engaged with the María Auxiliadora youth center. The organization was working with youth who were working instead of being in school. They called themselves Newsboys with Don Bosco and were able to access support and education through the center.”

Currently, the institution has 12 youth centers located in four provinces in the Dominican Republic. Of these, five are residential homes, two of which are for girls. These centers are run by the Salesian Family and the Parish Missionaries of Mary Help of Christians.

The Salesian said, “We developed a staged educational process that seeks the human, social and spiritual development of these youth in a suitable family environment. These stages help to welcome youth into the program, socialize them with other youth, provide support and education, and help them connect with their community. The goal is to help them lead healthy and productive lives.”

Nearly half of youth under the age of 18 live in poverty in the Dominican Republic, according to UNICEF. Although the country’s economy has been steadily improving, the country’s poor people still struggle to get enough food to eat and to access safe drinking water and adequate housing. Only 30% of youth finish primary school and only 18% finish secondary school on time. Schools are in poor shape with nearly half having no access to safe drinking water and more than 60% lacking adequate bathroom facilities.

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ANS – RMG – Social works that bring Don Bosco to life today: the Don Bosco Network, 40 years transforming lives and building a better future

Salesian Missions

UNICEF – Dominican Republic

*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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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

(MissionNewswire) Boys and Girls with Don Bosco, a Salesian organization committed to educating and supporting children in the Dominican Republic, celebrated its 40th anniversary in December 2024. The organization also received the Dr. Julio A. Brache Arzeno Award for Sustainability 2024, awarded in the education category by the Rica Foundation.

A Salesian noted, “Since the organization started in 1985, Salesians have worked tirelessly to offer opportunities to the most vulnerable children in Santo Domingo. Through a comprehensive model based on four pillars, search, reception, socialization and accompaniment, Boys and Girls with Don Bosco has become a beacon of hope and development for thousands of children.”

Father Ysidro José Ramírez, Salesian youth ministry delegate for the Antilles and director of the Boys and Girls with Don Bosco Network, explained, “Our mission is not to replace school, but to recover the joy of childhood. Seeing children, who no longer have to take on adult responsibilities and can instead enjoy their childhood, is our greatest reward.”

Over 40 years, the organization has provided a safe space where youth access education, medical care, food and an environment that promotes their development. The anniversary celebrates what has been achieved, and also focuses on education as a driving force for change.

Nearly half of youth under the age of 18 live in poverty in the Dominican Republic, according to UNICEF. Although the country’s economy has been steadily improving, the country’s poor people still struggle to get enough food to eat and to access safe drinking water and adequate housing. Only 30% of youth finish primary school and only 18% finish secondary school on time. Schools are in poor shape with nearly half having no access to safe drinking water and more than 60% lacking adequate bathroom facilities.

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ANS – Dominican Republic – “Boys and Girls with Don Bosco”: Celebrating 40 Years of transformation and hope

Salesian Missions

UNICEF – Dominican Republic

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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

(MissionNewswire) More than 9,700 Haitian refugees and their families, who fled their home country due to the ongoing political crises and settled in the community of Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic, have received meals to support their nutritional needs. The meals were provided through a partnership between Rise Against Hunger, an international humanitarian organization growing a global movement to end hunger, and Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. Daughters of Mary Help of Christians distributed the meals to families in need during the first half of 2024.

Most of the recipients work in construction or engage in maintenance work at a Salesian school. Many workers are undocumented and live in isolated places with their families in small, rented houses. They are not always paid fairly and have few labor benefits due to their migration status.

A Salesian explained, “The socio-political situation in Haiti continues to be a major difficulty, as workers are often exposed to unfair treatment, the risk of deportation and living in precarious conditions because they have entered the country illegally. The distribution of food helps to reduce some of these dangers. Some of them are very shy, and they show fear when you first interact with them and can resist help. However, the help they received has made them feel welcomed and has allowed them to integrate better into the life of the community and open up.”

Widenson Etinne, age 20, is one of the people who received the meals. He lives in a community with small homes built with recycled materials that are fragile, weak and unsafe. He fled Haiti for the safety of his family but faces other challenges in the Dominican Republic.

Etinne explained, “It is not easy for us to live in the Dominican Republic. We have had to leave our country running for fear of starving to death at the hands of the war that is going on. Here we have dealt with hunger and all kinds of necessities, and our families have suffered as well. When we finally managed to find a job doing construction work and working on the school, many things have improved, not only because we feel a little more secure and safe but also because we receive these meals that are so important to our nutrition.”

He added, “These meals taste very good and give us a lot of strength. We eat it with a lot of pleasure, knowing it is very good for our health because of the nutrients. We know how to prepare meals in many ways, using different recipes and adding different spices. My wife and son are also enjoying the meals. It gives us the strength to continue to work and live a better life.”

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Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Rise Against Hunger

Salesian Missions

UNICEF – Dominican Republic

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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries from the St. John Bosco Province of the Antilles, through the Salesian Don Bosco Foundation’s youth ministry school sector and environment unit, have launched a renewable energy project in the Dominican Republic to equip seven polytechnic institutes with solar panels.

The project “Vocational qualification of vulnerable young people in the field of renewable energy and environmental awareness” will run through the end of 2025 and will be carried out in the provinces of Barahona, Santiago, La Vega and Santo Domingo.

The 580 solar panel modules will produce 295.8 kilowatts a year, which is equivalent to avoiding the emission of 274,906 kg of CO2 (a service equal to 46,218 trees that would be needed to convert CO2 into oxygen). In addition, the project will be completed with a series of other environmental awareness-raising activities.

The overall goal of the project is to help with the production of clean energy for the development of technical and vocational education, to protect the environment, and to give access to the labor market for youth trained in this sector.

A Salesian explained, “The technical baccalaureate in renewable energies started this year at the Don Bosco Polytechnic Institute in Santiago and the Cristo Rey Polytechnic Institute in Barahona. Before that only one technical school in the entire country offered this type of training and there is a high demand for qualified technicians in this technology from businesses. Similarly, in the seven schools where the project was launched, training in the installation and maintenance of solar panels will be offered, in coordination with the Dominican Republic’s National Institute for Technical and Professional Training.”

The project is being co-financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Don Bosco Mundo in Germany, and St. John Bosco Province of the Antilles in coordination with the Directorate of Vocational Technical Education of the Ministry of Education.

Nearly half of youth under the age of 18 live in poverty in the Dominican Republic, according to UNICEF. Although the country’s economy has been steadily improving, the country’s poor people still struggle to get enough food to eat and to access safe drinking water and adequate housing. Only 30% of youth finish primary school and only 18% finish secondary school on time. Schools are in poor shape with nearly half having no access to safe drinking water and more than 60% lacking adequate bathroom facilities.

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ANS – Dominican Republic – Salesians carry out renewable energy projects to help youth employment and to protect the environment

Salesian Missions

UNICEF – Dominican Republic

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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

(MissionNewswire) The new documentary “Canillitas” is giving a voice to the more than 340,000 children working in the Dominican Republic, according to an article in Vatican News. The documentary is focused on the plight of six children, the Salesian organization Canillitas con Don Bosco, the founder of the program and the educators who support the children.

Alberto López Herrero, producer, explained the meaning of the word canillitas, which is a name for children who try to earn a living for themselves and their families by moving “las canillas”, or their legs, in many Latin American countries. He told Vatican News, “We make a documentary every two years set in a different country of the world to inform, denounce and raise awareness about a particular violated right of childhood. This word also gave its name to the first Salesian project launched in the Dominican Republic, which will soon be 38 years old.”

López explained to Vatican News that when most people think of child labor they think of factories in India or mines in Colombia but it’s an issue closer than most believe. He noted, “Even in our wrongly defined developed world, there are situations of child labor. Many children, including migrants, are subjected to this type of exploitation, sometimes finding themselves in a condition of slavery.”

Moisés is one of the children featured in the documentary. He recounted that from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m on Saturdays and Sundays, he would walk around the streets of his neighborhood, La Ciénaga, carrying a wooden crate on his shoulders with the products he needed to be a shoe-shiner.

He told Vatican News, “I really enjoyed making the documentary because it tells who I am, what I have lived, how I live, where I live and how I clean shoes.” Moisés does the work to help his grandmother and his mother buy things for the house. He has big dreams for when he gets older thinking about becoming an artist or a lawyer, changing from his initial desire to become a doctor.

Father Juan Linares, Salesian missionary in Santo Domingo, started the program in 1985 when there were 500,000 children working, according to Vatican News. Even though the number has decreased, there is still much work to be done. The goal is to make the children’s plight as public as possible to gain support for the children and the services that protect them.

Fr. Linares is coordinating the work with children living and working on the streets. “Every morning these children went out into the streets to sell their produce and we devised an accompaniment plan for them, especially with a view to their full development for the future. First, we got to know their reality, where they lived and what they did. We also studied the level of schooling as a primary element in order to set up an integral project based on research, reception, socialization and accompaniment. This was our experience, which was then replicated in other centers.”

The work is not always easy. Karen Montàs, director of Canillitas con Don Bosco, indicated that getting family acceptance is a challenge. Participating in the program means fewer hours working, impacting the family’s overall income.

“That is why, we first had to make them understand that children should not be on the street working but studying and that it is the adults who should take responsibility for supporting the family,” said Montàs in the article. “They feel the need to help their families by going to work so we have to occupy their free time after school with art courses and sports activities. Finally, it is not easy to find the resources to make the project sustainable.”

The program also helps adults gain news skills so they can find better, higher-paying employment so children do not have to work. Montàs explained, “It is necessary to educate people and children so that they do not remain in situations of poverty. It is also necessary to work with society so that employers do not hire children because it is cheaper. Finally, we need to pass targeted laws because child labor can be eradicated with public policies that guarantee basic rights to children.”

Nearly half of youth under the age of 18 live in poverty in the Dominican Republic, according to UNICEF. Although the country’s economy has been steadily improving, the country’s poor people still struggle to get enough food to eat and to access safe drinking water and adequate housing. Only 30% of youth finish primary school and only 18% finish secondary school on time. Schools are in poor shape with nearly half having no access to safe drinking water and more than 60% lacking adequate bathroom facilities.

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Photo courtesy of Misiones Salesianas

Salesian Missions

UNICEF – Dominican Republic

Vatican News – “Canillitas”: The Salesian documentary that gives voice to exploited children

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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

(MissionNewswire) The first group of 35 students has graduated from the Salesian PLUS School of Communication in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The certificate they received means the students have successfully completed the seven steps that accredit them as Salesian communicators.

The PLUS school has been in operation for the last two years, and students have explored topics in communication, theology, writing, speech making, photography, and social networks. The program is focused on the development of knowledge and technical skills required by the people involved in the coordination of communication in Salesian programs and in the corporate sector.

Carlos Cuevas, of the Salesians of the Antilles Province Commission for Communication, organized the program. At the graduation, Father José Pastor Ramírez, provincial, encouraged graduates to continue to grow and develop as professionals in the world of communication and beyond. He stressed they are the ones who will lead the work in the future and show the world the true essence of the Salesians.

“Communication skills are vital in every facet of employment,” said Father Timothy Ploch, interim director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “The students in this program acquire numerous skills to advance the Salesian mission and find work in the corporate sector.”

Nearly half of youth under the age of 18 live in poverty in the Dominican Republic, according to UNICEF. Although the country’s economy has been steadily improving, the country’s poor people still struggle to get enough food to eat and to access safe drinking water and adequate housing. Only 30% of youth finish primary school and only 18% finish secondary school on time. Schools are in poor shape with nearly half having no access to safe drinking water and more than 60% lacking adequate bathroom facilities.

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ANS – Dominican Republic – Graduation of the first 35 students at the Salesian PLUS School of Communication

Salesian Missions

UNICEF – Dominican Republic

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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

(MissionNewswire) Haitian immigrants and those living in poverty in the Dominican Republic received healthy nutrition thanks to a partnership between Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, and Rise Against Hunger, an international humanitarian organization growing a global movement to end hunger.

The shipment of rice-meals was sent to the Don Bosco Salesian Foundation and then distributed to nine centers during the second half of 2022. The recipients, who work most directly with Haitian immigrants, included Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Montalvo Center, Santo Domingo Savio School Home, Our Lady of Altagracia Parish, Scalabrinian Association, Association of People with Physical-Motor Disabilities, Villa Juana Parish, Corazon de Jesus (Family Ministry) and the Cruz Jiminian Foundation.

Due to the current political crisis, there are many Haitian immigrants in the Dominican Republic. The donation of fortified rice has helped many families who are waiting for the necessary documentation to formalize their stay in the country.

In addition, many immigrants remain inside detention centers before they are deported back to Haiti. However, there is not enough space in the centers for all the people who are there. Receiving one meal a day is important for their health and provides great peace of mind for the authorities and organizations working with them.

The Don Bosco Salesian Foundation provided support for youth and families in vulnerable situations. The foundation has 16 centers across the National District, Santo Domingo East, Barahona, La Vega, Jarabacoa, Moca, Santiago and Mao.

Marimenia Antonia, who lives in the community of Las Rosas, is one of the recipients. She said, “This rice has helped us, not only for my family, but to be able to provide for the Haitian immigrants who are detained in the detention centers of the border between the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Some spend up to two days detained and the Dominican authorities do not give them food, but through the Montalvo Center, we bring them food so they can have at least one meal daily.”

Nearly half of youth under the age of 18 live in poverty in the Dominican Republic, according to UNICEF. Although the country’s economy has been steadily improving, the country’s poor people still struggle to get enough food to eat and to access safe drinking water and adequate housing. Only 30 percent of youth finish primary school and only 18 percent finish secondary school on time. Schools are in poor shape with nearly half having no access to safe drinking water and more than 60 percent lacking adequate bathroom facilities.

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Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Rise Against Hunger

Salesian Missions

UNICEF – Dominican Republic

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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries in the Dominican Republic have launched the Salesian Environmental Training Center, known as EcoBosco, which is a space built to promote the environmental care and defense of natural resources. EcoBosco is located in Arroyones de Básima in the province of Villa Altagracia and is 45 minutes from the city of Santo Domingo.

EcoBosco was built with the support of the Swiss Salesian organization Jugendhilfe Weltweit through the Salesian Don Bosco Foundation. It also received funding from the Office for the Promotion of Nonprofit Associations granted by the Department of Community Participation of the Ministry of Education.

The goal is to train future leaders in the management and care of natural resources, as well as promote and develop sustainable actions for care, reforestation, and agriculture in the area. The center’s training programs will encourage youth to be more environmentally focused. EcoBosco has a multi-purpose hall with a capacity for 250 people, camping areas, two houses, a kitchen and dining hall, paths for access to a forest, a lagoon, a parking lot and other common areas.

This project was developed as a response to Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ to raise awareness and increase action on the values ​​of integral ecology. This is one among many ecological projects Salesian missionaries have launched around the globe.

“Salesians are focusing on creating training programs and other initiatives to focus on environmental sustainability,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Salesians are working to create an environment that is safe and caring for all life on the planet while building up a new generation of environmentally committed citizens and leaders.”

The center’s inauguration was attended by authorities from the province, environmentalists, Salesians, and youth from the Salesian ecological movement, who were able to learn first-hand about all the projects that will be developed there.

Nearly half of youth under the age of 18 live in poverty in the Dominican Republic, according to UNICEF. Although the country’s economy has been steadily improving, the country’s poor still struggle to get enough food to eat and to access safe drinking water and adequate housing. Only 30 percent of youth finish primary school and only 18 percent finish secondary school on time. Schools are in poor shape with nearly half having no access to safe drinking water and more than 60 percent lacking adequate bathroom facilities.

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ANS – Dominican Republic – Salesians inaugurate environmental training center “ECOBOSCO”

Salesian Missions

UNICEF – Democratic Republic of the Congo

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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

(MissionNewswire) The Salesian School Sector, which provides education in the Dominican Republic, has launched the “Syllabus of the Salesian Ecological Movement: Integral Ecology, Reflection and Action for the Care of the Common Home.” The document proposes two years of education aimed at ecological awareness and helping students adopt more sustainable ways. It was written for ecological clubs at 15 Salesian secondary schools in the Dominican Republic and will impact 6,892 students.

The syllabus is in response to Pope Francis’ 2020 Laudato Si, which has as its theme “Good Christians and Upright Citizens.” Pope Francis underlined the importance of education and training that will help youth shape a lifestyle and foster environmental responsibility. Further, Rector Major Father Ángel Fernández Artime noted the importance of concrete initiatives in the care of the environment. The first objective is encouraging the environmental commitment of youth.

Father William Batista, head of the Salesian School Sector, presented the expected impact of this syllabus for youth who receive this training. He said, “As Salesians, we can only courageously take on the challenge of formation from this perspective, which is renewing and full of hope, aware that the new generations are very concerned for the care of the planet which they will inherit from us. This is why we accompany our boys and girls in generating valuable initiatives and together we change our habits to help heal the world.”

This is one among many ecological projects Salesian missionaries have launched around the globe. Leading many of these initiatives is the Don Bosco Green Alliance, an international collective of youth from Salesian institutions and organizations that contribute to global environmental action, thought and policy. Membership is open to all Salesian institutions and organizations worldwide.

“The Don Bosco Green Alliance is helping Salesian organizations in more than 130 countries have a focus on the environment,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Don Bosco Green Alliance members work to create an environment that is safe and caring for all life on the planet while building up a new generation of environmentally committed citizens and leaders.”

The Don Bosco Green Alliance’s priorities are combating pollution, reducing global warming and eliminating disposable plastics. In each of these areas, it aims to partner with ongoing global campaigns promoted by UN Environment or other international organizations.

Members have also undertaken such initiatives as environmental education to increase green areas and planting trees, the reduction of the use of non-degradable materials, promotion of organic agriculture and home gardens, preservation and conservation of water, and increasing the use of renewable energy sources.

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ANS – Dominican Republic – Salesians launch a Syllabus for Ecological Formation for Salesian schools, which will benefit over 6,000 pupils

Don Bosco Green Alliance

Salesian Missions

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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

(MissionNewswire) The Boys and Girls Don Bosco Network, located in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, recently launched the “Protect Childhood” campaign. The organization has spent the last 35 years working to protect vulnerable children. Statistics in the country show that 62 percent of children between 1-14 years old suffer some form of abuse and maltreatment. Over its history, the Boys and Girls Don Bosco Network has supported more than 60,000 youth, impacting more than 25,000 families directly and benefiting more than 150,000 people indirectly.

The Boys and Girls Don Bosco Network ensures the promotion of children’s rights, and with this new campaign, it aims to raise awareness, educate, and inform the population how to prevent abuse and mistreatment. As part of the campaign, workshops, forums and other activities were held to spread the message that everyone is responsible and must play a part in keeping children safe.

Representatives from UNICEF participated in first forum entitled “The current reality of childhood in the Antillean country: challenges and tasks to guarantee the rights of children and adolescents.” Another forum was held with the support of the National Council for Adolescence and Childhood of the Dominican Republic on the theme “Public policies in favor of children: tasks and challenges for their implementation. A third forum entitled “Good practices” was a collaborative effort of various institutions that are part of the Coalition for Children.

Workshops, led by industry experts, addressed issues such as “Child labor as a form of child abuse,” “Good treatment” and “Prevention of child abuse in care centers for vulnerable children, adolescents and young people.”

“Salesian missionaries in the Dominican Republic provide more than traditional education and aim to provide for the whole person so youth can develop in a productive and healthy environment,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “This campaign, among other initiatives, ensures youth have their basic needs met and have an opportunity to learn skills that enhance their life, bring them joy, and encourage their passion for learning.”

Nearly half of youth under the age of 18 live in poverty in the Dominican Republic, according to UNICEF. Although the country’s economy has been steadily improving, the country’s poor still struggle to get enough food to eat and to access safe drinking water and adequate housing. Only 30 percent of youth finish primary school and only 18 percent finish secondary school on time. Schools are in poor shape with nearly half having no access to safe drinking water and more than 60 percent lacking adequate bathroom facilities.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Dominican Republic – Salesians carry out campaign in favor of children

Boys and Girls Don Bosco Network

UNICEF – Dominican Republic

The post DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Campaign to prevent child abuse launches first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Including seven stages developed over the course of two years, the PROFAJ program trains youth and helps them develop leadership skills so they are able to work and collaborate with other youth. The training and course stages are focused on life, faith and action and enable participants to engage in the various processes of faith education.

The program is aimed at youth engaged in programs at Don Bosco and Daughters of Mary Help of Christian centers and those attending Catholic parishes in the various dioceses within the country. Over the past 10 years, PROFAJ has trained more than 1,000 youth, helping them to discover, promote and enhance their leadership skills.

“Many of these young people are now playing an important role in social life and have gained experience with youth animation. The PROFAJ program has undoubtedly helped them to acquire a series of experiences and skills that have been very important for their professional development too. These skills have been used to enhance their strengths and abilities by integrating them with proactive leadership,” explained Father Enrique Castillo, delegate for Youth Ministry in the Province of the Antilles.

Nearly half of youth under the age of 18 live in poverty in the Dominican Republic, according to UNICEF. Although the country’s economy has been steadily improving since 1996, the country’s poor still struggle to get enough food to eat and to access safe drinking water and adequate housing. Only 30 percent of youth finish primary school and only 18 percent finish secondary school on time. Schools are in poor shape with nearly half having no access to safe drinking water and more than 60 percent lacking adequate bathroom facilities.

“The work of Salesian missionaries in the Dominican Republic and in programs around the globe goes beyond traditional education,” says Father Mark Hyde, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “We aim to serve the whole person by making sure basic needs are met and youth have an opportunity to learn skills that enhance their life, bring them joy and encourage their passion for learning.”

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Sources:

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

ANS – Dominican Republic – PROFAJ: each year Salesians form +100 youths for leadership

UNICEF – Dominican Republic

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Operated by missionaries who are part of the Salesian Mary Help of Christians parish, the center includes a shelter for girls at risk and a day school for boys and girls. It is one of 11 centers facilitated by the Muchachos y Muchachas con Don Bosco network.

Julia Ann, a Korean volunteer who facilitated the project, has been overseeing the renovation of the workshops and the creation of artistic and craft projects at the Doña Chucha school. She began by transforming a computer room into a space where art can also be taught. Then she worked on the renovation of a classroom where girls learn handiworks.

Currently she is working on promoting an “Educational and practical manual of art and artistic education from recycled materials” which will be distributed to other Salesian centers. Julia Ann’s projects have benefited 85 girls who are living at the center and another 29 boys and girls who attend the school.

The center inaugurated the new classrooms at the end of November. After the unveiling of the commemorative plaques and the opening of the classrooms, the girls at the center expressed their joy and gratitude through a song and a moving speech.

“The work of Salesian missionaries in the Dominican Republic and in programs around the globe goes beyond education in reading and writing,” says Father Mark Hyde, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “We aim to serve the whole person by making sure that basic needs are met and that youth have an opportunity to learn skills that enhance their life, bring them joy and encourage their passion for learning.”

Nearly half of youth under the age of 18 live in poverty in the Dominican Republic, according to UNICEF. Even though the country’s economy has been steadily improving since 1996, the country’s poor still struggle to get enough food to eat and to access safe drinking water and adequate housing. Only 30 percent of youth finish primary school and only 18 percent finish secondary school on time. Schools are in poor shape with nearly half having no access to safe drinking water and more than 60 percent lacking adequate bathroom facilities.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Dominican Republic – Inauguration of project “Dreams and hopes for children”

UNICEF – Dominican Republic

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The donation consisted of assorted medicine like NSAIDs, antibiotics, GI medication, and high blood pressure medication. Another shipment included additional medication and diagnostic and surgical supplies. It also included hygiene products, baby wash, toothbrushes, and crutches. The Dominican Republic was one of six countries to receive medical aid from Rise Against Hunger last year. Through its long-term partnership with Salesian Missions, Rise Against Hunger was able to provide these health clinics with medications, lab equipment, orthodontist and dentist equipment, and other supplies including those for nursing mothers.

Mothers of young children use the Salesian health clinics for routine exams as well as illness. Cheroly takes her daughter Andreli, age 4 months, for her regular vaccines and consultations with the pediatrician at San Pedro Apostal Dispensary. The nursing staff also showed her how to breastfeed, and she receives free medicine. The health clinics also care for adults in the community. Magaly, age 73, has visited the San Pedro Apostal Dispensary over the last three to four months for treatment for high blood pressure. Before, she could not afford the medicine she needed, but at the Salesian medical clinic she receives medicine and high-quality care free of charge.

“The work of Salesian missionaries in the Dominican Republic and in programs around the globe goes beyond education,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “We aim to serve the whole person by making sure that basic needs like health care are met in addition to other social service needs. The work of these Salesian health clinics ensures that our students, their families and people in their community have the health care they need. We appreciate the ongoing support from Rise Against Hunger to help ensure these clinics have the supplies they need to be fully operational.”

Nearly half of youth under the age of 18 live in poverty in the Dominican Republic, according to UNICEF. Even though the country’s economy has been steadily improving since 1996, the country’s poor still struggle to get enough food to eat and to access safe drinking water and adequate housing. Only 30 percent of youth finish primary school and only 18 percent finish secondary school on time. Schools are in poor shape with nearly half having no access to safe drinking water and more than 60 percent lacking adequate bathroom facilities.

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Sources:

Rise Against Hunger – Donations of Medical Aid Change Lives in the Dominican Republic

UNICEF – Dominican Republic

The post DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Rise Against Hunger provides medical aid to Salesian-run health clinics first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Salesian missionaries in the country offer a variety of educational and social development programs for youth, many with an emphasis on recreation and sports activities. The goal is to provide the opportunities necessary to gain an education and break the cycle of poverty as well as deter young people from life on the streets and the lure of gangs.

“Sports programs teach valuable skills to youth both on and off the field,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Learning and playing team sports encourages leadership and teamwork. Students also learn important social skills and are given opportunities to grow and mature.”

Through a partnership with the Salesians of Madrid and the Real Madrid Foundation in collaboration with the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) and the Salesian Province of the Antilles, Salesian students in Santo Domingo have access to a socio-sporting school. Dominic Savio School House in Santo Domingo uses soccer as a tool for social integration, improving the quality of life for boys and girls who are at risk of social exclusion. Alongside the sports, the school provides various support services to children and their families such as tutoring, classroom space for homework, vocational training, healthcare, nutrition education and cultural and recreational activities.

The collaboration between Salesian missionaries and the Real Madrid Foundation has been very successful granting more than 2,000 youth and vulnerable children the opportunity to participate in similar programs around the globe. This partnership has led to the development of 14 socio-sports programs in nine countries including Togo, Benin, Congo*, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Portugal, Senegal and Brazil.

Nearly half of youth under the age of 18 live in poverty in the Dominican Republic, according to UNICEF. Even though the country’s economy has been steadily improving since 1996, the country’s poor still struggle to get enough food to eat and access safe drinking water and adequate housing. Only 30 percent of youth finish primary school and only 18 percent finish secondary school on time. Schools are in poor shape with nearly half having no access to safe drinking water and more than 60 percent lacking adequate bathroom facilities.

Many students do not have the supplies necessary to complete their studies and teachers lack access to ongoing teacher education. As result, many youth lack the education and training to compete in the job market. To meet this need, Salesian programs in the Dominican Republic focus on education and vocational training to help youth learn the skills and trades necessary to find stable employment.

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Dominican Republic – 3,000 athletes at Salesian Sports Festival

UNICEF – Dominican Republic

*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 DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: More than 3,000 Athletes Participated in the 2015 Don Bosco Sports Festival first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Boys and Girls with Don Bosco began in 1985 as a pilot program to help young people selling newspapers on the streets of Santo Domingo access education and social development services. In more than 30 years of operation, the small pilot program has turned into a vast network of services operating out of several Salesian centers easily accessible by poor youth and their families. Programs begin by working directly with youth and continue by reaching out to family members through services that help them become a support to the young people in their lives.

Many youth turned to working on the streets to earn money to help them escape violence, broken families, substance abuse and neglect at home. Others were sent by their parents to earn a meager wage to help support the family. The wrap-around and supportive family services offered by the program are essential to help youth remain engaged in their studies and eventually finish elementary and secondary education.

“The program has been so successful due to its youth-centered approach which offers young people a choice in the services they access,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Since its inception, more than 30,000 families at risk from conditions of poverty, family breakdown and exploitation have accessed services.”

The program is supported by 300 volunteers who assist more than 3,000 poor youth between the ages of 6 and 17. Working to aid youth with what they need most, the program includes assistance finishing school or attending workshops to improve employment skills. Summer activities are also available.

Through the program’s history more than 20,000 youth have gone back to school, 25,000 have participated in summer activities and more than 20,000 have been trained in educational and employment focused workshops. Boys and Girls with Don Bosco continues to expand as the needs of youth change. Father Ángel Sánchez, Director of Boys and Girls with Don Bosco, is currently looking for an increase in the program’s annual budget in order to offer technology courses and hire and train more teachers.

Nearly half of youth under the age of 18 live in poverty in the Dominican Republic, according to UNICEF. Even though the country’s economy has been steadily improving since 1996, the country’s poor still struggle to get enough food to eat and access safe drinking water and adequate housing. Only 30 percent of youth finish primary school and only 18 percent finish secondary school on time. Schools are in poor shape with nearly half having no access to safe drinking water and more than 60 percent lacking adequate bathroom facilities.

Many students do not have the supplies necessary to complete their studies and teachers lack access to ongoing teacher education. As result, many youth lack the education and training which would help them compete in the job market. To meet this need, Salesian programs in the Dominican Republic focus on education and vocational training to help youth learn the skills and trades necessary to find stable employment and break the cycle of poverty.

Sources

UNICEF – Dominican Republic

The post DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: More than 65,000 Youth Gained a Second Chance at Education Thanks to Salesian Program first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Many students do not have the supplies necessary to complete their studies and teachers lack access to ongoing teacher education. As result, many youth lack education and training which would help them compete in the job market. To meet this need, Salesian programs in the Dominican Republic focus on education and vocational training to help youth learn the skills and trades necessary to find stable employment and break the cycle of poverty.

Boys and Girls with Don Bosco, nicknamed “Red Don Bosco”, is a network of educational and social programs operating out of 12 Salesian centers, eight of them located in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic’s capital city. Currently, the program is supported by 300 volunteers who assist more than 3,000 poor youth between the ages of 6 and 17. The programs work to aid youth with what they need most, including assistance finishing school or attending workshops to improve their employment skills. Summer activities are also available.

Boys and Girls with Don Bosco began in 1985 as a pilot program to help youth who were working selling newspapers on the streets of Santo Domingo access education and social development services. In more than 30 years of operation, the small pilot program has turned into a vast network of services operating out of several Salesian centers easily accessible by youth and their families. Programs begin by aiding youth and continue with staff reaching out to family members to include them in services while helping them to become a support to the young people in their lives. The program has been so successful due to its youth-centered approach which offers youth a choice in the services they access. Since its inception, more than 30,000 families at risk from conditions of poverty, family breakdown and exploitation have accessed services.

“You’ll find the young people in different parts of the city, at bus stops, in front of shops, opposite the hospital. That’s where they go to polish people’s shoes and sell whatever they can,” says Father Ángel Sánchez, Director of Boys and Girls with Don Bosco. “At first, we just observe them. Certainly there is no sense of emergency or crisis in our work, rather we are in a very promising situation to help when the time is right for youth.”

Through the program’s history more than 20,000 youth have gone back to school, 25,000 participated in summer activities and more than 20,000 have been trained in educational and employment focused workshops. Boys and Girls with Don Bosco continues to expand as the needs of youth change. Fr. Sánchez is currently looking for an increase in the program’s annual budget in order to offer technology courses and hire and train more teachers.

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ANS – Dominican Republic –In 30 years “Red Don Bosco” has changed the lives of 25,000 children at risk

UNICEF – Dominican Republic

The post DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Youth-Centered Services Aid School Attendance and Preparation for the Future first appeared on MissionNewswire.

The development of the association was made possible by the Provincial, Father Víctor Pichardo, the Provincial Delegate, Father Juan Linares, the Rectors of Salesian Houses and the Association’s President, Mr. Luis Ventura Llanos. Thanks to their efforts, nine local chapters attached to various Salesian-run programs have been set up bringing many generations of alumni together.

“It is great to see so many of our former students staying connected to their classmates and the programs where they received their education,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “There are many youth who will feel inspired by their success and will benefit from the valuable lessons the alumni are able to provide.”

According to UNICEF, nearly half of youth ages 13-18 are poor in the Dominican Republic. Many of these youth lack the access to education and training which would help them compete in the job market. Salesian programs focus on education and vocational training for youth to help them learn skills and trades to find employment and break the cycle of poverty.

The alumni in the Past Pupils of Don Bosco Association are working in the areas of education and community building. One chapter is organizing an annual Youth Easter event for all its alumni while another at the Sacred Heart of Jesus College in Santo Domingo is helping to run a youth center. Other chapters are working one-on-one to help poor families.

The local chapters meet regularly, some with as many as 200 alumni in attendance. Leaders have been elected and are in the process of drawing up regulations for each chapter’s functions. At a recent meeting in February, the chapter at the Salesian Technical Institute in Santo Domingo had more than 500 alumni and their families in attendance.

Currently, there are many members of the association taking part in an online school for leadership which began in 2013 and is slated to run for the next three years.

“We encourage all of the youth we have worked with over the years to give back to their local communities,” says Fr. Hyde. “The alumni are showing what a difference someone can make when they apply the skills learned at Salesian-run schools. We are very proud of our former students.”

Sources

ANS – Dominican Republic – Growth of the Past Pupils of Don Bosco in the Antilles

UNICEF – Dominican Republic

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The two new schools—the Don Bosco Educational Plaza in Hainamosa and the Dominic Savio School House in Santo Domingo—use football as a tool for social integration, improving the quality of life for boys and girls who are at risk of social exclusion. Alongside the sports, schools provide various support services to children and their families, such as tutoring, classroom space for homework, vocational training, healthcare, nutrition education and cultural and recreational activities.

“We want young people to be integrated and develop healthy activities. They play, we educate,” said Emilio Butragueño, explaining the importance of the initiative.

The partnership between Salesian Missions and the Real Madrid Foundation is well underway and allows more than 2,000 youth and vulnerable children to participate in similar programs today. There are currently 13 operational socio-sporting schools in nine countries: Togo, Benin, Congo*, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Brazil, Portugal, Senegal and now the Dominican Republic.

“In the Dominican Republic, sports help youth to grow and develop into healthy, caring members of society,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “And they pass on their knowledge for generations to come,” he adds.

ABOUT SALESIAN MISSIONS IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC:

Salesian Missions is paving the path toward a better future for young people, where half of youth ages 13 to 18 suffer in poverty and lack needed skills to compete in the job market. The Salesians are using innovative approaches to prevent children from life on the streets and the lure of gangs. And they are instilling knowledge and values that will carry forward in the generations to come.

After finishing his studies, Edward stayed involved in the program – working with youth in the same situation he had been.  He later graduated from the university with a degree in public relations and now is in charge of the graphic design department at the Salesian Technical Institute, where he also teaches.

“There are only three of my childhood friends that are alive since most of them got into gangs.  This project saved my life from the personal perspective to the professional development.  I don’t know what would have happened to me if it wasn’t for this project,” said Edward.  “I still play basketball with the boys & girls in the project.  This is the best way to discover their personalities and different ways I can help them.”

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*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 DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: New Socio-Sporting Schools Give Hope to Street Children first appeared on MissionNewswire.