MONGOLIA

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Technical Institute and Assistance Center in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, provides education for youth who have not been able to complete a traditional high school education. The center has been in operation since 2001, starting with 30 students. Today more than 300 students are gaining skills in car mechanics, tailoring, secretarial services, welding and construction.

Yanjinpagam is a sewing teacher at the institute. She said, “At age 5, my health worsened and my back began to round and lose mobility. My legs became paralyzed, and I was unable to speak and stand. I spent seven years in bed. Then at the age of 12, thanks to an operation, I partially recovered the use of my legs, and at 12 years of age I finally went to school for the first time at the Don Bosco Secondary and Technical School. After graduation, I was very worried because of my disability. I didn’t know which company would hire me.”

Yanjinpagam found work through the school where she had gained her education. “To my great surprise, the director of the school approached me and asked me to become a laboratory assistant with a great salary. I was overcome with joy. Subsequently, I was offered a scholarship to study fashion design at one of the most prestigious universities in the country. I worked and studied at the same time. To this day, I work as a sewing teacher and help my family. My life has changed for the better. I was truly blessed. Unfortunately, my back got worse due to osteoporosis and the lowering of my spine. However, I am deeply grateful to God and Don Bosco for giving me the opportunity to change my life. Thank you to all the benefactors who generously supported the work of the Salesians in Mongolia.”

Salesians in Mongolia provide education and social development services to aid poor youth and their families. Close to 27.8% of the population in Mongolia is living at or below the poverty line with a significant jump to 35% for those living in rural areas. Herders in the countryside struggle to survive as their traditional livelihood dissolves, and there are few job opportunities for young generations.

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ANS – Mongolia – Mongolian youth say in chorus: “Thanks to Don Bosco we did it!”

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MONGOLIA

(MissionNewswire) Since 2001, youth who have not been able to complete a traditional high school education have found educational opportunities at Don Bosco Technical Institute and Assistance Center in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The training facility started with 30 students and today has more than 300 students who are gaining skills in car mechanics, tailoring, secretarial services, welding and construction.

One of center’s graduates is Battulga, age 26. He arrived in 2005 after living on the street for two years where he faced many difficulties including being beaten by other street youth.

Battulga said, “I am very grateful that God sent me someone who took me to the Don Bosco Center. I stopped having to face the cold, the hunger and the difficulties of street life. We learned how to plant vegetables, feed livestock and perform other practical tasks. After the first year of high school, I went to the Don Bosco Technical Institute to study hydraulics. During my on-the-job training I worked with one of the largest companies in the city, which was so satisfied with my work that it offered me a job.”

Battulga was at the Don Bosco Center from 2005 to 2014 and learned discipline, a work ethic and punctuality. He also learned about cooking and said, “I liked to cook and often prepared meals for the kids on the weekend — now I’m a professional cook. Sometimes I think that, if I had gone to another center I would not have fully realized the value of life, as I learned to do at Don Bosco. I hope that many more young people will have the same opportunities that I had.”

Usukhbayar is a current student at Don Bosco Technical Institute and Assistance Center. He came to the center in 2017. A Salesian from Darkhan introduced him to the center after noticing he had some family problems. His father had recently died and his mother had to take care of him and all his siblings — nine children in total.

Usukhbayar said, “When I arrived, I was homesick. Now that Don Bosco is my home, I want to stay here. If I have a problem, the Salesian missionaries help me solve it. They are kind and welcoming. I always feel supported by them.”

He is excited about his education. Usukhbayar added, “I currently study automotive mechanics, but this does not mean that I will necessarily repair cars in the future. This course trains me in work discipline and self-management, as well as providing me with technical skills for my future life. I want to study at university. Right now, I am deciding whether to enroll in the degree program in tourism management or if I want to deepen my knowledge of automotive mechanics with engineering. I would like to thank the Salesians for their support over all these years, and I know that many people also need help. Thank you for the many opportunities that I have had and that I am sure I will still have.”

Salesians in Mongolia provide education and social development services to aid poor youth and their families. Close to 27.8% of the population in Mongolia is living at or below the poverty line with a significant jump to 35% for those living in rural areas. Herders in the countryside struggle to survive as their traditional livelihood dissolves, and there are few job opportunities for young generations.

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ANS – Mongolia – Mongolian youth say in chorus: “Thanks to Don Bosco we did it!”

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The post MONGOLIA: 2 students share success first appeared on MissionNewswire.

(MissionNewswire) Holy Family Parish, located in the Khan-Uul district in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, was entrusted to the Salesians in 2007. The parish is located where poor families live in tents, even in the winter when it drops far below freezing.

Among them is a family who has two older children. The father of the family was paralyzed six months ago and the mother is taking care of him. She survives by picking up cow dung in order to warm up the tent. The oldest child has three children but does not have any permanent work. The second is still studying in college. Salesian Father Mario Gaspar dos Santos, from the parish, recently visited the family.

He said, “The house was terribly cold when I entered. She did not warm the tent yet because there is a lack of coal. It was minus 15 outside. The husband lay down on the bed, covering himself with three layers of blankets. When I looked around there was nothing but an empty basket for the coal. So, I asked how they were going to cook dinner for the night and if they had any food. The mother replied that they hadn’t eaten for the whole day and did not have food for dinner. She then said she was going to look for some wood in order to heat the tent.”

Fr. Gaspar dos Santos provided the family flour and two heads of lamb. When he went to buy coal, he asked for help from the Don Bosco Day Care Center’s manager. He explained, “When we found the store, we went directly to the seller, saying we are going to buy coal for the poor family, could you allow us to buy 12 sacks? Due to the fact that, in Mongolia, a family is allowed only to buy six per week. Since we were buying for the poor family, they gave us special permission to purchase 12 sacks. The family was very grateful for the help we offered to them.”

Salesians have parishes, primary and secondary schools as well as the Don Bosco Technical Institute, which helps older youth gain the skills for employment. Since 2001, youth who have not been able to complete a traditional high school education have found educational opportunities at Don Bosco Technical Institute. The training facility started with 30 students and today has more than 300 students who are gaining skills in car mechanics, tailoring, secretarial services, welding and construction.

Close to 27.8 percent of the population in Mongolia is living at or below the poverty line with a significant jump to 35 percent for those living in rural areas. Herders in the countryside struggle to survive as their traditional livelihood dissolves, and there are few job opportunities for young generations.

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ANS – Mongolia – Helping the needy is daily mission and witness for Sons of Don Bosco

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(MissionNewswire) Throughout the school year, Salesian Technical School in Tainan, Taiwan, focused on developing a green campus. To do this, it held events and educational programming to engage students in meaningful activities.

Students recycled garbage on campus, abiding by environmental policies enacted by the government. Students in the Aesthetics Club integrated creativity in their environmental initiatives by making unique use of recycled materials. The Interact Club, a service club, cleaned the streets in the neighborhood and recycled.

In addition to these activities, the school principal, teachers, and students from the Information and Engineering Department assisted in repairing old appliances for neighbors. A contest was held where students decorated classrooms and Christmas trees by using recycled materials obtained during their collection activity. According to the contest rules, environmental slogans were included and artificial decorations were not allowed.

Finally, students went to Yuguang Island in the Anping District and educational parks in Tainan City to pick up trash and learn how to reduce the amount of trash, recycle, and reuse the materials.

“Salesian missionaries have an ongoing focus on the environment in their organizations around the globe,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “This has been driven by Pope Francis’ 2020 Laudato Si’, which underlined the importance of education and training that will help youth foster environmental responsibility. As a result, youth have launched important projects to help their communities and beyond.”

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ANS – Taiwan – 365 days dedicated to green campus: the Salesian Technical School, in Tainan

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MONGOLIA

(MissionNewswire) A former student from Don Bosco Technical Institute in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, recently graduated from university with a degree in Mongolian linguistics and Mongolian traditional script. She hosted an exhibition in December 2021 to showcase her work.

Ms. Mungunbolor graduated from Don Bosco Technical Institute and has been working in the school administration since 2011. Salesians sponsored her university studies. Mongolian script is no longer used in daily life in the country and was challenging to learn and practice. Her exhibition was work on the words of St. Paul and the words of Don Bosco in art.

Mungunbolor said, “I wanted to convey some messages to those who visited my exhibition, especially the students in the school. I am not a Catholic, but I felt these words are very powerful messages that people nowadays need to know. Working as the purchasing officer in the school, I have never stopped practicing to improve my skills and technique in writing Mongolian script. It is our Mongolian treasure that needs to be preserved.”

In August 2021, the Ministry of Culture, the government implementing agency for culture and arts, the city education department, and the Mongolian Children’s Art Center organized a group of Mongolian language teachers in public secondary schools to join together to rewrite “The Secret History of Mongolia” in traditional calligraphy. There were close to 80 teachers selected including Mungunbolor. She said, “I was the only teacher who comes from a technical school after I passed the skill test. I feel happy with my presence among them because I can learn from them, besides, they know more about Don Bosco school in Mongolia through me.”

“The Secret History of Mongolia” was written in three forms including a 60 meters (65.6 yards) long scroll, a wall-size panel and a 50-page book. Mungunbolor added, “I have contributed personally to this exhibition with a chapter of the history of Mongolia describing Chinggis Khan and with the words of Don Bosco, ‘For you I study, for you I work, for you I live and for you, I am ready even to give my life.’”

Mungunbolor credits her time at the Don Bosco Technical School with what she has been able to accomplish. She had words of encouragement for other past pupils. “Just as everyone strives for success, I struggle within myself every day to achieve my dreams. There are so many things to think about in the future. I hope I can reach that one day. Therefore, don’t waste time, do whatever you can, share what you have, dream and feel your dream right now.”

Since 2001, youth who have not been able to complete a traditional high school education have found educational opportunities at Don Bosco Technical Institute. The training facility started with 30 students and today has more than 300 students who are gaining skills in car mechanics, tailoring, secretarial services, welding and construction.

Close to 27.8 percent of the population in Mongolia is living at or below the poverty line with a significant jump to 35 percent for those living in rural areas. Herders in the countryside struggle to survive as their traditional livelihood dissolves, and there are few job opportunities for young generations.

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ANS – Mongolia – Mongolia Past Pupil fall in love with Caligraphy and Don Bosco

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The post MONGOLIA: Former Salesian student honored for artwork first appeared on MissionNewswire.

MONGOLIA

(MissionNewswire) Brother Krzysztof Gniazdowski, a Polish Salesian missionary, has served in Mongolia since 2007 and has spent most of his 25 years of consecrated life in the East Asian country, according to an article in the UCAnews (Union of Catholic Asian News). Today, Bro. Gniazdowski oversees the Salesian mission in Darkhan, Mongolia’s third largest city, where a Salesian vocational school was established in 2005. The school serves 300 students.

Through the years, Bro. Gniazdowski worked in a number of Salesian organizations in Mongolia. He first worked at the Don Bosco Technical School in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar. The school offers vocational courses in auto mechanics, welding, plumbing, design and sewing, office administration, and construction. In close to 20 years, the school has graduated more than 1,000 students, mostly poor youth who had dropped out of school previously, according to the article. He also served at a Salesian-run orphanage for street children in the capital that has been a home for hundreds of poor, abandoned children since 2003.

The school offers courses for students in computer skills, writing and formatting documents, processing video files, drawing and handicrafts, and foreign languages to help them later when finding employment abroad. There is also a library for the local community which serves as encouragement for reading.

“It’s often the lack of income which causes families to break up. Children suffer the most because they remain on the streets where they steal and are victimized and exploited,” said Bro. Gniazdowski in an article with ANS.

Most recently, thanks to Pope Francis’ celebrated environmental encyclical, Laudato Si’, Bro. Gniazdowski has been involved in agricultural and ecological projects. He runs a small farm and nursery near the Salesian center in Darkhan, according to the UCAnews article

“During the vacation season and early spring after school, we take students to a farm. There they learn how to learn how to till the soil, sow, plant and care for vegetables including tomatoes, cucumbers, cabbage, lettuce, pumpkins, watermelon, cucumbers, squash, and broccoli,” he explained in the article.

Together with students, Bro. Gniazdowski plants various kinds of Mongolian natives, shrubs, trees and flowers. He noted that many youth have enjoyed learning how to farm and see their hard work pay off during the harvest. The crops from the farm are sold, and the money goes to a special fund set up for children and youth for scholarships or school admission fees. On the farm, students also learn about protecting their environment. They segregate waste and sew shopping bags from fabrics for use instead of plastic bags and packages.

Close to 28 percent of the population in Mongolia is living at or below the poverty line with a significant jump to 35 percent for those living in rural areas. Herders in the countryside struggle to survive as their traditional livelihood dissolves, and there are few job opportunities for young generations.

According to the World Bank, the poverty rate jumped to nearly 60 percent after 1990, which was directly linked to the country’s transition to a market economy after the breakup of the Soviet Union and the collapse of Mongolia’s centrally planned economy. Today, in part due to Mongolia’s vast mineral resources and mining, the country’s economy is rebounding and the poverty rate is in decline, having decreased from 38.7 percent in 2010 to where it stands today.

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Union of Catholic Asian News – Polish Salesian on a mission of joy and love in Mongolia

ANS – Mongolia – Missionary work in the country

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World Bank – Mongolia

The post MONGOLIA: Brother has long history of service first appeared on MissionNewswire.

MONGOLIA

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries have been operating the Catholic mission station of Shuwuu, Mongolia, for the past four years, but families who live in this district have been accessing water from the Catholic mission since 1998. Throughout the year, people from the countryside come to the well to stock up on drinking water to take to their homes.

At least 300 families come to the well because they have no other clean water access. In many places in Mongolia, water is a rare commodity and is often brought to villages by tanker trucks. Services like this are especially popular with families and young people in Shuwuu, especially during challenges times, such as this year. Mongolia has been in isolation since January, which has caused difficulties and challenges for its citizens.

Brother Andrew Le Phuong, director of the Salesian planning and development office in Ulaanbaatar, said, “Our hope is that clean water services and the other initiatives of the Salesians in Mongolia will become better known and attract more and more generous people around the world to contribute to our mission.”

Mongolia is not the only country that lacks access to clean water. UN-Water estimates that worldwide 2.1 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water services and by 2050, the world’s population will have grown by an estimated 2 billion people, pushing global water demand up to 30 percent higher than today. One in four primary schools has no drinking water service, with students using unprotected water sources or going thirsty. In addition, UN-Water notes that more than 700 children under 5 years of age die every day from diarrheal disease linked to unsafe water and poor sanitation.

Close to 28 percent of the population in Mongolia is living at or below the poverty line with a significant jump to 35 percent for those living in rural areas. Herders in the countryside struggle to survive as their traditional livelihood dissolves, and there are few job opportunities for young generations. Prior to 1990, the country received nearly 30 percent of its gross domestic product from the former Soviet Union and had a centrally planned economy with the government providing basic goods and a full range of public services. As a result, poverty in the country was very low even in rural areas.

According to the World Bank, the poverty rate jumped to nearly 60 percent after 1990, which was directly linked to the country’s transition to a market economy after the breakup of the Soviet Union and the collapse of Mongolia’s centrally planned economy. Today, in part due to Mongolia’s vast mineral resources and mining, the country’s economy is rebounding and the poverty rate is in decline, having decreased from 38.7 percent in 2010 to where it stands today.

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ANS – Mongolia – Clean water for 300 families

Salesians in Mongolia – Clean water access

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MONGOLIA

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries in Darkhan, Mongolia, operate the Don Bosco Center, which includes agriculture education and a working farm. The center offers a chance for local youth to gain the skills needed for employment. The yield from the farm also supports the feeding program at the local Salesian Youth Center. Because of this, each year the farm holds an “agro-oratory” harvest event.

Despite the challenges of agriculture brought on by extreme temperature fluctuations between seasons, rising from +40° C in summer to -40° C in winter, the Don Bosco Center farm is important to the local community. This year Salesian missionaries, lay staff, and 40 children and older youth from the Salesian Youth Center came together to work on the farm. A total of 1,600 kg of squash and other varieties of vegetables were harvested.

“Each year the harvest brings a great source of pride to the community and enables youth to have some practical hands-on experience on the farm,” says Father Mark Hyde, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Salesian missionaries in Mongolia continue to create programs that assist those in need. From teaching job skills and providing shelters for street children to building full-time youth centers with feeding programs, missionaries are providing for those most in need and helping poor families break the cycle of poverty.”

Since 2001, Salesian missionaries have been providing shelter and education to poor youth in Mongolia. Salesian programs aid students who are having difficulty coping in traditional high school settings and families who are arriving in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar in desperate need of employment. In addition to basic educational courses, missionaries offer auto mechanics, welding and computer classes. In 2003, responding to the growing needs in the community, Salesian missionaries added the Caring Center for street children and the Don Bosco Industrial Training Skills Center. In 2004, the Don Bosco Center and farm, along with the Salesian Youth Center, were formed in Darkhan.

Close to 28 percent of the population in Mongolia is living at or below the poverty line with a significant jump to 35 percent for those living in rural areas. Herders in the countryside struggle to survive as their traditional livelihood dissolves, and there are few job opportunities for young generations. Prior to 1990, the country received nearly 30 percent of its gross domestic product from the former Soviet Union and had a centrally planned economy with the government providing basic goods and a full range of public services. As a result, poverty in the country was very low even in rural areas.

According to the World Bank, the poverty rate jumped to nearly 60 percent after 1990, which was directly linked to the country’s transition to a market economy after the breakup of the Soviet Union and the collapse of Mongolia’s centrally planned economy. Today, in part due to Mongolia’s vast mineral resources and mining, the country’s economy is rebounding and the poverty rate is in decline, having decreased from 38.7 percent in 2010 to where it stands today.

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

ANS – Mongolia – A successful agricultural experience

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World Bank – Mongolia

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MONGOLIA

(MissionNewswire) Salesians in Mongolia have focused their work on providing opportunities for children and families struggling to improve their lives. Salesian programs aid students who are having difficulty coping in traditional high school settings and families who are arriving in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar in desperate need of employment.

Since 2001, youth who have not been able to complete a traditional high school education have found educational opportunities at the Don Bosco Technical and Industrial Training Center in Ulaanbaatar. The training facility started with 30 students and today has more than 300 gaining skills in car mechanics, tailoring, secretarial services, welding and construction.

“Nearly 90 percent of the students at Don Bosco Technical and Industrial Training Center can be defined as school dropouts and come from very poor families,” says Father Mark Hyde, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Students receive training that is critical to their success and to guarantee the best opportunities after graduation, courses are structured in collaboration with local industries.”

In the last two years, the past pupils of the Don Bosco Technical and Industrial Training Center have committed themselves to strengthening the sense of belonging between the past pupils and the Salesian family. In recent times they have also produced a brief institutional video in which they present several testimonials about the great education they received.

“We are pleased to share this simple presentation that drives home how lucky we all feel to have been educated at the Don Bosco Training Center. In the future we intend to work together as a family and for our school,” explained MB Boloroo, the secretary of the local Past Pupil Center.

The first official meeting of Don Bosco’s past pupils in May 2017 brought together 400 graduates and was the starting point of a movement that does not intend to stop.

Another past pupil, Mr. Bayartsengel, has said, “We want to contact as many Don Bosco past pupils as possible through the various channels available, raise funds for scholarships for needy students, volunteer with families in difficulty and support the center’s students in the workforce. In addition, our goal is to find the best internships for their needs and also prepare psychological counseling meetings to help young people with separated or divorced parents, a growing phenomenon now in Mongolia.”

The Past Pupils Center has already started its work. To date, it has gathered data from around 80 graduates from the Don Bosco Training Center, identified a young scholarship recipient and launched sporting competitions to bring awareness to Salesian education.

Close to 28 percent of the population in Mongolia is living at or below the poverty line with a significant jump to 35 percent for those living in rural areas. Herders in the countryside struggle to survive as their traditional livelihood dissolves, and there are few job opportunities for young generations. Prior to 1990, the country received nearly 30 percent of its gross domestic product from the former Soviet Union and had a centrally planned economy with the government providing basic goods and a full range of public services. As a result, poverty in the country was very low even in rural areas.

According to the World Bank, the poverty rate jumped to nearly 60 percent after 1990, which was directly linked to the country’s transition to a market economy after the breakup of the Soviet Union and the collapse of Mongolia’s centrally planned economy. Today, in part due to Mongolia’s vast mineral resources and mining, the country’s economy is rebounding and the poverty rate is in decline, having decreased from 38.7 percent in 2010 to where it stands today.

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

ANS – Mongolia – Entrepreneurship and dynamism foster Don Bosco Past Pupils’ growth

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The post MONGOLIA: The Past Pupil Center with Don Bosco Technical and Industrial Training Center is launching initiatives to help support current students first appeared on MissionNewswire.

During the visit, Salesian missionaries met for the second time with the mayor of Khutul, a town of 10,000 inhabitants located 60 km from Darkhan, to plan on site the development of a new Salesian center. Many young people are living in Khutul, where there is industrial business as well as good grain-growing agricultural areas. However, the local schools are not enough to accommodate all the youth in the city. The three kindergartens and one high school are overcrowded.

Two years ago, Don Bosco Youth Development Center was launched in the city and has been very successful. Salesian missionaries, with very limited space and resources, offer courses in English language. They also provide a library and consulting business as well as other programs for youth. More than 1,200 children are currently enrolled in programs at the Salesian Center. The new center will provide additional educational courses and support to the youth in the community.

Salesian missionaries have been providing shelter and education to poor youth in Mongolia since 2001 with the launch of their first programs in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar. Salesian programs aid students who are having difficulty coping in traditional high school settings and families who are arriving in the city in desperate need of employment. In addition to basic educational courses, missionaries offer auto-mechanics, welding and computer classes. In 2003, responding to the growing needs in the community, Salesian missionaries added the Caring Center for street children and the Don Bosco Industrial Training Skills Center.

The Caring Center is a residential program for street boys and orphans aged 8 to 16. Currently, Salesian missionaries are providing shelter, food and education to 20 young boys at the center.  After attending the Salesian high school, boys are able to access skills training at the Don Bosco Industrial Training Skills Center. Salesian missionaries also help the boys become self-sufficient, prepare to live on their own after graduation and find a job.

“I am often worried when I think about the children I meet every day,” says Salesian Brother Krzysztof Gniazdowski, a missionary in Mongolia. “It’s often the lack of income which causes families to break up. Children suffer the most because they remain on the street where they steal and are victimized and exploited.”

Working to help youth at risk break the cycle of poverty and be free from victimization and exploitation, Salesian missionaries are providing skills training to 250 students at the Don Bosco Industrial Training Skills Center. The school is made up of 60 percent boys and 40 percent girls with the majority of youth, 64 percent, coming from the city and 36 percent from the rural countryside. The center offers course work in auto-mechanics, welding, masonry, plumbing, industrial sewing and fashion design, and office administration. All students are required to take computer literacy and English communication courses.

Close to 28 percent of the population in Mongolia is living at or below the poverty line with a significant jump to 35 percent for those living in rural areas. Herders in the countryside struggle to survive as their traditional livelihood dissolves, and there are few job opportunities for young generations. Prior to 1990, the country received nearly 30 percent of its gross domestic product from the former Soviet Union and had a centrally planned economy with the government providing basic goods and a full range of public services. As a result, poverty in the country was very low even in rural areas.

According to the World Bank, the poverty rate jumped to nearly 60 percent after 1990, which was directly linked to the country’s transition to a market economy after the breakup of the Soviet Union and the collapse of Mongolia’s centrally planned economy. Today, in part due to Mongolia’s vast mineral resources and mining, the country’s economy is rebounding and the poverty rate is in decline, having decreased from 38.7 percent in 2010 to where it stands today.

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Sources:

ANS – Mongolia – The Salesian Missionary Frontier is flourishing

Newswire – Salesian Missionaries Educate Students in High School, Technical Education Programs

World Bank – Mongolia

The post MONGOLIA: Salesian Programs for Poor Youth and Their Families Expanding to Meet Growing Need first appeared on MissionNewswire.

The Caring Center is a residential program for street boys and orphans aged 8 to 16. Currently, Salesian missionaries are providing shelter, food, and education to 20 young boys at the center.  After attending the Salesian high school, boys are able to access skills training at the Don Bosco Industrial Training Skills Center. Salesian missionaries also help the boys become self-sufficient and prepare to live on their own after graduation and finding a job.

“I am often worried when I think about the children I meet every day,” says Salesian Brother Krzysztof Gniazdowski, a missionary in Mongolia. “Many Mongolian families do not take care of their children and are only interested when the government gives them money. And it’s often the lack of income which causes families to break up. Children suffer the most because they remain on the street where they steal and are victimized and exploited.”

Working to help youth at-risk break the cycle of poverty and be free from victimization and exploitation, Salesian missionaries are providing skills training to 250 students at the Don Bosco Industrial Training Skills Center. The school is made up of 60 percent boys and 40 percent girls with the majority of youth, 64 percent, coming from the city and 36 percent from the rural countryside. The center offers course work in auto-mechanics, welding, masonry, plumbing, industrial sewing and fashion design, and office administration. All students are required to take computer literacy and English communication courses.

The center provides training in skills required in industries that have a need for new employees and that offer a livable wage. Creating coursework to meet the needs of local industry increases the rate of student success upon graduation. As a result, the employment rate for graduates of the center is among the highest in the country. Salesian programs enable students to quickly transition from the classroom into employment, putting their knowledge and skills into practice. Students that are able to quickly connect with livable wage employment are then able to give back to their families and their communities.

“As more people than ever before are moving to the capital of Ulaanbaatar, unemployment and homelessness among youth is on the rise so this education is important,” adds Bro. Gniazdowski. “Salesian missionaries in the city continue to create programs to assist those in need. From teaching job skills and providing shelters for street children to building full-time youth centers, missionaries are providing for those most in need and helping poor families break the cycle of poverty.”

Close to 28 percent of the population in Mongolia is living at or below the poverty line and with a significant jump to 35 percent for those living in rural areas as herders in the countryside struggle to survive as their traditional livelihood dissolves, and there are few job opportunities for young generations. Prior to 1990, the country received nearly 30 percent of its gross domestic product from the former Soviet Union and had a centrally planned economy with the government providing basic goods and a full range of public services. As a result, poverty in the country was very low even in rural areas.

According to the World Bank, the poverty rate jumped to nearly 60 percent after 1990, which was directly linked to the country’s transition to a market economy after the breakup of the Soviet Union and the collapse of Mongolia’s centrally planned economy. Today, in part due to Mongolia’s vast mineral resources and mining, the country’s economy is rebounding and the poverty rate is in decline, having decreased from 38.7 percent in 2010 to where it stands today.

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(PHOTO: ANS)

ANS – Mongolia – Missionary work in the country

World Bank – Mongolia

SALESIAN MISSIONS – Mongolia

The post MONGOLIA: Salesian Missionaries Educate Students in High School, Technical Education Programs first appeared on MissionNewswire.

According to the World Bank, the jump in the poverty rate after 1990 was directly linked to the country’s transition to a market economy after the breakup of the Soviet Union and the collapse of Mongolia’s centrally planned economy. Today, in part due to Mongolia’s vast mineral resources and mining, the country’s economy is rebounding and the poverty rate is in decline, having decreased from 38.7 percent in 2010 to 27.4 percent in 2012.

Salesians in Mongolia have focused their work on providing opportunities for children and families struggling to improve their lives. Salesian programs aid students who are having difficulty coping in traditional high school settings and families who are arriving in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar in desperate need of employment.

Since 2001, youth who have not been able to complete a traditional high school education have found educational opportunities at the Don Bosco Technical and Industrial Training Center in Ulaanbaatar. The training facility started with 30 students and today has more than 300 gaining skills in car mechanics, tailoring, secretarial services, welding and construction.

“Nearly 90 percent of the students at Don Bosco Technical and Industrial Training Center can be defined as school dropouts and come from very poor families,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Students receive training that is critical to their success and to guarantee the best opportunities after graduation, courses are structured in collaboration with local industries.”

Recently, 60 students graduated from the center ready to embark on professional employment in their chosen fields. The center provides training in skills required in industries that have a need for new employees and that offer a livable wage. Creating coursework to meet the needs of local industry increases the rate of student success upon graduation. As a result, the employment rate for graduates of the center is among the highest in the country.

“Salesian programs enable students to quickly transition from the classroom into employment, putting their knowledge and skills into practice. Students that are able to quickly connect with livable wage employment are then able to give back to their families and their communities,” adds Fr. Hyde.

As more people than ever before are moving to the capital of Ulaanbaatar, unemployment and homelessness among youth is on the rise. Salesians in the city continue to create programs to assist those in need. From teaching job skills and providing shelters to street children to building full-time youth centers, Salesians are providing for those most in need and helping poor families break the cycle of poverty.

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Sources:

Salesian Missions – Mongolia

World Bank – Mongolia

The post MONGOLIA: Don Bosco Technical and Industrial Training Center Helps More Than 300 Youth first appeared on MissionNewswire.

The program—which initially received funding for 12 months in February 2012—centers on reinforcing primary education systems at six schools in highly volatile Quetta, Pakistan. A Salesian primary school and five Salesian-supported schools have been receiving support specific to the needs and challenges of educating the Afghan refugee population. UNHCR’s Head of Office in Quetta, Charles Lynch-Staunton, commended Salesian Missions for this work in an official letter of support, stating “Salesian Missions for Don Bosco is a UNHCR Operating Partner and active member of our Afghan Refugee Education Coordinating Network in Baluchistan.”

The Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) has extended funding for an additional six months. This extension ensures that the progress made through the program will continue, working toward the goal of having schools become self-sufficient, no longer reliant on international assistance.

In Pakistan, 2,200 boys and girls ages 4 to 13 are benefitting from Salesian Missions’ comprehensive approach to strengthening their education. The program includes everything from teacher training and resource improvements for child learning, to infrastructure improvement and web-ready computer labs.

“The students are among the most passionate of any I have seen in the world,” said Neill Holland, Deputy Director of the Salesian Missions Office for International Programs and the agency’s Country Representative for Pakistan. “They are more bright-eyed, energetic, and outgoing than you would ever imagine considering what these kids have witnessed, fleeing across the border with their families, and for many, a life-long war in their homeland.”

The PRM-funded program administered by Salesian Missions and local partners in Afghanistan has resulted in fully equipped and updated, kid-friendly schools.

“Locally, we have gone from schools without sanitation, and from classroom walls that were in danger of falling over; to schools that are structurally safe, have new bathrooms and hygiene education, books, uniforms and even computers—and a connection to the outside word—for the first time ever,” added Holland, who recently returned from a program monitoring trip where he saw the impact first-hand.

Positive impact includes more than 70 teachers, professionally trained for their work with the refugee youth population and motivated to make a difference in their improved schools. As a result, an estimated 85 percent of students who are age-eligible to graduate are forecasted to pass their examinations. Furthermore, the program administration has ensured through advocacy and policy dialogue with Government and NGO Partners that the education students receive in Pakistan will be recognized by the Government of Afghanistan, should their families return home.

“We are working to reinforce primary education in a way that will continue to assist the Afghan children regardless of whether their parents choose to stay in the host country or to return to Afghanistan.” explained Holland.

The goal of the Quetta program is to mainstream struggling Afghan refugee schools so they may become a part of the Pakistani education community, and benefit from its shared institutional resources, even while they serve Afghani youth. Part of this results-driven strategy involves creating useful partnerships with local organizations and the government that can be leveraged to sustain these refugee schools during the years ahead. In fact, the Salesians had already been working in these communities for some time, and their focus on fostering strong community relationships has made them a pivotal U.S. Government partner. Proven results include reaching established program goals and surpassing all expectations.

“This success was realized expressly through the contribution of Salesian Missions’ local team of dedicated lay staff in Quetta, male and female, who give 100 percent every day despite security concerns for themselves and their families.” says Holland. “Their inspiration comes from an enduring sense of brotherhood – and sisterhood – with the vulnerable Afghan refugee community they serve. To work alongside our team of local staff in Pakistan is to experience the heartbeat of humanity, the bond shared between people regardless of their race, creed, color or gender. ”

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PHOTOS: Neill Holland/Salesian Missions

ABOUT SALESIAN MISSIONS

Salesian Missions is the U.S. development arm of the international Salesians of Don Bosco—specializing in programs and services for at-risk youth in more than 130 countries. The Salesians are widely considered the world’s largest private provider of vocational and technical education. The Office for International Programs is the global development arm of Salesian Missions which supports programs globally through partnerships with the U.S. government and private-sector organizations, state-of-the-art concepts, and in-kind financial support. Salesian Missions is headquartered in New Rochelle, NY, and is part of the Don Bosco Network—a worldwide federation of Salesian NGOs. For more information, go to www.SalesianMissions.org or www.MissionNewswire.org.

ABOUT THE DOS BUREAU OF POPULATION, REFUGEES AND MIGRATION

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration provides aid and sustainable solutions for refugees, victims of conflict and stateless people around the world, through repatriation, local integration, and resettlement in the United States. PRM also promotes the United States’ population and migration policies. For more information, go to www.state.gov/j/prm/.

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