PHILIPPINES

Salesians deliver thousands of pounds of supplies

(MissionNewswire) In response to the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Northern Cebu, Philippines, on Sept. 30, Salesian missionaries with the Don Bosco Philippines-South Province launched a relief and donation drive to assist thousands of affected families.

The powerful earthquake claimed 72 lives, injured more than 1,000 people and displaced over 190,000 families. Homes, schools and churches sustained extensive damage, leaving communities in urgent need of help. Many Salesians, living in the communities in which they work, were on the front lines offering support and relief.

A Salesian explained, “With the support of lay mission partners, youth, volunteers, donors and benefactors, the province prepared and delivered hundreds of sacks of rice, food packs and relief goods. A team of twelve traveled to five parishes in Northern Cebu to distribute aid and extend financial assistance.”

The operation was coordinated through the Don Bosco Disaster Intervention, Response and Emergency Coordinating Team with the Commission on Mission Office in Punta Princesa Cebu serving as the central hub. The province continues to accept donations to sustain its ongoing relief operations.

Father Amelito Racelis, provincial superior, shared this message: “May God keep our team safe and reward all the generous people who sent their donations through us in cash or in kind. May the Good Lord have mercy on His people and continue to send help to the victims and all those affected and displaced by this disaster.”

As Salesian missionaries continue to provide support, the goal is to continue to focus on those most in need. And, Salesians wish to remind readers that even in the darkest of times, charity and hope can rebuild lives.

Since 1950, Salesian missionaries have been providing crucial help in the Philippines — working with at-risk youth, impoverished families and disaster victims. Salesian missionaries offer a variety of educational and social development programs for youth. The goal is to provide the opportunities necessary to gain an education and skills training to break the cycle of poverty and retain long-term employment.

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(MissionNewswire) More than 50 youth participated in a theater and acting workshop in preparation for the reenactment of the “Passion of Jesus” at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in Cebu, Philippines. The theatrical performance depicting the Passion and death of Jesus is staged in many parishes during Holy Week and serves not only as artistic expression but also as an educational tool.

Youth participated as both actors and crew members. A Salesian noted, “The workshop introduced participants to the creative and technical aspects of theater, engaging them in acting exercises and improvisation. Emphasis was placed on teamwork, collaboration and sensitivity, reflecting the collective nature of theater. Additionally, the experience allowed young people to develop and apply their technical skills in lighting, sound and set design.”

As part of the effort to nurture new talent in theater, three participants were selected as assistant directors, working under Annie Vic Cabije, the lead director. Cabije, a former member of the Salesian Youth Center, grew up immersed in the Salesian theatrical tradition. The “Passion of Jesus” brings the story of Jesus to life through the eyes and imagination of young people. This production continues the legacy of Saint John Bosco, who integrated performing arts into his educational system.

Since 1950, Salesian missionaries have been providing crucial help in the Philippines — working with at-risk youth, impoverished families and disaster victims. Salesian missionaries offer a variety of educational and social development programs for youth. The goal is to provide the opportunities necessary to gain an education and skills training to break the cycle of poverty and retain long-term employment.

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(MissionNewswire) The local chapter of the Salesian Ladies Association (Asociación Damas Salesianas) launched a new medical clinic for people who are poor in Cebu City, Philippines. The association is made up of women passionate about supporting efforts that aid human needs. The clinic was opened on the 30-year anniversary of the local chapter.

The new Zatti Medical Clinic will serve people in the Salesian Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish. Patients can access medical checkups on a first-come, first-served basis. Run by volunteers, the clinic will be open three days a week.

During the blessing of the clinic, Father Daniel Elemia, the local founder, spoke about how the local chapter of the association began with 20 members.

A Salesian explained, “The chapter members realized that their calling is not only in prayer but also addressing human needs. In their three-decade history, they began several social entrepreneurship projects in the parish which include livelihood and feeding programs. The new medical clinic is a renewal of a previous one that got interrupted by the recent COVID-19 pandemic.”

The Salesian Ladies Association was founded by Father Miguel González, a Salesian priest, on May 13, 1968, in Caracas, Venezuela. Since then, its centers have been growing around the world with centers currently in North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Asia and Africa.

Since 1950, Salesian missionaries have been providing crucial help in the Philippines — working with at-risk youth, impoverished families and disaster victims. Salesian missionaries offer a variety of educational and social development programs for youth. The goal is to provide the opportunities necessary to gain an education and skills training to break the cycle of poverty and retain long-term employment.

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(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Mountaineering Society, which was founded in 1988 for those who have a passion for the outdoors, has carried out a tree-planting program at Don Bosco Colle in Calamba, Laguna, Philippines. This initiative helps to mitigate the effects of climate change while creating livelihood opportunities for the surrounding communities. Don Bosco Mountaineering Society also donated gardening equipment to Don Bosco Colle and plans to nurture and plant more seedlings in the coming months.

A Salesian explained, “This program provides a valuable educational opportunity for the children of Don Bosco Mountaineering Society’s members, encouraging their active participation in tree-planting activities, deepening their understanding of environmental issues and promoting conservation efforts.”

Salesian organizations in the Philippines and around the globe are focused on environmentally friendly activities and education. Part of this was driven by Pope Francis’ 2020 Laudato Si’, which underlined the importance of education and training that will help youth foster environmental responsibility.

Since 1950, Salesian Missions has been providing crucial help in the Philippines — working with at-risk youth, impoverished families and disaster victims. Humanitarian agencies warn of the dangers faced by the most disadvantaged children in the Philippines. According to UNICEF, there are at least 1.2 million children between the ages of 5-15 who are out of school and are being left behind. In addition, children born into the poorest 20% of the population are almost three times more likely to die during their first five years as those from the richest 20%.

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(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Calauan in the Philippines carried out a tree-planting activity as part of the climate change adaptation and mitigation program. In three to five years, the saplings that were planted will grow into strong fruit-bearing trees to prevent flooding, promote clean air and produce food.

Father Paul Michael B. Suarez, rector, led the tree-planting. He started the event a brief review of climate change and its effects, and the goal and significance of planting trees.

A Salesian explained, “Activities such as this are teaching youth the importance of environmental sustainability. More than teaching in classrooms, youth are getting outside in the dirt and taking concrete action to improve their surroundings while learning important lessons.”

Don Bosco Calauan is located among a densely populated community that is mostly relocated families who are among the poorest and most disenfranchised. When the government moved these families to Calauan, they left their source of income in Manila. People engage in informal activities or trades to earn a living. Many children are malnourished and families still struggle to survive due to the results of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2010, Salesian missionaries launched skills training programs to help people learn trades and develop the skills for employment.

Since 1950, Salesian Missions has been providing crucial help in the Philippines — working with at-risk youth, impoverished families and disaster victims. Humanitarian agencies warn of the dangers faced by the most disadvantaged children in the Philippines. There are at least 1.2 million children between the ages of 5-15 who are out of school and are being left behind. In addition, children born into the poorest 20% of the population are almost three times more likely to die during their first five years as those from the richest 20%.

Poverty rose sharply in the Philippines due to the COVID-19 pandemic but has been slowly coming back down. A self-reported survey conducted by the government in the first half of 2024 indicated that 42% of the population identifies as poor, a 3% decrease from 2023. This means that 11.1 million families felt their situation this year was better than last and certainly improved from 2021 when the country saw close to 4 million more people become poor in the first half of 2021 due to pandemic-induced lockdown measures that dried up jobs and reduced domestic demand.

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Don Bosco Green Alliance – Tree Plantation Activity at Don Bosco TVET Center – Calauan, Inc., Philippines

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(MissionNewswire) The Salesian Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish’s Youth Coordination Council has facilitated the training “Identifying Emotional Abuse in the Family.” More than 150 members from various youth groups of the Salesian Youth Movement, recipients of youth scholarships and members of other parishes participated in the meeting held in the Philippines.

May Margaret Sim, a counselor and psychologist, shared her experience in recognizing emotional abuse within the family and shared her insight on how to deal with it. She also taught young people how to cope with emotional trauma. Father Fidel Ma. Orendain, superior of the Salesian Province of the Southern Philippines, also spoke at the event as part of the provincial visit to the parish.

A Salesian noted, “This is information that is applicable to all youth. Whether the emotional abuse is occurring at home, school or within their friend groups, being able to identify emotional abuse is the first step in addressing and overcoming the trauma it can cause. The goal is to bring awareness to the issue and help youth learn strategies to address it while also providing them the support they need.”

Since 1950, Salesian missionaries have been providing crucial help in the Philippines — working with at-risk youth, impoverished families and disaster victims. Salesians offer a variety of educational and social development programs for youth. The goal is to provide the opportunities necessary to gain an education and skills training to break the cycle of poverty and retain long-term employment.

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(MissionNewswire) Youth at Don Bosco Boys’ Home in Liloan, Cebu, Philippines, have 15 new accordions thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. There are 45 boys at the home and, prior to the donation, there were only four accordions. The donation is giving all the students the opportunity to learn how to play the accordion. Other young people are also being invited to learn.

Salesian Brother Alexander Abelgas provides accordion lessons for the interested students. Each of them takes a lesson to learn the notes before using the instrument. They then advance to 30-minute daily practice to learn more about the instrument and to play difficult songs. The students who can play proficiently will be given the opportunity to accompany the Mass and community celebrations.

Don Bosco Boys’ Home was established in 1989 to provide residential care and education to boys living in poverty in Cebu. Thirty-three boys, ages 12-17, are in junior high school while 12 boys, ages 16-20, are in senior high at the Liloan National High School-Don Bosco Campus, located within the boys’ home compound.

A Salesian noted, “The goal is to reintegrate the boys to society, so they can have a good future for themselves. Our motto is ‘We help the boys help themselves in life.’ At the home, they experience group living enhanced by educational, social, cultural and spiritual interventions. They are provided food, clothing, toiletries, and medical and dental care. The boys follow a daily schedule that is aimed to foster discipline, personal development and interpersonal skills.”

The boys wake up early to prepare for school. After class, they have time for recreation including games, music and arts. Dinner is followed by time for tutorials and study before sleeping. On Fridays, the boys watch a film.

“The boys are assigned different home chores daily to promote personal responsibility, cleanliness and organization,” added the Salesian. “They also have singing, music, dancing, arts classes, sports practices and competitions. Every first and third weekends of the month, the boys have home and family visitations.”

Since 1950, Salesian missionaries have been providing crucial help in the Philippines — working with at-risk youth, impoverished families and disaster victims. Salesian missionaries offer a variety of educational and social development programs for youth. The goal is to provide the opportunities necessary to gain an education and skills training to break the cycle of poverty and retain long-term employment.

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(MissionNewswire) Salesian Brother Alex Abelgas from Don Bosco Boys Home, located in Liloan, Cebu, Philippines, has started a garden using hydroponics technology. He created it in response to Pope Francis’ 2020 Laudato Si’, which underlined the importance of education and training that will help youth foster environmental responsibility.

Through vegetable production, Bro. Abelgas is promoting well-being for young people. He grew lettuce using a water-based nutrient solution rather than soil. Using money raised from his close friends, he constructed a new greenhouse, which is now one of the main attractions at Don Bosco Boys Home.

A Salesian noted, “Though still at the early stage of his project, Bro. Abelgas has already provided lettuce for the Salesian community. He partnered with the Department of Agriculture and hopes to attach the project as one of the programs that will be implemented by the Don Bosco Boys Home Training Center, headed by Father Ding. The goal is not only for sustainability but to provide training for youth and the nearby community.”

Since 1950, Salesian Missions has been providing crucial help in the Philippines — working with at-risk youth, impoverished families and disaster victims. Salesian missionaries offer a variety of educational and social development programs for youth. The goal is to provide the opportunities necessary to gain an education and skills training to break the cycle of poverty and retain long-term employment.

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Photo courtesy of Don Bosco Green Alliance

Don Bosco Green Alliance – Up Beat Response To Pope Francis’ – “Laudato Si”

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(MissionNewswire) For the first time, Don Bosco Agro-Mechanical Technology Center (known locally as Don Bosco Legazpi), located in Banquerohan, Legazpi City, Philippines, participated in the welding competition in the 2023 Albay Provincial Skills Competition held at the San Francisco Institute of Technology and hosted by the Technical Education Skills Development Authority.

The theme of this year’s competition was “Albay Technical Prowess: Fostering Innovation and Excellence” and showcased youth’s individual skills, practical ability, and innovation. Skills competitions were held in various fields of specialization.

The competition helped give young Filipinos a passion for skill development, provided recognition for technical excellence, and selected gifted and empowered individuals to represent the country in the international skills competition. It also fosters collaboration among private industries, organizations, technical and vocational training centers, and other institutions. The event brought together 11 competitive institutions in different technical fields.

John Mark Allen Belludo, age 18, represented Don Bosco Legazpi in welding. When he first entered Don Bosco Legazpi, Belludo had limited knowledge in welding, but his workmanship was recognized by Dysel Kerr Padilla, Belludo’s teacher in shielded metal arc welding. As Belludo began preparing for the competition, Loui Sibbaluca, an expert in welding, became his coach. The welding test package allowed four hours to accomplish the given task. Belludo received a certificate of recognition after the event.

Another project was the “Solar Powered Motorized Vehicle” project, the result of research and development conducted by Gilbert Banga, assistant director for technical affairs at Don Bosco Legazpi. This project showcased green technology in daily living, especially for commuters and owners of motorcycles. Audience members sought additional information from Banga after the demonstration.

A Salesian said, “This kind of event reminds and enlightens each person to harness their extraordinary giftedness that aims to contribute to technological innovations for the welfare and development of our society.”

Since 1950, Salesian Missions has been providing crucial help in the Philippines — working with at-risk youth, impoverished families and disaster victims. Salesian missionaries offer a variety of educational and social development programs for youth. The goal is to provide the opportunities necessary to gain an education and skills training to break the cycle of poverty and retain long-term employment.

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(MissionNewswire) Staff and students from Don Bosco School of Theology supported the International Coastal Clean Up Day on Sept. 16 by participating in cleanup at Julugan Fish Terminal in Tanza, Cavite, Philippines. The day was sponsored by Coca Cola and was in partnership with International Coastal Clean Up Philippines, the Lighthouse Marina Resort Legacy Foundation and Plastic Bank.

More than 100 countries participated in the cleanup of beaches and bodies of water on this day. Don Bosco School of Theology students experienced firsthand how a community can impact marine and coastal conservation.

Participants picked up trash and then learned about waste segregation and weighing trash. In total, 8,073 pieces of trash were collected during the cleanup. Plastic beverage bottles were the number one waste along the coastlines. Foam dock pieces, other plastic items, glass bottles, paper cups and plates, lines, nets, traps and ropes were also collected.

The cleanup and waste segregation was followed by a lecture by Zed Avecilla, the president of Lighthouse Marina Foundation, Inc. His lecture focused on the importance of marine and coastal ecosystems as well as the various activities that threaten these ecosystems. The need for conservation efforts as well as assessment methods, sustainable management practices and community engagement practices were also included in his discussion.

A Salesian said, “To make the activity more meaningful, participants were given the opportunity to reflect and share their takeaways and realizations from the activity. They were also asked to think of what they can do to become stewards of the environment. This was a great opportunity for learning and giving back to the community.”

Throughout the Philippines, Salesian missionaries offer a variety of educational and social development programs for youth. The goal is to provide the opportunities necessary to gain an education and skills training to break the cycle of poverty and retain long-term employment.

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Photo courtesy of Don Bosco Green Alliance

Don Bosco Green Alliance – Don Bosco School of Theology, Philippines participates in Marine Coastal Cleanup!

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(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Technical College, located in Cebu, Philippines, organized a two-day first aid training “Common Emergencies and Basic Life Support” for youth in July. The training was held in collaboration with Recoletos University in San Jose and the Adelante Life Emergency Rescue Team-Emergency Medical Service.

Close to 50 youth volunteers came to prepare for responding to emergencies effectively. These youth were from Don Bosco Youth Center in Lourdes, Don Bosco Technical College, Salesian Youth Movement and Don Bosco Youth Center in Lawaan.

Youth learned the difference between first aid and emergency response service, the characteristics and principles of first aid, the step-by-step process of executing CPR, and about relief for an obstructed airway. A practical exam was given to participants at the end of the training.

In addition, youth learned how to make square knots, bandage fractures, splint bone dislocations and manage wounds of various natures. They were asked to master essential medical skills and also practiced carrying, lifting, and transferring patients.

A Salesian said, “As these young individuals gain the knowledge and skills to respond to emergencies and assist professional emergency personnel, they become a beacon of hope and support in their communities. By empowering youth with first aid training, a generation of responsible, caring and resilient citizens is nurtured ready to make a difference in the lives of others.”

Throughout the Philippines, Salesian missionaries offer a variety of educational and social development programs for youth. The goal is to provide the opportunities necessary to gain an education and skills training to break the cycle of poverty and retain long-term employment.

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(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Technical Institute in Makati City, Philippines, has collaborated with Hyundai Motor Philippines, Inc. and the Department of Education Taguig City and Pateros for the development of Hyundai Accelerate, an educational program dedicated to providing disadvantaged youth with opportunities in the automotive industry, according to a recent ZigWheels article.

Don Bosco Technical Institute was established in 1954 and provides technical and vocational training. Graduates are certified to work as automobile mechanics, general electricians, fitter machinists, refrigeration and air-conditioning mechanics, and industrial electronics workers.

The new Hyundai Accelerate program will be open to 40 students from Metro Manila. The program includes eight months of classroom and practical lessons and four months of on-the-job training at a Hyundai service center. Students will be evaluated through quarterly and midterm progress reports, which will also determine the possibility of their employment with Hyundai dealer partners.

“At Hyundai Motor, we have a strong commitment to give back to society. This is rooted from our brand vision of ‘Progress for Humanity’ wherein we believe that mobility is more than going from one place to another, rather connecting people with quality time and enabling them to get more out of life, leading us to forming Hyundai Accelerate,” said Dongwook Lee, Hyundai Motor Philippines, Inc.’s president, in the article.

He added, “It is our grassroots scholarship program dedicated to providing Filipino senior high school graduates an opportunity for further studies. This project is a special one, as it not only cultivates teaching moments, but more importantly, uplifts the lives of our future mentees.”

Throughout the Philippines, Salesian missionaries offer a variety of educational and social development programs for youth. The goal is to provide the opportunities necessary to gain an education and skills training to break the cycle of poverty and retain long-term employment.

More than one-quarter of the population of the Philippines lives in poverty, according to UNICEF. Poverty is most severe and widespread in rural areas where 80% of the population — close to 88 million people — make their home. The poorest Filipinos are Indigenous populations, small-scale farmers who cultivate land received through agrarian reform, landless workers and fishermen. In addition, poverty rates are higher for women than men.

Illiteracy and high levels of unemployment contribute to the elevated poverty rate. With more than 11 million out-of-school youth in the country and dropout rates doubling as children reach secondary school, access to education becomes a critical step in breaking the cycle of poverty.

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Zigwheels – Hyundai Motor PH Teams Up with Don Bosco Technical Institute and DepEd TAPAT for ‘Hyundai Accelerate’

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(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Technical Vocational Education and Training Center, located in Balamban, a municipality in Cebu, Philippines, recently harvested vegetables growing in its Laudato Si’ Garden. The garden is named after Pope Francis’ 2020 Laudato Si’, which had 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.

The garden is tended by Father Tass and a team of trainees from the center to provide nutritious food for 60 students attending the Don Bosco Center. A Salesian explained, “The garden’s existence is deeply rooted in the center’s sustainability plan, serving as a living example of environmentally friendly practices and fostering a profound appreciation for nature and ecological responsibility among the students.”

The Don Bosco Center was established in 1998 with a course offering industrial welding. It has expanded to offer additional welding qualifications for students such as basic gas metal arc welding, basic flux cored arc welding and shielded metal arc welding. The center is part of 18 Salesian technical and vocational training centers in the Philippines.

“Throughout the Philippines, Salesian missionaries offer a variety of educational and social development programs for at-risk and marginalized youth,” said Father Timothy Ploch, interim director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “The goal is to provide the opportunities necessary to gain an education and skills training to break the cycle of poverty and retain long-term employment.”

More than one-quarter of the population of the Philippines lives in poverty, according to UNICEF. Poverty is most severe and widespread in rural areas where 80% of the population — close to 88 million people — make their home. The poorest Filipinos are Indigenous populations, small-scale farmers who cultivate land received through agrarian reform, landless workers and fishermen. In addition, poverty rates are higher for women than men.

Illiteracy and high levels of unemployment contribute to the elevated poverty rate. With more than 11 million out-of-school youth in the country and dropout rates doubling as children reach secondary school, access to education becomes a critical step in breaking the cycle of poverty.

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Photo courtesy of Don Bosco Center Balamban

Don Bosco Center Balamban – Harvest Time

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(MissionNewswire) Six students who attend Don Bosco Technical Institute in Makati City, Philippines, were supported with their education thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. Five of the students are in the automotive program while the sixth student is taking the fitter machinist course. The students have completed their coursework and will advance to hands-on training with their graduation in September 2023.

Don Bosco Technical Institute was established in 1971 to provide poor and underprivileged youth with the skills training to find and retain employment. Today, the institute teaches close to 800 students in courses including automotive, machine shop, electrical and electronics, and printing.

The institute has also developed long-term partnerships with organizations that help ensure students are able to access on-the-job training and find employment once they graduate. Partnerships have been developed with Ford and Porsche, among others.

Students enrolled in the Porsche program complete a 10-month basic training course that includes both theoretical and practical training at the Don Bosco Technical Institute where Porsche has set up and equipped a dedicated training facility. During the program, students undergo advanced Berlitz-administered language lessons in English and Spanish, as well as training in customer service.

Twice a year the institute selects its top 35 students to advance to a comprehensive nine-month training program with Porsche specialists where students train on official Porsche vehicles using Porsche specialized tools. The program’s curriculum is continuously developing and adapting to the latest innovations and technology.

“We are grateful for our donor who is helping to ensure these students are able to finish their education and advance to hands-on training,” said Father Timothy Ploch, interim director of Salesian Missions. “Don Bosco Technical Institute provides a solid education and has developed the right partnerships to ensure students make an easy transition from the classroom to the workplace, setting them up for long-term success.”

Throughout the Philippines, Salesian missionaries offer a variety of educational and social development programs for youth. The goal is to provide the opportunities necessary to gain an education and skills training to break the cycle of poverty and retain long-term employment.

More than one-quarter of the population of the Philippines lives in poverty, according to UNICEF. Poverty is most severe and widespread in rural areas where 80% of the population — close to 88 million people — make their home. The poorest Filipinos are Indigenous populations, small-scale farmers who cultivate land received through agrarian reform, landless workers and fishermen. In addition, poverty rates are higher for women than men.

Illiteracy and high levels of unemployment contribute to the elevated poverty rate. With more than 11 million out-of-school youth in the country and dropout rates doubling as children reach secondary school, access to education becomes a critical step in breaking the cycle of poverty.

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

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(MissionNewswire) Caritas Don Bosco School, located in Santa Rosa, Philippines, celebrated the Christmas season with outreach projects and home-made gifts. Almost everyone at the school participated. Teachers and school employees took part in the annual Christmas outreach challenge, while students prepared messages in hand-crafted cards and gifts.

Groups from the educative pastoral council came together to bring joy to marginalized youth and Indigenous people. Outreach activities were planned to support the local community, along with helping to support others within the school. During the school Christmas party, individuals who participated in the challenge showed videos of their projects and shared reflections from what they learned. One teacher noted that it was not difficult to reach out and it is good to be the source of joy for others.

The parent-teacher council also conducted Christmas outreach activities within the school community and in the local surrounding community. Within the school, the council supported security guards and non-teaching employees and provided gifts to poor communities.

Students got involved with outreach activities as well. Student leaders and alumni organized a Christmas fellowship for marginalized youth and provided items that met their basic needs. The Voces Inspirare School Choir and robotics team collaborated for a light and choral show to benefit the school’s Batholomew Garelli Project, an education fund for poor senior high school students.

Throughout the Philippines, Salesian missionaries offer a variety of educational and social development programs for youth. The goal is to provide the opportunities necessary to gain an education and skills training to break the cycle of poverty and retain long-term employment.

More than one-quarter of the population of the Philippines lives in poverty, according to UNICEF. Poverty is most severe and widespread in rural areas where 80 percent of the population — close to 88 million people — make their home. The poorest Filipinos are Indigenous populations, small-scale farmers who cultivate land received through agrarian reform, landless workers and fishermen. In addition, poverty rates are higher for women than men.

Illiteracy and high levels of unemployment contribute to the elevated poverty rate. With more than 11 million out-of-school youth in the country and dropout rates doubling as children reach secondary school, access to education becomes a critical step in breaking the cycle of poverty.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Philippines – What Christmas Means at “Caritas Don Bosco School” in Santa Rosa

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(MissionNewswire) Fifteen young women who are freshmen students at Don Bosco College, located in Canlubang, Philippines, have been awarded scholarships that will allow them to pursue their dreams of becoming skilled electrical technicians thanks to The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) through One Meralco Foundation (OMF), according to a recent Malaya Business Insight article.

Each scholarship will cover tuition fees and allowances for students in the dual NC II program in electrical installation and maintenance and mechatronics. The scholarship program also provides a four-month on-the-job training for the students, who will be given the opportunity to join the Meralco workforce afterwards, according to the article.

The article further noted that this initiative falls under Meralco’s Gender Diversity and Inclusion Program called MBrace that aims to provide inclusive opportunities to empower women and increase the ratio of women in the company to 40 percent by 2030.

“Don Bosco College provides education for youth from poor backgrounds,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Youth are able to gain an education from primary school all the way through technical and vocational skills training. Salesians work to ensure that girls and young women are able to access the same education that boys and young men are able to access.”

Throughout the Philippines, Salesian missionaries offer a variety of educational and social development programs for youth. The goal is to provide the opportunities necessary to gain an education and skills training to break the cycle of poverty and retain long-term employment.

More than one-quarter of the population of the Philippines lives in poverty, according to UNICEF. Poverty is most severe and widespread in rural areas where 80 percent of the population — close to 88 million people — make their home. The poorest Filipinos are Indigenous populations, small-scale farmers who cultivate land received through agrarian reform, landless workers and fishermen. In addition, poverty rates are higher for women than men.

Illiteracy and high levels of unemployment contribute to the elevated poverty rate. With more than 11 million out-of-school youth in the country and dropout rates doubling as children reach secondary school, access to education becomes a critical step in breaking the cycle of poverty.

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Don Bosco College

Malaya Business Insight – 15 aspiring women technicians receive Meralco scholarship

Salesian Missions – Philippines

UNICEF – Philippines

The post PHILIPPINES: Young women awarded electrical technician scholarships first appeared on MissionNewswire.

PHILIPPINES

(MissionNewswire) The Salesian Youth Movement, within the Salesian Southern Philippines Province, organized a summer camp inspired by the teachings of Pope Francis’ 2020 Laudato Si’, which underlined the importance of education and training that will help youth foster environmental responsibility.

The theme of the camp, “Salesian Youth Eco-Warriors: be the change!”, challenged youth to focus on their own environmental initiatives within their communities. The event was held at the Don Bosco Peace House in Mantalongon and was attended by youth from the districts of Cebu, Negros and Davao.

“Salesian missionaries around the globe have been launching environmental and sustainable projects,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “It’s important for youth to understand their environmental impact and the ways that they, their schools, families, and communities can work together to make improvements and focus on greater environmental change.”

Throughout the Philippines, Salesian missionaries offer a variety of educational and social development programs for youth. The goal is to provide the opportunities necessary to gain an education and skills training to break the cycle of poverty and retain long-term employment.

More than one-quarter of the population of the Philippines lives in poverty, according to UNICEF. Poverty is most severe and widespread in rural areas where 80 percent of the population — close to 88 million people — make their home. The poorest Filipinos are Indigenous populations, small-scale farmers who cultivate land received through agrarian reform, landless workers and fishermen. In addition, poverty rates are higher for women than men.

Illiteracy and high levels of unemployment contribute to the elevated poverty rate. With more than 11 million out-of-school youth in the country and dropout rates doubling as children reach secondary school, access to education becomes a critical step in breaking the cycle of poverty.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Philippines – A summer camp inspired by teachings of “Laudato Sì”

Salesian Missions – Philippines

UNICEF – Philippines

The post PHILIPPINES: Youth take on environmental challenges first appeared on MissionNewswire.

PHILIPPINES

(MissionNewswire) More than 300 students are gaining skills for employment at Don Bosco Training Center Mati in Mati City within the Davao Oriental province on Mindanao, the second largest island in the Philippines. Don Bosco Mati, as it’s known, opened in 2019, and the center’s agriculture and technical skills training courses are well known in Mindanao.

Father Joriz Calsa, who started at Don Bosco Mati in 2021, said, “We are glad that the training center continued its operation even amidst the pandemic with almost 300 students, thanks to our humble boarding houses and the continuous support through scholarships from government institutions. This year we even managed to send around 30 students for on-the-job training, and I have witnessed companies coming over to look for our graduates for job openings.”

Don Bosco Mati has acquired a star rating from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for its welding course and received a three-year approval as a “donee” institution from the Philippine Council for NGO Certification, which means the school can take donations from partner industries.

The latest project, a chapel on the Don Bosco Mati grounds, will be completed this year, so the school will be able to celebrate Catholic Mass with its students. Formation for the various ministries in the parish has also continued. This year, Salesians made a point of making the sacraments more accessible to the poor by offering them more frequently even in their own villages.

More than one-quarter of the population of the Philippines lives in poverty, according to UNICEF. Poverty is most severe and widespread in rural areas where 80 percent of the population — close to 88 million people — make their home. The poorest Filipinos are indigenous populations, small-scale farmers who cultivate land received through agrarian reform, landless workers and fishermen. In addition, poverty rates are higher for women than men.

Illiteracy and high levels of unemployment contribute to the elevated poverty rate. With more than 11 million out-of-school youth in the country and dropout rates doubling as children reach secondary school, access to education becomes a critical step in breaking the cycle of poverty. Throughout the Philippines, Salesian missionaries 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 skills training to break the cycle of poverty and retain long-term employment.

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

ANS – Philippines – Don Bosco “mother-house” in Mindanao: all about growth

Salesian Missions – Philippines

UNICEF – Philippines

The post PHILIPPINES: Don Bosco Mati provides agriculture and skills training to 300 youth first appeared on MissionNewswire.

PHILIPPINES

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries have operated the Don Bosco Training Center in San Jose, Philippines, since 1995. An organic agricultural production course was launched three years ago in response to the government’s call to augment the food production industry.

The Salesian diocese of San Jose is in a region which is known as the country’s rice granary. Rice is the staple food in the Philippines, and 80 percent of the population are farmers. The most recent course helps protect the environment through sustainable organic farming.

“Providing education to help youth and local farmers cultivate the land helps to make their farms more productive and show that farming can be a reliable source of income,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Missionaries provide education and workforce development paired with other social services to help poor youth break the cycle of poverty and have hope for the future. This also helps their families and communities.”

Don Bosco Training Center is not the only farming education that Salesians provide in the region. In the mid-1980s, Salesian Bishop Leo Drona founded the Gratia Plena Social Action Center to help the poor farming population after a destructive typhoon. It considers organic agriculture as a strategic response to environmental issues by promoting sustainable farming methods.

Through the Gratia Plena Social Services Center, Salesians support and guide farmers to acquire skills and the know-how to boost the local economy. The center also works in partnership with small-scale farmers, cooperatives, and development practitioners who believe in organic practices of producing food for life, health, and the environment. Salesians are exploring possibilities for the Don Bosco Training Center to work in closer collaboration with Gratia Plena Social Services Center.

Since 1950, Salesian Missions has been providing crucial help in the Philippines — working with at-risk youth, impoverished families and disaster victims. Humanitarian agencies warn of the dangers faced by the most disadvantaged children in the Philippines. There are at least 1.2 million children between the ages of 5 and 15 who are out of school and are being left behind. In addition, children born into the poorest 20 percent of the population are almost three times more likely to die during their first five years as those from the richest 20 percent.

Poverty rose sharply in the Philippines due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the World Bank, close to 4 million people became poor in the first half of 2021 due to pandemic-induced lockdown measures that dried up jobs and reduced domestic demand. Poverty incidence in the Philippines rose to 23.7 percent from 21.1 percent, indicating 3.9 million more people are living in poverty now than in 2018 when the statistics were last verified.

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

ANS – Philippines – Organic Agricultural Production a way to protect the environment

Don Bosco TVET Centers

Salesian Missions – Philippines

World Bank – Philippines

The post PHILIPPINES: Farmers learn sustainable organic practices first appeared on MissionNewswire.

PHILIPPINES

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Calauan, located in Calauan, Philippines, has a feeding program that distributes more than 7,000 meals each day. Currently, 3,500 children and adults receive daily rice porridge for breakfast and then rice with a side dish for lunch. Every six months the recipient list is updated, and each recipient is evaluated to see who still needs to be part of the feeding program. Some names are removed and new ones are added.

Don Bosco Calauan is located among a densely populated community that is mostly relocated families who are among the poorest and most disenfranchised. When the government moved these families to Calauan, they left their source of income in Manila. People engage in informal activities or trades to earn a living. Many children are malnourished and families still struggle to survive due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2010, Salesian missionaries launched skills training programs to help people learn trades and develop the skills for employment. The feeding program was also launched and remained strong even during the pandemic. Father Ferdinand Camilo is among the 25 volunteers who serve as cooks and helpers in food preparation. Brother Ronnel Tiu oversees the distribution of meals, which are made possible thanks to partnerships, foundations and individual donors.

“Children cannot focus on their education and people cannot do well at work on an empty stomach,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “The contributions of donors and partners allow Salesian missionaries on the ground to expand their efforts to reach families who desperately need our help, especially as the pandemic pushed some families further into poverty.”

Since 1950, Salesian Missions has been providing crucial help in the Philippines — working with at-risk youth, impoverished families and disaster victims. Humanitarian agencies warn of the dangers faced by the most disadvantaged children in the Philippines. There are at least 1.2 million children between the ages of 5 and 15 who are out of school and are being left behind. In addition, children born into the poorest 20 percent of the population are almost three times more likely to die during their first five years as those from the richest 20 percent.

Poverty rose sharply in the Philippines due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the World Bank, close to 4 million people became poor in the first half of 2021 due to pandemic-induced lockdown measures that dried up jobs and reduced domestic demand. Poverty incidence in the Philippines rose to 23.7 percent from 21.1 percent, indicating 3.9 million more people are living in poverty now than in 2018 when the statistics were last verified.

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

ANS – Philippines – Feeding thousands of people is a daily Salesian miracle in Calauan

Don Bosco Calauan

Salesian Missions – Philippines

World Bank – Philippines

The post PHILIPPINES: 3,500 children and adults receive meals first appeared on MissionNewswire.

PHILIPPINES

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco technical and vocational training centers in southern Philippines received support for online teaching and learning for more than 500 trainees thanks in part to funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The project received matching funding from Don Bosco Mondo in Germany through the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.

The “Interventions to Support Technical-Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in the New Normal” project, which launched in August 2020, involved 48 instructors from eight Don Bosco technical and vocational training centers located in Cebu, Negros, Iloilo, Eastern Samar in the Visayas Islands and Davao in the Mindanao Islands.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused upheaval in the educational system and left students and teachers scrambling to figure out how to continue their educational objectives. Educational institutions began using online instruction and blended learning environments with a mix of face-to-face instruction, when possible.

To do this effectively, Don Bosco technical and vocational centers needed support to be able to provide online education. Funding for this project provided for the setup of recording rooms in eight centers, digital production materials, and a trainee’s package including a flash drive, printed modules, two washable face masks and one face shield.

Further, the project provided funding for a rent-to-own tablet for trainees who didn’t have their own device, as well as a food and accommodation subsidy to trainees who were boarders during face-to-face classes. Instructors were provided rent-to-own laptops, and the centers provided a monthly internet incentive so the instructors could facilitate online teaching, activities, and follow-ups.

“Teachers are the backbone of the Salesian educational system and had to quickly modify how they provide education during the pandemic—not an easy feat for many Salesian teachers,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions. “Salesian teachers face many challenges educating poor youth, and the pandemic has only exacerbated these challenges. This project enabled Salesian teachers to meet these challenges head-on, providing youth education and hope for a brighter future.”

Since 1950, Salesian Missions has been providing crucial help in the Philippines—working with at-risk youth, impoverished families and disaster victims. Humanitarian agencies warn of the dangers faced by the most disadvantaged children in the Philippines. There are at least 1.2 million children between the ages of 5 and 15 who are out of school and are being left behind. In addition, children born into the poorest 20 percent of the population are almost three times more likely to die during their first five years as those from the richest 20 percent.

Poverty rose sharply in the Philippines due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the World Bank, close to 4 million people became poor in the first half of 2021 due to pandemic-induced lockdown measures that dried up jobs and reduced domestic demand. Poverty incidence in the Philippines rose to 23.7 percent from 21.1 percent, indicating 3.9 million more people are living in poverty now than in 2018 when the statistics were last verified.

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Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Don Bosco TVET Centers

Salesian Missions – Philippines

World Bank – Philippines

The post PHILIPPINES: Technical training centers supported first appeared on MissionNewswire.

PHILIPPINES

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries continue their work helping families in Cebu, Philippines, who have been impacted by Typhoon Rai, which hit the region with winds of 121 miles per hour before making landfall on Dec. 16. According to the National Council for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction, the effects of the typhoon impacted more than 1.8 million people including killing 407 and injuring 1,147.

Father Fidel Orendain, provincial of the Southern Philippines, said, “On my first visit to one of our schools badly hit by the super typhoon, very strong emotions flooded me. A pall of uncertainty and desperation gripped me over the grave destruction all over the campus. Now, several weeks and visits later, the situation has changed little and slowly.”

In one of his last visits Fr. Orendain was able to observe the difficulties for Salesian teachers during this challenging time. “Since face-to-face lessons were banned in schools for almost two years, teachers are required to come to the campus to print lessons in module packs so parents could pick them up for their kids to work on. Faculty members line up to use the printers that survived getting wet or being blown away by the typhoon. Half of their concern is focused on making and printing lessons. The other half is to rush back home to repair their houses.”

Fr. Orendain reported that a little over one-third of the teachers and staff of the Salesian educational center in Cebu had their roofs blown away. They were also concerned about the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and remaining safe.

Salesians have been working tirelessly to help those most in need. On Jan. 29, Father Godofredo Atienza, former provincial and current head of the Salesian Family Secretariat, represented Fr. Orendain on a visit to families residing on the group of islands of Olango. He noted, “Many of the houses in Olango have yet to be rebuilt and the electricity has yet to be restored. These families truly suffer, whether it is dry or it is raining, because most of their homes were totally flattened.”

Just reaching these families was challenging, requiring a journey first by car and then by boat. The Salesian team is committed to bringing the aid that has been made available by the generous support of Misean Cara, the Salesian Irish Province development office.

Salesian missionaries live in the communities in which they work and are continuing to assess damage and provide what they can to help support their local communities after this devastating storm.

Since 1950, Salesian Missions has been providing crucial help in the Philippines—working with at-risk youth, impoverished families and disaster victims. Humanitarian agencies warn of the dangers faced by the most disadvantaged children in the Philippines. There are at least 1.2 million children between the ages of 5 and 15 who are out of school and are being left behind. In addition, children born into the poorest 20 percent of the population are almost three times more likely to die during their first five years as those from the richest 20 percent.

Poverty rose sharply in the Philippines due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the World Bank, close to 4 million people became poor in the first half of 2021 due to pandemic-induced lockdown measures that dried up jobs and reduced domestic demand. Poverty incidence in the Philippines rose to 23.7 percent from 21.1 percent, indicating 3.9 million more people are living in poverty now than in 2018 when the statistics were last verified.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Philippines – Solidarity and resilience to recover from Rai/Odette devastation

Salesian Missions – Philippines

World Bank – Philippines

The post PHILIPPINES: Families remain in need after Typhoon Rai first appeared on MissionNewswire.

PHILIPPINES

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Formation Center in Lawaan, Philippines, was impacted by Typhoon Rai, which hit the region with winds of 121 miles per hour before making landfall on Dec. 16. According to the National Council for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction, the effects of the typhoon impacted more than 1.8 million people including killing 407 and injuring 1,147.

Once safe after the typhoon, Salesians, aspirants, youth from the Don Bosco Youth Center and lay mission partners worked to restore the damaged building. Water was restored and electricity was provided with a generator. The Don Bosco Youth Center was also able to reach out and help neighboring communities by providing clean water and a charging station for free. The Salesian community also received donated goods and was able to distribute them to people who had been impacted.

With the assistance of Father Chito Dimaranan, the Don Bosco Formation Center was also able to reach out to people on Bohol Island, which had been impacted by the storm. Relief supplies including water and filtering systems were provided to families and the broader community.

In addition, the garden at Mary Help of Christians was transformed to a public open space where people could relax and celebrate the Christmas season despite all the pain and suffering.

“Salesian missionaries live in the communities in which they work and were able to quickly assess the damage and provide what they could to help support their local communities after this devastating storm,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Salesians in the community will continue to assess what families might need and will be there helping local communities.”

Since 1950, Salesian Missions has been providing crucial help in the Philippines—working with at-risk youth, impoverished families and disaster victims. Humanitarian agencies warn of the dangers faced by the most disadvantaged children in the Philippines. There are at least 1.2 million children between the ages of 5 and 15 who are out of school and are being left behind. In addition, children born into the poorest 20 percent of the population are almost three times more likely to die during their first five years as those from the richest 20 percent.

Poverty rose sharply in the Philippines due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the World Bank, close to 4 million people became poor in the first half of 2021 due to pandemic-induced lockdown measures that dried up jobs and reduced domestic demand. Poverty incidence in the Philippines rose to 23.7 percent from 21.1 percent, indicating 3.9 million more people are living in poverty now than in 2018 when the statistics were last verified.

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

ANS – Philippines – Don Bosco Formation Center Becomes a Bearer of Hope After Typhoon Odette

Salesian Missions – Philippines

World Bank – Philippines

The post PHILIPPINES: Salesians help local community after Typhoon Rai first appeared on MissionNewswire.

PHILIPPINES

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries have been helping families in Cebu, Philippines, who have been impacted by Typhoon Rai, which hit the region with winds of 121 miles per hour before making landfall on Dec. 16. According to the National Council for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction, the effects of the typhoon impacted more than 1.8 million people including killing 407 and injuring 1,147.

With international support, including that from the Salesian Mission Office in Australia, Salesian staff and volunteers have been working tirelessly to meet basic needs of hundreds of people who have lost everything and who need assistance, food, clean water, clothing, and temporary shelter.

Before the typhoon, Salesians were helping victims of a local fire. More than 50 homes burned to the ground, and the families were then faced with the typhoon’s devastation. One family had built a makeshift shelter after the fire only to be told to find new shelter because of the typhoon. When the wind and rain subsided, they walked through mud, garbage, and debris back to their home to realize they had lost what was left of their belongings.

Reggie, a volunteer who finds funds to educate poor children in the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Cebu City, tried her best to help these families. Jan Odivilas, from the Southern Philippine Social Communications Office, said, “Reggie was tired and her hair was unkempt when I sat down with her yesterday. But her face lit up when I told her I was hoping she could help organize a rescue operation.”

Odivilas added, “I gave Reggie the donations we collected. Around noon today, she called to tell me that she had bought all the non-perishable products and was with an army of volunteers filling 700 relief bags. She was already up at four in the morning. The rest of the day will be long. This isn’t her first rescue this month. And she knows very well that in the weeks to come there is a good chance that she will fill even more bags.”

Salesian missionaries live in the communities in which they work and are providing what they can to help support their local communities after this devastating storm.

Since 1950, Salesian Missions has been providing crucial help in the Philippines—working with at-risk youth, impoverished families and disaster victims. Humanitarian agencies warn of the dangers faced by the most disadvantaged children in the Philippines. There are at least 1.2 million children between the ages of 5 and 15 who are out of school and are being left behind. In addition, children born into the poorest 20 percent of the population are almost three times more likely to die during their first five years as those from the richest 20 percent.

Poverty rose sharply in the Philippines due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the World Bank, close to 4 million people became poor in the first half of 2021 due to pandemic-induced lockdown measures that dried up jobs and reduced domestic demand. Poverty incidence in the Philippines rose to 23.7 percent from 21.1 percent, indicating 3.9 million more people are living in poverty now than in 2018 when the statistics were last verified.

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

ANS – Philippines – Salesian solidarity brings help and hope to the needy

Salesian Missions – Philippines

World Bank – Philippines

The post PHILIPPINES: Salesians help families who lost everything in fire and typhoon first appeared on MissionNewswire.

PHILIPPINES

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Technical College in Cebu City, Philippines, suffered severe damage from Typhoon Rai, which hit the region with winds of 121 miles per hour before making landfall on Dec. 16. The typhoon has killed more than 370 and displaced hundreds of thousands of people, damaged homes, and toppled power and communication lines.

“After visiting the city by bicycle, I found that Don Bosco Technical College was the most damaged among the Salesian houses,” explained Father Keith Amodia, delegate for social communication of the Salesian FIS Province. “Our youth center in Pasil, which was close to the sea, also suffered damage from the wind and waves. The structural integrity of the perimeter fence has already been compromised and the whole thing is starting to lean to one side. Should it yield, the Salesians will be exposed to the river and the sea with the risk of also being pillaged.”

Many people are without electricity, and internet access is scarce as power lines have been damaged. Many families have lost their homes, especially those built with lightweight materials. There are also problems with drinking water, as the water district has suspended the supply. The government is using fire trucks to deliver water to communities.

Fr. Amodia added, “Our school has a generator, but it will only last until 8 p.m. and therefore we will spend the night in the dark. It is interesting to note that the direct internet line we are using for the online lessons of the school still works, but it will only last as long as there is electricity. Please pray for us. Many families here are suffering from being exposed to the elements. People are flocking to gas stations and hardware stores. The Cebuans, however, are hardy people. For generations, the Cebuans have lived with this climate, only now the storms are stronger due to climate change.”

Salesian missionaries live in the communities in which they work and are assessing the damage and providing what they can to help support their local communities after this devastating storm.

Since 1950, Salesian Missions has been providing crucial help in the Philippines—working with at-risk youth, impoverished families and disaster victims. Humanitarian agencies warn of the dangers faced by the most disadvantaged children in the Philippines. According to UNICEF, there are at least 1.2 million children between the ages of 5 and 15 who are out of school and are being left behind. In addition, children born into the poorest 20 percent of the population are almost three times more likely to die during their first five years as those from the richest 20 percent.

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

ANS – Philippines – Damage to Salesian structures caused by typhoon Rai

Don Bosco Technical College

Salesian Missions – Philippines

UNICEF – Philippines

The post PHILIPPINES: Typhoon Rai causes severe damage first appeared on MissionNewswire.

PHILIPPINES

(MissionNewswire) Father Antonio “Beng-Beng” Molavin, rector of the Salesian St. Ildefonso Parish in Makati, Philippines, has launched initiatives to help the parish population focus on removing plastics from the environment by working with Plastic Bank, a nongovernmental organization focused on recycling plastics. Rather than eliminating plastic, Plastic Bank aims to teach how to manage it.

Parish members are involved in projects to clean up their local community and to recycle plastics found, as well as items used in their homes. Youth in the Salesian oratory are also reusing plastic items rather than throwing them into the trash.

St. Ildefonso Parish was chosen by the Ecological Ministry of the Archdiocese of Manila to be the first parish in the Philippines to collaborate with Plastic Bank. Fr. Molavin explained, “If we take the problem of plastic pollution seriously and try to offer an effective solution, we would have solved a great ecological problem.”

The project is in response to the call from Pope Francis in his 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 foster environmental responsibility.

“We brought the project first to our local Christian community, which has adopted the recovery of plastic as their main project during the pandemic,” said Fr. Molavin. “After educating about the topics, we started going house to house and instructed families to wash the plastic with soap so that it can be reused. Then we go around picking up the plastic, making sure it’s clean and dry.”

Over the next five years, the parish would like to create a network of 500 families who will work together to find a solution to the plastic problem. It is also hoped that S.t Ildefonso Parish will become an accredited Laudato Si Parish within five years. In addition to recycling, a gardening project was launched, trees have been planted and segregation of waste has started.

Since 1950, Salesian Missions has been providing crucial help in the Philippines—working with at-risk youth, impoverished families and disaster victims. Humanitarian agencies warn of the dangers faced by the most disadvantaged children in the Philippines. According to UNICEF, there are at least 1.2 million children between the ages of 5 and 15 who are out of school and are being left behind. In addition, children born into the poorest 20 percent of the population are almost three times more likely to die during their first five years as those from the richest 20 percent.

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

ANS – Philippines – Parish of St. Ildefonso of Makati fights use of plastic

Plastic Bank

St. Ildefonso Parish

Salesian Missions – Philippines

UNICEF – Philippines

The post PHILIPPINES: Initiative boosts recycling efforts first appeared on MissionNewswire.

PHILIPPINES

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Agro-Mechanical Technology Center (known locally as Don Bosco Legazpi), located in Banquerohan, Legazpi City, Philippines, is helping a new generation of farmers prepare for the future. The average age of farmers in the country is 57, and youth have a real opportunity to gain steady employment and make an impact on farming in their communities.

Don Bosco Legazpi is a technical vocational school offering skills training and a farm development program to help youth and local farmers achieve self-sufficiency. As part of the center, Salesians have seven hectares of land for agricultural production, known as the Don Bosco Demonstration Farm. On the farm, Salesians teach agricultural production and proper utilization of agricultural equipment.

There is also the Don Bosco agricultural multi-purpose cooperative which facilitates microfinancing to farmers and coordinates the use of tractors and other mechanics for land preparation, planting, weeding, marketing and training. Part of the agricultural production is raising pigs and chickens. Currently, Salesians have facilities for 14 sows and two buildings for 1,000 chickens each. The chickens produce eggs to sell to generate an income as part of the training program in entrepreneurship.

Don Bosco Legazpi has also created the Bosconian Young Farmers Club, an agricultural club of young past pupils. Last year, with the help of industry professionals, 10 volunteers received training and orientation about the club and how it should be run. The club includes these 10 volunteer members along with five honorary members. It is run by Salesian Father Ronilo Javines.

The Bosconian Young Farmers Club offers a youth cooperative that supports agro-entrepreneurial initiatives and promotes family-based natural farming, helps with the reduction of the ecological footprint of Salesian activities, and runs a youth farm.

“This small but very significant seed could bear many fruits and inspire other Salesians and past pupils in many agricultural realities to follow this path,” said Fr. Javines.

Since 1950, Salesian Missions has been providing crucial help in the Philippines—working with at-risk youth, impoverished families and disaster victims. Humanitarian agencies warn of the dangers faced by the most disadvantaged children in the Philippines. According to UNICEF, there are at least 1.2 million children between the ages of 5 and 15 who are out of school and are being left behind. In addition, children born into the poorest 20 percent of the population are almost three times more likely to die during their first five years as those from the richest 20 percent.

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

ANS – Philippines – “Don Bosco” work in Legazpi becomes development model for rural environments’ youth

Bosconian Youth Farmers Club Facebook

Don Bosco Agro-Mechanical Technology Center Facebook

Salesian Missions – Philippines

UNICEF – Philippines

The post PHILIPPINES: Youth and local farmers achieve self-sufficiency through training program first appeared on MissionNewswire.

PHILIPPINES

(MissionNewswire) Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, the Salesian Philippines South Province made a formal agreement with the Region 7 Office of the Department of Health to use its retreat house in Lawaan, Talisay City, as temporary boarding for frontline workers. These health care professionals had to isolate themselves, even from their families, for everyone’s protection.

Chester B. Hamoy, an alumnus of a Salesian school and a licensed nurse, said, “During the first few months, I was very scared. I was at a loss due to the sudden changes. I was also concerned for my safety due to people’s discrimination of health workers who were being accused of being carriers of COVID-19. I was also scared for my family since my father has comorbidity, and we live in a compound owned by my grandparents with relatives, some of whom are also senior citizens. That is why I decided to look for a place to stay so that I can be at peace that my family will be spared from the virus.”

Hamoy heard stories about nurses who were refused entry to their shared boarding houses and neighborhoods and of frontline workers doused with water by people afraid of the virus. The situation took its toll on him.

“When they offered accommodations at Don Bosco Retreat House, I did not immediately grab the opportunity because I really wanted to isolate myself even from my fellow front-liners,” explained Hamoy.

Medical professionals not only needed a place to stay, but they needed community support to get through the demanding physical and psychological job they had in front of them. Initially wary of each other, those who took refuge in the retreat house discovered a sense of community in their shared experience and struggle.

Hamoy said, “A lot of struggles came in—there was fear of the virus, safety, financial problems and family concerns. I was just so blessed that I was staying here. Attending the Mass every day made me forget my personal concerns for at least an hour. I was so fortunate to have Father Eugene with us. The support he gave did not just help me spiritually but also my mental well-being.”

Father Eugene Maglasang volunteered to stay with the frontline workers in the retreat house. He celebrated Masses for them, engaged them at meals and even organized a retreat for them in the mountains of southern Cebu. Those living in the house bonded together and supported one another as a community.

“I had the opportunity to make new friends in my stay here in the retreat house since 90 percent of the occupants were also working in Talisay District Hospital with me,” Hamoy added. “We had rules to follow, and we also had roles assigned to us. I have learned how to cook and tried to cook new recipes. It was a good diversion that we enjoyed outside work.”

The last of the health care workers left to go back to their own homes on May 10, 2021. Hamoy said, “I am sad right now because we are leaving. I am having separation anxiety. I did not feel it until yesterday when I was packing my things and trying to sort out what to bring and what to throw away. Seeing all my stuff made me emotional and I find it funny because I am not an emotional person. I became attached to this community after being together for one year.”

Since 1950, Salesian Missions has been providing crucial help in the Philippines—working with at-risk youth, impoverished families and disaster victims. Humanitarian agencies warn of the dangers faced by the most disadvantaged children in the Philippines. According to UNICEF, there are at least 1.2 million children between the ages of 5-15 who are out of school and are being left behind. In addition, children born into the poorest 20 percent of the population are almost three times more likely to die during their first five years as those from the richest 20 percent.

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ANS – Philippines – Lawaan: a Home for Heroes

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PHILIPPINES

(MissionNewswire)  St. Dominic Savio Parish, located in Mandaluyong City, Philippines, launched a community pantry to provide free food directly to community members suffering from food scarcity due to the pandemic. The food supplies are donated by members of the community who can afford to do so and left in the pantry for anyone in need. The idea behind it is that people can take as much as they need and donate whatever they can.

This effort is spearheaded by Salesian Father Eduardo Hila, the St. Dominic Savio Parish priest. The project is a collaborative effort of 17 organizations that are a part of the parish, local government and private individuals. Local organizations are helping by asking for donations, packing, manning the pantry and inventory, and educating people about the purpose and value of the initiative. Local officials are there to monitor health protocols and social distancing for those people who are picking up essential goods.

The pandemic has caused increased worries, fear, and hopelessness among parishioners, and the parish is responding by showing compassion, kindness, and humility.

A Salesian missionary said, “The St. Dominic Savio Parish pantry sends a strong message of ‘God’s love in action’ and ‘Loving my neighbor’ by people being able to share their blessings, and those who are in need are able to get what they need. Sustainability is a great challenge for the volunteers, but they believe in the kindness and generosity of individuals and families. They encourage the residents of the six barangays to share what they have.”

People have enjoyed how the community has come together in support of one another. One parishioner said, “We receive a lot of support from our parish priest and from other priests in the community. We thought our food supply would run out, but there was always something coming.”

Since 1950, Salesian Missions has been providing crucial help in the Philippines—working with at-risk youth, impoverished families and disaster victims. Humanitarian agencies warn of the dangers faced by the most disadvantaged children in the Philippines. According to UNICEF, there are at least 1.2 million children between the ages of 5-15 who are out of school and are being left behind. In addition, children born into the poorest 20 percent of the population are almost three times more likely to die during their first five years as those from the richest 20 percent.

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PHILIPPINES

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Agro-Mechanical Technology Center (known locally as Don Bosco Legazpi), located in Banquerohan, Legazpi City, Philippines, had the funding to purchase 1,000 chickens thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco.

Don Bosco Legazpi is a technical vocational school offering skills training and a farm development program for youth and local farmers to help them achieve self-sufficiency. As part of the center, Salesians have seven hectares of land for agricultural production, known as the Don Bosco Demonstration Farm. On the farm, Salesians teach agricultural production and proper utilization of agricultural equipment.

There is also the Don Bosco agricultural multi-purpose cooperative which facilitates microfinancing to farmers and coordinates the use of tractors and other mechanics for land preparation, planting, weeding, marketing and training. Part of the agricultural production is raising pigs and chickens. Currently, Salesians have facilities for 14 sows and two buildings for 1,000 chickens each. The chickens provided by this funding will produce eggs to sell to generate an income as part of the training program in entrepreneurship.

“We appreciate the funding our donors provided that is enabling Don Bosco Legazpi to have the chickens they need to produce eggs and generate an income,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions. “Don Bosco Legazpi was specifically opened to provide technical farming education to poor youth with scarce resources, and instruct them in the practical skills of farming to allow them to earn a living and give back to their communities.”

Don Bosco Legazpi offers its students an opportunity to combine theory with practice through its hands-on approach. Students use the skills they learn in the classroom by putting them directly to work in the fields that are part of the center’s farm. They are taught theoretical and practical courses in topics such as greenhouses, growing vegetables, cereal crops, gardening, breeding, animal husbandry and veterinary sciences, and dairy products.

Since 1950, Salesian Missions has been providing crucial help in the Philippines—working with at-risk youth, impoverished families and disaster victims. Humanitarian agencies warn of the dangers faced by the most disadvantaged children in the Philippines. According to UNICEF, there are at least 1.2 million children between the ages of 5 and 15 who are out of school and are being left behind. In addition, children born into the poorest 20 percent of the population are almost three times more likely to die during their first five years as those from the richest 20 percent.

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Don Bosco Pasil launched Mamma Margaret’s Garden during the pandemic

PHILIPPINES

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Pasil, in Cebu City, Philippines, launched the Mamma Margaret’s Garden last year. Pasil is one of the villages in Cebu City that is highly populated and the houses are densely packed. Availability of land for planting is very limited so the project used recycled plastic bottles to plant fruits and vegetables

Salesian Brother Julius Ysulan and Brother Raffy Besonia run the garden and provide weekly educational sessions on environmental issues. After a year of planting and growing, the harvest is here. Families have fruits and vegetables without having to use their limited money to buy them at the store.

Mc Dowell C. Colarte II, a youth in Pasil, said, “Bro. Julius shared his seedling experience during the lockdown in Cebu City last year. He also introduced us to some environmental initiatives and Pope Francis’ 2020 Laudato Si’, which has as its theme ‘Good Christians and Upright Citizens.’ Bro. Julius talked about how beneficial plants can be to society, how a single trash can affect us, and how fun planting is—just like having a pet, you take care of it.”

James Delima, KOA member and youth leader, noted, “I’ve learned that we can use those unused things around us—empty plastic bottles and rubber tires—and turn it into something that we can benefit from. It’s not too late to help nature by throwing out trash and planting trees, fruits and vegetables so that we can harvest it if we don’t have anything to eat. It is true that planting is not that easy, but he who plants trees, love others besides himself.”

This garden is one of many initiatives launched during the pandemic. Several Salesian organizations in the Philippines started farming and gardening projects to help provide food relief to families in need. An 8,000-square-meter soccer field at St. John Bosco Parish, located in Tondo, Manila, had its first harvest festival where anyone could pay and harvest vegetables. The initiative launched in October 2020 and was spearheaded by the Department of Agrarian Reform, along with the Department of Agriculture, St. John Bosco Parish and the Manila local government. The project resulted in the first urban farm in Manila.

The project was launched by six agrarian reform beneficiaries from Cavite, who are known as farmer-scientists. They volunteered to teach the residents of Tondo skills and techniques in urban vegetable farming. After the initial training, Tondo residents planted squash, upo, kangkong, spinach, mustard, and pechay in the vegetable garden. The urban farm is benefiting people living in 17 barangays (neighborhoods) around the St. John Bosco Parish.

Since 1950, Salesian Missions has been providing crucial help in the Philippines—working with at-risk youth, impoverished families and disaster victims. Humanitarian agencies warn of the dangers faced by the most disadvantaged children in the Philippines. According to UNICEF, there are at least 1.2 million children between the ages of 5 and 15 who are out of school and are being left behind. In addition, children born into the poorest 20 percent of the population are almost three times more likely to die during their first five years as those from the richest 20 percent.

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ANS – Philippines – “Don Bosco Pasil” for a Greener Campus

PHILIPPINES: First urban farm in Manila launches

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PHILIPPINES

(MissionNewswire) Two youth attending the Don Bosco Technical Vocational Center in Calauan, Philippines, continued their studies thanks to scholarship funding provided by donors of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The financial assistance received will enable the students to gain the education needed to find and retain stable employment either locally or internationally.

Don Bosco Calauan provides education in automotive servicing, motorcycle small engine servicing, computer systems servicing, electrical installation and maintenance, and shielded metal arc welding.

“We at Don Bosco Calauan are grateful to Salesian Missions for the support you have given us especially in this great moment of crisis,” said Father Jeffrey L. Mangubat, administrator and technical director of Don Bosco Calauan. “We thank you for being part of our mission in cutting the vicious cycle of poverty among youth as we provide them quality technical education and training which will bring them to obtain a decent future. The students and their parents are very grateful for this wonderful opportunity.”

The Salesians are regarded as the single largest provider of vocational and technical training in the world. They offer more than 1,000 vocational, technical, professional and agricultural schools around the globe. This training provides youth the practical skills to prepare for employment and helps them lead productive lives while becoming contributing adults in their communities. These programs go beyond educating. They also assist youth with making connections within industries and preparing them for the process of searching, finding and retaining employment.

“We know that access to education lays the foundation for a better future for all youth and that work must continue even as we face a global health crisis,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions. “In many countries around the globe where poverty is high and access to education is not universal, it is crucial that Salesian missionaries continue to offer technical and vocational training to as many youth as possible to ensure that they have access to long-term stable employment.”

Since 1950, Salesian Missions has been providing crucial help in the Philippines—working with at-risk youth, impoverished families and disaster victims. Humanitarian agencies warn of the dangers faced by the most disadvantaged children in the Philippines. According to UNICEF, there are at least 1.2 million children between the ages of 5-15 who are out of school and are being left behind. In addition, children born into the poorest 20 percent of the population are almost three times more likely to die during their first five years as those from the richest 20 percent.

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PHILIPPINES

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Technical and Vocational Training Centers in the southern Philippines are providing a blended learning environment for students and teachers during the 2020-2021 school year, thanks in part to funding received from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The funding supported more than 500 trainees and 48 instructors in eight Don Bosco centers in Cebu, Negros, Iloilo, Eastern Samar in the Visayas Islands and Davao in the Mindanao Islands.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has caused an upheaval in all aspects of life, including education,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions. “Digital readiness has never been more important. We are pleased to be able to support Salesian missionaries as they work to find a new way of educating students and ensuring that their teachers have the resources that they need to continue to provide technical and vocational training.”

Don Bosco centers in the southern Philippines are committed to delivering blended learning this school year and in the future. Centers are working to reimagine educational opportunities to create a “new normal” that maintains and improves the quality of life of students.

Internet connectivity is a challenge not only faced by Don Bosco educators and learners but by the whole country. The biggest hurdle is the lack of access to online facilities for those living in conditions of poverty. With funding, recording rooms were set up in each of the Don Bosco centers for digital production of learning materials.

In addition, the funding provided a trainee package comprising of a flash drive, printed modules, two washable face masks and one face shield. Trainees were also given a rent-to-own tablet, along with a food and accommodation subsidy.

Online classes are using a combination of Google Classrooms, Google Meet and Facebook Messenger. During online classes, trainees can use the flash drive, which contains digital learning modules, including videos, illustrations, interactive exercises and other offline learning modalities developed by the Don Bosco centers. Content of the flash drives is updated with each week’s lessons along with a printable version of the educational materials.

The Don Bosco centers are providing a monthly internet incentive to instructors to facilitate online teaching, online activities, and online follow-ups. At the Don Bosco centers, there is internet connection for instructors. For instructors who do not have a device for online classes, rent-to-own laptops are being made available for two years interest-free.

Since 1950, Salesian Missions has been providing crucial help in the Philippines—working with at-risk youth, impoverished families and disaster victims. Humanitarian agencies warn of the dangers faced by the most disadvantaged children in the Philippines. According to UNICEF, there are at least 1.2 million children between the ages of 5 and 15 who are out of school and are being left behind. In addition, children born into the poorest 20 percent of the population are almost three times more likely to die during their first five years as those from the richest 20 percent.

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PHILIPPINES

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries are helping 2,600 families after the Suba River, near the St. Joseph Worker Salesian Parish, caused flash flooding in Victorias City, Philippines. The flooding resulted in the destruction of homes and many people lost everything.

Many families found shelter in the large Shrine of Mary Immaculate in the Cane Town district, a space Salesians opened during the flooding for those who needed a safe place. Salesian missionaries have been collecting donations including boxes of pasta, clothes, blankets, towels, shoes, bags of rice, soap, biscuits and preserves.

Salesian Father Joriz Calsa, youth ministry delegate, shared a message on the parish Facebook page. “Blessings of help poured in from some of our friends in Cebu, local communities and Don Bosco Past Pupils of different schools. So far, we are on our second week giving food assistance. The past two weeks we have distributed the food packs and other relief goods to 2,600 families. We focused on this help, since the materials for reconstruction cost a lot and it is beyond our means.”

Fr. Calsa added, “Our parish initiative was very much appreciated especially when we opened the doors of our large shrine as an evacuation center which sheltered 87 people the night of the flood. People also appreciated the distribution of food assistance.”

The relief work was supported by many parish volunteers who packed relief goods and then were involved in the distribution. The packages were initially distributed in the Cane Town Shrine, then from house to house. Relief items are still coming in and are being provided to families in need.

The St. Joseph Worker Parish covers a large rural geographic area where most people earn their living from agriculture. Located on the island of Negros, it is the first Salesian presence in the Philippines, having started in 1951. The parish is part of a broader Salesian mission in the area. Salesians offer education and social development services in the region.

Since 1950, Salesian Missions has been providing crucial help in the Philippines—working with at-risk youth, impoverished families and disaster victims. Humanitarian agencies warn of the dangers faced by the most disadvantaged children in the Philippines. According to UNICEF, there are at least 1.2 million children between the ages of 5 and 15 who are out of school and are being left behind. In addition, children born into the poorest 20 percent of the population are almost three times more likely to die during their first five years as those from the richest 20 percent.

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ANS – Philippines – “Don Bosco Victorias” helps 2,600 flooded families

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PHILIPPINES

(MissionNewswire) An 8,000-square-meter soccer field at St. John Bosco Parish, located in Tondo, Manila, Philippines, had its first harvest festival where anyone could pay and harvest vegetables. The initiative was launched in October 2020 and was spearheaded by the Department of Agrarian Reform, along with the Department of Agriculture, St. John Bosco Parish and the Manila local government. The project resulted in the first urban farm in Manila.

The project was launched by six agrarian reform beneficiaries from Cavite, who are known as farmer-scientists. They volunteered to teach the residents of Tondo skills and techniques in urban vegetable farming. After the initial training, Tondo residents planted squash, upo, kangkong, spinach, mustard, and pechay in the vegetable garden. The urban farm is benefiting people living in 17 barangays (neighborhoods) around the St. John Bosco Parish.

According to a recent article on CNN Philippines, Agrarian Reform Secretary John Castriciones said the project was initiated to help people badly hit by the pandemic. He explained that vegetable production has been impacted by the typhoons that struck the country last year. A recent independent survey noted that 30.7 percent of families, an estimated 7.6 million households, have experienced hunger due to lack of food, in the past three months.

“We know that there has been difficulty in transporting vegetables from the provinces because of the typhoons and restrictions due to the pandemic. That’s why there’s a need to educate residents in Metro Manila and other urban areas on urban agriculture,” said Castriciones in the CNN Philippines article.

According to Castriciones, there are plans to expand the project to Quezon City and Caloocan where there have already been talks with local government leaders.

Since 1950, Salesian Missions has been providing crucial help in the Philippines—working with at-risk youth, impoverished families and disaster victims. Humanitarian agencies warn of the dangers faced by the most disadvantaged children in the Philippines. According to UNICEF, there are at least 1.2 million children between the ages of 5 and 15 who are out of school and are being left behind. In addition, children born into the poorest 20 percent of the population are almost three times more likely to die during their first five years as those from the richest 20 percent.

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CNN Philippines – Tondo residents hold a “pick, harvest and pay” promo in their 1st urban vegetable garden harvest festival

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PHILIPPINES

(MissionNewswire) The Salesian St. John Bosco Parish, in Minoyan, Murcia, Negros Occidental, Philippines, has access to clean water thanks to a new project funded by the Salesian Missions “Clean Water Initiative.” The new water supply will serve the Salesian Youth Center, kindergarten, parish office and rectory. The project included the installation of pipelines for a new water source, construction of a raised stand for the water tank, and installation of a water tank and motor pump.

The Salesian parish population serves close to 15,000 people, 90 percent of whom are poor subsistence farmers and sugarcane plantation workers. The majority of the people depend on the government for the basic services that are, more often than not, inefficiently delivered.

Inside the parish compound, Salesian missionaries operate a kindergarten program, which prepares disadvantaged children for formal education. Among elementary students in the Philippines, it’s been found that children who attend kindergarten fare much better academically than those who don’t. However, most kindergarten programs are operated by private institutions that require tuition fees. Most parents in Minoyan only earn a meager income for food which leaves nothing for the cost of education.

In addition to classes, Salesian missionaries also offer pastoral activities and gatherings, requiring a steady water supply for the parish. Prior to the project, the Salesian parish received its water supply from an old source that was also supplying water to a large number of households in Minoyan, leading to an inadequate water supply for the parish.

“The water projects we fund ensure that Salesian programs around the globe have access to safe, clean water for the health and safety of those we serve,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Access to clean water brings a sense of dignity to communities and promotes proper hygiene. This also reduces the number of waterborne illnesses that can affect those in our schools, keeping them away from important study time.”

Since 1950, Salesian Missions has been providing crucial help in the Philippines—working with at-risk youth, impoverished families and disaster victims. Humanitarian agencies warn of the dangers faced by the most disadvantaged children in the Philippines. According to UNICEF, there are at least 1.2 million children between the ages of 5 and 15 who are out of school and are being left behind. In addition, children born into the poorest 20 percent of the population are almost three times more likely to die during their first five years as those from the richest 20 percent.

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PHILIPPINES

(MissionNewswire) The Salesian Youth Center at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Cebu, Philippines, has launched the #Let’sPlantPositivity initiative, a challenge to promote urban agriculture among youth. The initiative was organized by the Parochial Youth Coordination Council, led by Salesian Father Abundio Bacatan, the new director for youth.

Started on July 9, youth were challenged to grow fruit and vegetables at home to teach them the various stages of cultivation, to help them fight the negativity caused by the pandemic, and to reflect on Pope Francis’ encyclical “Laudato Sì,” which was inaugurated on May 18, commemorating the fifth anniversary of the publication of his eco-encyclical with the same title. At the end of the challenge, the eight youth who had done the best job with their project received gift vouchers.

Cultivation of food at home and at local farms has been critical during the pandemic. Many locations have seen food shortages, and families have lost income and can no longer buy food. Don Bosco Training Center in Mati, the capital city of the province of East Davao, located on the southeastern side of the island of Mindanao, also launched an agricultural project to deal with the quarantine period due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under the guidance of Father Rex Carbilledo, the director of the vocational-technical training center, the soil was prepared for cultivation and the first vegetables were planted. Salesians are planting eggplants, okra, lettuce, sweet potatoes, cassava, onions, ginger and sweet corn. The goal was to provide organic and affordable vegetables to the local population and neighboring communities, and to teach them cultivation and farming techniques.

“Providing an opportunity to cultivate the land during this time is important for ensuring that local populations have a source of food and are learning the farming techniques to help make their farms more productive,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Missionaries provide education and workforce development paired with other social services to help poor youth break the cycle of poverty and have hope for the future.”

Since 1950, Salesian Missions has been providing crucial help in the Philippines—working with at-risk youth, impoverished families and disaster victims. Humanitarian agencies warn of the dangers faced by the most disadvantaged children in the Philippines. According to UNICEF, there are at least 1.2 million children between the ages of 5 and 15 who are out of school and are being left behind. In addition, children born into the poorest 20 percent are almost three times more likely to die during their first five years as those from the richest 20 percent.

Salesian missionaries, supported by funding from Salesian Missions, were at the forefront of disaster relief during reconstruction after the Nov. 8, 2013 Super Typhoon Haiyan (locally known as Yolanda) devastated the country. According to United Nations estimates, 11.5 million people were affected by Haiyan and close to 1 million were displaced. More than half a million were homeless and living in the streets among the debris. Salesian missionaries mobilized all resources and efforts to aid the victims of this and other disasters.

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ANS – Philippines – #Let’sPlantPositivity: a challenge to promote urban agriculture among young people

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PHILIPPINES: Don Bosco Center Mati launches new farming initiative in response to COVID-19 pandemic

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PHILIPPINES

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries and volunteers with Don Bosco Center and the St. John Bosco Parish in Tondo, Philippines, have been working to ensure that families in the region have the food and support they need during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. To date, they have supported half a million families including those of parishioners and from other churches, youth, and technical education students.

Tondo makes up 38 percent of the total population of Manila and has the poorest of the poor living in the district. The homes in Tondo Barangay 115 are located in alleys that zig-zag haphazardly, allowing diseases to spread easily. Families in this area have been most impacted by the lockdown because they are sidewalk vendors or live on the street.

Salesian missionaries had assistance in helping the poor. Caritas Manila provided 26 million pesos worth of gift checks that Salesians evenly distributed to each family regardless of religion, race and stability. Private individuals who wanted to remain anonymous shared their resources with the sole purpose of assisting those who are most vulnerable. They shared sacks of rice, diapers, milk, canned goods, frozen meats, fresh vegetables and bottled water. These items were distributed to the 17 Barangays served by St. John Bosco Parish.

“Salesian missionaries are grateful for the donors and volunteers who helped make these relief efforts possible,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Volunteers worked to sort, pack and distribute goods to these families. We are so fortunate to have their support during this time.”

Salesians have also had to change how they provide spiritual support. Thanks to the advancement of technology, the parish and the Salesian community have reached people through Facebook live streaming of the daily rosary, Eucharistic Adoration and Sunday Masses.

More than one-quarter of the population of the Philippines lives in poverty, according to UNICEF. Poverty is most severe and widespread in rural areas where 80 percent of the population—close to 88 million people—make their home. The poorest Filipinos are indigenous populations, small-scale farmers who cultivate land received through agrarian reform, landless workers and fishermen. In addition, poverty rates are higher for women than men.

Illiteracy and high levels of unemployment contribute to the elevated poverty rate. With more than 11 million out-of-school youth in the country and dropout rates doubling as children reach secondary school, access to education becomes a critical step in breaking the cycle of poverty. Throughout the Philippines, Salesian missionaries 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 skills training to break the cycle of poverty and retain long-term employment.

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PHILIPPINES

(MissionNewswire) The Don Bosco Center in Mati, the capital city of the province of East Davao, located on the southeastern side of the island of Mindanao, Philippines, has started an agricultural project to deal with the quarantine period due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under the guidance of Father Rex Carbilledo, the director of the vocational-technical training center, the soil was prepared for cultivation and the first vegetables planted. Salesians are planting eggplants, okra, lettuce, sweet potatoes, cassava, onions, ginger and sweet corn. In a month or so, some of the vegetables will be ready for harvest. The goal is to provide organic and affordable vegetables to the local population and neighboring communities and to teach them cultivation and farming techniques.

Don Bosco Mati was entrusted to the Salesians in 1998 and over the years has established itself as a resource for the community which is made up of mostly poor and marginalized families. The Don Bosco Training Center in Mati has served more than 2,000 youth since its launch in 1992. Graduates are hired by some of the biggest industries and companies in the country.

“Providing an opportunity to cultivate the land during this time is important for ensuring that local populations have a source of food and are learning the farming techniques to help make their farms more productive,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Missionaries provide education and workforce development paired with other social services to help poor youth break the cycle of poverty and have hope for the future.”

Salesian agriculture programs in the Philippines and countries around the globe provide farmers with basic education, as well as advanced studies in the latest agricultural practices and modern technologies. Salesian missionaries also hope agriculture programs will entice more local youth to choose agriculture as their long-term livelihood. With a long history of providing agricultural education, missionaries currently operate more than 90 agriculture schools around the world.

More than one-quarter of the population of the Philippines lives in poverty, according to UNICEF. Poverty is most severe and widespread in rural areas where 80 percent of the population—close to 88 million people—make their home. The poorest Filipinos are indigenous populations, small-scale farmers who cultivate land received through agrarian reform, landless workers and fishermen. In addition, poverty rates are higher for women than men.

Illiteracy and high levels of unemployment contribute to the elevated poverty rate. With more than 11 million out-of-school youth in the country and dropout rates doubling as children reach secondary school, access to education becomes a critical step in breaking the cycle of poverty. Throughout the Philippines, Salesian missionaries 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 skills training to break the cycle of poverty and retain long-term employment.

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

ANS – Philippines – Agricultural project of Salesian community of Mati

Salesian Missions – Philippines

UNICEF – Philippines

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PHILIPPINES

(MissionNewswire) Father Chito Dimaranan, rector and president of Don Bosco Technical College, has announced that engineers from Don Bosco Tech College Mandaluyong Innovision Center will develop and produce open-source ventilators to be distributed to various hospitals in the Philippines, according to an article in the Manila Bulletin. The project will be under the supervision of engineer Romel Pasia, and the design of the ventilators is based on an MIT-Boston Medical University design.

Marlou Madrio, an IT professional and rail practitioner in Singapore who is also a Don Bosco alumnus and the designer of the prototype, said in the article that Don Bosco engineers will later iterate the prototype and mass produce it afterwards. He told the Manila Bulletin that his timetable to finish the design reference prototype is three weeks.

“We started two weeks ago answering to the call of Fr. Dimaranan to develop an open-source ventilator. We are applying robotics to actuate a medical device known as an Ambu bag,” said Madrio in the article.

Ambu bag is the proprietary name for a device known generically as a manual resuscitator or a bag valve mask. It is used to provide positive pressure ventilation to patients who are not breathing adequately.

In a Facebook post Madrio stressed the great need in the Philippines for ventilators. He wrote, “Time is of the essence. There are only 1,253 commercial ventilators in the Philippines, 153 of which are in Metro Manila. We are 105 million Filipinos with only  89,000 hospital bed capacity.”

Also on Facebook, Fr. Dimaranan called on all Don Bosco alumni around the world to help create workable, inexpensive ventilators to meet the worldwide growing demand. He posted, “Bosconians all over the world, I am calling on you to support a team of fellow Bosconian engineers based in Manila, Cebu, Singapore, USA, and others who are right now developing a workable, doable, and cheap ventilator.”

Since its launch in 1953, Don Bosco Tech College has evolved into a complex institution that now serves around 2,000 students enrolled in kindergarten through senior high school as well as college courses, and technical and vocational education.

Since 1950, Salesian Missions has been providing crucial help in the Philippines—working with at-risk youth, impoverished families and disaster victims. Humanitarian agencies warn of the dangers faced by the most disadvantaged children in the Philippines. According to UNICEF, there are at least 1.2 million children between the ages of 5 and 15 who are out of school and are being left behind. In addition, children born into the poorest 20 percent are almost three times more likely to die during their first five years as those from the richest 20 percent.

Salesian missionaries, supported by funding from Salesian Missions, were at the forefront of disaster relief during reconstruction after the Nov. 8, 2013 Super Typhoon Haiyan (locally known as Yolanda) devastated the country. According to United Nations estimates, 11.5 million people were affected by Haiyan and close to 1 million were displaced. More than half a million were homeless and living in the streets among the debris. Salesian missionaries mobilized all resources and efforts to aid the victims of this and other disasters.

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Chito Dimaranan / appearing in the Rappler

Don Bosco Mandaluyong

Manila Bulletin – Don Bosco Tech engineers developing open-source ventilators to help COVID-19 patients

Salesian Missions – Philippines

UNICEF – Philippines

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PHILIPPINES

(MissionNewswire) Magone Home Aftercare Program, located in Cebu, Philippines, received funding to pay for critical staff positions thanks to Salesian Missions donors. The funding helped support the work of two psychologists, two educators, two social workers and two houseparents for one month.

The Magone Home Aftercare Program was designed to engage adolescent males who are in conflict with the law. The intensive aftercare treatment program takes place after youth have undergone rehabilitation in a facility designed for youth who break the law, like the Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth, or after they have undergone community diversion with the end goal of preparing youth for independent living.

The aftercare program is facilitated in-house and services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In-house, youth are under the care and supervision of a multidisciplinary team of specialized providers. The program is also run in-community where the youth initially stays at home, directly under the supervision of the local government social worker and the Magone Home community social worker.

When fully prepared and motivated for living at the Magone Home facility, youth, under community diversion, stay at the facility for the full delivery of case management services adapted to their needs. The program follows a four-phase design that runs for over two years.

“We are grateful for our donors who provided funding so we could help support the Magone Home Aftercare Programs,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “This program ensures that youth have an opportunity to receive the support and care they need when they are in trouble with the law. The goal is rehabilitation and giving youth a second chance at life.”

Since 1950, Salesian Missions has been providing crucial help in the Philippines—working with at-risk youth, impoverished families and disaster victims. Humanitarian agencies warn of the dangers faced by the most disadvantaged children in the Philippines. According to UNICEF, there are at least 1.2 million children between the ages of 5 and 15 who are out of school and are being left behind. In addition, children born into the poorest 20 percent of the population are almost three times more likely to die during their first five years as those from the richest 20 percent.

Salesian missionaries, supported by funding from Salesian Missions, were at the forefront of disaster relief during reconstruction after the Nov. 8, 2013, Super Typhoon Haiyan (locally known as Yolanda) devastated the country. According to United Nations estimates, 11.5 million people were affected by Haiyan and close to 1 million were displaced. More than half a million were homeless and living in the streets among the debris. Salesian missionaries mobilized all resources and efforts to aid the victims of this and other disasters.

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Sources:

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

Salesians of Don Bosco Philippine South Province – Magone Home Aftercare Program

Salesian Missions – Philippines

UNICEF – Philippines

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PHILIPPINES

(MissionNewswire) Salesian Missions donors are ensuring that Don Bosco Agro-Mechanical Technology Center (known locally as Don Bosco Legazpi), located in Banquerohan, Legazpi City, Philippines, has the equipment needed for a new soybean production program on its demonstration farm. Don Bosco Legazpi is a technical vocational school offering skills training and a farm development program for youth and local farmers to help them achieve self-sufficiency.

The Don Bosco Demonstration Farm allows graduates and their families to use the land to organize small cooperatives and assists them with sourcing microfinancing, farming assistance and marketing of their agricultural products.

With the funding provided, Salesian missionaries were able to secure two front wheel tires for a John Deere tractor, a portable soy harvester, a roller seed planter, a chisel plow and spring cultivators. Fifteen farmers connected to Don Bosco Legazpi benefited directly from this donation. Some farmers in neighboring areas who utilize the center’s land preparation services, such as plowing and rotavating, have also benefited from the donation.

Aurelio Gonzales, who is a local 80-year-old farmer, was one of the beneficiaries. He has two children who graduated from Don Bosco Legazpi and are now gainfully employed. He is a member of the Don Bosco Cooperative, which serves the broader community of farmers.

Since 2015, Gonzales has utilized the Common Service Facility of Don Bosco Legazpi, especially the use of a 4-wheel drive tractor for plowing and rotavating as part of the land preparation, roller planter for planting, and other post-harvest machines.

In August 2019, Gonzales ventured into sweet corn and yellow corn production. As farmer-beneficiary, he was given access to farm machines from Don Bosco Legazpi. With the technology provided, Gonzales has been empowered and his way of farming has improved from traditional farming into more efficient and effective ways of utilizing his land. The use of mechanical machines and equipment results in a good harvest of his crops.

“We appreciate the funding our donors provided that is enabling students and local farmers to have the proper equipment necessary for updated farming techniques,” says Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Don Bosco Legazpi was specifically opened to provide technical farming education to poor youth with scarce resources, and instruct them in the practical skills of farming to allow them to earn a living and give back to their communities.”

Don Bosco Legazpi offers its students an opportunity to combine theory with practice through its hands-on approach. Students use the skills they learn in the classroom by putting them directly to work in the fields that are part of the center’s farm. They are taught theoretical and practical courses in greenhouses, growing vegetables, cereal crops, gardening, breeding, animal husbandry and veterinary sciences, as well as milk, cheese and dairy products.

Since 1950, Salesian Missions has been providing crucial help in the Philippines—working with at-risk youth, impoverished families and disaster victims. Humanitarian agencies warn of the dangers faced by the most disadvantaged children in the Philippines. According to UNICEF, there are at least 1.2 million children between the ages of 5 and 15 who are out of school and are being left behind. In addition, children born into the poorest 20 percent of the population are almost three times more likely to die during their first five years as those from the richest 20 percent.

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Philippines

UNICEF – Philippines

The post PHILIPPINES: Don Bosco Agro-Mechanical Technology Center has new farm equipment for crop production thanks to Salesian Missions donors first appeared on MissionNewswire.

PHILIPPINES

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries have the funding for the construction of the Mama Margaret Boarding House in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines, thanks to donor funding through Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco.

The construction started in the middle of August 2019 and is expected to finish in July 2020. When completed, the boarding house will have nine bedrooms each with a bathroom. The space will also have a kitchen, dining area, living room and a parking area. The house can accommodate up to 20 boarders, both male and female young workers in the area, and three house staff or guests. A full-time houseparent will oversee the management of the house and provide ongoing support to the young workers.

In 1982 the Salesian Philippine Province acquired the 375-square-meter parcel of land in Bacolod, Negros Occidental. A house was constructed and used by the Secular Institute of the Don Bosco Volunteers as a lay formation center and boarding house. In 2000, the Secular Institute of the Don Bosco Volunteers returned the property to the Salesians. With more than 36 years of use, the property needed a major renovation and to be reconfigured as a lodging house for young workers in the city.

“We appreciate the donor support that has made this project possible,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions. “The goal is not only to provide lodging and support for these young workers, but Salesian missionaries will be able to generate an income from the property, which will generate funding back into local programming for poor youth and their families. It’s a win-win for all involved.”

Since 1950, Salesian Missions has been providing crucial help in the Philippines—working with at-risk youth, impoverished families and disaster victims. Humanitarian agencies warn of the dangers faced by the most disadvantaged children in the Philippines. According to UNICEF, there are at least 1.2 million children between the ages of 5 and 15 who are out of school and are being left behind. In addition, children born into the poorest 20 percent of the population are almost three times more likely to die during their first five years as those from the richest 20 percent.

Salesian missionaries, supported by funding from Salesian Missions, were on the forefront of disaster relief during reconstruction after the Nov. 8, 2013 Super Typhoon Haiyan (locally known as Yolanda) devastated the country. According to United Nations estimates, 11.5 million people were affected by Haiyan and close to 1 million were displaced. More than half a million were homeless and living in the streets among the debris. Salesian missionaries mobilized all resources and efforts to aid the victims of this and other disasters.

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Philippines

UNICEF – Philippines

The post PHILIPPINES: Salesian Missions donors provide funding for construction and renovation of new Mama Margaret Boarding House for young workers first appeared on MissionNewswire.

PHILIPPINES

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries have been responding with aid relief for those impacted by the Taal volcano eruption that started on Jan. 12, 2020. The Taal volcano is the second most active volcano in the Philippines and is located on Luzon Islands, in the province of Batangas. The most recent eruption forced tens of thousands of people to leave their homes in search of safety and shelter.

In Batangas and Canlubang, Salesian missionaries and their lay mission partners have been assisting thousands of people with support both before the eruption and now in its wake. The local Mayapa Parish is operated by Rector Father Cerada and three Salesian priests.

Fr. Cerada noted, “Our social action ministry is still very busy with relief operations since many Taal volcano victims are coming to our vicinity and living with their relatives since they don’t have electricity and water in their areas. We are glad that our partners are able to help us in relief operations. I also asked for the help of our Bishop and the social action ministry of the Laguna diocese of San Pablo. Right now, we are planning to rehabilitate our three affected barrios, especially helping people with their livelihoods.”

Money has also been raised locally to help some families. The funding, which been allocated for housing materials, food and medical care, supported 119 families who are staying at the Little Bliss Evacuation Center, located in Malasila, North Cotabato.

In addition, each child was given a lunch box, spoon and fork, toothbrush and toothpaste, a pair of slippers, and a tumbler. Mothers and the elderly were given vitamins, blankets and towels. Volunteers were also there to serve lunch for the evacuees. These efforts were made possible thanks to parishioners of the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, Don Bosco FIS-Provincial House, Don Bosco-Victorias, Philippine Dental Association, the BCBP group and local doctors who donated.

“We are inspired and proud of this small gesture of human and Christian solidarity in difficult times, and we pray that more Salesian family members are inspired and continue to reach out to the people in need,” added Fr. Cerada.

Since 1950, Salesian Missions has been providing crucial help in the Philippines—working with at-risk youth, impoverished families and disaster victims. Humanitarian agencies warn of the dangers faced by the most disadvantaged children in the Philippines. According to UNICEF, there are at least 1.2 million children between the ages of 5 and 15 who are out of school and are being left behind. In addition, children born into the poorest 20 percent of the population are almost three times more likely to die during their first five years as those from the richest 20 percent.

Salesian missionaries, supported by funding from Salesian Missions, were at the forefront of disaster relief during reconstruction after the Nov. 8, 2013 Super Typhoon Haiyan (locally known as Yolanda) devastated the country. According to United Nations estimates, 11.5 million people were affected by Haiyan and close to 1 million were displaced. More than half a million were homeless and living in the streets among the debris. Salesian missionaries mobilized all resources and efforts to aid the victims of this and other disasters.

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Sources:

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

ANS – The Philippines – Volcano Taal or Mindanao earthquake victims helped by many Salesian Family members

Salesian Missions – Philippines

UNICEF – Philippines

The post PHILIPPINES: Salesian missionaries provide aid relief for those impacted by Taal volcano eruption in January first appeared on MissionNewswire.

PHILIPPINES

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Technical College in Mandaluyong City, Philippines, recently held Toyota Motor Philippines’ Hybrid Campus Tour to educate students on the benefits of electric vehicles. A total of 465 students from various fields participated in seminars on the advantages of electric vehicles, according to an article in Wheels.PH. The news article reports that this third leg of the tour delivered the highest recorded attendance.

The event gave faculty members and students within mechanical engineering, architecture, electronics and communications engineering, computer science, and aviation mechanical technology an opportunity to take a closer look at Toyota’s hybrid technology.

In addition to the seminars provided, technical experts provided test drives for students and faculty members, allowing them a chance to get behind the wheel of the new Corolla Altis hybrid variant and the Prius C. Attendees were also able to engage with interactive displays like a stationary bike charger and multimedia exhibits.

In an interview with WHEELS.PH, Cristina Arevalo, first vice president with Toyota Motors Philippines, said that the Hybrid Campus Tour is helping the company to support the Toyota Environment Challenge 2050, which aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 90 percent.

In the article, Arevalo explained, “We are trying to contribute to this not only by production plant initiatives but by also promoting the use of the hybrid technology through the introduction of our hybrid electric vehicles.”

She went on to say, “We see them (youth) as our future partners in meeting our global environmental challenge. By explaining the socio-economic benefits of hybrid electric vehicles, we are hoping that these students will start to appreciate and talk about it.”

Winston Dereje, director of engineering at Don Bosco Technical College, noted in the article that the partnership between Don Bosco and Toyota is an opportunity to educate students on the science behind hybrid technology and how it helps the environment through lowering society’s carbon footprint.

“We educate for life—this is the mission of all Don Bosco Educational Centers,” said Dereje in the Wheels.PH article. “It is truly a technology with a soul and an inspiration for the young to be lifelong learners.”

Since 1950, Salesian Missions has been providing crucial help in the Philippines—working with at-risk youth, impoverished families and disaster victims. Humanitarian agencies warn of the dangers faced by the most disadvantaged children in the Philippines. According to UNICEF, there are at least 1.2 million children between the ages of 5 and 15 who are out of school and are being left behind. In addition, children born into the poorest 20 percent are almost three times more likely to die during their first five years as those from the richest 20 percent.

Salesian missionaries, supported by funding from Salesian Missions, were at the forefront of disaster relief during reconstruction after the Nov. 8, 2013 Super Typhoon Haiyan (locally known as Yolanda) devastated the country. According to United Nations estimates, 11.5 million people were affected by Haiyan and close to 1 million were displaced. More than half a million were homeless and living in the streets among the debris. Salesian missionaries mobilized all resources and efforts to aid the victims of this and other disasters.

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Photo courtesy of Don Bosco Mandaluyong

Don Bosco Mandaluyong

Salesian Missions – Philippines

UNICEF – Philippines

Wheels.PH – Toyota Hybrid Campus Tour makes stop at Don Bosco Mandaluyong

The post PHILIPPINES: Don Bosco Technical College hosts Toyota Motor Philippines’ Hybrid Campus Tour to educate students on the benefits of electric vehicles first appeared on MissionNewswire.

“We appreciate the funding our donors provided that is enabling students to be trained and have the proper equipment necessary for the new soybean production program,” says Father Mark Hyde, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Don Bosco Legazpi was specifically opened to provide technical farming education to poor youth with scarce resources, and instruct them in the practical skills of farming to allow them to earn a living and give back to their communities.”

Salesian missionaries launched Don Bosco Legazpi in 2000. The school consists of an Agricultural Technology Center and an adjacent Don Bosco Demonstration Farm. The technology center educates 170 rural youth each year and the farm helps more than 2,000 young graduates embark on their own farming cooperatives.

The Agricultural Technology Center offers its students an opportunity to combine theory with practice through its hands-on approach. Students use the skills they learn in the classroom by putting them directly to work in the fields that are part of the center’s farm. They are taught theoretical and practical courses in greenhouses, growing vegetables, cereal crops, gardening, breeding, animal husbandry and veterinary sciences as well milk, cheese and dairy products.

The Don Bosco Demonstration Farm allows graduates and their families to use the land to organize small cooperatives and assists them with sourcing microfinancing, farming assistance and the marketing of their agricultural products.

The goal of Don Bosco Legazpi is to provide young farmers with a basic education as well as advanced studies in the latest agricultural practices and modern technologies while moving toward efficiency in farming by exploring and testing new techniques in agriculture, horticulture, floriculture and animal husbandry. Salesian missionaries hope the agriculture program will entice more local youth to choose agriculture as their long-term livelihood. With a long history of providing agricultural education, missionaries currently operate more than 90 agriculture schools around the world.

Since 1950, Salesian Missions has been providing crucial help in the Philippines—working with at-risk youth, impoverished families and disaster victims. Humanitarian agencies warn of the dangers faced by the most disadvantaged children in the Philippines. According to UNICEF, there are at least 1.2 million children between the ages of 5 and 15 who are out of school and are being left behind. In addition, children born into the poorest 20 percent are almost three times more likely to die during their first five years as those from the richest 20 percent.

Salesian missionaries, supported by funding from Salesian Missions, were on the forefront of disaster relief during reconstruction after the Nov. 8, 2013 Super Typhoon Haiyan (locally known as Yolanda) devastated the country. According to United Nations estimates, 11.5 million people were affected by Haiyan and close to 1 million were displaced. More than half a million were homeless and living in the streets among the debris. Salesian missionaries mobilized all resources and efforts to aid the victims of this and other disasters.

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Sources:

Salesian Missions – Philippines

UNICEF – Philippines

The post PHILIPPINES: Students at Don Bosco Agro-Mechanical Technology Center have access to new farm training and equipment for crop production thanks to Salesian Missions donors first appeared on MissionNewswire.

The Salesian presence in Buda began with a vocational training center founded by an Italian missionary, Father Franco Uras, in the ancestral lands of the Lumads (the ethnic minorities of Mindanao). Today, there are two Salesian priests, 10 lay mission partners, and 15 students at the center.

Father Ariel Arias, from the Salesian Buda mission, says, “I was happy while listening to the sharing of SALVO volunteers’ insights after their experience: One shared that it was the first ever trip with deep purpose and meaning; another said that she would bring along her children next time. Still another one said that she would make this kind of activities a yearly event for her and her friends in their company.”

One of the projects presented to volunteers was the Don Bosco Agri-preneur Project which is focused on implementing agricultural development to improve the quality of life for youth and their families. The project provides skills training, farm research development and entrepreneurship to help families set up their own farms and sell their products.

“I am so happy because the volunteers expressed willingness to help and become part of the Buda project in their own way. Some offered help in the legal aspect of the project, while others expressed a willingness to help in the marketing of products,” says Fr. Arias.

He adds, “I am so happy because now many volunteers came to know more about Don Bosco Buda’s long-term vision, mission and directions for the indigenous youth. We hope that they in turn will help us more concretely in the realization of our mission through capacity building, agri-preneurial enterprises and socio-economic upliftment of the indigenous youth in Mindanao.”

Since 1950, Salesian Missions has been providing crucial help in the Philippines—working with at-risk youth, impoverished families and disaster victims. Humanitarian agencies warn of the dangers faced by the most disadvantaged children in the Philippines. According to UNICEF, there are at least 1.2 million children between the ages of 5 and 15 who are out of school and are being left behind. In addition, children born into the poorest 20 percent are almost three times more likely to die during their first five years as those from the richest 20 percent.

Salesian missionaries, supported by funding from Salesian Missions, were on the forefront of disaster relief during reconstruction after the Nov. 8, 2013 Super Typhoon Haiyan (locally known as Yolanda) devastated the country. According to United Nations estimates, 11.5 million people were affected by Haiyan and close to 1 million were displaced. More than half a million were homeless and living in the streets among the debris. Salesian missionaries mobilized all resources and efforts to aid the victims of this and other disasters.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Philippines – “DREAM BIG”: SALVO outreach experience in Mindanao

UNICEF – Philippines

The post PHILIPPINES: Salesian missionaries present new agro-educational projects at Salesian Lay Volunteer Organization four-day retreat first appeared on MissionNewswire.

CNN reports the Tuloy Foundation was started in 1993 with just 12 children and 10 volunteers. Since then, under Fr. Evangelista’s leadership, the Salesian center has grown to include 250 youth in residential care and more than 700 attending the Salesian school. As noted in the CNN profile, Fr. Evangelista asks children three questions before they are accepted into the program: first, do they accept that they are poor; second, are they willing and wanting to change their life for the better; and lastly, are they willing to follow the rules. He asks these questions because as he notes, “There is power in choice.”

Father Evangelista indicates in the CNN profile that children who can accept their circumstances but want a different future are willing to accept the help that is being given. These children, who were once fighting for survival, are willing to learn how to trust adults again and can begin to dream about their future at the Tuloy Foundation. Once they are dreaming about the possible opportunities that await them, Fr. Evangelista notes, that’s when he knows they are connecting with the program.

The Tuloy Foundation encompasses multiple programs and facilities and has helped thousands of youth gain an education and go on to lead successful lives. In 1999, the organization expanded its campus through a partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development which leased 4.5 hectares of land in Alabang, the third largest district in Muntinlupa.

The campus has 10 residential structures, a school and administrative building, technical-vocational skills workshops, a culinary arts center, a center for recreation and the arts, a multi-purpose sports center, an ecological productivity zone (tiered vegetable garden), a chapel and a world-class football field.

The students at Tuloy are given many opportunities they would otherwise not have both inside and outside the classroom. Thanks to the generosity of private donors and sponsors, students can choose extra-curricular activities such as gardening, dance and rugby. Team sports help students learn teamwork, respect for others and discipline, all skills that can be applied to other aspects of life. More than 20,000 children have been impacted by Tuloy Foundation programs.

Access to education is a critical component to overcoming poverty. In the Philippines, drop-out rates double as children reach secondary school and there are more than 11 million out-of-school youth, according to UNICEF. Almost a quarter of the country’s population, including a large percentage of children, live in poverty.

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Sources:

CNN Profile

Tuloy Foundation

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The new center was built by the BDO Foundation which provides disaster response advocacy including relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction initiatives. Donations pooled by BDO employees enabled the construction and also provided tools and equipment for student training.

The project is in response to the destruction that was caused in 2012 by Typhoon Pablo which battered Davao Oriental devastating thousands of residents in coastal areas. One of the strongest storms to have hit Mindanao, the typhoon damaged homes, infrastructure and school buildings.

Over the next three years, 560 senior high school students from Don Bosco Mati and neighboring public high schools are expected to learn technical-vocational skills through workshops conducted in the new facility.

Don Bosco Mati was entrusted to the Salesians in 1998 and over the years has established itself as a resource for the community which is made up of mostly poor and marginalized families. The Don Bosco Training Center in Mati has served more than 2,000 youth since its launch in 1992. Graduates are hired by some of the biggest industries and companies in the country.

The new two-story structure was presented to Salesian school administrators and students in an event led by BDO Foundation president, Mario Deriquito, BDO Foundation program director, Rose Espinosa, and BDO Davao-Mati branch head, Gail Lawas. The new training facility was accepted at the ceremony by the Cebu Province Provincial Superior, Father Godofredo Atienza, Don Bosco Mati Training Director, Father Rex Carbilledo, and the center’s Rector, Father Rey Jude Albarando.

At the event, Fr. Albarando said, “We Salesians work hard, but we know that without the assistance of others, we could only go so far. We are grateful to people who have a heart for the needy. Thank you to the BDO family for your support. You have given us Salesians not only the reassurance that God never abandons us. You have also given hope to hundreds, even thousands, of youth in Mindanao.”

Since 1950, Salesian Missions has been providing crucial help in the Philippines—working with at-risk youth, impoverished families and disaster victims. Humanitarian agencies warn of the dangers faced by the most disadvantaged children in the Philippines. According to UNICEF, there are at least 1.2 million children between the ages of 5 and 15 who are out of school and are being left behind. In addition, children born into the poorest 20 percent are almost three times more likely to die during their first five years as those from the richest 20 percent.

Salesian missionaries, supported by funding from Salesian Missions, were on the forefront of disaster relief during reconstruction after the Nov. 8, 2013 Super Typhoon Haiyan (locally known as Yolanda) devastated the country. According to United Nations estimates, 11.5 million people were affected by Haiyan and close to 1 million were displaced. More than half a million were homeless and living in the streets among the debris. Salesian missionaries mobilized all resources and efforts to aid the victims of this and other disasters.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Philippines – BDO Foundation builds training center for Mindanao youth

UNICEF – Philippines

The post PHILIPPINES: Salesian missionaries launch new technical-vocational training facility at Don Bosco Mati thanks to the BDO Foundation first appeared on MissionNewswire.

As the second largest island in the Philippines, Mindanao main island together with adjacent islands has a population close to 25 million. The residents comprise many religions and cultures with the majority being Catholic Christians and others being Muslim and Animist religions. According to Save the Children data, the poverty of Mindanao is striking with close to 40 percent of Mindanao children suffering from hunger and malnutrition.

The Sacred Heart parish and Mary Help of Christians parish serve 3,000 and 2,500 families respectively and between the two, nearly 300 lay mission partners are involved in stewardship.

Don Bosco Mati was entrusted to the Salesians in 1998 and over the years has established itself as a resource for the community which is made up of mostly poor and marginalized families. The Don Bosco Training Center in Mati has served more than 2,000 youth since its launch in 1992.

The Salesian Family at Don Bosco Mati has been slowly growing. Today, there is also an active Don Bosco Alumni Association that helps with projects and other needs within the parish and school. The synergy between the parish and the hundreds of committed lay people make the work at the vocational training center and other social programs run smoothly and effectively.

Don Bosco Buda is the humblest Salesian structure in the whole of the Philippines. It is located in the Bukidnon highland and serves the Lumads, the original Mindanao indigenous people. The Don Bosco Buda training center and its social work for rural indigenous people has slowly developed since 2004 and programs are currently being operated by two resident Salesian missionaries. Together with 15 lay mission partners, they are educating 14 boarding high school students.

“Salesian missionaries are working diligently to meet the needs of poor and indigenous families on the island of Mindanao,” says Father Mark Hyde, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Missionaries provide education and workforce development paired with other social services to help poor youth break the cycle of poverty and have hope for the future. The programs across these Salesian missions are helping youth to improve their lives and in turn, improve their communities.”

Since 1950, Salesian Missions has been providing crucial help in the Philippines—working with at-risk youth, impoverished families and disaster victims. Humanitarian agencies warn of the dangers faced by the most disadvantaged children in the Philippines. According to UNICEF, there are at least 1.2 million children between the ages of 5 and 15 who are out of school and are being left behind. In addition, children born into the poorest 20 percent are almost three times more likely to die during their first five years as those from the richest 20 percent.

Salesian missionaries, supported by funding from Salesian Missions, were on the forefront of disaster relief during reconstruction after the Nov. 8, 2013 Super Typhoon Haiyan (locally known as Yolanda) devastated the country. According to United Nations estimates, 11.5 million people were affected by Haiyan and close to 1 million were displaced. More than half a million were homeless and living in the streets among the debris. Salesian missionaries mobilized all resources and efforts to aid the victims of this and other disasters.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Philippines – Young People of Mindanao are waiting for the Salesians

UNICEF – Philippines

The post PHILIPPINES: Salesian missionaries provide education and social programs at three missions on island of Mindanao first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Since that time, the Tuloy Foundation has grown to encompass multiple programs and facilities and has helped thousands of youth gain an education and go on to lead successful lives. More than 20,000 children have been impacted by its programs, according to a recent article by the Sun Star Manila.

Access to education is a critical component to overcoming poverty. In the Philippines, drop-out rates double as children reach secondary school and there are more than 11 million out-of-school youth, according to UNICEF. Almost a quarter of the country’s population, including a large percentage of children, live in poverty.

The Tuloy Foundation goes beyond providing a home for at-risk youth. The first step of getting children off the streets removes them from exposure to begging, theft, drugs, prostitution and other negative influences. For children who are at least 9 years old, the foundation offers a school program which begins in first grade and continues through technical training.

Those who are just coming in off the streets receive food, clothing, shelter, healthcare, recreation, education and skills training. Older youth pursue technical training in a variety of technologies including automotive, electrical, welding and woodworking in addition to other studies. Participants also have the ability to access on-the-job training in sponsor companies.

In 1999, the Tuloy Foundation expanded its campus through a partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development which leased 4.5 hectares of land in Alabang, the third largest district in Muntinlupa. The campus is currently supporting and housing close to 800 students. There are 10 residential structures, a school and administrative building, technical-vocational skills workshops, a culinary arts center, a center for recreation and the arts, a multi-purpose sports center, an ecological productivity zone (tiered vegetable garden), a chapel and a world-class football field.

According to the Sun Star Manila article, the Tuloy Foundation has recently expanded again to Angeles City in Pampanga which features a one-hectare property that supports 22 students with another satellite unit in Soro-soro, Biñan City and Laguna. The Tuloy Foundation also has three mobile classrooms that offer short courses in consumer electronics and basic computer literacy.

The students at Tuloy are given many opportunities they would otherwise not have both inside and outside the classroom. Thanks to the generosity of private donors and sponsors, students can choose extra-curricular activities such as gardening, dance and rugby. Team sports help students learn teamwork, respect for others and discipline, all skills that can be applied to other aspects of life.

“The Tuloy Foundation provides education and a wide variety of opportunities to poor youth, helping them break the cycle of poverty,” says Fr. Evangelista. “With programs like those offered at Tuloy, Salesian missionaries in the Philippines work to meet the ever-growing needs of street children to ensure that every child has the opportunity to reach his or her potential.”

The list of awards and recognitions received by the Tuloy Foundation, both from local and international sources, is numerous. In 2007, the Tuloy Foundation received the Most Outstanding Organization award from the Muntinlupa City Government for its significant contribution to the life of Muntinlupeños through acts of service and generosity.

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Sources:

Sun Star Manila – Bunye: Father Rocky’s street children

UNICEF – Philippines

The post PHILIPPINES: The Salesian-run Tuloy Foundation has supported close to 20,000 children since its inception in 1993 first appeared on MissionNewswire.

The parish also holds spiritual formation, meetings and other pastoral activities or gatherings for its parishioners. The parish also offers a small farm next the church, which contributes to the daily sustenance of the Salesian community in Calinan. A water system is set up in Dacudao that provides an adequate safe water supply to about 2,000 residents.

Recently work needed to be completed to improve this water system. With the funding provided by Salesian Missions, the project entailed the installation of water pump and pump house, water tanks and pipe lines. An 8-inch, 100-meter deep water well borehole with a 6-inch casing was dug followed by the installation of a water pump. Constant discharge pumping tests were done and the construction of a pump house was also completed. The construction of the raised water storage stand and the installation of a water tank completed the project.

Residents of Dacudao are happy that they now have an additional source clean water. Many nearby residents are able to conveniently access water from the faucets strategically located in the farm. The new water supply was also effective is helping those affected by the December 2017 typhoon, Tropical Storm Vinta, which damaged a large area in Mindanao including those living in Calinan, Davao.

Flooding in many areas near the Davao River caused residents to be temporarily evacuated. Some of the families evacuated to the church parish where they sought refuge from the storm and flooding. The completion of the water project was very timely as it provided the evacuees clean and potable water for their daily needs. In addition, the new water system supplies the irrigation requirements of the farm. With it, the farm is expected to increase production of fruits and vegetables for the families that live near the farm.

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. UN-Water also indicates that around 1.9 billion people live in potentially severely water-scarce areas. By 2050, this could increase to around 3 billion people.

“Having access to clean water is essential for the health and safety of those we serve around the globe,” says Father Mark Hyde, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Improving water and sanitation facilities like this project in the Philippines brings a sense of dignity for the children we serve and ensures that teachers and students are working and learning in an environment that promotes proper hygiene and has safe drinking water. This reduces the number of waterborne illnesses that can affect those in our schools, keeping them away from important study time.”

Throughout the Philippines, Salesian missionaries 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 skills training to break the cycle of poverty and retain long-term employment.

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Sources:

Salesian Missions

UN-Water

The post PHILIPPINES: New water project provides clean, fresh water to 2,000 residents first appeared on MissionNewswire.

More than 80,000 villagers in the Albay province have already fled to dozens of schools that have been turned into emergency shelters. A lack of food and bathroom facilities is already making the situation on the ground challenging. According to a Reuters article, state volcanologists have indicated that residents in the area are also at risk from huge debris that could be swept away by recent heavy rains.

Salesian missionaries living and working in the area have begun helping those who are evacuating and in need of assistance. Missionaries have noted that those most affected by the eruption are farmers who live and work within the volcano’s six-kilometer radius permanent danger zone. They stated, “Their lives are disrupted and their means of livelihood suddenly became inaccessible, that is why they need all the help we could give.”

Bishop Joel Baylon of Legazpi issued a letter to parishioners in his diocese to “open your homes once again and welcome some of our brothers and sisters. If for whatever reason this is not possible, can we at least consider allowing those to use our bathrooms?”

Salesian missionaries have indicated that the most immediate needs of the affected communities include sleeping mats, mosquito nets, blankets, face masks, hygiene kits, firewood, food, water, toilets and communal kitchens. Parishes around the diocese have already activated their respective Parish Disaster Response Committees that set up soup kitchens.

Church facilities are also being opened to house the most vulnerable evacuees, including pregnant and lactating mothers, persons with disabilities and the elderly. The government’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has also announced that it has already prepared relief goods for the displaced population.

“Because Salesian missionaries live in the communities where they work, they are among the first to respond when disasters strike,” says Father Mark Hyde, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “They are also well experienced in handling the logistics of a humanitarian crisis and ensuring that relief supplies are accessed by those who need it most.”

Mount Mayon is the most active volcano in the Philippines, erupting more than 50 times in the past 500 years. Its most destructive eruption was on Feb. 1, 1814, burying the town of Cagsawa and killing at least 1,200 people. The volcano has so far ejected 6.2 million cubic meters of volcanic materials including molten rocks, with sulfur dioxide gas emission at an average of 2,466 tons per day.

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Sources:

Image: iStock by Getty images.

ANS – The Philippines – Eruption of vulcano Mayon: Don Bosco Legazpi coordinates diocese social action

Reuters – Philippines warns of volcanic mudflows from heavy rains

The post PHILIPPINES: Salesian missionaries begin humanitarian relief work to help those affected by Mount Mayon volcano eruption first appeared on MissionNewswire.

The center educates 170 rural youth each year and the farm helps more than 2,000 young graduates start their own livelihoods. The Agricultural Technology Center offers its students an opportunity to combine theory with practice. The young students learn through a hands-on approach and learning in a classroom. They are able to take their classroom skills and put them directly to work on the farm fields that are a part of the center. Students are taught theoretical and practical courses in greenhouses, growing vegetables, cereal crops, gardening, breeding, animal husbandry and veterinary sciences, and about milk, cheese and dairy products.

The Don Bosco Demonstration Farm further allows graduates and their families to use the land to organize small cooperatives and assists them with sourcing microfinancing, farming assistance and the marketing of their agricultural products.

“The Agricultural Technology Center and Don Bosco Demonstration Farm were specifically opened to provide technical farming education mainly to poor youth with scarce resources, and instruct them on technical and practical knowledge of farming that would allow them to earn a living and give back to their communities,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Missionaries provide education and workforce development paired with other social services to help poor youth break the cycle of poverty and have hope for the future.”

The mission of the Salesian center and farm is to provide young farmers with a basic education, as well as advanced studies in the latest agricultural practices and modern technologies while moving toward efficiency in farming by exploring and testing new techniques in agriculture, horticulture, floriculture and animal husbandry. Salesian missionaries hope the agriculture program will entice more local youth to choose agriculture as their long-term livelihood. With a long history of providing agricultural education, missionaries currently operate more than 90 agriculture schools around the world.

More than one quarter of the population of the Philippines lives in poverty, according to UNICEF. Poverty is most severe and widespread in rural areas where 80 percent of the population—close to 88 million people—make their home. The poorest Filipinos are indigenous populations, small-scale farmers who cultivate land received through agrarian reform, landless workers and fishermen. In addition, poverty rates are higher for women than men.

Illiteracy and high levels of unemployment contribute to the elevated poverty rate. With more than 11 million out-of-school youth in the country and drop-out rates doubling as children reach secondary school, access to education becomes a critical step in breaking the cycle of poverty. Throughout the Philippines, Salesian missionaries 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 skills training to break the cycle of poverty and retain long-term employment.

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Sources:

ANS – Philippines – Journey with Bicol rural youth – 2000+ graduates of Don Bosco Legazpi

UNICEF – Philippines

The post PHILIPPINES: Salesian agriculture center helps youth gain the classroom and hands-on skills needed for farming first appeared on MissionNewswire.

On May 23, militants from the Maute group launched a large-scale attack on Marawi City, which destroyed and burned down the cathedral of Mary Help of Christians and many other buildings. The group kidnapped many Christian citizens as hostages and the number of deaths in the clashes has risen to more than 500, primarily militants but also soldiers and at least 45 civilians.

Many people were forced to evacuate their homes and as a result have little in the way of clothing and personal items. According to a lay coordinator with the Social Action of the Archdiocese of Cebu, there are approximately 4,000 displaced families, with an average of five members per family registered by the Cagayan de Oro City Social Welfare and Development Office. The families have been staying temporarily with their relatives with no work and with limited resources.

A volunteer from the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro disclosed that most of the victims, especially the children, youth and women, have been suffering from trauma. Besides being provided with basic needs, the evacuees also need psychosocial intervention to help them cope with their experiences and prevent the onset of post-traumatic stress.

The relief items were distributed to the evacuees on July 13 under the care of the Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Parish in Barangay Lumbia, Cagayan de Oro City in collaboration with the Social Action Center of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro headed by Father Saturnino Lumba and Father Doroteo Rabuyo Jr. The parish priest and his staff actively worked together with the Barangay Chairman Hon Wilhelm Valencia and others during relief distributions. Salesian missionaries were the first to provide relief intervention in the area.

“Salesian missionaries were able to immediately assess the situation on the ground and move into action providing assistance and relief,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Salesian centers and programs across the Philippines provide for poor youth and their families. The focus is on education, but Salesian missionaries know that they must work to meet basic needs first so that youth can focus on their studies. Because missionaries live in the communities they serve, they are perfectly positioned to respond in times of crisis.”

The humanitarian aid that was provided to families in Marawi City was made possible through the collaborative efforts of several Don Bosco houses, organizations and lay partners including Don Bosco Provincialate, Don Bosco VisMin Employees Multipurpose Cooperative, St. Louis School-Don Bosco-Dumaguete, Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes-Cebu, Don Bosco Pasil-Cebu, Don Bosco Technical Institute-Victorias and other generous individuals. The organizing team is also grateful to the families of Rafraf T. Escaño and Jerome A. Escaño who helped in the logistics in Cagayan de Oro City.

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Sources:

ANS – Philippines – Relief Drive for Marawi

The post PHILIPPINES: Salesian Missionaries Provide Humanitarian Aid to Families Affected by Recent Violent Clashes in Marawi City first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Collaboration between Salesian programs and Schneider Electric was formed 16 years ago. This new partnership in the Philippines was created to teach unskilled underprivileged youth skills in the electrical profession. The quality technical training involves providing high-end didactic tools and equipment as well as an upgraded 14-month curriculum. A minimum of 30 students each year will be taught and given on-the-job training on electrical installation and maintenance.

According to the article, in line with Schneider Electric’s push for sustainable energy management, part of the curriculum will also involve coursework and training on house and building wiring, fundamentals of electrical safety, troubleshooting and monitoring of electrical installation in both residential and commercial buildings, basics of residual solar energy installations, running a small business, and life skills such as spoken and written English, computer basics, soft skills and entrepreneurship. Upon completing the training, students will be given a national certification 2 qualification for electrical installation and maintenance from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

“We pursued this partnership with Don Bosco Technical College because it was an opportunity for us to give back to the community, and what better way to do it than by providing educational opportunities to underprivileged youth,” said Claude Mazallon, country head of Schneider Electric Philippines in the Gadget Pilipinas article. “Through the Green Electrician’s Laboratory, we aim to educate the children of today and instill in them the value of green and sustainable energy management and its impact on the environment.”

Through the Schneider Electrical Foundation, the charity arm of Schneider Electric, more than 10,000 students have received electrician training in Salesian programs in India, Latin America and Europe since 2009. In addition to providing education, Salesian training programs help students connect to internships that allow them to apply lessons learned in the classroom to real-life work environments.

More than one quarter of the population of the Philippines lives in poverty, according to UNICEF. Poverty is most severe and widespread in rural areas where 80 percent of the population—close to 88 million people—make their home. The poorest Filipinos are indigenous populations, small-scale farmers who cultivate land received through agrarian reform, landless workers and fishermen. In addition, poverty rates are higher for women than men.

Illiteracy and high levels of unemployment contribute to the elevated poverty rate. With more than 11 million out-of-school youth in the country and drop-out rates doubling as children reach secondary school, access to education becomes a critical step in breaking the cycle of poverty.Throughout the Philippines, Salesian missionaries 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 skills training to break the cycle of poverty and retain long-term employment.

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Sources:

PHOTO courtesy of Don Bosco College, Philippines

Gadget Pilipinas – Schneider Electric Partners with Don Bosco Technical College to Give Training for the Underprivileged Youth!

UNICEF – Philippines

Don Bosco Mandaluyong

The post PHILIPPINES: Schneider Electric Partnership Develops New Green Electrician’s Laboratory and Training Program first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Many poor residents in the community are unable to access regular health care and so the medical clinic was set up to provide much needed medical services including wellness exams for men and women, pediatric exams, dental and eye care, x-rays and electrocardiograms. Medicine was also made available to those who needed it. In addition, the medical clinic taught children about proper hand washing and dental care. Coloring books were also provided to the youth during the event.

“The work we do in the Philippines 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 and nutrition are met in addition to other social service needs. This medical clinic is the perfect example of how Salesian missionaries work with other organizations in their local communities to provide for those most in need.”

The medial clinic received support from student volunteers from Don Bosco TVET. Volunteers provided the tents where the clinic was held, assisted patients and spent time with young children who were waiting for their parents. The Salesian parish in Tondo serves close to 100,000 parishioners many of whom are in need of nutrition, health care and other supportive services. Don Bosco TVET provides education services within this local community, reaching nearly 5,000 youth who attend the two elementary schools and one high school. Salesian missionaries also support the community through technical and vocational training, a hostel and youth center.

More than one quarter of the population of the Philippines lives in poverty, according to UNICEF. Poverty is most severe and widespread in rural areas where 80 percent of the population—close to 88 million people—make their home. The poorest Filipinos are indigenous populations, small-scale farmers who cultivate land received through agrarian reform, landless workers and fishermen. In addition, poverty rates are higher for women than men.

Illiteracy and high levels of unemployment contribute to the elevated poverty rate. With more than 11 million out-of-school youth in the country and drop-out rates doubling as children reach secondary school, access to education becomes a critical step in breaking the cycle of poverty.

Throughout the Philippines, Salesian missionaries 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 skills training to break the cycle of poverty and retain long-term employment.

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Sources:

ANS – Philippines – Medical Mission a Service to Humanity

UNICEF – Philippines

Salesian Missions – Philippines

The post PHILIPPINES: Salesian Missionaries Hold Medical Clinic Providing Free Medical Care for More Than 500 People first appeared on MissionNewswire.

According to a Manila Times article, Porsche saw an opportunity to provide sustainable assistance to a few of those affected by the tragedy. All of the 2014 enrollees of the program were survivors of the deadly typhoon and were supported in the training program through scholarships and assistance. These new graduates will easily find employment in a Porsche facility or dealership across Asia, allowing them to better provide for themselves and their families.

“Yolanda was a nightmare for many of us, and we remain glad to have survived it because many didn’t. Still there were doubts about what the future held for us because of all the destruction in our province,” said Chad Germanes, class valedictorian, who expressed his gratitude on behalf of his graduating class in the Manila Times article. “The training program has given us strength and hope to believe in ourselves because we now have a very marketable skill. We will never forget this opportunity, and we will not disappoint wherever we eventually become posted – whether here or elsewhere in the world.”

Porsche collaborates with Don Bosco Technical Institute in Manila to help underprivileged young adults gain the skills they need to find employment within one of its services centers. The partnership collaborates to provide a program in auto mechanics that allows top students from Don Bosco Technical Institute to enter into the Porsche Training and Recruitment Center Asia (PTRCA).

Students enrolled in the program complete a 10-month basic training course that includes both theoretical and practical training at the Don Bosco Technical Institute where Porsche has set up and equipped a separate and dedicated training facility. During the program, students undergo advanced Berlitz-administered language lessons in English and Spanish, as well as training in customer service.

Twice a year the Institute selects its top 35 students to advance to the PTRCA’s comprehensive nine-month training program with Porsche specialists where students train on official Porsche vehicles using Porsche specialized tools. The program’s curriculum is continuously developing and adapting to the latest innovations and technology. The facility boasts state-of-the-art technical training equipment and advanced training and testing equipment complete with the latest specialized tools.

The program has been such a success that it was expanded under the revised tag PTRCA 2.0 to include sister brands Audi and Volkswagen. According to the Manila Times article, in anticipation of the increased number of trainees, Don Bosco Technical Institute is constructing a 6,000-square-meter training center to house seminar rooms and training workshops. The German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry is also on board and has promised to certify graduates toward employment. Last year, the organization awarded PTRCA the “Innovation Award” for the sustainability, transferability and effectiveness of its life-changing program. In addition, Porsche has donated 50,000 euros to Don Bosco Mondo Germany to build additional schools in affected provinces as well as provide free enrollment to the Yolanda scholars of PTRCA.

More than one quarter of the population of the Philippines live in poverty, according to UNICEF. Poverty is most severe and widespread in rural areas where 80 percent of the population – close to 88 million people – make their home. The poorest Filipinos are indigenous populations, small-scale farmers who cultivate land received through agrarian reform, landless workers and fishermen. In addition, poverty rates are higher for women than men.

Access to education is a critical component to overcoming poverty. In the Philippines, drop-out rates double as children reach secondary school and there are more than 11 million out-of-school youth, according to UNICEF. Almost a quarter of the country’s population, including a large percentage of children, live in poverty.

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Sources:

Manila Times – Yolanda batch’ graduates from Porsche training center

UNICEF – Philippines

The post PHILIPPINES: Don Bosco Technical Institute Graduates Typhoon Haiyan Survivors from Porsche Training Program first appeared on MissionNewswire.

In preparation for this transition, the PARE Foundation and La Vie Institute in partnership with Don Bosco Center Tondo held a seminar-workshop titled Mangarap Ka (Dream). The sessions highlighted three p’s that will equip the trainees to succeed in their training and in life. These include pangarap (dream/ambition), paraan (method/know-how), and pagpaplano (planning).

The first session taught the trainees that the path toward professionalism begins with the right mindset. It helped them see the power of dreaming through creating a vision and purpose. In the second session, participants were guided through the process of making smart goals and the session provided tips on how to keep on track toward the attainment of their goals. The last session was an opportunity for the organizers and participants to express their heartfelt thanks and gratitude.

After the seminar, trainees began their hands-on training, putting the skills they learned in the classroom into real work experience. This prepares youth for the workforce and gets them accustomed to an employment environment, working with peers, program solving and honing their skills.

“Traditional classroom learning is an important part of any education program, and when students are able to take those skills and practice them in an interactive learning environment, there is added educational value,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Salesian missionaries are preparing students for long-term stable employment while providing a steady workforce for growing industries in the Philippines.”

More than one quarter of the population of the Philippines live in poverty, according to UNICEF. Poverty is most severe and widespread in rural areas where 80 percent of the population—close to 88 million people—make their home. The poorest Filipinos are indigenous populations, small-scale farmers who cultivate land received through agrarian reform, landless workers and fishermen. In addition, poverty rates are higher for women than men.

Access to education is a critical component to overcoming poverty. In the Philippines, drop-out rates double as children reach secondary school and there are more than 11 million out-of-school youth, according to UNICEF. Almost a quarter of the country’s population, including a large percentage of children, live in poverty.

Illiteracy and high levels of unemployment contribute to the elevated poverty rate. With more than 11 million out-of-school youth in the country and drop-out rates doubling as children reach secondary school, access to education becomes a critical step in breaking the cycle of poverty. Salesian programs in the Philippines have been educating poor youth and providing them the skills necessary to find and retain employment for many decades.

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Sources:

PHOTO courtesy AustraLasia

UNICEF – Philippines

Salesian Missions – Philippines

The post PHILIPPINES: Salesian Students Begin Supervised Work Training, Gaining Skills for Future Employment first appeared on MissionNewswire.

“We’ve had a fantastic partnership with Don Bosco since 2004, working together on a series of initiatives that help develop the technical skills and experience of the TVET students, which leads them to even better career opportunities,” said Lance Mosley, Ford Philippines managing director, in a statement about the new facility.

During the course of their partnership, Ford has routinely recruited technicians directly from Don Bosco’s programs. In addition to student training, Mosley shared that the facility will also be used to conduct Ford’s factory certified training for its current technicians.

“Ford’s thrust of going further aligns perfectly with our philosophy of helping youth become technically competent so they, too, can go further in their lives,” said Father José Dindo Vitug, technical director of the Don Bosco Manpower Skills Training Center.

Ford has also announced that it will be fully funding and sponsoring 25 deserving out-of-school youth with full scholarships. The scholarships will grant students the chance to attend a 15-month automotive technical course at the new facility. The program is part of Ford’s “School-to-Work” initiative. The American Chamber of Commerce Foundation will be the third-party administrator for the scholarship’s selection process. Don Bosco Technical Vocational Education and Training Center will help screen candidates, monitor student performance and find employment opportunities for graduates at Ford dealerships.

“We’re looking to invest in 25 highly-capable students at Don Bosco who show a lot of potential and are interested in automotive careers. We’re providing these scholarships to support them and to facilitate getting a start in the automotive industry,” added Mosley.

More than one quarter of the population of the Philippines live in poverty, according to UNICEF. Poverty is most severe and widespread in rural areas where 80 percent of the population—close to 88 million people—make their home. The poorest Filipinos are indigenous populations, small-scale farmers who cultivate land received through agrarian reform, landless workers and fishermen. In addition, poverty rates are higher for women than men.

Access to education is a critical component to overcoming poverty. In the Philippines, drop-out rates double as children reach secondary school and there are more than 11 million out-of-school youth, according to UNICEF. Almost a quarter of the country’s population, including a large percentage of children, live in poverty.

Illiteracy and high levels of unemployment contribute to the elevated poverty rate. With more than 11 million out-of-school youth in the country and drop-out rates doubling as children reach secondary school, access to education becomes a critical step in breaking the cycle of poverty.

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SOURCES:

ANS – Philippines – Ford PH inaugurates new Don Bosco training facility

UNICEF – Philippines

The post PHILIPPINES: Ford Launches Program at Don Bosco Vocational Training Center first appeared on MissionNewswire.

The program is targeted to youth who have either been incarcerated or who have spent a rehabilitation period in the Second Chance programs at the Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth in Cebu City. The purpose of the Magone Home Aftercare Program is to prepare children who have been in conflict with the law for an independent life and to facilitate their gradual reintegration into society as productive individuals.

The Magone Home Aftercare Program is staffed by a director and assistant director with support from social workers, psychologists, teachers and house-parents. Together they are known as the Magone Help Team. Each year the team oversees 20 youth who live at the center and another 20 who are living within the community. To date, the program has worked with 129 youth whose offenses includes murder, rape, theft and robbery. In total of 73 youth have already reintegrated. Of this group, 37 youth are profitably employed, 45 are living with their families and 24 are living independently.

“For youth who have been incarcerated and finished their sentence, finding a way to reintegrate back into society successfully is important for their long-term rehabilitation,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “This program accomplishes that by providing the supports necessary to help youth while providing them the counseling and education they need to make healthier life choices and have the skills to gain future employment.”

The Philippine’s Government of Social Welfare Department has declared the Salesian program a  model of best practice for reintegration, which should be replicated by private institutions, organizations and government agencies involved in working with children in conflict with the law. Given the success of the program, Salesian staff have made a stronger and deeper commitment to increase their support and ongoing programs for the reintegration of these young offenders.

More than one quarter of the population of the Philippines live in poverty, according to UNICEF. Poverty is most severe and widespread in rural areas where 80 percent of the population–close to 88 million people–make their home. The poorest Filipinos are indigenous populations, small-scale farmers who cultivate land received through agrarian reform, landless workers and fisherman. In addition, poverty rates are higher for women than men.

Illiteracy and high levels of unemployment contribute to the elevated poverty rate. With more than 11 million out-of-school youth in the country and drop-out rates doubling as children reach secondary school, access to education becomes a critical step in breaking the cycle of poverty.

Salesian programs in the Philippines have been educating poor youth and providing them the skills necessary to find and retain employment for many decades.

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Sources:

ANS – Philippines – Magone Home After Care Program

UNICEF – Philippines

The post PHILIPPINES: Salesian Program Works to Reintegrate Young Offenders Back into Society first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Students enrolled in the program complete a 10-month basic training course that includes both theoretical and practical training at the Don Bosco Technical Institute where Porsche has set-up and equipped a separate and dedicated training facility. During the program, students undergo advanced Berlitz-administered language lessons in English and Spanish as well as training in customer service.

Twice a year the Institute selects its top 35 students to advance to the Porsche Training and Recruitment Center’s comprehensive nine-month training program with Porsche specialists where students train on official Porsche vehicles using Porsche specialized tools. The program’s curriculum is continuously developing and adapting to the latest innovations and technology. The facility boasts state-of-the-art technical training equipment and advanced training and testing equipment complete with the latest specialized tools.

“This program and collaboration has been very successful,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “The goal of the program is to assist poor youth in developing the skills and knowledge for lasting employment. We are helping youth fulfill their dreams while meeting Porsche’s need for constant access to a pool of qualified staff.”

Graduates of the program become certified Porsche Mechatronics and have employment opportunities awaiting them at several Porsche dealerships. Many graduates of the program are working in dealerships in the Middle East and Latin America but recently there has been an increasing demand from Porsche Centers in the South Pacific and other emerging markets. Jayson, a graduate of the program and now an engineer working at the Porsche Center in Dubai for the past 6 years, was able to buy a new home in Manila for his family who once could only afford to live in a small hut.

“To further help prepare students for the workforce, Salesian missionaries are offering students in this program resume writing assistance, interview skills training, life skills training and other social development services,” adds Fr. Hyde. “The goal is to help students break the cycle of poverty, gain stable employment and contribute back to their communities.”

More than one quarter of the population of the Philippines live in poverty, according to UNICEF. Poverty is most severe and widespread in rural areas where 80 percent of the population–close to 88 million people–make their home. The poorest Filipinos are indigenous populations, small-scale farmers who cultivate land received through agrarian reform, landless workers and fisherman. In addition, poverty rates are higher for women than men.

Access to education is a critical component to overcoming poverty. In the Philippines, drop-out rates double as children reach secondary school and there are more than 11 million out-of-school youth, according to UNICEF. Almost a quarter of the country’s population, including a large percentage of children, live in poverty.

Illiteracy and high levels of unemployment contribute to the elevated poverty rate. With more than 11 million out-of-school youth in the country and drop-out rates doubling as children reach secondary school, access to education becomes a critical step in breaking the cycle of poverty.

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Sources:

Don Bosco Technical Institute

Porsche – Porsche Training and Recruitment Center Asia presents its 2nd class of graduates

Salesian Missions – Philippines

UNICEF – Philippines

The post PHILIPPINES: Partnership between Don Bosco Technical Institute, Porsche AG Trains Youth for Stable, Long-term Employment first appeared on MissionNewswire.

The goal of the project is to counter child labor and the harsh labor conditions often found in the cocoa industry. According to the Food Empowerment Project, chocolate, which is a product of the cocoa bean, grows primarily in the tropical climates of Western Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Western African countries, mostly Ghana and the Ivory Coast, supply more than 70 percent of the world’s cocoa. On average, cocoa farmers earn less than $2 per day, an income below the poverty line, and plantations often resort to child labor to keep their prices competitive. There are nearly 1.8 million children trafficked, sold and forced in child labor in the cocoa industry in Africa alone.

To counter this, Salesian missionaries are launching this new project to train agricultural technicians on the cocoa crop so they can manage the nursery. It will also serve to motivate local farmers working at the cocoa plantation to treat all workers humanely. The climatic conditions and soil characteristics in the Philippines are favorable to this type of crop and in the area there is a growing interest among local farmers because of the local and international demand for cocoa products is high. Missionaries have already found the ground and have started preparations for the construction of the nursery.

“This project will empower farmers interested in working in the cocoa industry to start their own farms by learning the best agriculture techniques and the business practices to sell their project on the market,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “The farm will also provide a model for humane working conditions for the farmers and provide hands-on training for youth who are taking course work in agriculture education.”

More than one quarter of the population of the Philippines lives in poverty, according to UNICEF. Poverty is most severe and widespread in rural areas where 80 percent of the population–close to 88 million people–make their home. The poorest Filipinos are indigenous populations, small-scale farmers who cultivate land received through agrarian reform, landless workers and fisherman. In addition, poverty rates are higher for women than men.

Illiteracy and high levels of unemployment contribute to the elevated poverty rate. With more than 11 million out-of-school youth in the country and drop-out rates doubling as children reach secondary school, access to education becomes a critical step in breaking the cycle of poverty.

Throughout the Philippines, Salesian missionaries 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 skills training to break the cycle of poverty and retain long-term employment.

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Sources:

ANS – Philippines – Chocolate makes life sweet: “a nursery for cocoa plantations”

Food Empowerment Project – Child Labor and Slavery in the Chocolate Industry

UNICEF – Philippines

The post PHILIPPINES: Salesian Project Starts Organic Cocoa Plantation, Agriculture Training first appeared on MissionNewswire.

The association’s members are former students from the Don Bosco Missionary Seminary, formerly the High School Aspirantate, which closed in 2005 and paved the way for the current school. Several past pupils are in the medical profession including Dr. Alex Junia, a cardiologist and current president of the Philippine Heart Association as well as coordinator of the medical clinic.

The annual medical clinic was held in cooperation with the local government of Lawaan, a barangay of Talisay City. Government social workers were able to identify those most in need of medical care and coordinated their attendance at the event. The clinic provided medical consultations, pediatric clearances and referrals, glucose tests, blood pressure examinations, ECGs, medical ultrasounds and free medicines. Close to 200 packs of rice with noodles were also distributed to those who needed the nutritional support.

“The health of people we serve is very important to us,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “The work we do in the Philippines and in programs around the globe goes beyond education. We serve the whole person by making sure that basic needs like health and nutrition are met in addition to other social service needs.”

Access to nutrition, education and health services is essential to creating a sustainable society and optimistic future. More than one year after Typhoon Haiyan (also known as Typhoon Yolanda) devastated portions of Southeast Asia, particularly the Philippines, Salesian missionaries continue to work in the region to assist those who lost their homes and their livelihoods. While missionaries have successfully completed many community rehabilitation and rebuilding projects that have allowed survivors to return to their normal lives, there is still much work to be done.

“Salesian missionaries are engaged in a wide range of programs to improve the lives of the people in the Philippines,” adds Fr. Hyde. “Poor youth and their families receive support at community health centers, orphanages, parishes and youth centers. In addition, education is provided through Salesian-run primary, secondary, technical and agricultural schools – many of which provide room and board to their students.”

More than one quarter of the population of the Philippines lives in poverty, according to UNICEF. Poverty is most severe and widespread in rural areas where 80 percent of the population–close to 88 million people–make their home. The poorest Filipinos are indigenous populations, small-scale farmers who cultivate land received through agrarian reform, landless workers and fisherman. In addition, poverty rates are higher for women than men.

Illiteracy and high levels of unemployment contribute to the elevated poverty rate. With more than 11 million out-of-school youth in the country and drop-out rates doubling as children reach secondary school, access to education becomes a critical step in breaking the cycle of poverty.

Throughout the Philippines, Salesian missionaries 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 skills training to break the cycle of poverty and retain long-term employment.

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Sources:

ANS – Philippines – Past Pupils hold Medical Mission

Don Bosco Formation Center Facebook

Don Bosco Formation Center Website

UNICEF – Philippines

The post PHILIPPINES: Past Pupils of Don Bosco Hold Medical Clinic Providing Care for Children and the Elderly first appeared on MissionNewswire.

According to UNICEF, there are an estimated 1.5 million street children in the Philippines, about 75,000 of whom are living in Manila, with thousands more ending up homeless every month. Drop-out rates double as children reach secondary school and there are more than 11 million out-of-school youth.

“Most of the children who end up on our streets are forced into a life of sexual abuse and drugs, and are rounded up into crime syndicates often having no one to turn to,” says Sister Marivic Ana, executive director of the Laura Vicuña Foundation. “The girls are often abused by their own peers and others looking to exploit them and then they become victims of trafficking. They come to us severely traumatized.”

In 2012, the Laura Vicuña Foundation received the Impact Award under the Protection Category in the Asia Pacific Region from the Stars Foundation in London. The comprehensive work of the foundation, particularly its pioneering child protection clinic on wheels and its three Children of the Canes national conferences focusing on a socially responsible sugar industry, were highlighted as programs that helped it secure the award. The Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco used the $100,000 prize money received with the award to help build a larger facility for the healing and recovery of sexually-abused girls. The new building also houses a training center and the foundation’s offices.

“We focus our efforts on reaching out to children in their communities, schools and even homes which is why our mobile protection unit is so effective,” adds Sr. Ana. “We want to extend the reach of that unit to child laborers in the sugarcane industry. These children are highly at risk from hazardous labor, from trafficking and from sexual exploitation. Taking a second mobile unit out into the plantations where these children are is the only way that we can intervene now and offer them protection.”

The Laura Vicuña Foundation also offers technical education to empower youth by training them in the skills necessary to find and retain stable employment and lead lives free from poverty and exploitation. In addition to attending classroom seminars, students enrolled in the foundation’s technical training programs have access to hands-on skills training and internships set up through the foundation and the local business community.

“Traditional classroom learning is an important part of any education program, and when students are able to take those skills and practice them in an interactive learning environment, there is added educational value,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Salesian missionaries are preparing students for long-term stable employment while providing a steady workforce for growing industries in the Philippines.”

Throughout the Philippines, Salesian missionaries 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 skills training to break the cycle of poverty and retain long-term employment.

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Sources:

Laura Vicuña Foundation

UNICEF – Philippines

The post PHILIPPINES: Laura Vicuña Foundation Provides Hope and Healing for Victims of Abuse and Exploitation first appeared on MissionNewswire.

The success of the conference was made possible through the support of the Don Bosco Formation Center’s Pastoral Communication students from Talisay City, the Commission on Youth Ministry, the Salesian Youth Movement and FIS Social Communications.

The conference theme was “Ctrl Shift Del: Cyber Teens Responsible Leaders” and utilized commands typically available on a computer keyboard to convey the main conference message of “Teaching the youth to shift their views, control their lives and delete the negativity in social media.” As part of the conference, youth drafted and signed a manifesto against cyber-bullying.

“We see that cyber-bullying is an inhumane, intolerable act and if left unattended, will eventually damage more people and teens like us. However, we, as Cyber Teens Responsible Leaders, can be advocates for its eradication,” the manifesto read.

The manifesto also contained the young leaders’ commitment to advocacy on how to use social media appropriately and effectively.

“We believe that our advocacy begins with defining our boundaries on proper media usage anchored on the values of respect, empathy, discipline, sincerity and compassion. We likewise believe that such advocacy empowers young people like us in accepting our differences regardless of physical attributes, race, social status, economic standing, belief or religion,” the manifesto read.

It went on to say: “Therefore, we commit to be catalysts in an enlightened youth movement that boldly stands up against cyberbullying, raises awareness and educates our fellow teenagers on the responsible use of ICTs and lends voice to those who don’t have the courage to seek help and speak out.”

During the conference, a special Twitter hashtag, #CTRLYouthCon, was launched and conference messages reached nearly 30,000 people during the week following the event.

“Salesian missionaries aim to provide education and tools to help youth lead safe, happy and productive lives,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “This conference covered a very important topic for youth today.”

Having access to education is a critical step in overcoming poverty. In the Philippines, drop-out rates double as children reach secondary school and there are more than 11 million out-of-school youth, according to UNICEF. Almost a quarter of the country’s population (including a large percentage of children) live in poverty.

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 the skills to secure and retain long-term employment.

Sources:

ANS – Philippines – Youth Against Cyber Bullying

UNICEF – Philippines

The post PHILIPPINES: Salesian Anti-Cyberbullying Conference Provides Education to 200 Youth first appeared on MissionNewswire.

According to statements made by Father Reechee Espiritu, a Salesian administrator, in a recent Sun Star newspaper article about the festival, the name of the event derived from an acronym for One Negros Encounter, a celebration of the unification of two Negros provinces through the establishment of the NIR (Negros Island Region) or Region 18. “Juan” refers to St. John Bosco, founder of the Salesians.

Father Espiritu also noted that the festival was responsible for the recent partnership between St. John’s Institute in Bacolod and the Salesians of Don Bosco of the South Province. The sports festival worked to foster unity and camaraderie among the three Salesian educational institutions and showcased the talents and skills of participants through various sporting and recreational events. Games began shortly after the opening ceremonies and activities on January 8 and were followed by friendly sports competitions. The event closed with a Catholic mass and dinner for the athletes.

“Throughout the Philippines, Salesian missionaries offer a variety of educational and social development programs for youth, many with an emphasis on recreation and sports activities,” says Father Mark Hyde, the executive director of Salesians Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “The goal is to provide the opportunities necessary to gain an education and skills training to break the cycle of poverty and retain long-term employment.”

Salesian missionaries across the Philippines incorporate sports programs into their traditional educational activities. The Madridejos Football Club of Cebu Province, Philippines, recently extended its programs to Bantayan Island and donated soccer balls to Salesian elementary and high school students and those attending Salesian youth programs there. The soccer program is part of the rehabilitation and rebuilding assistance provided by Salesian missionaries since typhoon Yolanda devastated much of the country in 2013. The football club has helped many young people remain in school, and for many players, their skills on the field have granted them access to scholarships that have allowed them to continue their studies at the university level.

“Sports programs teach youth both on and off the field,” adds Fr. Hyde. “Learning and playing team sports encourages leadership skills as well as teaches youth to work as part of a team. Students also learn important social skills and have opportunities for growth and maturity.”

More than one quarter of the population of the Philippines lives in poverty, according to UNICEF. Poverty is most severe and widespread in rural areas where 80 percent of the population–close to 88 million people–make their home. The poorest Filipinos are indigenous populations, small-scale farmers who cultivate land received through agrarian reform, landless workers and fisherman. In addition, poverty rates are higher for women than men.

Illiteracy and high levels of unemployment contribute to the elevated poverty rate. With more than 11 million out-of-school youth in the country and drop-out rates doubling as children reach secondary school, access to education becomes a critical step in breaking the cycle of poverty.

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Sources:

Sun Star – Salesian schools in NIR to hold sportsfest

UNICEF – Philippines

The post PHILIPPINES: Three Salesian Schools Take Part in Sports Festival Highlighting Student Skills first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Access to education is a critical component to overcoming poverty. In the Philippines, drop-out rates double as children reach secondary school and there are more than 11 million out-of-school youth, according to UNICEF. Almost a quarter of the country’s population, including a large percentage of children, live in poverty.

The Tuloy Foundation goes beyond providing a home for at-risk youth. Once off the streets, foundation participants are removed from a life exposed to begging, theft, drugs and prostitution, among other negative influences. Children must be at least 9 years old to enter the foundation’s school program which begins in first grade and continues through technical training. Those who are just coming in off the streets receive food, clothing, shelter, healthcare, recreation, education and skills training. Older youth pursue technical training in a variety of technologies including automotive, electrical, welding and woodworking in addition to other studies. Participants also have the ability to access on-the-job training in sponsor companies.

“It is up to each individual youth to make the most of the programs being offered,” says Fr. Evangelista. “Youth decide if they want to stay living at the foundation until they are 18, and if so, spend the last 18 months with us taking technical and vocational training to prepare for employment after graduation.”

Father Evangelista was able to expand the program in 1999 through a partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development which leased 4.5 hectares of land in Alabang, the third largest district in Muntinlupa. In addition to residential and educational facilities, youth can take classes at the Tuloy Nature Therapy Center, a retreat that introduces these former street children to the beauty of nature. Offering classes in farming and agriculture, the center features sustainable organic aquaponics and a composting farm that provides food for the students and generates income for the center from the community.

In 2014, Capital One Philippines Support Service Corp. (COPSSC), the global business processing services arm of the United States based Capital One Financial Corp., opened a new learning facility at Tuloy’s Don Bosco School in Alabang. The facility houses Tuloy’s Call Center Readiness Program, a 13-month training program designed by Capital One Philippines to teach students key competencies required for entry-level positions in business processing outsourcing and other service industries.

The Call Center Readiness program expanded the current academic and vocational training offerings at the Don Bosco School. In the first seven months of the program, students receive intensive classroom training in the English language and computer basics as well as the fundamentals of customer service. In the final six months of the program, students receive interactive hands-on training at the new learning facility and upon successful completion, are given the opportunity to gain permanent job placement at Capital One Philippines.

The students at Tuloy are given many opportunities they would otherwise not have both inside and outside the classroom. Thanks to the generosity of private donors and sponsors, students can choose extra-curricular activities such as gardening, dancing and rugby. The importance of team sports, such as rugby, helps student learn teamwork, respect for others and discipline, all skills that can be applied to other aspects of life.

“The Tuloy Foundation provides education and a wide variety of opportunities to poor youth, helping them break the cycle of poverty,” adds Fr. Evangelista. “With programs like those offered at Tuloy, Salesian missionaries in the Philippines work to meet the ever growing needs of street children to ensure that every child has the opportunity to reach his or her potential.”

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Sources:

Tuloy Foundation

UNICEF – Philippines

The post PHILIPPINES: Salesian-run Tuloy Foundation Provides Education and Social Support to More than 800 Street Youth first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Every year since 1994, UNESCO has celebrated Oct. 5 as World Teachers’ Day. The day was designated as a way to appreciate, assess and improve educators around the world. The theme for this year’s World Teachers’ Day is, “Empowering teachers, building sustainable societies” and highlights the importance of empowering educators so that they can provide quality education and contribute to sustainable development.

According to UNESCO, empowering teachers entails the provision of decent working conditions, well-resourced, safe and healthy working environments, professional autonomy, academic freedom, high quality teacher training, and continuous professional development, among other factors. When teachers are faced with precarious working conditions, are pressured by stringent standardization, have no freedom to exercise their profession, and face a low status in society, the provision of high quality education and its contribution to sustainable development is challenged.

Teachers play an important role in the lives of poor youth in Salesian schools. Their work is vital to their students’ success both in and out of the classroom. Salesians educate more than 1 million youth in more than 5,300 primary and secondary schools and nearly 1,000 vocational, technical and agricultural schools in more than 130 countries around the globe.

Salesian teachers face many challenges educating poor youth. Many of their students have faced severe poverty and often lack basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter. Some were previously living and working on the streets and others have faced war as child soldiers or become refugees in war torn communities. Salesian teachers meet these challenges head on, providing education and hope for a brighter future.

“Teachers are the backbone of the Salesian educational system and we are dedicated to providing high-quality teacher training, safe working environments, professional development and the support they need,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “The value of strong teachers can be seen in the accomplishments of youth that graduate from their classes. Salesian missionaries believe that access to education and highly qualified teachers is critical to help youth learn job skills, improve their lives and find a path out of poverty.”

Salesian missionaries in many of the poorest places around the globe are dedicated to improving the working conditions and quality of training for teachers. From building new schools after disasters like the earthquake in Nepal and the typhoon in the Philippines to providing education in war-torn regions like Syria, Salesian missionaries understand the importance of education for building strong sustainable societies.

Salesian missionaries are also dedicated to increasing the number of trained teachers where they are needed most. Not only are the Salesians a major employer of quality teachers around the globe, they also provide the training and certification these teachers need. Recently, Don Bosco College of Teacher Education located in the town of Tura in the state of Meghalaya in northeastern India, graduated 102 students from its bachelor of education program. More than 60 of the students graduated with honors and close to 80 percent have already found employment in schools across India.

Started in 2005, the Salesian-run teachers college is a teacher training institution established and managed by the Don Bosco Educational Society, recognized by the Indian government and affiliated with North-Eastern Hill University Shillong, a central Indian university. Don Bosco Educational Society provides training programs for new teachers and ongoing teacher education for teachers currently in the classroom. The goal is to meet the increasing demand for trained teachers in India and provide better skilled and highly educated teachers in classrooms across the country.

“Quality education depends on well-trained teachers,” adds Fr. Hyde. “Salesian teachers help prepare students to easily transition from Salesian primary schools into continued higher education where they can begin to focus on finding a career path and learning the skills necessary to lead a productive life.”

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Sources:

UNESCO – World Teacher’s Day 2015

Salesian Missions

The post WORLD TEACHERS’ DAY: Salesian Teachers Provide Opportunity to More than One Million Students around the Globe first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Youth come from all over the Philippines to access the services provided by Don Bosco Pugad. They are referred by other religious, civic and lay organizations as well as by government organizations that work with poor and at-risk youth. Many of the Don Bosco Pugad participants were ineligible for services elsewhere but were extremely vulnerable to drug and human trafficking, sexual exploitation and child labor. Others came to the center after having been used as young combatants.

Don Bosco Pugad’s educational programs work to empower young men by training them in the technical skills necessary to find and retain stable employment and lead lives free from crime, poverty and exploitation. The center offers educational programs in electrical technology, welding, machinery and equipment installation, air-conditioning and refrigeration, automotive technology, water refill station management, baking, cooking and poultry and vegetable gardening.

In addition to attending classroom seminars, students have access to hands-on skills training and internships set up through Don Bosco Pugad and the local business community. Many of the young men who graduate from Don Bosco Pugad go on to find employment in companies across the Philippines as well as in international companies.

“Traditional classroom learning is an important part of any education program, and when students are able to take those skills and practice them in an interactive learning environment, there is added educational value,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Salesian missionaries are preparing students for long-term stable employment while providing a steady workforce for growing industries in the Philippines.”

Sports and social activity programs and educational field trips offered at Don Bosco Pugad help youth develop socially, connect with their peers and learn practical life skills.

“Sports programs for youth teach valuable skills both on and off the field,” says Fr. Hyde. “Learning and playing team sports encourages leadership and teamwork. Students also learn important social skills and are given opportunities to grow and mature.”

Don Bosco Pugad is planning to expand its operations with the opening of a professional baking, culinary and agricultural school within four years. The goal is to provide advanced professional training to students who demonstrate an aptitude in these subject areas. Once the professional school is operational and has graduated students with advanced degrees, Salesian missionaries hope that some of those graduates will remain at the school to teach incoming students.

More than one year after Typhoon Haiyan (also known as Typhoon Yolanda) devastated portions of Southeast Asia, particularly the Philippines, Salesian missionaries continue to work in the region to assist those who lost their homes and their livelihoods. While missionaries have successfully completed many community rehabilitation and rebuilding projects that have allowed survivors to return to their normal lives, there is still much work to be done.

Throughout the Philippines, Salesian missionaries 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 skills training to break the cycle of poverty and retain long-term employment.

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Sources:

Bosco News – Center for poor and needy migrant youth

UNICEF – Philippines

The post PHILIPPINES: Don Bosco Pugad Helps Troubled Youth Gain an Education and Long-term Employment first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Organized in 1996 by Coach Cesar Cantancio by the invitation of the Madridejos Mayor, Doroteo Salazar, the Madridejos Football Club was part of a sports program developed for a fishing town in Northern Cebu. Eventually, the club became a football powerhouse throughout the Island of Cebu. Coach Cantancio has dedicated eighteen years of his life to developing the football club whose players consist of elementary and high school students. He learned to play soccer himself when he was a student at the Don Bosco Boys Home in Banilad, Philippines and went on to play for the Don Bosco varsity high school team and the University of Cebu.

The Madridejos Football Club has been a champion of the Salesian Provincial Meet and has had its members go on to achieve acclaim in the sport. Elson Dorimon, a former member of the club, went on to play in the Homeless World Cup in Poland in September 2014.

Through a partnership with and support from Don Bosco Boys Home in Banilad, the football club has helped many young people remain in school. For many players, their skills on the field have granted them access to scholarships that have allowed them to continue their studies at the university level.

“Sports programs for youth teach valuable skills 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.”

The super typhoon which struck on Nov. 8, 2013 was one of the strongest tropical cyclones ever recorded and the deadliest typhoon on record in the Philippines killing more than 6,200 people in that country alone. According to the United Nations, the super typhoon affected more than 13 million people overall. An estimated one million homes were destroyed and 4 million people were left homeless with close to 2.5 million of those displaced needing food assistance. According to the UN World Food Program, more than 5 million of those affected were children, leaving 1.5 million children at risk of acute malnutrition.

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 the skills to secure and retain long-term employment.

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Sources:

ANS – Philippines – Promoting Football to the Grassroots

The post PHILIPPINES: Sports Program Helps Salesian Students Develop Life Skills and Stay in School first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Recently, EMotors Inc. delivered a fleet of zero-emission ZüM electric tricycles (e-trikes) to members of a Don Bosco multipurpose cooperative whose members consist of farmers and fishermen from Barangay Candahug in Palo, Leyte in the northeastern region of the Philippines. The e-trikes were made possible through donors and an EMotors partnership with Don Bosco Direct (Disaster Intervention and Emergency Response Coordination Team). EMotors is a 100 percent Filipino-owned manufacturer and assembler of ZüM e-trikes.

“Since the devastating typhoon struck in November 2013, ongoing restoration and rebuilding continues but the equally important component of livelihood restoration is yet to be fully met,” said Elizabeth Lee, president of EMotors, in a recent press release on the inquirer.net motoring website, Motion Cars, about the Don Bosco partnership. “The ZüM e-trikes as a means of livelihood sends a strong message of encouragement and hope to earnest Filipinos who are now struggling to find their place given the devastating circumstances the catastrophic storm left behind.”

The typhoon destroyed homes, businesses and methods of transportation. The new vehicles will allow many to get back to work while providing much needed transportation in the area. The new e-trike owners were provided a training on the vehicle’s usage and maintenance. The use of e-trikes instead of the gas-powered vehicles typically used across the Philippines will also help address the global issue of climate change by lessening the Philippine’s carbon footprint.

“We are privileged to be part of the community’s future as we mark another milestone in our goal to serve the needs of Filipinos for an affordable, low maintenance, innovative and easy to use vehicle, one that helps increase one’s income while at the same time, help clean our air,” said Lee, in the same press release.

In addition to the new e-trikes, Salesian missionaries are working on employment initiatives primarily in the farming, livestock management and manufacturing sectors designed to jump-start the local economy. By integrating research, technological advancement and vocational training in these areas, Salesian programs aim to create sustainable, long-term entrepreneurship and employment opportunities which, in turn, will provide typhoon victims and vulnerable youth financial security and hope for a better future.

“There is still much to be done,” said Vic Gocela, deputy coordinator for Don Bosco Direct, in the Motion Cars press release. “The arrival of the e-trikes may seem like a small step for the recipient drivers and operators, but it symbolizes one big step for the whole community. It gives inspiration and a ray of hope for many of our fellow Filipinos there.”

The super typhoon which struck on Nov. 8, 2013 was one of the strongest tropical cyclones ever recorded and the deadliest typhoon on record in the Philippines killing more than 6,200 people in that country alone. According to the United Nations, the super typhoon affected more than 13 million people overall. An estimated one million homes were destroyed and 4 million people were left homeless with close to 2.5 million of those displaced needing food assistance. More than 5 million of those affected were children, leaving 1.5 million children at risk of acute malnutrition, according to the UN World Food Program.

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Sources:

Motion Cars – A clean slate: Community starts over fresh in the New Year

The post PHILIPPINES: Don Bosco Direct Partnership with EMotors Provides New Electric Tricycles to Increase Access to Transportation first appeared on MissionNewswire.

The Tuloy Foundation, founded in 1993 by Father Marciano “Rocky” G. Evangelista of the Salesians of Don Bosco, is an organization committed to educating poor, homeless children in the Philippines. Beginning with just 12 children, the foundation’s school program has since grown to include a comprehensive curriculum utilizing multiple facilities. To date, thousands of street children have created successful lives for themselves with the help of Tuloy.

Youth must be at least nine years old to enter the foundation’s school program which begins in first grade and continues through high school and includes technical training. Youth who are just coming off the streets receive food, clothing, shelter, healthcare, recreation and education and skills training. Older youth pursue vocational training in a variety of technologies, including automotive, electrical, welding and woodworking in addition to other studies. Students also have the ability to access on-the-job training in sponsor companies.

Recently, Capital One Philippines Support Service Corp. (COPSSC), the global business processing services arm of the United States based Capital One Financial Corp., opened a new learning facility at Tuloy’s Don Bosco School in Alabang, the third largest district in Muntinlupa City in the Philippines. The facility will house Tuloy’s Call Center Readiness Program, a 13-month training program designed by Capital One Philippines to teach students key competencies required for entry-level positions in business processing outsourcing (BPO) and other service industries.

The Call Center Readiness program expands the current academic and vocational training offerings at the Don Bosco School. In the first seven months of the program, students receive intensive classroom training in the English language and computer basics as well as the fundamentals of customer service. In the final six months of the program, students receive interactive hands-on training at the new learning facility and upon successful completion, are given the opportunity to gain permanent job placement at Capital One Philippines.

“Tuloy’s new learning facility forms part of COPSSC’s thrust to make a positive difference in the communities where we live and work, supporting youth education, especially for disadvantaged children. We will constantly take steps to partner with local organizations to uplift the community’s well-being,” says Paul Townsend COPSSC’s general manager in a recent Asian Journal article about the opening of the new facility.

“The local BPO industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the country today. We hope that by providing these students with education specific to contact center employment, we will help arm them with the skills necessary to enter the industry, leading to better job placement and greater opportunities in the long term,” adds Townsend in the same article.

The new learning facility was made possible by seed funding from Capital One Philippines, which was announced last October in conjunction with the company’s grand opening. In addition to the seed funding, the company has invested more than 3000 employee volunteer hours. The new program launched on Sept. 1 and accommodates up to 30 students. The facility features a lecture room and a fully-equipped computer lab with 15 personal computers that can facilitate business processing simulations.

“Traditional classroom learning is an important part of any education program, and when students are able to take those skills and practice them in an interactive learning environment, there is added educational value,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Salesians are preparing students for long-term stable employment. Partnerships like this one with Capital One Philippines, help students find and retain employment while providing a steady workforce for growing industries.”

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Sources:

Asian Journal – Capital One opens learning facility for Tuloy Don Bosco School

Tuloy Foundation

Salesian Missions – Philippines

UNICEF – Philippines

The post PHILIPPINES: Tuloy Foundation and Capital One Partner to Bring Technical Training and Employment Opportunities to Youth first appeared on MissionNewswire.

The super typhoon which struck on Nov. 8, 2013, was one of the strongest tropical cyclones ever recorded and the deadliest typhoon on record in the Philippines killing more than 6,200 people in that country alone. According to the United Nations, the super typhoon affected more than 13 million people overall. An estimated one million homes were destroyed and 4 million people were left homeless with close to 2.5 million of those displaced needing food assistance. More than 5 million of those affected were children, leaving 1.5 million children at risk of acute malnutrition, according to the UN World Food Program.

Salesian missionaries in the Philippines who have been working with vulnerable children and their families at Salesian schools, youth centers and community programs for many years, were positioned to be on the front lines of the relief efforts. Salesian buildings in Cebu were named Official Help Centers and students, teachers, staff and volunteers worked alongside missionaries to collect, prepare and pack relief goods.

In cooperation with the National Crisis Management Unit in the Philippines, 25,000 emergency kits were distributed in the days immediately following the storm. In addition, Salesian missionaries provided food, clothing, water and medical care to 40,000 families in Leyte, Cebu, Samar and Aklan. A year later, thousands of families are surviving with the help of volunteers and organizations linked to the Salesians.

“Because we have been working in the Philippines since 1950 and already have an established network in the affected areas, we are able to provide vital coordination and infrastructure support,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Our work did not stop in the immediate aftermath of the storm. Salesian relief efforts continue for those in need and reconstruction efforts are underway to rebuild communities.”

Initiated in the wake of the storm, the Don Bosco Adopt and Rebuild a Community Project (Don Bosco ARC) began replacing destroyed homes and buildings that were poorly constructed before the storm with ones that can withstand future weather events. To date, close to 150 homes have been completed. Ultimately, the Don Bosco ARC project will benefit 2,600 families on four separate islands.

Reconstruction of homes, schools and shelters has also continued with many projects close to completion. More than 2,700 families have received materials to repair roofs and walls and have been able to return to their homes. Salesian missionaries are also focusing their efforts on building shelters for the disaster prone country. Of the nearly 500 temporary shelters in East Samar, Aklan and on the island of Bantayan, 417 have already been completed and others are under construction. Salesian Missionaries have also focused their rebuilding efforts on schools with 11 new schools under construction, eight of which are in Leyte, two in Cebu and one on the island of Bantayan.

As many Filipinos lost their livelihoods in the wake of the storm, Salesian missionaries are also working on employment initiatives primarily in the farming, livestock management and manufacturing sectors designed to jump-start the local economy. By integrating research, technological advancement and vocational training in these areas, Salesian programs aim to create sustainable, long-term entrepreneurship and employment opportunities which, in turn, will provide typhoon victims and vulnerable youth with financial security and hope for a better future.

“Salesian missionaries have made great progress in the year since the typhoon but there is still much work to be done, particularly helping those whose livelihoods were affected find meaningful employment in order for them to support their families,” adds Fr. Hyde.

Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, launched a “Philippines Typhoon Emergency” fund in response to the need. To give to that fund, go to SalesianMissions.org/typhoon.

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Sources:

ANS – Philippines – One year after the typhoon: 3,000 homes rebuilt and 11 new schools

UN World Food Program – Philippines: Children In Typhoon-Hit Areas Get Nutritional Support

The post PHILIPPINES: One Year after Typhoon Haiyan Salesian Missionaries Have Aided Close to 3,000 Families in Rebuilding Homes While Beginning Construction on 11 New Schools first appeared on MissionNewswire.

According to the United Nations, in addition to killing thousands of people, the super typhoon affected more than 13 million overall. An estimated one million homes were destroyed and 4 million were left homeless. Among those who had been displaced, close to 2.5 million were in need of food assistance. More than 5 million of those affected were children, leaving 1.5 million children at risk of acute malnutrition, according to the UN World Food Program.

Salesian missionaries in the Philippines who have been working with vulnerable children and their families at Salesian schools, youth centers and community programs for many years, were positioned to be on the front lines of the relief efforts. Salesian buildings in Cebu were named Official Help Centers and students, teachers, staff and volunteers worked alongside missionaries to collect, prepare and pack relief goods. In cooperation with the National Crisis Management Unit in the Philippines, 25,000 emergency kits were distributed in the days immediately following the storm.

Salesians in the country were also able to assist with the logistics of relief efforts which was identified by many aid experts as the greatest challenge. With experience working with the military to safely receive and transport relief supplies to those in need, Salesians in the Philippines provided crucial disaster relief support and coordination in the days and months following the storm.

“Because we have been working in the Philippines since 1950 and already have an established network in the affected areas, we are able to provide vital coordination and infrastructure support,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Our work does not stop in the immediate aftermath of the storm. Salesian relief efforts continue for those in need and now reconstruction efforts are underway to rebuild communities.”

Today, eight months after the typhoon, Salesian rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts continue in the Philippines long after many other humanitarian organizations have left the country. The Salesian-run Haiyan Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Project continues to deliver relief such as food, clothing, blankets, kitchen items and carpentry and agriculture tools as well as five gallon containers of fresh drinking water to many areas, especially remote areas hard hit by the storm.

Reconstruction of homes, schools and shelters has also continued. To date, Salesian organizations have delivered enough construction materials to aid more than 2,300 families in the rebuilding of their homes. More than 700 additional families will be receiving assistance with finding transitional homes and 50 out of 360 planned houses have already been constructed.

Salesians in the Philippines are also helping with the rebuilding efforts of residential and duplex storm shelters (often known as comfort rooms). Forty-six of 50 residential shelters have already been completed as well as 23 of the duplex storm shelters.

As many lost their livelihoods in the wake of the storm, Salesians are working to develop a plan to retrain those in need. Development of a proposal for a wood accessory and beads processing shop is underway and other projects focused on mechanized farming, plant nurseries and livestock dispersal are being studied for viability. In the meantime, Salesians have provided tools for 235 families and Don Bosco-Liloan in Cebu is spearheading a project to help improve the livelihoods of fisherman in the municipality of Madredijos on Bantayan Island.

Because the Philippines is prone to natural disasters, Salesians in the region are training their own staff in emergency response protocol before the next storm. Don Bosco Network members are documenting emergency response coordination in the first 48 hours after an emergency occurs as well as drawing up standard protocol for handling emergencies. These documents outline a basic strategy for Salesians providing professional assistance in case of emergency anywhere in the world.

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Sources:

Salesian Missions – Salesian Missions Supports Programs to Help 200,000 Families Affected by Typhoon

UN World Food Program – Philippines: Children In Typhoon-Hit Areas Get Nutritional Support

The post PHILIPPINES: Salesians Continue Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Efforts in Wake of Super Typhoon first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Illiteracy and high levels of unemployment contribute to the elevated poverty rate. With more than 11 million out-of-school youth in the country and drop-out rates doubling as children reach secondary school, access to education becomes a critical step in breaking the cycle of poverty.

Salesian programs in the Philippines have been educating poor youth and providing them the skills necessary to find and retain employment for many decades. Recently, 16 young men graduated from the Porsche Training and Recruitment Center Asia, as part of a collaborative program between Porsche AG, the Don Bosco Technical Institute in Makati City and PGA Cars.

Students enrolled in the program complete a 10-month basic training course that includes both theoretical and practical training at the Don Bosco Technical Institute where Porsche has set-up and equipped a separate and dedicated training facility. During the program, students undergo advanced Berlitz-administered language lessons in English and Spanish as well as training in customer service.

Twice a year the Institute selects its top 35 students to advance to the Porsche Training and Recruitment Center’s comprehensive nine-month training program with Porsche specialists where students train on official Porsche vehicles using Porsche specialized tools. The program’s curriculum is continuously developing and adapting to the latest innovations and technology. The facility boasts state-of-the-art technical training equipment and advanced training and testing equipment complete with the latest specialized tools.

Graduates of the program become certified Porsche Mechatronics and have employment opportunities awaiting them at several Porsche dealerships in Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Latin America.

“Everyone dreams of achieving something great in their lives,” said Robert Coyiuto Jr., chairman of PGA Cars Inc., in his speech at the commencement ceremony. “The Porsche Training and Recruitment Center Asia was created to help underprivileged Filipino youth reach those dreams. Our mission is to provide quality Porsche technical training for youth and ensure that they have jobs that will empower them to achieve more.”

Started in 2008, the training course has graduated 10 classes with 146 graduates becoming certified, 127 of whom are already working for various Porsche Centers worldwide. Many of the graduates are working in dealerships in the Middle East and Latin America but recently there has been an increasing demand from Porsche Centers in the South Pacific and other emerging markets.

“This program and collaboration has been very successful,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “The goal of the program is to assist poor youth in developing the skills and knowledge for lasting employment. We are helping youth fulfill their dreams while meeting Porsche’s need for constant access to a pool of qualified staff.”

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Sources:

Business Mirror- Making dreams come true for the underprivileged youth

Don Bosco Technical Institute – Philippines

Porsche – Porsche Training and Recruitment Center Asia

UNICEF – Philippines

The post PHILIPPINES: Salesians and Porsche Collaborate to Educate and Employ Poor Youth first appeared on MissionNewswire.

The Tuloy Foundation, founded in 1993 by the Salesians, has been helping at-risk youth succeed in school. The Foundation’s school program began with just 12 children but has since grown into a comprehensive curriculum with multiple facilities all focused specifically on the needs of at-risk youth. To date, thousands of street children have created successful lives for themselves with the help of Tuloy.

Youth must be at least nine years old to enter the program which begins in first grade and continues through high school and technical training. Youth who are just coming off the streets receive food, clothing, shelter, healthcare, psycho-social interventions, recreation and education and skills training. Older youth pursue vocational training in a variety of technologies, including automotive, electrical, welding and woodworking. Students also have the ability to access on-the-job training in sponsor companies.

“Youth have to decide if they want to live here until they are 18,” explains Father Rocky Evangelista, director of the program, in a recent Philippine Star article. “And when they are 18, they graduate into the wide world. Their last 18 months are spent undertaking vocational training to prepare them for this.”

Fr. Evangelista was able to expand the program in 1999 through a partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development which leased 4.5 hectares of land in Alabang, Muntinlupa to the Tuloy Foundation.

Today close to 1,000 boys and girls attend the program, with more than 200 of the students residing at the Tuloy orphanage. In addition to residential and educational facilities, youth can take part in the Tuloy Nature Therapy Center, a retreat that introduces street youth to the beauty of nature. The Center also offers students classes in farming and agriculture while its livestock and vegetable garden help supply food.

Mario, a student at Tuloy, was just 10 years old when he ran away from home, desperate to escape his abusive father. Living alone on the streets, he relied on begging and odd jobs to pay for his food. He was destined for a life of poverty, drugs and crime had he not been discovered by social workers and placed in the care of the Salesians.

Today, Mario lives with other former street children at Tuloy’s Namunkura Dorm. He is thriving in a safe and supportive environment where he is receiving a formal education and hope for a brighter future.

“Youth must first gain self-esteem and self-respect,” says Fr. Evangelista. “Then they respect others and start to dream and aspire.”

The students at Tuloy are given many opportunities they would otherwise not have, both inside and outside the classroom. Thanks to the generosity of private donors and sponsors, students can choose between activities such as gardening, dancing and rugby (sponsored by the Australian construction company, Leighton). According to the same Philippine Star article, the boys on the Tuloy rugby team are the defending champions of the youth touch rugby competition organized by the Philippine Rugby Football Union.

The importance of team sports, such as rugby, is highlighted in the teamwork, respect for others and discipline they inspire – all skills that can be applied to other aspects of life.

The Tuloy Foundation provides an education and a wide variety of opportunities to poor youth, helping them break the cycle of poverty. With programs like those offered at Tuloy, the Salesians in the Philippines work to meet the ever growing needs of street children to ensure that every child has the opportunity to reach his or her potential.

Sources:

Philippine Star – The Haka boys of Tuloy Don Bosco

UNICEF – Philippines

Salesian Missions – Philippines: A Better Path for Street Children

The post PHILIPPINES: Salesian Tuloy Foundation Gives At-Risk Youth a Chance to Excel first appeared on MissionNewswire.

The Culinary Arts program started in 2010 and is one of many technical and professional courses offered at the Tuloy Foundation. The program operates out of a newly constructed two story culinary arts building on the Foundation’s school campus. The school offers poor youth the opportunity to change the course of their lives through education.

More than one quarter, just over 25 percent, of the population lives in poverty in the Philippines according to UNICEF. There are more than 11 million out-of-school youth with drop-out rates doubling as children reach secondary school.

The Tuloy Foundation provides a chance for at-risk youth to succeed in school. Street children are able to take part in alternative learning modules. Youth progress from first grade through high school. Older youth pursue vocational training in a variety of programs including automotive, electrical, welding, woodworking and most recently, culinary arts. Most students come to this course without any prior culinary knowledge.

“Various kinds of tastes and meals are quite foreign to them,” says Chef Migné of his students. “They eat when there is food (and often only when) and sleep as a way to forget about eating (when there is nothing to eat).”

The course focuses primarily on Filipino and other Asian cuisines while also teaching about cuisine from other parts of the world. There are classes in food technology, nutrition, food storage and preservation and hygiene. To offer the broadest possible education, the students are taught skills which go hand in hand with cooking such as waiting tables and bartending. In this way, employment opportunities can be broadened after graduation.

So far, the students have been engaged in the coursework and happy to learn new skills.

“We have been surprised to discover that we should have been using various kinds of knives and cutting boards, pots and pans for different kinds of plates,” says one of the most recent students. “And that’s to say nothing of the various herbs, spices and other ingredients. There’s just so many and different – and very costly items.”

The students in the class are also taught the importance of leadership skills, math skills (for weights and proportions) and the study of various food properties.

“If a student makes a mistake he doesn’t say he’s sorry but corrects the mistake and doesn’t make it again,” says Chef Migné. “The students also learn that in the workplace teamwork and respect for one’s colleagues is important, which is a useful life lesson.”

While attending the course the students stay at the Tuloy Foundation to avoid possible absences and transportation costs. When they have finished, they have the opportunity to gain work experience in prestigious restaurants and hotels thanks to Chef Migné’s contacts.

Students that have already graduated from the program have gained employment both in the Philippines and abroad demonstrating that the culinary coursework is a path to employment and a way to break the cycle of poverty for these former street children.

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Sources:

ANS – Philippines – Educating young people: from street kid to aspiring chef

Tuloy Foundation

Salesian Missions – Philippines

UNICEF – Philippines

The post PHILIPPINES: Salesian Culinary Program Helps Teach Trade Skills to Street Children in the Philippines first appeared on MissionNewswire.

STARS founding Chairman Amr Al-Dabbagh presented the award to Sr. Marivic Sta. Ana, FMA, executive director of the Laura Vicuña Foundation. The ceremony was held at The Orangery at Kensington Palace this past Dec. 15.

The Salesian Sisters will use the $100,000 prize money received along with the award to help build a bigger home for the healing and recovery of sexually-abused girls. The new building will also house a training center and the foundation’s offices.

The comprehensive work of the foundation for the protection and development of poor youth, particularly the foundation’s pioneering child protection clinic on wheels and the three Children of the Canes national conferences convened by the LVF towards a socially responsible sugar industry were highlighted as programs that helped them secure the award.

Founded in 1990, the Laura Vicuña Foundation helps children to understand their rights, enabling many to go on to become rights advocates themselves. The foundation runs a center for the healing and recovery of sexually abused, exploited and trafficked youth as well as two vocational-technical schools and an alternative learning program to aid in the protection of youth in high risk communities in Metro Manila.

According to UNICEF, there are an estimated 1.5 million street children in the Philippines, about 75,000 of whom are living in Manila, with thousands more ending up homeless every month. Drop-out rates double as children reach secondary school and there are more than 11 million out-of-school youth.

“Most of the children who end up on our streets are forced into a life of sexual abuse and drugs, and are rounded up into crime syndicates often having no one to turn to,” says Sr. Marivic. “The girls are often abused by their own peers or by pimps, and become victims of trafficking. They come to us severely traumatized.”

“While I was in London, I had the opportunity to tell His Excellency Amr Al-Dabbagh about the importance of reaching out to children in their communities, schools and even homes which is why the mobile protection unit is so effective,” adds Sr. Marivic. “We want to extend the reach of that unit to child laborers in the sugarcane industry. These children are highly at risk from hazardous labor, from trafficking and from sexual exploitation. Taking a second mobile unit out into the plantations where these children are, is the only way that we can intervene now and offer them protection.”

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Sources:

ANS – Philippines – Laura Vicuña Foundation wins 2012 Stars Impact Award

Laura Vicuña Foundation – Website

UNICEF – Philippines

The post PHILIPPINES: Foundation Run by Salesian Sisters Wins 2012 Stars Impact Award first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Salesian Missions Tuloy Foundation runs schools, orphanages and residential programs for street children in the Philippines. Here, according to UNICEF, drop-out rates double as children reach secondary school and more than 11 million youth are out-of-school.

Without education, youth struggle to find work and often remain in poverty. Education and providing access to education for all youth are the primary goals of the Salesians in the Philippines.

“A new book in the hands of a student opens him or her up to the opportunities that are available through education. While this is true whether it takes place down the street or across the globe, it is especially powerful in places like the Philippines,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco.

The Salesian Tuloy Foundation provides a chance for at-risk youth to succeed in school. Youth are able to take part in an alternative learning module with five levels of instruction in six subjects. Students progress from first grade through high school. Older youth pursue vocational training in a variety of technologies, including automotive, electrical, welding and woodworking. Salesian programs provide practical vocational skills in addition to standard education, enabling youth to support themselves once they graduate.

There is also a focus on agricultural education for youth in the Philippines. The Salesians run three specialized training centers teaching modern agricultural skills – as well as how to use and maintain light machinery that make filling, planting and harvesting more efficient. The results are encouraging with almost 60 percent of graduates successful in finding employment and 25 percent of graduates running their own farms.

“Education has proven to be an effective means of breaking the cycle of poverty, while giving the most vulnerable youth a sense of personal dignity and self-worth,” says Fr. Hyde. “Salesian vocational, technical, professional and agricultural schools in the Philippines give youth practical skills that enable them to grow into productive adults who contribute by rebuilding communities and stopping the cycle of poverty.”

In addition to residential and educational facilities, youth can also take part in the Tuloy Nature Therapy Center. For those conditioned to life on the street, the 4.7 hectare retreat introduces young people to the beauty of nature. The center also offers youth the chance to learn about farming and agriculture while using its livestock and vegetable garden to help supply food.

Thousands of youth have rebuilt their lives with Tuloy Foundation’s programs. Since it began in 1993 with 12 children, it has grown into a comprehensive program with multiple facilities – all focused specifically on the needs of at-risk youth.

As the needs of youth grow in the Philippines, so do Salesian programs – ensuring every child has the opportunity to reach his or her full potential.

In more than 130 countries around the world, Salesian Missions programs range from classroom education and feeding programs to agricultural and trade schools. They have provided orphanages and shelters for homeless youth to more than 3 million. The focus of the Salesians’ work is on making education a reality, even for the poorest youth, while also providing the essentials such as food and housing.

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Sources:

Salesian Missions – Work in the Philippines

Salesian Missions – Tuloy Foundation

The post PHILIPPINES: Donated Educational Books Increase At-Risk Youth’s Chances for Success in School first appeared on MissionNewswire.