(MissionNewswire) Salesians in Marianówka, a village in Poland, have been able to make repairs to a chapel thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. As part of the project, the structure of the chapel roof, the central section and the floor were reinforced. The reinforcement increases the level of safety and will make it possible to apply for the necessary certificates from the fire brigade for the use of this part of the facility.

A Salesian explained, “This construction project made it possible to achieve the safety standards required by law. This will, in turn, allow us to apply for the necessary state permits to use the building. Obtaining these permits will make it possible to safely host groups of children and youth from our schools and parishes, interested families, and visitors.”

The Salesian added, “The Salesian house and the chapel are used by school-aged youth who come to our house, as well as to nearby recreational centers. Throughout the year, students and young families, various formation groups, as well as emigrants, mostly from Ukraine, also visit us. In the last year, the house was used by approximately 1,200 people, and more than 4,000 people participated in services in the chapel over the course of the year.”

Salesians in this community provide support to those who need extra assistance, like those who cannot afford coal in the winter. Youth utilize the Salesian house to connect with their peers, engage with adult role models and have time for respite through recreational activities. Salesian missionaries in Poland and bordering countries have been providing shelter and support to refugees from Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion in March 2022.

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(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries with Don Bosco Elk, located in the city of Elk, Poland, have been operating a socio-sports school since 2023, thanks to a partnership with Real Madrid Foundation and the Salesian Mission Office in Madrid. More than 180 youth, most who are refugees aged 5-17 from Ukraine, participate in the socio-sports school. Coaches for the school recently received on-site training under the methodology “For a Real Education: Values and Sport.”

A Real Madrid Foundation article about the training explained, “The soccer, basketball and values training sessions were delivered to 14 participants, including more experienced coaches along with other newcomers. The course focused on enhancing their knowledge of the foundation’s methodology and improving their skills.”

Salesian staff put their new skills into practice with youth, including six girls who had recently joined the basketball team.

The Don Bosco Elk sports school has had a positive impact on the youth. As youth take part in soccer and basketball, they also receive training in topics like healthy habits, healthy eating and civic values. Salesians also offer psychological support, food support and legal assistance.

The socio-sports activities help youth integrate into their school. Both the Real Madrid Foundation and Salesians are aware that sports are important for social integration and the promotion of values like teamwork, communication, respect and team spirit.

The partnership between the Salesian Mission Office in Madrid and the Real Madrid Foundation began in 2010 in a Salesian school in Senegal. Today, the collaboration has 22 projects in 15 countries and serves nearly 4,000 children and youth each season, using educational sport and its values as a catalyst for the social betterment of youth and communities.

As part of the Real Madrid Foundation’s program, participants receive nutrition, family and psychological support, regular health checkups, the opportunity to participate in social and educational workshops, gymnastics, crafts, reading, and citizenship activities. Training sessions on topics such as health, hygiene, values, and the prevention of alcohol, tobacco, and drug abuse are also provided.

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Real Madrid Foundation – Training for coaches at Foundation’s school in Poland

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(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries with Don Bosco Elk, located in the city of Elk, Poland, operate a socio-sports school thanks to a partnership with Real Madrid Foundation and the Salesian Mission Office in Madrid. More than 140 youth ages 5-17 already participate in the socio-sports school. The school caters to at-risk youth and those who are in Poland as refugees from Ukraine.

A Salesian noted, “Sports activities help children integrate into school and the community. Many of the participants in the socio-sports school have improved their school attendance levels and grades. The practice of educational sport is an opportunity not only to have a healthy life, but also to work on values such as discipline, teamwork, solidarity and empathy.”

The Don Bosco Elk sports school has been operating for a year and has had a positive impact on the youth. They practice soccer and basketball, and they receive training in topics like healthy habits, healthy eating and civic values. Salesians also offer psychological support, food support and legal assistance.

The Salesian added, “Working with an entity as noble and recognizable as the Real Madrid Foundation makes it more viable to have a positive impact on the children that attend the school.”

The partnership between the Salesian Mission Office and the Real Madrid Foundation began in 2010 in a Salesian school in Senegal. Today, the collaboration has 22 projects in 15 countries and serves nearly 4,000 children and youth each season, using educational sport and its values as a catalyst for the social betterment of youth and communities.

Both the Real Madrid Foundation and Salesians are aware that sports are important for social integration and the promotion of values like teamwork, communication, respect and team spirit. As part of the Real Madrid Foundation’s “They play, we educate” program, participants receive nutrition, family and psychological support, regular health checkups, the opportunity to participate in social and educational workshops, gymnastics, crafts, reading, and citizenship activities. Training sessions on topics such as health, hygiene, values, and the prevention of alcohol, tobacco, and drug abuse are also provided.

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ANS – Poland – Real Madrid Foundation and Salesian Missions together for refugee children from Ukraine

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(MissionNewswire) The Salesian Society, located in Warsaw, Poland, has been awarded a grant from the Ministry of Education and Science to implement an Industry Skills Center in carpentry and upholstery for the furniture industry. The Salesian Vocational Special School in Różanystok will facilitate these courses. The grant further funds a center in the field of operation and maintenance of rail transportation at the Salesian Crafts Schools in the city of Łódź.

Salesians have the funding to construct a new educational building in Różanystok dedicated to these new courses. The building will be equipped with innovative machinery for vocational training. Additional equipment will be in the Mobile Education Center, which will make it possible to reach those students who cannot come to the center to learn.

The new center will be the only one in Poland that offers courses in this particular field in the furniture industry. All-Poland Chamber of Commerce of Furniture Manufacturers will be involved in the implementation of the project. The project demonstrates that cooperation between different stakeholders including schools, entrepreneurs, industry organizations, research institutes and universities is important in vocational education and for student success.

“We care for their intellectual and spiritual development of youth, but we also teach them a specific profession to introduce them as mature persons into a specific professional life,” said Father Tadeusz Jarecki, superior of the Salesian Society. “We want to develop students to have a sensitivity to ecological, sociological and ethical problems. In addition to skills training, the activities of the Industry Skill Centers will also include professional conferences and study trips to help students fully understand their newly chosen professions.”

Implementation of both projects will begin as early as 2023. The first courses and training at the Industry Skills Center will start as early as the end of 2024.

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ANS – Poland – The Warsaw Province awarded a grant to establish and operate centres for innovative vocational training

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(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries have been providing support for Ukrainian refugees who escaped to Poland. Mykola Skryminsky is a husband and father of eight children, who was forced to flee Ukraine in search of safety after the start of the war. He has been supported by the Salesians and is grateful for all of their help.

Skryminsky explained, “After the start of the large-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian troops, my wife and I decided to leave Ukraine to find a safe place for our family, for our children. We decided to go to Poland. When we arrived in Krakow we got in touch with the Salesians, asking for hospitality.”

Salesians were able to offer help. Skryminsky, his wife and children were received by the Salesians and offered warm meals, a place to live and spiritual support. After a few months, donors provided them with a house in Oświęcim where they are able to live as long as necessary.

“My wife and our youngest children have been living in the house for the past six months, thanks to the donors’ support,” explained Skryminsky.

Many Ukrainians want to return home. This was true of Skryminsky’s eldest sons. They asked to return to Zhytomyr to finish their studies and the couple agreed. They had been enrolled in high school in Poland.

“The Salesians are helping us in Poland and in Ukraine,” added Skryminsky. “I will always be grateful for the support they are giving us. It is a dramatic situation, for my family and for many others, and for the entire Ukraine. But I am happy that the Salesians have remained with us in the most difficult moment. They are always at our side and want to help us.”

Salesian missionaries in Poland and bordering countries have been providing shelter and support to refugees since the start of the Russian invasion in March 2022. Since the start of the war, more than 11 million people have crossed the border between Ukraine and Poland with close to 1.6 million refugees remaining in the country.

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ANS – Poland – “The Salesians remained with us in the most difficult moment”: the story of a father and his family fleeing the war in Ukraine

Salesian Warsaw Province

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(MissionNewswire) Salesians in Poland have been caring for Ukrainian refugees since the start of the war. Since the start of the war, more than 11 million people have crossed the border between Ukraine and Poland with close to 1.6 million refugees remaining in the country.

Yulia, a Ukrainian mother with two daughters, was one among many people who sought the care and safety of the Salesians. She explained her circumstances, “On Feb. 24, 2022, my life, the lives of my family members and a great many Ukrainians were tragically changed. A terrible war was being brought to our country. We each had our plans for that day, but nothing went as planned.”

Yulia has many memories of that time — from the president’s speech introducing martial law to seeing images of the first missiles falling on the country. Her family was her only focus. “I thought first about going to the store. At that moment, the most important thing seemed to be finding food. Meanwhile, the continuous stream of news about the war did not allow me to calm down, and the sound of sirens and alarms seemed to echo continuously inside my head. I didn’t know what to do, but I had quite a responsibility with my two daughters and an elderly parent with many ailments.”

The family was forced to live in cold basements with neighbors and animals to protect themselves from the bombing. They heard the planes and the bombing. “You just don’t know if this latest noise will be the end for your family,” she said. Surrounded by a destroyed school, a hospital with broken windows, and mutilated buildings all around them, Yulia constantly received advice about an escape. “Yet inside you feel a strong resistance, because you don’t want to leave,” she added.

Then on the evening of March 8, 2022, a colleague she holds in high esteem called her on the phone and said, “Yulia, you are going to Poland tomorrow with your family. I’m not asking if you want to, but I’m telling you; you’re going.”

Thanks to the Salesians working at the local school, Yulia finally left Ukraine and arrived in Poland the next day. Yulia said, “They told us to calm down and that we were safe. I felt like I can breathe a sigh of relief at last, but it is only external calm. In our hearts there is war.”

The transition has been difficult and she still has many challenges ahead. She explained what her forced exile meant to her now. “When you leave your home, you miss the little things that are just yours. You miss your children’s favorite toy, your favorite homemade dress, and you miss your own mess, which is sometimes made by children. You miss your relatives, friends, colleagues and work terribly. And I was afraid to call or write messages. I was afraid that if they didn’t answer the call or message, it would mean something terrible.”

Salesian missionaries in Poland and bordering countries have been providing shelter and support to refugees since the start of the Russian invasion in March 2022. The Salesian houses in the Warsaw province have the capacity to provide for up to 370 refugees.

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ANS – Poland – War seen through the eyes of a mother. Yulia’s testimony

Salesian Warsaw Province

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(MissionNewswire) Thanks to emergency aid funding that was sent to Salesian missionaries in Warsaw, Poland, Ukrainian refugees taking shelter in Salesian houses have supplies they need for daily living. With the funding, Salesians bought duvet covers, sheets, towels and other supplies like soap, paper towels, and personal hygiene items.

Salesian missionaries in Poland and bordering countries have been providing shelter and support to refugees since the start of the Russian invasion in March 2022. Currently, there are 170 refugees in Salesian houses in the Warsaw province with the capacity to provide for up to 370 refugees.

Because of the supplies, refugees have been able to live in comfort and take care of their living quarters by themselves, which has given them a sense of independence and self-sufficiency. Refugees have been able to focus on looking for a job, caring for their children, and learning the Polish language, among other activities to help them become acclimated to their new environments.

“Salesian centers in Poland have been providing care and support for refugees, and these supplies have been important because many refugees left with little more than some clothing,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Youth and their families have also connected with educational and social programs offered by Salesian missionaries in Poland and other surrounding countries during this difficult time.”

In addition to Salesian support, refugees are being cared for by Polish charities as well as the local and central government. They are provided housing and education for the children, a job for some mothers, and 100 euros a month for each Ukrainian child. With the start of the school year in September, 600,000 Ukrainian students will be studying in Polish schools.

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Photo courtesy of Salesians Warsaw Provice

Salesians Warsaw Province

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(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries held the Without Borders Festival in Różanystok, Poland. The annual Salesian event brings together youth from different countries to attend performances and workshops focused on singing, acrobatics, performing arts, percussion, all forms of juggling, puppet theater, beatboxing, rap and breakdancing. This year, 60 Ukrainian refugee youth were a part of the event.

According to UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees), more than 7.7 million people have fled Ukraine since the Russian invasion with more than 4 million fleeing to Poland. Most are women and children as men between the ages of 18 and 60 have been asked to remain in Ukraine to fight.

A Salesian missionary in Poland noted, “All the refugees have experienced severe hardship during their journey to escape their home country. There are those who have had to flee amid bombings and gunfire, those who have suffered fraud or exploitation, and others who have experienced racism or xenophobia, theft, and attacks. Being able to experience environments of serenity, recreation, beauty, and cultural and artistic richness for them represents so much.”

One young Polish volunteer interacted with Ukrainian refugees, a boy who is 11 and a girl who is 13, during the festival, and he shared his experiences. “I asked if their town had been bombed, and even as the words were leaving my mouth, I realized I shouldn’t have asked. But the girl, again in an incredibly calm tone, said as if it were something quite mundane and ordinary that yes, there was bombing. The boy nodded. After that, I avoided any reference to war. We continued our casual conversation, touching only on topics that school children are usually interested in, schools, the end of classes, and summer vacation. They told us that Polish school is different from Ukrainian school, but it’s getting easier by the day.”

He continued, “They said the festival was wonderful because they could participate in the workshops and learn new things, and have a great time. They loved the final concert when the whole audience came to the stage and danced together to the music, and Polish and Ukrainian flags were unfurled on the stage.”

The Polish volunteer had the opportunity to speak to adult refugees the following day. He said, “They use the international word ‘trauma’ and talk about the artillery shelling, the fighting, and capture of their hometown. They talk about life in the city occupied by Russian troops, the dramatic decision to go abroad, the Russian checkpoints, the long interrogations by armed soldiers, the wreckage of burned and crushed cars by the side of the road, the huge crowds of women and children on the platform of the Lviv train station, the relief after crossing the border and the even greater relief when it was discovered that all Ukrainians are allowed to cross into Poland without any restrictions.”

Refugees are being cared for by Polish charities as well as the local and central government. They are provided housing and education for the children, a job for some mothers, and 100 euros a month for each Ukrainian child. With the start of the school year in September, 600,000 Ukrainian students will be studying in Polish schools.

Salesian centers in Poland have been providing care and support for refugees including the St. John Bosco Oratory in Warsaw, Poland, which started its support for refugees at start of the conflict. Youth and their families have connected with programs and found resources from Salesian missionaries during this difficult time.

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ANS – Poland – A festival without borders, a chance to hear from Ukrainian refugees

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Salesian Father Michał Wziętek, who works in Zambia, said, “Here there are more and more street children. People have lost their jobs and have no money, and therefore, do not shop as before. Since the children do not go to school, they are sent by their parents to the streets to beg or make small sales, hoping to garner the pity of a passersby. If a child does not bring anything home, there will be no dinner, and they will all go to bed hungry.”

Father Paweł Kociołek works in Bangladesh. In Joypurhat, he has distributed 320 kilos of rice, 160 kilos of dal and 80 liters of oil to 80 families living in the slums. He also provided milk for the children and helped the villagers.

In Liberia, food was distributed to people who live in the Matami slum. Father Krzysztof Niżniak said, “Three Salesians are active here and distributed food to the poorest. The situation in Liberia is difficult. They introduced a rigid lockdown, from 3:00 p.m. you can no longer go anywhere. Even the Salesians must be careful. Prices are constantly rising.”

The Salesians in Poland also sent help to Mexico. Brother Sebastian Marcisz noted, “We mainly buy rice, beans and corn to be delivered to those who need it most. The situation is very difficult, especially in the state of Oaxaca. Locals and indigenous people who live in the high mountains now face the problem of absolute food shortages. The help that we can offer to these people thanks to the Salesians and donors in Poland has been inestimable for them.”

Sister Teresa, who works in Sudan, reported on the worsening situation in Khartoum and refugee camps. She said, “The big problem is bread. Either it is missing or it is very expensive. The conditions in the camps are catastrophic in all respects, people are dying of hunger.”

Salesian missionaries in Poland and around the globe are working to respond to poor youth and people impacted by COVID-19 and the lockdowns which have caused people to lose their jobs and means to provide for themselves and their families. Missionaries continue to assess needs and provide relief supplies to those most in need.

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ANS – Poland – Missionaries supported in the fight against Covid-19

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World Youth Day was initiated by Saint Pope John Paul II in 1985. In its first year in 1986, Catholic bishops from across the globe were invited to schedule an annual youth event to be held every Palm Sunday in their dioceses. Each year, World Youth Day is celebrated within each Catholic diocese and every two to three years, the international community comes together at different locations. The last international event was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2013.

The international event offered youth a chance to connect with their peers and participate in Catholic Mass and community celebrations. They heard dozens of catechetical inputs given by bishops from around the world and also had an opportunity to receive the sacrament of penance. In addition, youth participated in vocational forums, which featured the Salesian Family. Concerts and other cultural attractions rounded out the week-long event.

The Archbishop of Krakow Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz gave the opening remarks welcoming the youth each representing their home countries by waving their home flags and wearing their country’s colors.

“You speak many languages. But from now on between us we will all use the language of the Gospel, the language of love, the language of fraternity, solidarity and peace,” said Cardinal Dziwisz in his opening remarks. He went on to encourage youth to bring to the world a “spark of mercy” starting from their homes and from the countries where they will return. He noted mercy was needed especially in situations often marked by hatred and conflicts, with open wounds in the heart of humanity.

Youth attend the event for different reasons but most want the opportunity to experience the power of faith. Some wish to deepen their relationship with Jesus while others hope for an experience of the universality and diversity of the Church in the world. Many of the youth attending from Salesian programs are studying and working to break the cycle of poverty in their own lives though education and gaining employment. These Salesian youth want a chance to connect with their peers, gain a more global experience, and work to give back to their own communities.

During the World Youth Day events, Salesian youth also participated in a meeting of the Salesian Youth Movement, which was held on July 27 at the EXPO Fair in Krakow. Salesian representatives from 41 countries were in attendance. The meeting encouraged youth to reflect on the challenges that the world puts before them in doing the work of mercy and the benefit they gain from this. They also had the task of drawing up the Salesian Youth Movement message to the world, which will be announced in August and will be delivered to Pope Francis.

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ANS – Poland – Salesian pilgrims are already in Krakow!

ANS – Poland – World Youth Day 2016: Open wide the doors of the heart

ANS – Poland – WYD 2016 – SYM Forum

World Youth Day 2016

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