(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries have been able to provide emergency assistance for people impacted by the war in Lebanon* thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The “Emergency assistance for Fidar and Hossoun communities and refugees in Beirut” project is ensuring that families living in these communities have the basic essentials and the psychological support they need.

With donor funding, Salesians were able to provide medical assistance, psychosocial support, food supplies, fuel vouchers and warm clothes. Families were chosen from those involved with local Salesian centers and schools, including Don Bosco Technique, Don Bosco Hossoun oratories, and Angels of Peace School.

A Salesian noted, “Through coordinated efforts, our team provided immediate relief and laid the foundation for resilience and hope during an incredibly challenging period. Moreover, the project had a comprehensive and profound impact, as it combined educational support, psychological care and social activities to address the multifaceted needs of the various communities served by the Salesians.”

The displacement crisis in Lebanon has exceeded the levels seen during the 2006 war, driven by intense Israeli airstrikes and civilian evacuation orders. In October 2024, national authorities estimated that over 1.2 million people had been displaced. The escalation has primarily affected southern Lebanon and Beirut’s densely populated southern suburbs.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees (UNHCR), at the start of January 2025, 868,947 people were displaced within Lebanon but most have returned back, leaving 115,439 people still displaced. Many of these individuals have been displaced multiple times since October 2023. The war also triggered an economic impact with a noticeable shortage of goods that has only worsened over time.

Lebanon is also dealing with more than 1.5 million refugees who have fled the Syrian civil war, according to UNHCR. Salesian missionaries have been working in Lebanon since 1952 and currently have two centers. The center in Fidar has Don Bosco Technique and a youth center. The Salesian community in Hossoun has an oratory and a reception house that has been housing Catholic refugees since the start of the war in Syria.

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions

World Bank – Lebanon

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

The post LEBANON: Salesian missionaries provide support for 273 people impacted by war thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

(MissionNewswire) The Salesian-run Angels of Peace School in Lebanon* has been providing refugee children with education, as well as a psycho-social support program carried out by psychotherapists and speech therapists to address some of the challenges given the war and their displacement.

About 1.2 million people in the country have fled their homes in search of safety, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Homes and public infrastructure have been destroyed, further aggravating the suffering of the civilian population. The closure of schools continues to threaten the lives and futures of millions of children.

A Salesian noted, “Refugee children in Lebanon face several obstacles to accessing education. Until 2023, they could only attend school in the afternoon, exposed to risks and dangers. This has caused an increase in school dropouts. After the teachers’ strikes against the strong devaluation of their salaries, the afternoon shifts were suspended.”

One of the schools where refugee children can gain an education is the Angels of Peace School, where Florina Maher Khairi, aged 14, is a student. Years ago, her family fled her home in Mosul, Iraq, amid war and ongoing conflict. Her family settled in Lebanon temporarily while awaiting permits to immigrate to Canada or Australia. Khairi believes in a brighter future and is grateful for her education, which she knows will improve her prospects in the future.

Adapting to her new life was not easy at first. Refugees are denied access to public education and work opportunities. They are stuck in a painful limbo unable to return home due to threats of imprisonment, yet unable to settle permanently in Lebanon.

A Salesian explained, “Their only options are to await official refugee status from the United Nations or to risk everything by attempting dangerous journeys by land or sea, where rejection, deportation, or worse are constant dangers.”

Salesians hope to continue to guarantee education at the school for up to 250 vulnerable children. This connection to school not only is an avenue for them to continue their education but also to share moments with their peers and have respite from war.

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

UNHCR – Lebanon

Salesian Missions

World Bank – Lebanon

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

The post LEBANON: Young refugees find education and hope at Salesian Angels of Peace School first appeared on MissionNewswire.

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries have been able to provide emergency assistance for people impacted by the war in Lebanon* thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The “Emergency Assistance to Internally Displaced People in Lebanon” project provided aid as well as housing for 100 internally displaced people who escaped villages at the border with Israel and south Beirut.

These individuals were hosted in the public school inside Don Bosco Hossoun’s center. The funding from Salesian Missions helped those displaced settle inside the school premises and be supported through the winter with kitchen equipment, blankets, and warm clothes. Salesians also were able to create a stock of medicines and provide meals, water, medical and psycho-social support, and recreational opportunities for youth.

A Salesian noted, “The funding was essential to helping us provide a safe and secure place for the families who were displaced. It allowed Salesians to provide ongoing support too. While those displaced remained at the Salesian center, staff were able to monitor to provide ongoing social and psychological support and continue to address urgent humanitarian needs, while fostering resilience and hope.”

One of the youth supported was Omar Al-Doweil, aged 6 and from Damascus. In 2024, his family fled Syria on foot, crossing the border into Lebanon in search of a better life in Beirut. The sudden, stressful move profoundly impacted the young child. and the bombings in Lebanon echoed Syria, reinforcing the trauma of displacement. Months passed, and Al-Doweil withdrew from everyone, including his family.

After the war ended in January, Al-Doweil enrolled in Angels of Peace School, which was free and near his home. Many Syrian refugees are barred from attending Lebanese public schools, and private schools remain unaffordable for families like Al-Doweil’s.

The school staff — particularly the psychologist and special education teachers— dedicated themselves to helping the young boy heal.

The Salesian said, “Today, Omar is vibrant and cheerful. He proudly recited the English alphabet to demonstrate his progress in learning a new language. According to Noura, the school’s director, Omar now speaks frequently and even cries when it’s time to go home.”

Lebanon is also dealing with more than 1.5 million refugees who have fled the Syrian civil war, according to the United Nations High Commissioner of Refugees. Salesian missionaries have been working in Lebanon since 1952 and currently have two centers. The center in Fidar has Don Bosco Technique and a youth center. The Salesian community in Hossoun has an oratory and a reception house that has been housing Catholic refugees since the start of the war in Syria.

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions

World Bank – Lebanon

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

The post LEBANON: Salesian missionaries provide support for 100 displaced people thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

(MissionNewswire) The Salesian center in Al Fidar, Lebanon*, continues to play a crucial role in offering support to people in need with a focus on education, reconciliation and solidarity. Salesians report that the situation in Lebanon has shown signs of slow improvement. The ceasefire and the recent appointment of a new president have brought hope to a country that is trying to get back on its feet after years of economic and political difficulties, even though recent developments have shown the fragility of the situation for the local population.

A Salesian explained, “The heart of the Salesian mission lies in the diversity of the people we help including young Lebanese, Syrian and Iraqi refugees, each with their own story of suffering and hope. Although the challenges are many, every day offers us new opportunities to do good.”

The Salesian added, “With Lebanese and Iraqi children, we focus on schooling and emotional support through oratory activities. These become places where values such as solidarity, friendship and hope for the future are cultivated. For Syrian refugees, our main focus is on the oratory, which becomes a space where, despite daily difficulties, they can feel free to dream and discover talents they might otherwise not have had the chance to express. Each encounter is a small step toward building a sense of dignity and humanity.”

One of the youth helped at the Salesian oratory is Rami, a Syrian refugee who arrived in Lebanon with his family. In Lebanon, Rami found himself facing poverty and disorientation. The first encounter with the oratory was difficult for him. As time passed, he began to feel part of a community that offered him a safe haven.

Rami said, “Here, I feel accepted for who I am, not as a refugee but as a boy who has the opportunity to learn and to dream.” His experience reflects how important it is for youth, especially those scarred by war, to have the opportunity to hope for a better future.

During the 2024 conflict, the Salesian house took in more than 100 displaced people from southern Lebanon. For them, finding refuge in a time of violence and instability was a sign of the support and friendship they needed. The community went to great lengths to ensure that those displaced were not just helped, but supported in finding hope in the recovery.

The Salesian noted, “The mission that guides us every day is inspired by Don Bosco’s Salesian charism, which sees education as a fundamental means to change the lives of young people and communities. The road will still be long, but the goal is clear. We want to be a light of hope for every young person, for every family, for every person who needs to find a reason to believe in tomorrow.”

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Sources:

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

ANS – RMG – Social works that bring Don Bosco to life today: the Salesian presence in Lebanon, a refuge of hope

Salesian Missions

World Bank – Lebanon

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

The post LEBANON: Salesian center provides beacon of hope for refugee youth first appeared on MissionNewswire.

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries remain committed to providing for those impacted by war in Lebanon* even after the truce agreement made on Nov. 27. Father Alejandro León, one of the Salesian missionaries working on the coordination of Salesian operations for the emergency in the Middle East, says there is reason for hope and joy but still much work to be done.

He explained, “Despite the declared 60-day ceasefire, the consequences of the war and the bombing will be with us for a long time. The south of the country is devastated by the bombing and most of the people who have had to leave their homes have no place to return. Villages, cities and even neighborhoods in Beirut no longer exist.”

Fr. León continued, “The impact of the war is also having an impact on the country’s economy, leaving many people in a very vulnerable position, especially those who were already in difficult situations. Lebanon is facing a very weak socio-economic scenario.”

Salesians will continue to take care of the more than 100 displaced people in the El Houssoun center and the 300 families in vulnerable situations. Fr. León added, “We cannot leave all these people who are suffering on their own. We must create safe spaces for children, continue to offer them support and assistance regarding what they need and, above all, maintain access to education, to avoid losing another generation on the way. Education, in fact, is also suffering because many families cannot afford to send their children to school.”

In view of the seriousness of the situation, the Salesian Mission Office in Madrid has opened its Middle East Emergency campaign to help Salesians in Lebanon continue to take care of the displaced and the most vulnerable families.

Salesians have been in the Middle East since 1926. In Egypt, Israel, Palestine*, Lebanon and Syria*, Salesians provide education and support for thousands of youth through schools and vocational training centers that offer future opportunities. There are also numerous initiatives and projects to welcome and support refugees and those displaced that have been suffering from armed conflicts for the past several years.

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

ANS – Lebanon – “Despite the ceasefire the consequences of the war will be with us for a long time”

UNHCR – Lebanon

Salesian Missions

World Bank – Lebanon

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

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(MissionNewswire) Salesians are responding to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Lebanon*. About 1.2 million people have fled their homes in search of safety, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Homes and public infrastructure have been destroyed, further aggravating the suffering of the civilian population. The closure of  schools continues to threaten the lives and futures of millions of children.

Salesians are seeking support for their Angels of Peace School, which is attended by 250 Iraqi and Syrian refugee children between the ages of 6 and 15. All schools in the country had been closed for security reasons, including the Salesian school located on the outskirts of Beirut, where most of the refugee and asylum-seeker community lives. For now, teachers are able to reach it and use the equipment and stable internet connection to manage distance classes with students.

Since 2015, the Angels of Peace School has been providing education to refugee children, as well as a psycho-social support program carried out by psychotherapists and speech therapists to address some of the challenges of youth given the war and their displacement.

A Salesian noted, “Refugee children in Lebanon face several obstacles to accessing education. Until 2023, they could only attend school in the afternoon, exposed to risks and dangers. This has caused an increase in school dropouts. After the teachers’ strikes against the strong devaluation of their salaries, the afternoon shifts were suspended.”

He added, “Refugee children are de facto excluded from the formal school system and Angels of Peace is the only possibility for them to access quality education. The Salesians want to help cover the costs of buying computers, tablets and internet connection for refugee families who do not have them.”

Salesians hope to continue to guarantee lessons to 250 vulnerable children. This connection to school not only is an avenue for them to continue their education but also to share moments with their peers and have respite from war.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Lebanon – School support for refugee children

UNHCR – Lebanon

Salesian Missions

World Bank – Lebanon

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

The post LEBANON: Salesians work to ensure education for refugee and displaced youth first appeared on MissionNewswire.

(MissionNewswire) Salesians in Lebanon* are assisting more than 2,000 internally displaced people from the south of the country who have been affected by the war. More than 275 families are receiving food, medicine and gasoline due to serious situations of vulnerability and job losses.

The conflict in Lebanon has left more than 1.4 million displaced, more than 2,000 dead and more than 12,000 wounded as a result of the bombing, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Salesians warn that there are still many needs, and Salesians around the globe have been responding. The Salesian Mission Office in Madrid, for example, has launched a Middle East Emergency campaign to support the most vulnerable populations in the area.

Salesians living and working in the region are doing what they can for those displaced. The Salesian Center in El Houssoun continues to take care of the displaced. The youth center that normally sees hundreds of Christian and Muslim youth was due to begin soon but was postponed for safety reasons. Salesians are continuing to assess the situation to see when they can reopen the school, as well as the Don Bosco Technique Technical High School in Fidar and the Angels of Peace School for Iraqi refugees in Beirut.

The conflict in Lebanon also affects Syria*. The Salesian noted, “In Lebanon, there are many refugees from Syria. Today, they are returning to their country, but they have nothing. The basic necessities that are bought in Syria all come from Lebanon, therefore, life in Syria becomes more difficult every day.”

Father Alejandro León, a Salesian missionary in the Salesian Province of the Middle East, explained, “We cannot leave all these people who suffer from violence in the Middle East on their own. We must create safe spaces for them, especially for children, and continue to offer them support and assistance with everything they need, prepare for the arrival of winter and, above all, maintain access to education so as not to lose another generation.”

Salesians have been in the Middle East since 1926. In Egypt, Israel, Palestine*, Lebanon and Syria, Salesians provide education and support for thousands of youth through schools and vocational training centers that offer future opportunities. There are also numerous initiatives and projects to welcome and support refugees and those displaced that have been suffering from armed conflicts for the past several years.

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

ANS – Lebanon – Middle East Emergency: “We cannot leave them on their own”

UNHCR – Lebanon

Salesian Missions

World Bank – Lebanon

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

The post LEBANON: Salesians support people who have been internally displaced first appeared on MissionNewswire.

(MissionNewswire) With the escalation between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon*, Salesian missionaries in El Houssoun, located in the Jbeil-Biblo district, have taken in more than 100 displaced people. The Salesian center has an elementary and middle school that is now closed. Other Salesian activities have been suspended, such as the Salesian Youth Movement gathering in the Middle East, which was to take place at the Salesian center in El Houssoun in September.

A Salesian noted that the displaced people arrive without anything. He said, “We try to offer them the essentials to live ― a place to sleep, warm clothes, food, a safe place to stay, child care. Psychological assistance for the youngest, who have had their education interrupted, will be very important. More than 9,000 displaced people have arrived in the city and at the Salesian house. We are already taking in more than 100, half of whom are children. We are assisting more than 4,000 in Salesian programs in addition.”

In September, Israel increased attacks on Hezbollah inside Lebanon. Attacks and counter offenses have caused more than 600 deaths and injured more than 2,000 people. There are currently more than 1.2 million people displaced, and there is massive destruction in the south of the country on the border with Israel.

A Salesian explained, “All this is causing the Lebanese population a lot of fear and concern, especially young people, who once again face an insidious and dangerous future. Families are also experiencing this crisis with a deep sense of bewilderment and unease. At the present time there is uncertainty. Opening of schools has been postponed and there has been a massive influx of displaced people from the south.”

The Salesian youth center in El Houssoun, which normally sees hundreds of Christians and Muslims youth, was due to begin soon but has now been postponed for safety reasons. Salesians are continuing to assess the situation to see when they can reopen the school, as well as the Don Bosco Technique Technical High School in Fidar and the Angels of Peace School for Iraqi refugees in Beirut.

Lebanon is in the middle of a deepening economic crisis that has pushed more than 80% percent of the population into conditions of poverty. Marginalized communities, including seniors, children and refugees, have been disproportionately impacted by the worsening economic conditions that are affecting public services, including education and health care.

Lebanon is also dealing with more than 1.5 million refugees who have fled the Syrian civil war, according to U.N. High Comissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Close to 90% of those are living in extreme poverty and don’t even have enough to meet their basic needs. Salesian missionaries have been working in Lebanon since 1952 and currently have two centers. The one center in Fidar has Don Bosco Technique and a youth center. The Salesian community in El Houssoun has an oratory and a reception house that has been housing Catholic refugees since the start of the war in Syria.

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

ANS – Lebanon – Salesians in a context of war

ANS – Lebanon – The emergency in the Middle East and the situation of displaced persons and refugees in Lebanon: a double exodus fleeing from one war to another

UNHCR – Lebanon

Salesian Missions

World Bank – Lebanon

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

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(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Technique Technical High School, located in Fidar, Lebanon*, handed out diplomas to 135 students, with 83 students completing technical studies and 52 obtaining their postgraduate specialization diploma. Graduate specializations were in sports-physical education, hotel school (culinary arts and management), car mechanics, computer-accounting, theatrical arts and fine arts.

School staff, as well as the graduates and their families, attended the graduation. A Salesian noted, “For the families it was a really exciting moment and they did not fail to applaud warmly every time the names were announced. The two best students of the year, in addition to the recognition, also received an award.”

Father Simon Zakerian, superior of the Jesus the Adolescent Province of the Middle East, which includes Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Israel and Egypt, urged the graduates to continue to develop their skills so they could accomplish great things in life.

He also announced that Joe Atallah, a Salesian cooperator, will lead the board of directors and become executive director to all three Salesian organizations in Lebanon, which are Don Bosco Technique, a Salesian reception center and oratory in El Houssoun and the Angels of Peace school for Iraqi refugees in Beirut.

Lebanon is in the middle of a deepening economic crisis that has pushed more than 80% percent of the population into conditions of poverty. Marginalized communities, including seniors, children and refugees, have been disproportionately impacted by the worsening economic conditions that are affecting public services, including education and health care.

Lebanon is also dealing with more than 1.5 million refugees who have fled the Syrian civil war, according to U.N. High Comissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Close to 90% of those are living in extreme poverty and don’t even have enough to meet their basic needs. Salesian missionaries have been working in Lebanon since 1952 and currently have two centers. The one center in Fidar has Don Bosco Technique and a youth center. The Salesian community in El Houssoun has an oratory and a reception house that has been housing Catholic refugees since the start of the war in Syria.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Lebanon – Distribution of diplomas to Don Bosco Technique in Al Fidar

UNHCR – Lebanon

Salesian Missions

World Bank – Lebanon

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

The post LEBANON: Students graduate with specialized job skills first appeared on MissionNewswire.

(MissionNewswire) Five students received scholarships to attend Don Bosco Technique, located in Fidar, Lebanon,* thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The school is one of the area’s few professional institutes and welcomes many youth who have difficulties attending school. The goal is to provide them with an education and social supports so they remain in school and gain the skills needed for employment.

Don Bosco Technique offers several different programs for youth, including mechanics, electrical installation, hairdressing and computer science. One of the school’s most sought-after programs is focused on training in catering and hotel services. There is a large employment sector across the world for graduates in these areas.

“We are grateful to our donors who have provided scholarship funding for students in need,” said Father Timothy Ploch, interim director of Salesian Missions. “The educational programs at Don Bosco Technique are created to help youth have a smooth school to work transition. Because Salesian missionaries live in the communities in which they work, they are knowledgeable of market conditions and what employment sectors are the most advantageous for employment.”

Lebanon is in the middle of a deepening economic crisis that has pushed more than 80% percent of the population into conditions of poverty. Marginalized communities, including seniors, children and refugees, have been disproportionately impacted by the worsening economic conditions that are affecting public services, including education and health care.

Lebanon is also dealing with more than 1.5 million refugees who have fled the Syrian civil war, according to UNHCR – the United Nations Refugee Agency. Close to 90% of those are living in extreme poverty and don’t even have enough to meet their basic needs. Salesian missionaries have been working in Lebanon since 1952 and currently have two centers. The one center in Fidar has Don Bosco Technique and a youth center. The Salesian community in El Houssoun has an oratory and a reception house that has been housing Catholic refugees since the start of the war in Syria.

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Don Bosco Technique

UNHCR – Lebanon

Salesian Missions

World Bank – Lebanon

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

The post LEBANON: Students receive scholarships thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries with the Salesian Mary Help of Christians Province, in Seville, Spain, have launched a project to help support Salesian centers in Lebanon*. The centers include the Salesian technical school in Fidar, the youth spirituality house and camps in El Houssoun, and the primary and secondary school in Beirut.

“Our province, with the support of the provincial coordinator of missionary animation and Bosco Global and in constant dialogue with the Provincial Office of Planning and Development of the Middle East, has drawn up a three-year cooperation project (2023-2026) that was approved by the provincial council and was welcomed with joy by the Salesian community in Lebanon,” said Father José Luis Navarro Santotomás in the message launching the project.

This project will launch several initiatives. In June 2023, a course will be held in El Houssoun for youth volunteers. Coordinated by Jordi Garcia, a teacher at Don Bosco School of Youth Animation in Valencia, Spain, an international group of volunteer teachers will design the subjects that will be taught during the course.

Under the motto “Walking with a New Outlook,” Bosco Global will offer international volunteer placements during the summer to support Salesian efforts in Lebanon. Bosco Global will work to address a number of needs at Salesian schools in Lebanon including covering salaries for teachers at the Don Bosco Technical School, scholarships for 100 of the most vulnerable students, activities for winter oratories and youth centers for Lebanese, Iraqi and Syrian children, emergency assistance for 100 vulnerable families, and support for the construction of a photovoltaic energy system for the El Houssoun oratory.

Salesian missionaries have been working in Lebanon since 1952 and currently have two main centers. The one located in Fidar has Don Bosco Technique and a youth center. The Salesian community in El Houssoun has an oratory and a reception house that has been housing Catholic refugees since the start of the war in Syria.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Spain – Salesians “find what unites” through Lebanon Project

Bosco Global

Lebanon project website

Salesian Missions

World Bank – Lebanon

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

The post LEBANON: New initiatives support schools and youth centers first appeared on MissionNewswire.

(MissionNewswire) The Salesian Youth South Camp, held at a mountain house in El Houssoun, Lebanon, is an oasis of peace and serenity in a time of social, political and economic challenges in the country. Close to 800 youth, including youth from Lebanon and refugees from Syria and Iraq, are coming together to bond with their peers.

The children, who are a mix of Muslims and Christians, enjoy sports and recreation together. A Salesian missionary from the local youth oratory said, “It’s impressive to see the joy that shines on the faces of children and adolescents and the enthusiasm they put into participating in the various activities offered.”

This summer break is in sharp contrast to the daily lives of those living in Lebanon. According to the World Bank, there is a severe, prolonged economic depression in the country where now more than half the population is likely living below the poverty line.

Unemployment, especially among youth, is already high and could rise sharply. Children from poor families are less likely to be able to complete their education and have limited employment opportunities as they get older. Many end up stuck in low-wage, seasonal and high turnover positions.

Don Bosco Technique, located in Fidar, is one of the area’s few professional institutes and welcomes a large number of youth who have difficulties attending school. The goal is to provide them education and social support so they remain in school and gain the skills needed for employment.

The institute, which currently trains more than 200 youth, offers several different programs for youth including mechanics, electrical installation, hairdressing and computer science. One of the institute’s most praised and sought-after programs is focused on training catering and hotel staff students. There is a large employment sector across the world for graduates who want this kind of employment.

Salesian missionaries have been working in Lebanon since 1952 and currently have two centers. The one located in Fidar has Don Bosco Technique and a youth center. The Salesian community in El Houssoun has an oratory and a reception house that has been housing Catholic refugees since the start of the war in Syria.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Lebanon – Salesian oratory is an oasis of peace in context of crisis

Salesian Missions

World Bank – Lebanon

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

The post LEBANON: Nearly 800 youth bond with peers at camp first appeared on MissionNewswire.

(MissionNewswire) Salesian Mission Office (Missioni Don Bosco) in Turin, Italy, has been instrumental in helping to support families in Beirut, Lebanon, who were impacted by the explosion on Aug. 4, 2020. To date, Salesians have helped 189 families with basic necessities, food and medicine, hospitality, and economic assistance. These families were among those whose homes or workplaces suffered considerable damage.

Lebanon, already devastated by a long socio-political and economic crisis, suffered a huge catastrophe. The explosion, possibly caused by a fire inside an abandoned ammonium nitrate deposit in the port of Beirut, destroyed the entire surrounding area and most of the adjacent neighborhoods.

During the first two days after the explosion, the flow of ambulances was constant, and the capital’s hospitals were in crisis. The health system, already strained by the COVID-19 pandemic, struggled with a lack of electricity and medical supplies. The support sent by the Salesian Mission Office in the immediate aftermath aimed to alleviate and mitigate the socio-economic impact, sense of loss, and upheaval following everything that happened.

In addition to the basic supplies and shelter, Salesians provided scholarships for 41 Lebanese students to attend Don Bosco Technique Institute in Al Fidar. The institute is one of the area’s few professional institutes in the region and welcomes youth who have difficulties attending school. The goal is to provide them education and social support so they remain in school and gain the skills needed for employment.

Don Bosco Technique Institute offers many programs for youth including mechanics, electrical installations, hairdressing and computer science. One of the institute’s most praised and sought-after programs is focused on training students for catering and hotel work. There is a large employment sector across the world for graduates who want this kind of employment.

“Technical education helps ensure youth have an opportunity to gain an education and graduate with employable skills,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Because Salesian missionaries live in the communities in which they work, they are knowledgeable of market conditions and what employment sectors are the most advantageous for employment. The scholarships provided will go a long way to ensure youth that have overcome challenges are able to gain an education”

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

ANS – Lebanon – Huge mobilization to help Beirut’s displaced people produces concrete results

Don Bosco Technique Institute

Don Bosco Technique Institute Facebook

Salesian Missions

Salesian Mission Office Italy

World Bank – Lebanon

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

The post LEBANON: Supporting families suffering after explosion first appeared on MissionNewswire.

In a video message right after the explosion, Salesian Father Simon Zakerian said, “We are here where this explosion took place in the port of Beirut where so many people have left this world. There are still so many people missing, many are injured, and there is so much damage to the whole of Beirut and the whole country. It’s a very sad thing, a thing that makes you cry.”

Fr. Zakerian added, “Despite this destruction and these difficulties, our young Salesian animators have joined youth groups of the diocese of Jbeil, and with them also the young Muslims, all the young people of Lebanon, have decided to voluntarily put themselves at the service of people most in need. Young people give hope, joy and take to the streets to help and to reaffirm that we must build our city together, remaining united.”

With the emergency funding, Salesians have provided direct financial support to 19 Syrian families who are refugees in Lebanon and were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Beirut port explosion. In addition, 10 youth and three Lebanese families have received financial aid to help with property loss from the explosion.

Providing for the nutritional needs of those impacted has also been critical. Salesian missionaries have provided food and basic non-food boxes to families in need. There were three separate distributions impacting 120 families, 175 families and 100 families in the final distribution.

Salesian missionaries at Don Bosco Hossoun provided emergency shelter to Iraqi and Syrian families.

Salesian missionaries at Don Bosco Hossoun also provided emergency shelter to Iraqi and Syrian families. Families are staying at guesthouses while they work to repair their damaged homes. Families are able to receive some respite and children who have been deeply traumatized by the explosion have some downtime and recuperate. Children have had access to recreation activities and have been offered counseling from educators and a psychologist.

Finally, scholarship funding was provided to Lebanese students who were unable to continue their education because of the coronavirus pandemic. Because the 2020 school year has been uncertain, many students have not enrolled or were late seeking funding for school. This funding will help these students continue their education.

Salesians have been working in Lebanon long before this disaster providing education and social supports for youth and families in poverty, and they will be there long after to help rebuild the community and people’s lives.

More than 25 percent of Lebanese citizens live in poverty. Poverty drops to 16 percent in urban areas like the capital city of Beirut, but climbs to 36 percent in some rural areas, according to the World Bank. Children from poor families are less likely to be able to complete their education and have limited employment opportunities as they get older. Many end up stuck in low-wage, seasonal and high turnover positions. As many as 20 percent of Lebanese citizens live with unimproved sanitation facilities and 10 percent of poor households have no access to clean drinking water.

Lebanon is also dealing with more than 1 million refugees who have fled the Syrian civil war, according to UNHCR – the UN Refugee Agency. Salesian missionaries have been working in Lebanon since 1952 and currently have two centers. The center in Fidar has Don Bosco Technique and a youth center. The Salesian community in Hossoun has an oratory and a reception house that has been housing Catholic refugees since the start of the war in Syria.

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Sources:

Photos courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions

World Bank – Lebanon

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

The post LEBANON: Salesian missionaries in Beirut respond to needs of those impacted by the explosion thanks to funding provided by Salesian organizations around the globe first appeared on MissionNewswire.

In a video message, Salesian Father Simon Zakerian said, “We are here where this explosion took place in the port of Beirut where so many people have left this world. There are still so many people missing, many are injured, and there is so much damage to the whole of Beirut and the whole country. It’s a very sad thing, a thing that makes you cry.”

Fr. Zakerian added, “Despite this destruction and these difficulties, our young Salesian animators have joined youth groups of the diocese of Jbeil, and with them also the young Muslims, all the young people of Lebanon, have decided to voluntarily put themselves at the service of people most in need. Young people give hope, joy and take to the streets to help and to reaffirm that we must build our city together, remaining united.”

Salesians have been working in Lebanon long before this disaster providing education and social supports for youth and families in poverty, and they will be there long after to help rebuild the community and people’s lives. Salesians have focused their relief efforts on the victims of the powerful explosion, including Syrian refugees and Lebanese residents who suffered the loss of family members, homes and jobs. Fr. Zakerian said, “We’re visiting the houses to see how they are and how they are dealing with these difficulties and to give help.”

The Salesian Mission Office in Turin, Italy, has sent help to respond to immediate needs while also launching a fundraiser for further relief efforts. To date, 80 families have already received relief support from Salesians.

More than 25 percent of Lebanese citizens live in poverty. Poverty drops to 16 percent in urban areas like the capital city of Beirut, but climbs to 36 percent in some rural areas, according to the World Bank. Children from poor families are less likely to be able to complete their education and have limited employment opportunities as they get older. Many end up stuck in low-wage, seasonal and high turnover positions. As many as 20 percent of Lebanese citizens live with unimproved sanitation facilities and 10 percent of poor households have no access to clean drinking water.

Lebanon is also dealing with more than 1 million refugees who have fled the Syrian civil war, according to UNHCR – the UN Refugee Agency. Salesian missionaries have been working in Lebanon since 1952 and currently have two centers. The center in Fidar has Don Bosco Technique and a youth center. The Salesian community in El Houssoun has an oratory and a reception house that has been housing Catholic refugees since the start of the war in Syria.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Lebanon – The Beirut tragedy and the prompt Salesian response

BBC – Beirut explosion: Death toll rises to 200 as third minister resigns

Salesian Missions

World Bank – Lebanon

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

The post LEBANON: Salesian missionaries in Beirut provide food, shelter and support to families in need after the deadly explosion first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Salesian missionaries living and working in Lebanon report that the country is virtually paralyzed due to the closure of the main arteries, public offices, banks, universities and schools. This weighs heavily on the current precarious social and economic difficulties. The World Bank notes more than a third of the people in Lebanon live in poverty and that could rise sharply to 50 percent if economic troubles persist.

Unemployment, especially among youth, is already high and could further rise sharply. Children from poor families are less likely to be able to complete their education and have limited employment opportunities as they get older. Many end up stuck in low-wage, seasonal and high turnover positions. As many as 20 percent of Lebanese citizens live with unimproved sanitation facilities and 10 percent of poor households have no access to clean drinking water.

Lebanon is also dealing with more than one million refugees who have fled the Syrian civil war, according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). Salesian missionaries have been working in Lebanon since 1952 and currently have two centers. The one located in Fidar has Don Bosco Technique and a youth center. The Salesian community in El Houssoun has an oratory and a reception house that has been housing Catholic refugees since the start of the war in Syria.

Don Bosco Technique is one of the area’s few professional institutes and welcomes a large number of youth who have difficulties attending school. The goal is to provide them education and social supports so they remain in school and gain the skills needed for employment.

The institute, which currently trains more than 200 youth, offers several different programs for youth including mechanics, electrical installations, hairdressing, computer science and much more. One of the institute’s most praised and sought-after programs is focused on training catering and hotel staff students. There is a large employment sector across the world for graduates who want this kind of employment.

“Technical education, such as the catering and hotel program, helps ensure youth have an opportunity to gain an education and graduate with employable skills,” says Father Mark Hyde, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Because Salesian missionaries live in the communities in which they work, they are knowledgeable of market conditions and what employment sectors are the most advantageous for employment. Training programs are created in these areas to help youth have a smooth school to work transition.”

Deeply united with the people who are suffering, Salesian missionaries will continue their work with those who are facing economic difficulties in need of education and social development services.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Lebanon – The Salesians, tried by difficulties, in solidarity with local youth and people

Salesian Missions

World Bank – Lebanon

The post LEBANON: Salesian missionaries continue to provide education and social programs amidst growing unrest and economic hardship in the country first appeared on MissionNewswire.

The Don Bosco institute offers several different programs for youth including mechanics, electrical installations, hairdressing, computer science and much more. One of the institute’s most praised and sought-after programs is focused on training catering and hotel staff students. There is a large employment sector across the world for graduates who want this kind of employment.

In order to implement the restaurant and catering program effectively, Salesian missionaries in Fidar asked for help from highly-qualified Italian chefs. The chefs’ primary objective is to refine the skills of the institute’s teachers in the field of Italian cuisine and gastronomy—much in demand in Lebanese restaurants.

The Italian chefs are also holding seminars and workshops for the preparation of bakery products, pastries and fresh pasta. These bakery courses provide specialized training for students. The ultimate goal is to equip students with highly employable skills in the workplace.

Ninety youth, sponsored by the Salesian Missions Office in Turin, Italy, will be attending the courses. Supporting future Lebanese chefs is one of many ways Don Bosco institutes are helping youth become productive members of their communities.

“Technical education, such as the catering and hotel program, helps ensure youth have an opportunity to gain an education and graduate with employable skills,” says Father Mark Hyde, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Because Salesian missionaries live in the communities in which they work, they are knowledgeable of market conditions and what employment sectors are the most advantageous for employment. Training programs are created in these areas to help youth have a smooth school to work transition.”

More than 25 percent of Lebanese citizens live in poverty. Poverty drops to 16 percent in urban areas like the capital city of Beirut, but climbs to 36 percent in some rural areas, according to the World Bank. Children from poor families are less likely to be able to complete their education and have limited employment opportunities as they get older. Many end up stuck in low-wage, seasonal and high turnover positions. As many as 20 percent of Lebanese citizens live with unimproved sanitation facilities and 10 percent of poor households have no access to clean drinking water.

Lebanon is also dealing with more than one million refugees who have fled the Syrian civil war, according to UNHCR – the UN Refugee Agency. Salesian missionaries have been working in Lebanon since 1952 and currently have two centers. The one center in Fidar has Don Bosco Technique and a youth center. The Salesian community in El Houssoun has an oratory and a reception house that has been housing Catholic refugees since the start of the war in Syria.

Sources:

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

ANS – Lebanon – Let’s help future chefs!

World Bank – Lebanon

The post LEBANON: Don Bosco Technique offers 90 students training in catering and hotel employment first appeared on MissionNewswire.