Salesians look to install solar panels at Don Bosco Center

(MissionNewswire) Youth in Chad are faced with numerous challenges including lack of access to basic infrastructure and education. Chad is experiencing a deep social and economic crisis. Millions of refugees have been trying to escape to Sudan since 2023. Those who remain have to face many obstacles, including the lack of electricity. This is a problem also experienced by the more than 100,000 inhabitants of Sarh, the third largest city in the country.

A Salesian said, “In many places around the world, electricity is an obvious fact of life whose importance is only felt when an occasional brief blackout reminds us of the fragility of all digital systems and modern societies. But there are still many places where this primary benefit is not taken for granted, and its absence puts a mortgage on the human development of young people and societies as in the Salesian mission in Sarh, Chad.”

The Salesian added, “In Chad, it is normal to go to school under a big tree. The image may seem poetic and evocative, but in reality it brings about immense difficulties. If it rains, everything comes to a halt. The Salesian center in Sarh has made it possible for the students to have covered spaces available. But when it gets dark, the children struggle to finish their homework and the older children cannot use the computers.”

Yannick, age 15, attends the local Don Bosco Center every day. He explained, “I often come here to the Salesians. For me, it means being able to read and study, because here there is a well-stocked library for books that we don’t have at home and where I can deepen my culture. There is also a computer lab where I can do school work. Unfortunately, there is often a lack of electricity. That is here at the Don Bosco Center and in the whole city. There is no light and that slows everything down.”

Pierre Claver Agbetiafan, Salesian coadjutor and director of the mission orator, confirmed the challenges. “When we don’t have electricity we sometimes turn on the electric generator, but it is too expensive and diesel is hard to find.”

To help rectify the situation, Don Bosco Nel Mondo Foundation, located in Rome, has devised a significant project. Salesians want to install 40 solar panels on the Don Bosco Center, which would guarantee clean and stable energy for the 500 children enrolled in the nursery and primary schools, for the 50 youth studying computer science, and to the approximately 5,000 girls and boys who attend the youth center. The organization is seeking funding at this time so youth like Yannick will be able to study properly.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Chad – The future of young people in Sarh is waiting for some light

Don Bosco Nel Mondo Foundation

Salesian Missions – Chad

World Food Programme – Chad