Salesians work to ensure youth remain in school

(MissionNewswire) The Salesian Zona Norte Project Foundation organized a distribution of school kits and rucksacks across its various programs in Quito and Ambato, Ecuador, helping to ensure that youth have what they need for school. Many families face financial difficulties getting their children school supplies. Salesians want to make sure youth remain in school and get a good education.

In Quito, the event was attended by 158 students from the San Patricio Basic Education School who received rucksacks containing school supplies. The Youth Action program distributed 479 school supply kits at the La Tola Reference Center.

This initiative was supported by organizations such as the Salesian Polytechnic University, the Emilio Gambirasio Psychological Center, the Department for External Relations and the Legal Advisory Service, the National Directorate of the Specialized Police for Children and Adolescents, the Ministry of Human Development, and the Eugenio Espejo District Administration.

Other distributions took place at the Mi Caleta program where 30 youth were given school supplies. Finally, at the Granja Don Bosco Reference Center, school supplies were distributed to 150 youth.

A Salesian said, “This initiative has made it possible to provide tangible support to hundreds of students in the northern region of the country. The coordination between the Salesian Congregation, the academic world, the public sector and local educational institutions demonstrates that the fight against school drop-outs requires a strong interinstitutional support network. The Salesian Zona Norte Foundation positions education as a strategic pillar for social transformation and the development of children in Ecuador.”

Salesians provide social development and educational programs across Ecuador to help youth who are poor gain an education and the skills for later employment. The skills they learn ensure they are able to care for themselves and their families while being contributing members of their communities.

Ecuador is one of the most inequitable societies in the world, according to UNICEF. The richest 20% of the population receives almost 50% of the national income, while the poorest 20% receives only 5%. According to the World Food Programme, almost 26% of all children under age 5 have stunted growth, increasing to 31% in rural areas and 47% in Indigenous communities.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Ecuador – The Salesian ‘Zona Norte’ Project is coordinating efforts to guarantee the right to education

Salesian Missions – Ecuador

UNICEF – Ecuador