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GLOBAL: Nearly €8 million raised to help thousands impacted by COVID-19

Salesian missionaries raise nearly 8 million euros to help support thousands of families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries have raised nearly 8 million euros to help support thousands of families around the globe who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a recent Catholic News Agency article.

In the article, Rector Major of the Salesians Father Ángel Fernández Artime said, “Specifically, 7.9 million euros have been collected, a very significant amount that has reached 62 Salesian provinces around the world, in response to 143 projects in support of very hard-hit families, who have benefited from food and small salaries to support themselves.”

During his Oct. 2-4 visit to Turin, Italy, for the opening of the Don Bosco House Museum, Fr. Artime said in a video message, “I would like to tell you, in the name of Don Bosco, thank you for that solidarity, thank you for the good we do together. It’s been very beautiful because it has not only been about collecting money to help people, it’s also been about putting together reflections, concerns, ideas and initiatives to reach all parts of the world. For all this, in the name of Don Bosco, thank you very much for continuing to really help and change the lives of so many people.”

Projects are directly helping those most in need. In India, Don Bosco Development Society, the planning and development office in Mumbai Province of India, helped 400 poor families in the Dharavi slum with the support of Don Bosco Mondo in Bonn, Germany. Aid kits containing food rations and hygiene items were distributed. Dharavi is the largest slum in Asia and is home to 850,000 residents, making it also one of the more cramped spaces in Mumbai.

Don Bosco Development Society also helped 140 people with disabilities residing in the slum by distributing relief kits containing rations and toiletries. Since some of those with physical disabilities could not pick up their relief kits in person, their family members did so on their behalf.

In South Sudan, the Don Bosco Health Center, part of the St. Vincent de Paul Parish and the Don Bosco Gumbo community in Gumbo, are caring for the sick while working to help prevent coronavirus. The Don Bosco Health Center was launched in 2012 with the support of the Caritas Sisters of Jesus. Initially, about 30 patients were seen a day in three small rooms. Today, the Don Bosco Health Center is treating up to 200 patients each day on average.

The Don Bosco Health Center provides essential services to people in villages who don’t otherwise have access to medical care. Gumbo is located at the center of 20 villages along the left bank of the Nile River, while the town of Juba and other villages are on the right bank. There are no proper hospitals or dispensaries in any of these 20 villages. The nearest one is the hospital of Juba.

“Salesian missionaries from around the globe have sprung to action and have been working tirelessly for those in need,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “In addition to direct support to families in need, Salesian centers and institutions have also supported government infrastructure through funds, and supplied health workers, police and other government personnel with protective face masks. They partnered with the local administration in many places to coordinate relief work for the maximum benefit of those in need.”

Salesian missionaries continue to assess needs for prevention and support during this challenging time and work to support youth and their families in ways they can during this pandemic.

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Sources:

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

Catholic News Agency – Salesians raise 8 million euros for families affected by pandemic

INDIA: Don Bosco Development Society provides food rations and hygiene kits to families and people with disabilities living in the Dharavi slum

Salesian Missions

SOUTH SUDAN: Don Bosco Health Center provides medical care for people in 20 villages