Nearly half of population lives in poverty where Don Bosco Academy located

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Academy, located in Nalgonda in the state of Telangana, India, is able to help youth access education through the purchase of a school bus thanks to Mission Don Bosco, the Salesian Mission Office in Turin, Italy. The bus has a significant impact on the lives of many youth and their families.

Don Bosco Academy is located in an area where nearly half of the population lives in poverty. One of the major challenges the school faced was the lack of an efficient public transportation system, which made it difficult for both students and qualified teachers to reach the school.

Since getting the bus, school enrollment has risen from 315 students to 450. There is greater attendance for both students and teachers. School dropout rates have also been reduced, with more youth completing their education. Students are able to take the journey to and from school more safely, and staff have greater mobility, improving teaching quality and overall school operations.

Don Bosco Academy is dedicated to supporting children and young people from challenging backgrounds. Nalgonda is a town of approximately 110,000 inhabitants, situated in the heart of an agricultural district long affected by poverty and underdevelopment. Today, the situation has worsened due to climate change. There are prolonged droughts at times then destructive floods, threatening crops and making the livelihoods of local communities increasingly precarious. Most families, composed mainly of farmers who are poor and often don’t have an education, struggle to meet their basic needs such as food, education, and health care.

A Salesian explained, “The benefits of this project extend beyond just the school. They positively impact families and the entire community. Families have experienced reduced financial and logistical burdens related to school transportation, while the community has witnessed educational progress and the development of a more supportive environment for youth growth and learning.”

Salesians have extended their thanks to Mission Don Bosco, “Education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty, and thanks to you, many children in Nalgonda will receive an education that will guide them for life. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Mission Don Bosco

ANS – India – A School Bus That Represents Hope and a Future at “Don Bosco Academy” in Nalgonda

Mission Don Bosco

Salesian Missions – India

World Bank – India