Students currently living in old school classrooms

(MissionNewswire) A new Salesian residence for students is currently under construction in Purwodadi, Java, Indonesia, where Salesians operate a middle school called the SMP Bhakti Mulia. Currently, 31 students live in a makeshift boarding house using old classrooms in the school as their accommodations. The new boarding house is designed to accommodate up to 60 youth.

An opening ceremony to kick off the construction took place on Sept. 24. It began with the blessing presided over by Father Vincentius Prastowo, superior of the Salesian Vice-Province of Indonesia, who laid the first stone together with Father Hendrikus Tolok, rector and principal.

A Salesian explained, “All of the students, teachers and school staff participated with great enthusiasm. With the help of numerous friends of Don Bosco, Father Yohanes Boedirahardjo Soerjonoto, the economer, mobilized local resources for the new building through various activities. We are excited about the new residence and having a more comfortable living environment for our students.”

The project was also financially supported by the Rector Major’s Solidarity Fund, which supported the purchase of the land, and with support from a foundation in memory of Fr. John Lee through the Salesian Mission Office in South Korea, which will support the construction of the buildings.

According to the World Bank, the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed 2.76 million more Indonesians into poverty, bringing the country’s poverty rate to the highest level since March 2017. Due to job loss and business closure, there are 27.5 million people living below the poverty line as of September 2020. This is up significantly from 24.8 million a year earlier.

###

Sources:

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

ANS – Indonesia – Opening ceremony for a new Salesian residence and college in Purwodadi

Salesian Missions

World Bank – Indonesia