INT’L DAY FOR THE ERADICATION OF POVERTY: Salesian Missions highlights educational and social programs that support youth living in poverty
Programs help break the cycle of poverty for youth and their families
(MissionNewswire) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian organizations and countries around the globe in honoring the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty held on Oct. 17 each year. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty and the 35th anniversary of the World Day to Overcome Extreme Poverty.
The United Nations has noted that approximately 10% of the world’s population, or about 800 million people, live in extreme poverty (living on less than $1.25 a day), while nearly half of the world’s population (around 52%) lives on less than $10 a day.
“Salesian missionaries around the globe are focused on helping people living in poverty find a pathway out,” said Father Michael Conway, director of Salesian Missions. “While education is our primary goal, Salesians build wells in communities without water, feed starving children, and provide medical care and other basic necessities to ensure that youth and their families have what they need to survive.”
Working in more than 5,500 Salesian educational institutions and youth centers around the globe, missionaries educate children in some of the poorest places on the planet. Programs also go beyond traditional education and help to support youth with basic needs, like offering feeding programs at school, so that they can do the hard work of focusing on their studies.
In honor of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, Salesian Missions is proud to highlight initiatives that help to break the cycle of poverty for youth and their families.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
In the Dominican Republic, 550 people received meals to help them face economic challenges through a partnership between Rise Against Hunger and Salesian Missions.
Families of students attending the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in the Dominican Republic received meals to support their nutritional needs. The meals, impacting 550 people, were provided through a partnership between Rise Against Hunger, an international humanitarian organization growing a global movement to end hunger, and Salesian Missions. Daughters of Mary Help of Christians distributed the meals to families during the second half of 2024.
Pierre Michel, a 24-year-old construction worker, was one of the recipients. His family, like many in the area, has faced significant economic challenges. Michel supports his wife and three young children, all of whom attend the Salesian school. Before receiving the meals, the family often struggled with having enough food, leading to added stress and concern about their well-being.
Michel is driven by his desire to offer a better life for his family. He immigrated from Haiti to the Dominican Republic in search of better opportunities and works long hours to meet his family’s basic needs. Despite the challenges, he remains determined to give his children a brighter future. Since his family started receiving the meals, their situation has greatly improved. Michel explained, “Now my children go to school more focused and full of energy because they have something nutritious to eat every day.”
LEBANON
Salesian missionaries were able to provide support for 273 people impacted by war thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions.
Salesian missionaries have been able to provide emergency assistance for people impacted by the war in Lebanon* thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. The “Emergency assistance for Fidar and Hossoun communities and refugees in Beirut” project is ensuring that families living in these communities have the basic essentials and the psychological support they need.
With donor funding, Salesians were able to provide medical assistance, psychosocial support, food supplies, fuel vouchers and warm clothes. Families were chosen from those involved with local Salesian centers and schools, including Don Bosco Technique, Don Bosco Hossoun oratories, and Angels of Peace School.
A Salesian noted, “Through coordinated efforts, our team provided immediate relief and laid the foundation for resilience and hope during an incredibly challenging period. Moreover, the project had a comprehensive and profound impact, as it combined educational support, psychological care and social activities to address the multifaceted needs of the various communities served by the Salesians.”
THE GAMBIA
Beehives are providing a new source of income for students and their school in The Gambia through donor funding from Salesian Missions.
Salesian missionaries in Kunkundjan Mariama, a small locality in Banjul, The Gambia, were able to increase their beekeeping activities thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. The Don Bosco Garden at the school now has an additional 30 hives, which brings the total number of hives up to 50. Salesians also trained 33 students how to care for the hives and extract honey.
The hives provide the school and the students a new opportunity for a source of income. The honey from the hives is collected and sold to those in the local community. A Salesian noted, “The additional hives serve as an additional revenue source and small income-generating opportunity, allowing the population to meet their needs.”
One of the participants, Edouard, noted, “I appreciated the training and hope to become a leader in beekeeping training. I’m going to take all that I’ve learned and train other students here at the school in how to tend to the hives and extract the honey.”
UGANDA
A new sick bay at Don Bosco CALM in Uganda ensures that children have the immediate medical care that they need.
Salesian missionaries were able to establish a sick bay for children who are ill at Don Bosco CALM Nursery and Primary School in Uganda thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. The sick bay will provide services to more than 700 children.
Uganda faces significant challenges in providing health care, particularly to vulnerable populations, including children from low-income backgrounds. Limited access to health care facilities, a high disease prevalence and limited financial resources make it difficult for children to receive timely and adequate medical care.
A Salesian explained, “Establishing a sick bay at Don Bosco CALM ensures that children have the immediate medical care that they need, ensuring that minor injuries and illness are treated properly. This will also help manage chronic conditions, provide first aid, and offer preventive care like vaccinations, hygiene education and nutritional support that children need. Further, this will help cut down on time lost from school due to illness, allowing children to grow up healthy and have a better quality of life.”
###
Sources:
Photos courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
*Any goods, services, or funds provided by Salesian Missions to programs located in this country were administered in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control.
