INT’L DAY FOR THE ERADICATION OF POVERTY: Salesian Missions highlights social programs that support youth living in poverty
Programs address immediate needs, pathways out of poverty
(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.
The United Nations has noted that around 1.1 billion people face acute multidimensional poverty, experiencing overlapping deprivations in health, education and living standards. Further it’s indicated that gaps within countries can exceed gaps between countries.
“Salesian missionaries around the globe are focused on helping people living in poverty address immediate needs and 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 children who are starving, 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.
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
Funding from Salesian Missions helped ship critical medical supplies for a clinic in the Central African Republic.
Salesian missionaries in Bangui, Central African Republic*, had the supplies needed for a medical clinic thanks to a shipment of goods funded in part by Salesian Missions. The shipment was sent by Collaboration Santé Internationale (International Health Collaboration), a Canadian organization focused on responding to the needs of health centers in developing countries.
Funding for the shipment was provided by both Salesian Missions and Don Bosco Foundation Paris. The shipment contained electric hospital beds, neonatal incubators, exam tables, filing cabinets, lab coats, amoxicillin, quinine, first aid supplies and vitamins.
The medical clinic was completed with funding from the French government through Don Bosco Foundation Paris. Don Bosco Foundation Paris requested assistance from Salesian Missions with funding for the shipment and for its extensive experience in shipping humanitarian aid around the globe.
INDIA
Girls attending Don Bosco Muniguda in India received scholarships to continue their education thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions.
Salesian missionaries had the funding for scholarships for 34 girls studying at Don Bosco School, located in Muniguda in the Rayagada District, Odisha, India. The scholarship funds were received from Salesian Missions and were used for school fees, hostel fees, and educational materials. Although the funding was initially intended for 26 girls, the project team extended the support to 34 students who were unable to continue their studies due to financial difficulties.
A Salesian explained, “Through this support, the girls were able to attend school regularly, stay in a safe hostel environment and focus on their studies without the burden of financial constraints. The initiative ensured that the most vulnerable girls from tribal communities received access to quality education and a supportive learning environment.”
Education for girls in this region of Odisha remains a major challenge, as many families do not consider schooling for girls a priority due to poverty and social conditions. Through this scholarship support, girls were given the opportunity to study and pursue their dreams. As a result, they showed improved school attendance, increased confidence and a greater interest in continuing their studies.
TIMOR-LESTE
Schools, centers and orphanages in Timor-Leste benefited from nutritious food through a partnership between Salesian Missions and Rise Against Hunger.
Youth attending Salesian schools, orphanages and youth centers in Timor-Leste had access to better nutrition through a partnership between Salesian Missions and Rise Against Hunger.
Dircia, a 17-year-old woman, lives at the Franciscan Sister’s Youth Center and Boarding House in Tibar in the Liquica District. Liquica is a coastal and mountainous municipality in the northern part of Timor-Leste, with a population of 75,000. The local economy is based on agriculture with coffee, red bananas, cassava and livestock as key products. Farmers face challenges in accessing markets due to poor infrastructure and terrible roads.
Dircia had nine siblings, with two passing away when they were children due to malnutrition. Her mother passed away after delivering Dircia’s youngest brother. The siblings were sent to different youth centers and orphanages. She and her siblings all have experienced better nutrition through Rise Against Hunger meals.
Dircia is thankful for the Rise Against Hunger meals and said that they have taught her about taking care of others’ well-being first. She promises to study hard because she wants a good job in the future to improve her life and be of service to others.
ZAMBIA
Don Bosco Youth Center in Zambia has a new bathroom facility thanks to the Salesian Missions “Clean Water Initiative”.
Salesian missionaries constructed a bathroom facility at the Don Bosco Youth Center, located in Kabwe, Zambia, thanks to donor funding from the Salesian Missions “Clean Water Initiative”. Through the construction, six flushable toilets and six showers were installed, as well as lighting in the building.
This project is impacting more than 200 boys and 400 girls from Dominic Savio Secondary School who use the center, and close to 200 youth, mostly girls, who use the oratory for sports. Christian groups also use the center for recollection and retreats.
The area around the center is urban with people earning a living by selling farm products along the streets and bus stations. There is a lack of clean water, few jobs for youth, poor or no sanitation, poor road networks and an unreliable health system. The education system is below standard due to over enrollment in schools. Don Bosco Youth Center is situated next to a large unorganized market where young people spend time.
Wilgis Matupa expressed happiness and gratitude to Salesian Missions. He said, “We appreciate the benefactors for being concerned with the health of the young people at the Salesian youth center. The toilets and showers are a life-saving measure and we are grateful.”
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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.
