Salesians provide education, job support to help build a future

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries are working to help improve the lives of young migrants like Alex, a young man from Ghana who arrived in Italy by boat. Initially struggling on the margins of society, Alex found a path to fulfillment thanks to the support of the Salesian community.

Alex left Ghana at age 15 and made his way to Libya, where he endured harsh conditions of refugee camps to save money for the boat journey to Italy. At age 17, he finally reached Italian shores but was unjustly accused of being one of the traffickers. Confused and unaware of what was happening, Alex was sentenced to four years in a juvenile prison in Bari, Italy, where he struggled emotionally and received mental health support.

Through the help of a prison superintendent who recognized his situation, Alex was transferred to the family community at the Salesian Redentore Institute in Bari. Alex gradually realized that the people around him genuinely wanted to help. Through good behavior, he earned a sentence reduction and began reintegrating into society.

Salesians helped Alex complete training for boat restoration at the Bari port that he had begun in prison and supported his education, enabling him to earn a degree in accounting. They also helped him secure employment, first within the Salesian Institute and later at a construction company collaborating with the Salesians. Offered a permanent job at both, Alex chose to become the caretaker and maintenance manager of the Salesian Institute.

Alex successfully completed his mental health support program, and thanks to the efforts of the prison director, his conviction was annulled. Additionally, an administrative error in his documentation was corrected, allowing him the freedom to travel outside of Italy.

Alex has endured the hardships of forced migration, labor exploitation in Libya, judicial and bureaucratic injustices, and the loneliness of being a foreigner wrongly accused. Yet today, he has a clean record, a stable job and a strong support network. Most importantly, he can now consider reuniting with his family.

Father Pasquale Martino, with the Salesian Redentore Institute, said, “I hope that this story helps people understand the importance of seeing beyond appearances and recognizing the dreams and potential of the young people who arrive in our communities.”

###

Sources:

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

ANS – Italy – Alex: A Story of Hope and Redemption that comes from afar

Salesian Missions – Italy

World Bank – Italy