Salesians bring food to people living in the waste dump on the outskirts of Vientiane

(MissionNewswire) For the last four years, Salesian missionaries in Vientiane, Laos, have been distributing meals and gifts on Christmas Day to poor people who live in the waste dump on the city’s outskirts. Most recently, it was a collaborative effort of Salesian missionaries and sisters, along with staff and students from the Don Bosco Vocational Training Center.

The Don Bosco Vocational Training Center has been recognized by the Laotian Youth Union Department. In 2008, the collaboration with the Laotian Youth Union was ratified by a contract for five years, renewable every five years.

Currently, the Don Bosco Vocational Training Center educates about 150 students each year who come from every province in the country and who are mostly poor. According to the contract, the Laotian Youth Union, together with Salesian missionaries, selects the students who will attend. Priority is given to those living in challenging economic situations and those with insufficient school preparation, such as having dropped out of school just after elementary school. Students are selected after completing a written test and an interview.

“Once admitted to the center, youth are able to choose from a wide range of courses, all aimed at helping them gain professional skills,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Courses for mechanics and electricians last one year and accommodate about 40 students per discipline. Courses on welding and motorcycle repair last six months. This education enables youth to find employment soon after graduation.”

The Don Bosco Vocational Training Center is a vital resource for the poorest families in Laos. Government agencies and local authorities often express their appreciation for the center. According to data from the Laotian Youth Union Department, about 75 percent of the boys who completed their studies there have found work.

Poverty in Laos, formally known as the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, has been on the decline for the last decade, according to the World Bank. Despite improvements in the economy, the poverty rate in Laos is at 18.6 percent. Poverty in Laos tends to be higher in underdeveloped, mountainous areas of the country. People who live in these isolated areas are often left without access to electricity, schools and even roads.

Many of the ethnic minorities in Laos live in underserved, rural areas. These minority groups are further isolated by barriers in language, customs and religion. This, combined with geographic isolation, contributes to a higher rate of poverty for those who live in rural communities.

The economy in Laos has been rapidly growing. The growth can be attributed to the fact that Laos is home to a bounty of natural resources including water, minerals and forests. Additionally, construction and services have expanded and contributed to an increase in tourism and foreign investment.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Laos – Distribution of food to the poor for Christmas

Salesian Missions

World Bank – Laos