Salesians launch program to help young people with personal, professional goals

(MissionNewswire) Salesians with the Provincial Youth Ministry in the Nigeria and Niger Africa Province launched a new program that helps to educate and support youth with their life choices. The initiative is aimed at young people between the ages of 18 and 30 and encourages participants to reflect on their passions, interests, values and strengths.

A Salesian said, “The goal is to help these youth identify potential career paths and explore ways to align their personal and professional goals. We want each participant to discover their purpose in life, increase their potential and channel their passion in the direction that most satisfies them.”

Salesian missionaries in Nigeria provide a range of social development and educational programs for poor and marginalized youth. The goal is always education, but Salesians know that youth are living in conditions that make educational attainment possible and they need extra support. Youth centers, feeding programs, health clinics and other programs help to ensure that youth are healthy and have their basic needs met so they can focus on school.

According to UNICEF, Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country and the ninth most populous country in the world. By United Nations estimates, Nigeria will be one of the countries responsible for most of the world’s total population increase by 2050. While Nigeria has the second strongest economy in Africa, it also has extreme rates of poverty with 100 million people living on less than $1 a day.

About 64% of households in Nigeria consider themselves to be poor while 32% of households say their economic situation had worsened over a period of one year, according to UNICEF. Poverty still remains one of the most critical challenges facing the country and population growth rates have meant a steady increase in the number of people living in conditions of poverty.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Nigeria – A vocation programme to accompany young people in their life choices

Salesian Missions – Nigeria

UNICEF – Nigeria