Youth at Don Bosco Secondary Technical School celebrate during the holidays

(MissionNewswire) Students gathered at Don Bosco Secondary Technical School in Kokopo, Papua New Guinea, at the end of December for the closing of their annual programs. Salesians and benefactors joined the youth for an exchange of Christmas gifts. The day began with Catholic Mass presided over by Father Moise Paluku, parish priest, who urged youth to participate in parish activities planned for the coming year. He also encouraged them to be more active with their leadership skills in their respective communities.

During the second part of the day, students engaged in a singing competition with Salesian staff taking part as judges. The program ended with a gift offered by the Salesians and benefactors to all youth who participated in the program.

A Salesian missionary said, “This was a chance for Salesians and school staff to celebrate the accomplishments of youth this past school term. It was a time to enjoy the holidays and ensure that youth receive gifts and praise for their hard work.”

Salesian missionaries in the country provide primary and secondary education as well as technical skills training to prepare youth for the workforce. Missionaries also help to ensure that basic needs like shelter, food and water are met so students are able to focus on their studies.

Papua New Guinea has a population of approximately 7.5 million people. It is a resource-rich country with oil, gas and gold reserves as well as fertile land capable of producing high crop yields. Despite this, an estimated 40 percent of Papua New Guineans live below the poverty line of $1.25 per day, according to the World Bank.

Close to 50 percent of adults are illiterate and 25 percent of children are unable to attend school in Papua New Guinea. Part of the problem with getting to school, work and hospitals has to do with the country’s infrastructure. In rural areas, where nearly 88 percent of the population resides, there are few roads or means of transportation to get to schools or places of employment.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Papua New Guinea – Christmas celebrations together with young people

Don Bosco Secondary Technical School

Salesian Missions – Papua New Guinea

World Bank – Papua New Guinea Poverty