(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Technical School, located in Gabutu, an area within the city of Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea, has launched the “Scraper Project,” which is a fundraising initiative to raise money for the Don Bosco Center run by the Sisters of Charity in South Sudan.

The scraper is an essential kitchen tool in every household in Papua New Guinea, and under the guidance of instructors, students have learned to create them. Through the sale of scrapers, students will support the construction of a new building and the purchase of machinery and equipment for the Don Bosco Center.

Salesian Father Pedro Sachitula stated that the whole educational-pastoral community, including the Association of Salesian Cooperators, is involved in the project, and stressed that the initiative is a concrete response of the school to the Salesian Mission Day 2021 theme of “One Father, One Family – Missionary Solidarity as Initial Proclamation.” Other fundraising activities will take place from June to October 2021.

“This initiative is an opportunity for Salesian students to showcase their skills while directly helping another Salesian center,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Salesian students learn much more during their education than the skills to find employment. They also learn the importance of helping one another and giving back to their community and others in need. This is a win-win for students in both Papua New Guinea and South Sudan.”

Papua New Guinea has a population of approximately 7.5 million. 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.

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.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Papua New Guinea – Solidarity missionary project of DBTS of Gabutu

Don Bosco Technical Institute

Don Bosco Technical Institute Facebook

Salesian Missions – Papua New Guinea

World Bank – Papua New Guinea Poverty