Don Bosco Technical School offers leadership training

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Technical School, located in Gabutu, Papua New Guinea, began the Servanthood and Leadership Training (S.A.L.T.), which is an annual program designed to get students active in the community. The goal is for students to graduate and serve the community as responsible citizens.

The program lasts three consecutive Saturdays with the students serving in the Bosco Mountain School, St. Therese Primary and Sevese Morea Primary School, St. Therese Clinic-Hohola, Cheshire Homes Center, and Mary Help of Christians Parish in Sabama.

Father Ambrose Pereira, parish priest of Mary Help of Christians Parish, said, “The parishioners were pleased to receive the 43 young students and their companions, who carried out their service in different places within the parish. They cleaned both inside and out, cut grass, and dealt with the excavation of a disposal and road adjustment pit. Youth also motivated the youngsters in the community to do other drainage work for the benefit of the community.”

After several hours of work, Fr. Pereira met with the youth in a moment of prayer. The youth shared their experiences and had lunch together after the work was done.

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% of Papua New Guineans live below the poverty line of $1.25 per day, according to the World Bank.

Close to 50% of adults are illiterate and 25% 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% 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 – Students graduate from the Don Bosco Technical School in the service of the community

Salesian Missions – Papua New Guinea

World Bank – Papua New Guinea Poverty