(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries have the funding for the construction of the Mama Margaret Boarding House in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines, thanks to donor funding through Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco.

The construction started in the middle of August 2019 and is expected to finish in July 2020. When completed, the boarding house will have nine bedrooms each with a bathroom. The space will also have a kitchen, dining area, living room and a parking area. The house can accommodate up to 20 boarders, both male and female young workers in the area, and three house staff or guests. A full-time houseparent will oversee the management of the house and provide ongoing support to the young workers.

In 1982 the Salesian Philippine Province acquired the 375-square-meter parcel of land in Bacolod, Negros Occidental. A house was constructed and used by the Secular Institute of the Don Bosco Volunteers as a lay formation center and boarding house. In 2000, the Secular Institute of the Don Bosco Volunteers returned the property to the Salesians. With more than 36 years of use, the property needed a major renovation and to be reconfigured as a lodging house for young workers in the city.

“We appreciate the donor support that has made this project possible,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions. “The goal is not only to provide lodging and support for these young workers, but Salesian missionaries will be able to generate an income from the property, which will generate funding back into local programming for poor youth and their families. It’s a win-win for all involved.”

Since 1950, Salesian Missions has been providing crucial help in the Philippines—working with at-risk youth, impoverished families and disaster victims. Humanitarian agencies warn of the dangers faced by the most disadvantaged children in the Philippines. According to UNICEF, there are at least 1.2 million children between the ages of 5 and 15 who are out of school and are being left behind. In addition, children born into the poorest 20 percent of the population are almost three times more likely to die during their first five years as those from the richest 20 percent.

Salesian missionaries, supported by funding from Salesian Missions, were on the forefront of disaster relief during reconstruction after the Nov. 8, 2013 Super Typhoon Haiyan (locally known as Yolanda) devastated the country. According to United Nations estimates, 11.5 million people were affected by Haiyan and close to 1 million were displaced. More than half a million were homeless and living in the streets among the debris. Salesian missionaries mobilized all resources and efforts to aid the victims of this and other disasters.

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Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Philippines

UNICEF – Philippines