Don Bosco Primary School committed to teaching care for environment

(MissionNewswire) The Don Bosco Primary School in Tonj, a town in the northwest region of South Sudan*, launched a campaign to clean up the environment during Lent. Students taking part in the “Keep Clean and Grow Green” project are cleaning up the town and planting trees every Friday.

The project was established in response to Pope Francis’ 2020 Laudato Si’, which underlined the importance of education and training that will help youth foster environmental responsibility.

A Salesian said, “In response to global warming and the growing ecological crisis, the students are learning about care for the environment. The goal is to instill these values in them when they are young so they carry it forward as they get older. The school is committed to teaching about the necessary care and respect for the environment that is needed.”

Salesian missionaries have been working in Tonj for several years. Their focus has been on providing education and social development services for poor youth through the operation of primary and secondary schools and youth centers. In addition, the missionaries operate several medical clinics, including a leprosy clinic. In 2015, Salesian missionaries, in collaboration with the Tonj Project Onlus, opened a new hospital with maternity and surgical wards and a residence for medical and administrative staff.

South Sudan is expansive and largely rural with 83% of the population residing in rural areas. Poverty is endemic with at least 80% of the population defined as income-poor and living on the equivalent of less than $1 per day, according to the World Bank. More than one-third of the population lacks secure access to food.

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Sources:

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

ANS – South Sudan – A “green” initiative for Lent

Salesian Missions – South Sudan

World Bank – South Sudan

*Any goods, services or funds provided by Salesian Missions to programs located in this country were administered in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control.