Activities are made possible thanks to the involvement of 300 Salesians and 2,750 youth volunteers

(MissionNewswire) After two years of restrictions because of the COVID-19 pandemic, close to 18,000 youth will take part in summer activities hosted by the Salesians across Spain. From June through September, 160 activities are planned, including 102 urban summer activities at Salesian centers, 23 nature camps and 31 faith education camps. Activities are made possible thanks to the involvement of 300 Salesians and 2,750 youth workers who are using their summer vacations to volunteer and give back.

Another 150 youth will take part in spiritual formation activities in Valencia, Seville, Barcelona and Guadalajara. The goal is to provide youth with the technical and spiritual education so that they can continue their work in supporting and educating other youth.

In addition, Salesians, members of the Salesian Family and educators will take part in Days of Theological-Pastoral Actualization to be held in Santiago de Compostela from July 22 to 24. Father Jesús Rojano will address the theme “A look at today’s youth culture” to help attendees better understand the youth of today and how Don Bosco saw youth.

In Italy, Campobosco is also taking place this summer in Turin. This will bring together 660 youth from Salesian provinces of Spain and Portugal from July 30 to Aug. 8. Youth will visit places that played a key role in Don Bosco’s history and the birth of the Salesians. In addition, a group will participate in the European Youth Pilgrimage, organized by the Spanish Bishops’ Conference, to be held in Santiago de Compostela.

“Just because school is out for the summer that does not mean Salesians stop their education work,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Salesian missionaries have been working for many years to provide educational and workforce development opportunities for poor youth and women in Spain through residential, technical, and vocational training programs. That work continues year-round.”

Close to 32 percent of young Spanish workers under the age of 25 are unemployed and a growing number of them can’t afford to buy enough food to live. Poor youth with few employable skills struggle the most to find and retain stable employment. Women in Spain face inequality in the workforce. They earn up to 14 percent less than men and represent only 34.5 percent of those listed as the highest earners in Spain.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Spain – 18,000 young people will participate in summer activities promoted by Salesians

Salesian Missions – Spain

World Bank – Spain