Youth are priority for education and psychological support efforts

(MissionNewswire) Salesians in Spain continue to respond with support for the people impacted by the Oct. 29 flooding caused by torrents and river overflows that devastated the Valencian community. The flooding caused more than 200 deaths, left thousands of victims impacted, and severely damaged schools and other buildings. Thousands of youth faced the loss of their homes and interruption of their education.

“In tragic situations like these, children are always the most vulnerable. Our goal is to give hope back to hundreds of affected children,” said a Salesian at the Salesian Mission Office in Madrid.

Salesians are working to provide psychological support to help youth process the impact of the crisis and reduce the risk of long-term psychological effects. They are also working to ensure that education remains a priority. While the damaged schools are being rehabilitated to return to the standards necessary for education, Salesians are finding safe spaces for youth to learn.

The Salesian Mission Office in Madrid, together with the Salesian organization Jóvenes y Desarrollo, based in Valencia, are providing youth and their families with these safe spaces, shelter and support at this difficult time. They have also collected basic necessities for the families.

In addition, Salesians are offering the damaged centers educational material, carrying out educational workshops to raise awareness of climate change, and providing support for artistic activities that promote resilience and overcoming trauma.

Close to 32% 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% less than men and represent only 34.5% of those listed as the highest earners in Spain.

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Misiones Salesianas

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