Salesian school offers hands-on project for students

(MissionNewswire) The Maria Auxiliadora Salesian School in Villena, Spain, organized a garlic sowing session for primary and grade school students. Students from grades 1-5 took part in the sessions. The school features a vertical garden where the garlic and other vegetation are grown. A vertical garden utilizes a vertical space rather than a horizontal space like typical gardens and is suited for small spaces, both indoors and outdoors.

Students were paired with tutors to work on the project and gain hands-on experience while being guided by someone who knows the process. After the planting, a Salesian said, “The time comes to water with a lot of care and wait patiently to see if our work pays off.”

Salesian projects around the globe have been focused on environmentally conscious initiatives. They have been inspired by Pope Francis’ 2020 Laudato Si’, which had as its theme “Good Christians and Upright Citizens.” Pope Francis underlined the importance of education and training to help youth foster environmental responsibility.

Salesian missionaries in Spain provide primary and secondary educational as well as vocational and technical school to ensure youth acquire employment skills for the futures. Salesians also work to meet the basic needs of those in poverty and offer workforce development opportunities to ensure an easier school to work transition.

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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Photo courtesy of Don Bosco Green Alliance

Don Bosco Green Alliance – Garlic Sowing Session organized by Colegio Salesianos Maria Auxiliadora, Villena, Spain

Salesian Missions – Spain

World Bank – Spain