(MissionNewswire) The Farnières Center in Belgium is the home of Salesian missionaries and Salesian sisters with Daughter of Mary Help of Christians. They reside there and, with the help of lay volunteers, welcome groups for retreats, meetings and training events. The center is located in the middle of a forest between Vielsalm and Trois-Ponts in the heart of the Belgian Ardennes.

The center has been working to upgrade its facilities to be environmentally friendly. Each year, approximately 15,850 gallons (60,000 liters) of diesel fuel are needed to heat the halls, dormitories, rooms and various bungalows. More than 10 years ago, the center’s managers installed photovoltaic panels to provide a better source of electricity.

In December 2022, a new biomass heating system went into operation with two boilers using wood chips, which is a more environmentally friendly source of heat. This is the largest investment made by the center since a major renovation 25 years ago.

In addition to this work, 20 volunteers came together to plant 1,000 trees and shrubs on the grounds. The goal was to transform the large lawn bordering the main access path to the center into a welcoming place. There is a green area for picnics surrounded by bushes, spaces for sharing in small groups bordered by hedges and footpaths for walking. The hedges consist of black currant, red currant and raspberry bushes. An orchard of apples, plums, cherries and pears has been also planted, which will contribute to the food supply of the center in the future.

“Salesian organizations around the globe have been focused on environmental sustainability projects in response to Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ to raise awareness and increase action on the values ​​of integral ecology,” said Father Timothy Ploch, interim director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Salesians are working to create an environment that is safe and caring for all life on the planet while building up a new generation of environmentally committed citizens and leaders.”

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

ANS – Belgium – One thousand trees planted, biomass heating… in Farnières, investment made in caring for nature and the planet

Salesian Missions

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(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Youth-Net, the European network of Salesian youth organizations based in Belgium, and its partners have launched a two-year project focused on volunteering. The project, known as “The future is Europe: voluntary service and social change,” is being launched with the support of Erasmus+, the European Union’s program to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe.

The project’s aim is to help define a vision for voluntary service by setting long-term goals and helping all partner organizations to develop concrete actions. Activities for the project are focused around digitalization, solidarity, employment and sustainability. These activities will raise awareness on issues such as European citizenship, civic engagement and common values.

The goal is to engage youth from various countries to help them develop their soft skills and competencies for future employability. This will help all partner organizations create a model of education to be implemented in the countries involved and beyond.

“All youth deserve a chance at a better life,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Salesians help youth overcome barriers to success while teaching them how to take responsibility for their own lives. Part of this education is paying forward the lessons they learn to others. By providing youth an opportunity to volunteer, they can learn additional skills to find and retain employment.”

Through this project, Salesian organizations strengthen voluntary service, reach more youth through quality projects, impact employability through recognition of competencies gained during the experience, and provide digital solutions for networking and learning environments.

At the close of the project, a policy paper will be disseminated at international, national, regional and local levels to inspire other organizations active in the field of volunteering service and international youth mobility.

Working in collaboration with Don Bosco Youth-Net are it’s projects partners including Aktionszentrum Benediktbeuern, based in Germany, Confe Don Bosco, based in Spain, Jeugddienst Don Bosco, based in Belgium, Salesiani per il Sociale APS and Turismo Giovanile e Sociale, based in Rome, Italy, TGS Eurogroup, based in Venice, Italy, Salesian Pastoral Youth Service, based in Malta, and Youth to Connect, based in the Netherlands.

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

ANS – Belgium – “The future is Europe: voluntary service and social change”

Salesian Missions

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(MissionNewswire) Kim Gevaert, a former student at Don Bosco School in Haacht, Belgium, won a gold medal in the 4 x 100 relay at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and was the 2006 European champion in the 100- and 200-meter dash. She recently returned to the Don Bosco School to talk about how a Salesian education impacted her.

“Empathy and ‘believing in’ were strongly present in this Salesian school,” said Gevaert. “There was attention for the complete development of the child. The school tried to bring out the talents of the students and you could do what you were interested in. I definitely felt that.”

She added, “I still remember how I was the weak link in the volleyball team at school, at least that’s how I felt. Eventually, I became one of the stronger runners on the national relay team, but I was very good at empathizing with people when they made a mistake or were not in the best of shape. I never pointed the finger, but understood how that person felt. That empathy and humility are things I have acquired here.”

“I also enjoyed the moments of reflection,” Gevaert explained. “In the sixth year, we went on a weekend silent retreat with the sisters. Then we had to be quiet and go to Mass with them at four o’clock in the morning. Moments like that broaden your view. Those people choose such a life and I could understand that. I think it’s important, as a parent, to counterbalance all the misery that children see. Through faith, you give them a sort of something to hold on to. In the end, they choose what to do with it later on. Maybe nothing, but maybe they need that something to hold on to in order to learn to reflect or to calm down. I raise my children Catholic, but with a broad view of the world. ‘Faith, what is it?’ and ‘What does it do to me?’ That broader view of faith and of the world is our starting point.”

Gevaert has also been dedicating some time to underprivileged youth in Congo. She said,
“My husband and I wanted to do something for the children in his native Congo. I know very well that we grew up in a family with lots of opportunities. As we get older, you realize more and more that we were lucky. For many children, that is not the case. That is why I wanted to give something back to society by dedicating myself to the youth in Congo.”

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

ANS – Belgium – Former Olympic gold medalist Kim Gevaert: “Don Bosco school believed in everyone’s talents”

Salesian Missions

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Youth at risk of poverty or social exclusion are typically found in single parent families, large families and immigrant and ethnic minority families. With almost 10 percent unemployment, often spanning generations, youth with unemployed or underemployed parents also face a higher risk of poverty.

In addition, almost 15 percent of youth leave school without achieving a secondary education.

These conditions give rise to a staggering youth unemployment rate which is about twice the average when compared to the general population. Almost one fourth of youth are unemployed and face daily struggles to find employment and earn a livable wage.

To combat these challenges, the Salesians held a seven day training course called, “Transforming Voluntarism into Social Entrepreneurship” in early April at the Salesian Youth Center in Sliema, Malta. The course was funded by the European Commission and utilized project management within “Youth in Action” programs as a tool for developing entrepreneurial competence.

Designed and organized by Don Bosco Youth Net, the training program aims to motivate young volunteers to take the initiative to develop solutions for problems faced by young people across the European Union today.

“Salesians are working across the European Union to help youth find their own path out of poverty,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Youth need the tools, the education and support to help them on a path to a productive life. Courses like this help propel youth in the right direction, encouraging them to take responsibility for their lives and their futures.”

Twenty youth representing Austria, Belgium, Germany, Slovenia, Poland, Spain, Malta, the UK, Czech Republic and Italy took part in the training course. Learning the differences between voluntarism, social entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship through role playing, presentations and active work, the students learned how to turn ideas and concepts into action.

Each session combined elements of theoretical and practical work and challenged youth to utilize both personal and team skills to develop their abilities to plan and manage projects in order to achieve social objectives. Youth were challenged to design an innovative product to fit the needs of people in modern times.

Ideas ranged from arranging a festival to building a hostel. The students learned how to create a project based on ideas that had been collected. Then they explored how to finance their project and apply for funding from the European Union. Students received feedback from experts and their peers as they discussed their ideas for implementation.

“Sometimes jobs just aren’t available for youth”, adds Fr. Hyde. “The program’s overall focus on social entrepreneurship helps youth create their own opportunities in their local communities.”

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ANS – Malta – Young Volunteers become Social Entrepreneurs to Fight Youth Unemployment

UNICEF – Tens of millions of children living in poverty in the world’s richest countries

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