In Nagaland, located in the northeast of India, Salesian programs are working to help poor youth. The Don Bosco Technical Institute there has trained 1,300 unemployed youth in vocational courses such as spa and beauty services, food and beverages service, hospitality, housekeeping and sales and marketing. The institute boasts a 77 percent placement rate in stable employment for graduates and it plans to train 15,000 more poor youth in the next 10 years.

“Successful trainees have found placements in reputed companies and groups including hotels, spas, resorts and even hospitals,” says Father AM Joseph, executive director of Don Bosco Technical Institute in a recent local Morung Express article about the school. “Earlier, we needed to seek out placements in industries and companies, but now they approach us for placement of our students. Today we have an impact and Don Bosco Technical Institute has become a brand name.”

The Salesians have been educating poor youth in Nagaland since 1969. In response to rising youth unemployment, they launched Don Bosco Technical Institute in the region in 2012. There, students focus on learning specialized skills through vocational training while also taking additional courses in grooming, social skills, computer skills and English.

Today there are four Don Bosco Technical Centers in Nagaland each with a separate focus: AIDA Don Bosco complex, Working Women Center, Don Bosco Vocational Training Center in Dimapur district and the Don Bosco Youth Center in Wokha district. According to officials at the institute, there are plans to expand to ten centers by 2014.

This past summer, 90 students graduated from the AIDA Don Bosco Complex in Dimapur. With support from the Union Ministry of Rural Development, students are educated for free and are provided free accommodation and meals if they live a distance away.

Many students work hard in their programs and strive to succeed. For some it’s one of the few opportunities available to break the cycle of poverty and find employment.

“It’s a dream come true for me getting admission in this training institute,” says Miss Rongsensangla, a spa trainee interviewed in the Morung Express article. “I came here with a goal of becoming a professional beautician. After I joined the institute, I have learned how to communicate, punctuality, how to speak English, health care and cleanliness.”

Don Bosco Technical Institute has 176 educational centers across India and has trained close to 75,000 youth in vocational and technical programs. The school boasts an 80 percent placement rate into stable employment after graduation.

In the same Morung Express article, Fr. Joseph noted that the Salesians plan to substantially increase the number of technical institutes across India over the next several years with new centers already opening in Jammu and Kashmir and other northeast and Maoist controlled regions.

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Sources:

Don Bosco Technical Institute –India

The Morung Express – Don Bosco: Empowering unemployed youth in Nagaland

Planning Commission for India – Poverty Report

UNICEF – India Poverty

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Among the several Salesian-run programs in Liberia, the Mary Help of Christians School and the Don Bosco Youth Center both provide a foundation of education and support for young students who would otherwise have limited opportunities to better their lives.

“Our school started in 1993,” says Father Matthew Udoka, Principal of Mary Help of Christians School. “It now serves just over 560 students and includes a feeding program which serves a little over 100 of those students. This program ensures that youth in need receive a nutritious healthy meal.”

After school, from 4 to 6 p.m., students have access to the Don Bosco Youth Center. Located in the capital city of Monrovia, the center gives former child soldiers and other young people the opportunity to experience some of the joys of childhood.

“Many youth lack inherent skills and haven’t been given much of an opportunity,” explains Father Udoka. “We are here for them. This is the only youth center of its kind here in Monrovia. Youth are here to play games but also to share with one another.”

Youth can participate in recreational activities and sports. They receive recreation counseling each day in activities from chess to football. Some participate in a cultural troupe where they sing, dance, act, practice African acrobatics and even perform at local functions.

But it’s more than just play and recreation at the youth center. In addition, youth have access to vocational training and academic courses. The center also offers a women’s development program for women to learn self-reliance.

“We help youth take responsibility for their own lives,” adds Father Udoka. “We don’t want to be here to give them everything they need. We want them to take responsibility for their own lives if only in some small way.”

Sources

Salesians of Don Bosco in Libera – Video

Salesian Missions – Liberia

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