EL SALVADOR

(MissionNewswire) Two nursery and primary schools in El Salvador received school furniture thanks to a donation from Father Mark Hyde, former director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. Fr. Hyde is currently working at St. Rosalie parish in New Orleans. When the parish primary school closed, Fr. Hyde made sure that the furniture was donated to Salesian Missions for use abroad.

The donation, which was sent to the Laura Vicuña Pro Education Foundation for distribution, impacted 127 students at the Mary Help of Christian School in San Salvador and 275 at the Obra Social María Auxiliadora School in Chalchuapa. The new furniture has improved the educational environment of these two schools.

Sister Maria Antonieta Salguero Abrego said, “Educational environments are a fundamental part of the learning process for many children. Receiving new school furniture has created a more comfortable environment for the children to sit and engage with the learning materials. Comfort not only helps students pay attention, but it also allows the body to be in correct postures that leads to better learning. Improvements in the children’s academic performance is ultimately what we strive for.”

Sr. Abrego added, “This also builds children’s confidence and allows them to aim for academic excellence. This will better secure their futures after school and will further aid them in taking care of themselves and their families after school. Being able to provide an enriching experience for the children not only makes the staff and children happy but also brings comfort to parents knowing that their children are being well looked after and prioritized at school.”

Close to 22 percent of El Salvador’s population lives in poverty, according to the World Bank. Youth in El Salvador are confronted not only with poverty but with instability, high levels of violence and inadequate access to educational opportunities. Despite ranking high for economic indicators, the need for practical education in El Salvador is more important than ever with 12 percent of youth ages 15-24 unemployed and 41 percent underemployed.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – El Salvador

World Bank – El Salvador

The post EL SALVADOR: Two nursery and primary schools receive furniture first appeared on MissionNewswire.

EL SALVADOR

(MissionNewswire) The Santa Cecilia Institute’s oratory, located in Santa Tecla, El Salvador, celebrated the canonization of St. Artemide Zatti, a Salesian brother who was born in Italy and emigrated to Argentina as a young man. He became a pharmacist and was renowned for his care of the sick.

On Oct. 8, Pope Francis welcomed members of the Salesian religious family to the Vatican and canonized Zatti. The Pope highlighted Zatti’s care for the poor in a Vatican News article. He said, “Artemide dedicated his entire life to the sick, especially the poorest, the abandoned, and the discarded. He lived the total donation of himself to God and the consecration of all his strength to the good of his neighbor.”

The Santa Cecilia Institute’s event began with a celebration of the Eucharist, followed by a welcome to youth from the Don Bosco Oratory in Soyapango, who joined in the festivities. Youth organized soccer, volleyball and basketball games, birthday parties, and games for the younger children. There were also refreshments and a lunch provided. After 123 years in operation, the Santa Cecilia Institute changed the oratory’s name in honor of the new Salesian saint. The oratory is now the St. Artemide Zatti Salesian Oratory.

In addition, more than 100 people participated in a bicycle caravan in honor of St. Artemide Zatti. The bicycle caravan was organized by the Salesian parish of San Benito in Palermo, Guatemala. Participants rode through the main streets of the municipality, starting at the parish to the Candelaria neighborhood, where the Salesian medical clinic named after Zatti is located.

Mirian Dubón, who has been working at the medical dispensary since it was founded, said, “I have long dreamed of this day, when God grants us to have a new saint through Zatti, whom I admire so much and to whom we have dedicated our dispensary, where so many low-income people are treated. I thank God because Zatti is an example of care and mercy toward others for those like us who serve in the dispensary.”

###

Sources:

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

ANS – Guatemala – A bicycle caravan in honor of St. Artemide Zatti

ANS – El Salvador – St. Artemide Zatti new intercessor at the Salesian oratory in Santa Tecla

Salesian Missions – El Salvador

Vatican News – Pope: Blessed Artemide Zatti dedicated his whole life to the sick

The post EL SALVADOR: Salesians celebrate canonization of St. Artemide Zatti first appeared on MissionNewswire.

EL SALVADOR

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco University in San Salvador, El Salvador, is empowering the next generation of medical rehabilitation practitioners to transform the lives of people with mobile disabilities through its “Walking Anew!” project, which ran from March 2017 to June 2022. This project was made possible thanks to a grant from the U.S. Agency for International Development’s American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (USAID/ASHA) program secured by Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco.

The project, now completed, expanded and upgraded the facilities at Don Bosco University’s School of Rehabilitation Science and the equipment used to train medical rehabilitation professionals. It revolutionized the field of rehabilitation science across Latin America by constructing a new laboratory and research annex, modernizing technology, and extending the reach of Don Bosco University School of Rehabilitation Science through an expanded distance learning program.

The construction of the new building, which houses the Applied Research Center, allows for the exchange of information with professionals in the field at an international level as well as provides space for a new podiatry laboratory and other specialized practices. The program has already trained people from El Salvador, other countries in Central America, South America, Haiti, Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 2022, the project was also able to train students in Uganda through the distance learning program.

With the new building, Don Bosco University will become the first university in El Salvador with a building built under LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) parameters. The building has incorporated aspects related to energy efficiency, the use of alternative energies, the improvement of indoor environmental quality, the efficiency of water consumption, the sustainable development of open spaces on land and the selection of environmentally friendly materials.

The annex building, which houses a laboratory and research building for people with mobility disabilities, won the Sustainable Construction Award granted by the Salvadoran Chamber of Construction (CASALCO) in the medium project category in 2021. Recently, Diego Aguirre-Herreria, the USAID architect who provides guidance and approves all construction plans for ASHA-funded projects, visited the new annex along with two USAID/El Salvador environmental officers. They were very impressed with the building and all the LEED features that were incorporated within the design.

“We are grateful to USAID for their funding and Don Bosco University for the successful conclusion of this project,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions. “The COVID-19 pandemic caused delays and cost overruns, but Don Bosco University ensured the project had a successful completion. Even procuring the equipment was a challenge for the university because of supply chain issues and price increases, but they made it work. The team showed perseverance in an uncertain time, and we are grateful for their hard work and dedication.”

In the final quarter of the project, Don Bosco University made strides in women empowerment and inclusion in STEM education. The Salvadoran electricity distribution company, Delsur, and Don Bosco University launched the Delsur Stem Academy training program to promote women in STEM careers and reduce the gender gap in the field.

The program motivates second- or third-year high school students, who are daughters of employees of the Del Sur company or who come from educational centers near their areas of influence, to study in areas of science and technology. Young women will have the opportunity to train in four major areas including robotics, electronics, mechanics and renewable energy. In addition, they will carry out field visits to the company to learn about the experience of women working in their areas of specialization.

Don Bosco University is one of the most prestigious institutions of higher education in the country, particularly in the technical and technological sectors. The university has close to 6,000 students enrolled and maintains a strong link to the local employment sector through research, technology transfer programs, continuing education courses and consultancy services. Degree programs are offered in engineering, social sciences, humanities, economics, technology and aeronautics, among others.

###

Sources:

Don Bosco University

Salesian Missions

Salesian Missions – El Salvador

USAID American Schools and Hospitals Abroad

The post EL SALVADOR: Don Bosco University completes “Walking Anew!” project to transform lives of people with mobile disabilities first appeared on MissionNewswire.

EL SALVADOR

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco University in Soyapango, El Salvador, has created new spaces for design students for experimentation and prototyping. The new spaces complement new laboratories for technical and specialized training for students in the industrial and product design degree program. The new facilities provide students taking ceramics, wood, and digital fabrication with a place to assemble their academic, research, and graduate projects.

Students in other courses and university officials will also be able to take advantage of the services provided by these labs. The upgrade and renovation will benefit more than 1,300 students and about 50 small businesses with which the university collaborates.

Milton Ascencio, dean of the faculty of humanities, said, “This project not only shows the firm commitment of Don Bosco University to offer high-level academic and professional training but also highlights the institutional effort to provide society with competent people in the areas of design and prototyping.”

Don Bosco University is one of the most prestigious institutions of higher education in the country, particularly in the technical and technological sectors. The university maintains a strong link to the local employment sector through research, technology transfer programs, continuing education courses and consultancy services. Degree programs are offered in engineering, social sciences, humanities, economics, technology and aeronautics, among others.

Don Bosco University also has a focus on providing higher education for young women. Its institutional commitment includes empowering women’s integration into university programs, with special attention to the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Close to 22 percent of El Salvador’s population lives in poverty, according to the World Bank. Youth in El Salvador are confronted not only with poverty but with instability, high levels of violence and inadequate access to educational opportunities. Despite ranking high for economic indicators, the need for practical education in El Salvador is more important than ever with 12 percent of youth ages 15-24 unemployed and 41 percent underemployed.

###

Sources:

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

ANS – El Salvador – Don Bosco University inaugurates labs for specialized training in Industrial and Product Design

Don Bosco University

Salesian Missions – El Salvador

World Bank – El Salvador

The post EL SALVADOR: Design students create in new facilities first appeared on MissionNewswire.

EL SALVADOR

(MissionNewswire) As part of the 125-year celebration of Salesian missionaries working in Central America, Santa Cecilia Salesian College, located in Santa Tecla, El Salvador, inaugurated the Chaleco TV audiovisual studio. The project consists of two audiovisual studios equipped with cutting-edge technology that enables students to expand their theoretical and practical knowledge.

With a focus on remote learning, the studio will also become a resource for college teachers to provide virtual lessons for students during times when in-classroom learning is not available. In a speech at the inauguration event, Father Rodolfo Guzmán, rector of the school, underlined the importance of creating spaces and tools to promote education.

“This new audiovisual studio is a great example of Salesians teaching youth skills in the classroom that they are able to use in real-world environments,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Salesian missionaries working in El Salvador focus their efforts on providing education and social programs to poor and at-risk youth. At Salesian schools, universities and youth centers throughout the country, youth can access an education as well as the skills and resources necessary to find stable employment and improve their standard of living.”

Salesian technical schools in El Salvador cater to students who have dropped out of school and are seeking a second chance. In many programs, students complete their education while engaging in internships with local employers. This increases the students’ hands-on work experience and chance of gaining livable wage employment after their studies are completed.

Close to 22 percent of El Salvador’s population lives in poverty, according to the World Bank. Youth in El Salvador are confronted not only with poverty but with instability, high levels of violence and inadequate access to educational opportunities. Despite ranking high for economic indicators, the need for practical education in El Salvador is more important than ever with 12 percent of youth ages 15-24 unemployed and 41 percent underemployed.

###

Sources:

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

ANS – El Salvador – “Chaleco TV”: teaching focused on emerging forms of communication

Santa Cecilia School

Salesian Missions – El Salvador

World Bank – El Salvador

The post EL SALVADOR: Students build cutting-edge technology skills first appeared on MissionNewswire.

EL SALVADOR

(MissionNewswire) More than 20,000 people, mostly school children, had access to better nutrition thanks to a partnership between Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, and Feed My Starving Children, a nonprofit Christian organization committed to “feeding God’s children hungry in body and spirit.” Two food shipments were sent in 2021 to Salesian-run FUSALMO, located in the municipality of Soyapango in the San Salvador department of El Salvador.

The rice-meals were distributed to schools in the municipalities of Soyapango, San Miguel and Santa Ana. Food was also provided directly to vulnerable families in those areas. The rice-meals helped 9,328 people in Soyapango, 1,499 people in San Miguel and 9,445 people in Santa Ana.

FUSALMO provides education and social development programs for children and older youth who are in situations of social vulnerability. Through recreational programs, enrichment opportunities in the arts and music, vocational training, and more, youth are encouraged to stay off the streets, learn to cooperate and co-exist, and gain the skills they need to become productive, contributing members of a more peaceful society.

The food shipment was particularly helpful during the COVID-19 pandemic when many families were pushed further into poverty because of a loss of employment and wages.

“It is important that youth have access to healthy nutrition so they are able to take part in school and other activities,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions. “Salesian feeding programs not only help with a balanced diet, but they also allow students to focus on getting an education without worrying about where they will find their next meal.”

The ongoing partnership between Salesian Missions and Feed My Starving Children has resulted in 40-foot containers of fortified rice-meals being shipped to Salesian sites around the globe. Feed My Starving Children provides the food and Salesian Missions takes care of the cost and logistics of shipping each container from Feed My Starving Children warehouses to the destination country. Salesian Missions also works to help identify where the greatest needs are at any given time. The partnership began in early 2006 when the first container was donated to and shipped by Salesian Missions for programs in Sri Lanka.

Close to 22 percent of El Salvador’s population lives in poverty, according to the World Bank. Youth in El Salvador are confronted not only with poverty but with instability, high levels of violence and inadequate access to educational opportunities. Despite ranking high for economic indicators, the need for practical education in El Salvador is more important than ever with 12 percent of youth ages 15-24 unemployed and 41 percent underemployed.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Feed My Starving Children

FUSALMO

Salesian Missions (USA) – FUSALMO

Salesian Missions – El Salvador

World Bank – El Salvador

The post EL SALVADOR: Children receive meals thanks to Salesian Missions, Feed My Starving Children first appeared on MissionNewswire.

(MissionNewswire) Thanks to funding Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, received from the U.S. Agency for International Development’s American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (USAID/ASHA) program, Salesian missionaries have been able to launch building projects to improve the standard of medical care for people in El Salvador and Mexico. The projects are a mix of construction, equipment purchases and training to improve health care outcomes for people with physical disabilities.

Don Bosco University in San Salvador, El Salvador, is empowering the next generation of medical rehabilitation practitioners to transform the lives of people with mobile disabilities through its “Walking Anew!” project. The project has expanded and upgraded the facilities at Don Bosco University’s School of Rehabilitation Science and the equipment used to train medical rehabilitation professionals. The project is pioneering innovative techniques in the treatment of people with disabilities.

The construction of the new building, which houses the Applied Research Center, allows for the exchange of information with professionals in the field at an international level as well as provides space for a new podiatry laboratory and other specialized practices. The program has already trained people from El Salvador, other countries in Central America, South America, Haiti, Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Following the success of the project in El Salvador, the “Raising Standards of Care for Spinal Cord Injury Patients” project is constructing and equipping Mexico’s first comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation center to assist patients who have been paralyzed by spinal cord injuries, with a special focus on youth.

The project runs from October 2018 through the end of September 2023. The Latin American Center for the Treatment of Spinal Cord Injuries, which is being built in Guadalajara, will be the only center in Mexico dedicated to serving the target population. Construction for the new center is continuing to progress as scheduled. Equipment is expected to be acquired in early 2022.

The “Raising Standards” project will provide specialized occupational therapy to retrain people in the skills they need to independently carry out typical household chores and activities. This includes a simulated kitchen to help patients to learn how to maneuver and cook with their new physical circumstances. Office and bedroom simulation areas will also be a part of the project.

“We are grateful to USAID for its support and funding for the construction projects in El Salvador and Mexico,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions. “People with disabilities have the same ability to achieve as their peers if given the opportunity. Projects like these help pave the way for advanced research, learning and innovation that help aid inclusion of people with disabilities in every facet of life, particularly in countries where limited services existed until now.”

These critical health infrastructure projects would not be possible without the support of USAID/ASHA funding, which is making a significant impact in these countries. Salesian Missions is grateful for the continued support and ability to impact health outcomes for people in poverty.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Don Bosco University

EL SALVADOR: New building receives sustainable construction award

MEXICO: Construction continues on new spinal cord treatment center

Salesian Missions

USAID

USAID American Schools and Hospitals Abroad

The post GLOBAL: Projects improve care for people with disabilities in Mexico and El Salvador first appeared on MissionNewswire.

EL SALVADOR

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco University in San Salvador, El Salvador, is empowering the next generation of medical rehabilitation practitioners to transform the lives of people with mobile disabilities through its “Walking Anew!” project. This project was made possible thanks to a grant from the U.S. Agency for International Development’s American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (USAID-ASHA) program secured by Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco.

The “Walking Anew!” project is expanding and upgrading the facilities at Don Bosco University’s School of Rehabilitation Science and the equipment used to train medical rehabilitation professionals. The project is pioneering innovative techniques in the treatment of people with disabilities.

The construction of the new building, which houses the Applied Research Center, allows for the exchange of information with professionals in the field at an international level as well as provides space for a new podiatry laboratory and other specialized practices. The program has already trained people from El Salvador, other countries in Central America, South America, Haiti, Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

With the new building, Don Bosco University will become the first university in El Salvador with a building built under LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) parameters. The building has incorporated aspects related to energy efficiency, the use of alternative energies, the improvement of indoor environmental quality, the efficiency of water consumption, the sustainable development of open spaces on land and the selection of environmentally friendly materials.

The annex building, which houses a laboratory and research building for people with mobility disabilities, recently won the Sustainable Construction Award granted by the Salvadoran Chamber of Construction (CASALCO) in the medium project category.

“We are grateful to USAID for its ongoing support and funding and exceptional job done by Don Bosco University in the construction of this new building,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions. “People with disabilities have the same ability to achieve as their peers if given the opportunity. Projects like this help pave the way for advanced research, learning and innovation that help aid inclusion of people with disabilities.”

Don Bosco University is also updating technological infrastructure for the existing orthosis and prosthesis laboratories as well as for movement and gait analysis. Similarly, the Applied Research Center will be equipped with the necessary technology for the exchange of knowledge and experiences with physical and academic rehabilitation centers identified in the United States and Latin America. A specialized laboratory area has been prepared, and third-year students studying to be technicians began using the space for the Practice in Orthotics and Prosthesis II class.

In September 2021, Don Bosco University Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences held an open house to provide a presentation to those interested in technician careers in orthotics and prosthetics.

Don Bosco University is one of the most prestigious institutions of higher education in the country, particularly in the technical and technological sector. The university has close to 6,000 students enrolled and maintains a strong link to the local employment sector through research, technology transfer programs, continuing education courses and consultancy services. Degree programs are offered in engineering, social sciences, humanities, economics, technology and aeronautics, among others.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Don Bosco University

Salesian Missions

Salesian Missions – El Salvador

USAID American Schools and Hospitals Abroad

The post EL SALVADOR: New building receives sustainable construction award first appeared on MissionNewswire.

EL SALVADOR

(MissionNewswire) The Salesian-run FUSALMO and the Salesian Technical Institute Ricaldone, both located in San Salvador, El Salvador, were able to provide nutritional support to youth, families and students thanks to partnerships between Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, and Rise Against Hunger and Feed My Starving Children.

The rice-meals from Feed My Starving Children were provided to Salesian Technical Institute Ricaldone where 1,200 students and community members benefited from the donation. Food baskets were distributed to people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the tropical storms Amanda and Cristobal, and students at the institute.

Daniel Armando Pineda Sánchez, a second-year administrative accounting student, said, “When the COVID-19 pandemic and the tropical storms happened, people were left with limited resources and challenging economic conditions. I’m grateful we received the food basket that had rice with dehydrated soybeans, beans, milk and more. It was essential food for people in the community.”

The Rise Against Hunger shipment provided rice-meals for youth from the Don Bosco Youth Program and communities surrounding FUSALMO. More than 300 youth were impacted by this donation.

FUSALMO provides education and social development programs for children and older youth who are in situations of social vulnerability. The organization was created thanks to the efforts of the Salesians of El Salvador, the Association of Salesian Cooperators and the Foundation for Integral Education of El Salvador. During its time in operation, FUSALMO has served more than 432,000 youth within its programs.

Since 2004, FUSALMO’s flagship program, Don Bosco Youth Program, has helped students complete their secondary education. This program has grown stronger thanks to the support of national and international organizations. Two years ago the program began offering additional skills training to ensure that youth are ready to be part of the changing workforce.

FUSALMO offers traditional and non-traditional educational opportunities for at-risk youth. Through recreational programs, enrichment opportunities in the arts and music, vocational training, and more, youth are encouraged to stay off the streets, learn to cooperate and co-exist, and gain the skills they need to become productive, contributing members of a more peaceful society.

El Salvador is one of the most violent countries in Central America, along with Honduras and Guatemala. In 2016, San Salvador was named the murder capital of the world, seeing more murders and violent crime than any other city. Gang violence is a leading cause of violence in the country, and it’s estimated that some 60,000 young people have gang affiliation. Gang involvement often offers a sense of belonging and family that counters the lack of education and employment opportunities offered in the country.

Crime is often associated with poverty and close to 22 percent of El Salvador’s population lives in poverty, according to the World Bank. Youth in El Salvador are confronted not only with poverty but with instability, high levels of violence and inadequate access to educational opportunities. Despite ranking high for economic indicators, the need for practical education in El Salvador is more important than ever with 12 percent of youth ages 15-24 unemployed and 41 percent underemployed.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

FUSALMO

Rise Against Hunger

Salesian Missions (USA) – FUSALMO

Salesian Technical Institute Ricaldone

Salesian Missions – El Salvador

World Bank – El Salvador

The post EL SALVADOR: Salesian programs receive rice-meal donations thanks to Salesian Missions partnerships first appeared on MissionNewswire.

EL SALVADOR

(MissionNewswire) The Salesian-run FUSALMO, located in the municipality of Soyapango in the San Salvador department of El Salvador, recently celebrated its 20-year anniversary. The organization provides education and social development programs for children and older youth who are in situations of social vulnerability.

FUSALMO was created thanks to the efforts of the Salesians of El Salvador, the Association of Salesian Cooperators and the Foundation for Integral Education of El Salvador. During its time in operation, FUSALMO has served more than 432,000 youth within its programs.

Since 2004, FUSALMO’s flagship program, Don Bosco Integral Youth Program, has helped students complete their secondary education. This program has grown stronger over time thanks to the support of national and international organizations. Furthermore, two years ago the program began offering additional skills training to ensure that youth are ready to be part of the changing workforce.

“The pandemic challenged how we normally work with youth,” explained Father Pierre M. Vitelli, president of FUSALMO. “However, our vocation is stronger and has motivated us to accelerate the process of creating virtual FUSALMO. Through a platform called Transforma, we are committed to serving young people everywhere. We have created a virtual space, where children can find and have fun with friends.”

Transforma has been adapted for mobile devices. Courses are completely free and available to all users who wish to register, regardless of where they go to school. Around 3,000 children and older youth are expected to benefit in their educational development.

FUSALMO has also been recognized internationally and nationally. In 2019, the Salvadoran Foundation for Economic and Social Development awarded the Ad Vitam prize to FUSALMO’s founder, Father Alfonso Evertsz, who dedicated his life to youth in El Salvador during more than 50 years of priesthood. In 2018, through the Ministry of Education of El Salvador, FUSALMO received a special mention from the president of the Republic.

FUSALMO offers traditional and non-traditional educational opportunities for at-risk youth. Through recreational programs, enrichment opportunities in the arts and music, vocational training, and more, youth are encouraged to stay off the streets, learn to cooperate and co-exist, and gain the skills they need to become productive, contributing members of a more peaceful society.

El Salvador is one of the most violent countries in Central America, along with Honduras and Guatemala. In 2016, San Salvador was named the murder capital of the world, seeing more murders and violent crime than any other city. Gang violence is a leading cause of violence in the country, and it’s estimated that some 60,000 young people have gang affiliation. Gang involvement often offers a sense of belonging and family that counters the lack of education and employment opportunities offered in the country.

Crime is often associated with poverty and close to 22 percent of El Salvador’s population lives in poverty, according to the World Bank. Youth in El Salvador are confronted not only with poverty but with instability, high levels of violence and inadequate access to educational opportunities. Despite ranking high for economic indicators, the need for practical education in El Salvador is more important than ever with 12 percent of youth ages 15-24 unemployed and 41 percent underemployed.

###

Sources:

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

ANS – El Salvador – FUSALMO turns 20

FUSALMO

Salesian Missions (USA) – FUSALMO

Salesian Missions – El Salvador

World Bank – El Salvador

The post EL SALVADOR: Over 432,000 youth helped in 20 years of FUSALMO first appeared on MissionNewswire.

EL SALVADOR

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco University in San Salvador, El Salvador, has inaugurated new facilities for the Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences to empower the next generation of medical rehabilitation practitioners through its “Walking Anew!” project. This project was made possible thanks to a grant from USAID’s American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA) program secured by Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco.

The “Walking Anew!” project is expanding and upgrading the facilities at Don Bosco University’s School of Rehabilitation Science as well as the equipment used to train medical rehabilitation professionals. The project will also pioneer innovative techniques in the treatment of people with disabilities.

The construction of this new building, which will house the Applied Research Center, will allow for the exchange of information with professionals in the field at an international level as well as provide space for a new podiatry laboratory and other specialized practices. The program has already trained people from El Salvador, other countries in Central America, South America, Haiti, Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The construction of this new building marks an important milestone for Don Bosco University by becoming the first university in El Salvador with a building built under LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) parameters. The building has incorporated aspects related to energy efficiency, the use of alternative energies, the improvement of indoor environmental quality, the efficiency of water consumption, the sustainable development of open spaces on land and the selection of environmentally friendly materials.

The design of the building was also developed based on a bioclimatic study to preserve as many trees as possible on the land. More than 80 percent of the trees were maintained. The landscaping was designed with a combination of native plants, plants with low maintenance and water consumption, and elements that do not require water consumption. To manage rainwater, the project has a system of cisterns with triple function, including a rainwater collection system for reuse and retention, along with a water mirror to improve indoor air conditioning.

“Don Bosco University has done an exceptional job with this project and we are grateful to USAID for its ongoing support and funding,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions. “People with disabilities have the same ability to achieve as their peers if given the opportunity. Projects like this help pave the way for advanced research, learning and innovation that help aid inclusion of people with disabilities.”

Beyond the construction of the new building, Don Bosco University will also update technological infrastructure for the existing orthosis and prosthesis laboratories as well as for movement and gait analysis. Similarly, the Applied Research Center will be equipped with the necessary technology for the exchange of knowledge and experiences with physical and academic rehabilitation centers identified in the United States and Latin America.

Don Bosco University is one of the most prestigious institutions of higher education in the country, particularly in the technical and technological sector. The university has close to 6,000 students enrolled and maintains a strong link to the local employment sector through research, technology transfer programs, continuing education courses and consultancy services. Degree programs are offered in engineering, social sciences, humanities, economics, technology and aeronautics, among others.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Don Bosco University

Don Bosco University

Salesian Missions

Salesian Missions – El Salvador

USAID American Schools and Hospitals Abroad

The post EL SALVADOR: New facilities for Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences inaugurated first appeared on MissionNewswire.

EL SALVADOR

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco University, located in San Salvador, El Salvador, has new furniture thanks to a donation secured by Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The furniture was provided by Furniture Reuse Solutions, which has a commitment to sustainability and societal benefit. The company provides charities and nonprofits with gifts-in-kind donations that aid in their humanitarian missions. This is the first donation to Salesian Missions.

The donation provided furniture for Don Bosco University’s student residence halls, student lounge and the sitting area outside of the Don Bosco Chapel. The furniture was also shared with Sacred Heart Retreat House, which is used for meetings, gatherings and spiritual retreats.

“We are grateful to Furniture Reuse Solutions for providing the furniture so that our students are more comfortable in their learning and living environment,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions. “Having a proper environment at the university gives our students dignity and allows them to better focus on their lessons.”

Don Bosco University is one of the most prestigious institutions of higher education in the country, particularly in the technical and technological sectors. The university has close to 6,000 students enrolled and maintains a strong link to the local employment sector through research, technology transfer programs, continuing education courses and consultancy services.

Degree programs are offered in engineering, social sciences, humanities, economics, technology and aeronautics, among others. The university is also the only teaching center in the country that has the accreditation of the International Society of Orthotics and Prosthetics.

El Salvador is one of the most violent countries in Central America, along with Honduras and Guatemala. In 2016, San Salvador was named the murder capital of the world, seeing more murders and violent crime than any other city. Gang violence is a leading cause of violence in the country, and it’s estimated that some 60,000 young people have gang affiliation. Gang involvement often offers a sense of belonging and family that counters the lack of education and employment opportunities offered in the country.

Crime is often associated with poverty and close to 35 percent of El Salvador’s population lives in poverty, according to the World Bank. Youth in El Salvador are confronted not only with poverty but with instability, high levels of violence and inadequate access to educational opportunities. Despite ranking high for economic indicators, the need for practical education in El Salvador is more important than ever with 12 percent of youth ages 15 to 24 unemployed and 41 percent underemployed.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Don Bosco University

Salesian Missions – El Salvador

World Bank – El Salvador

The post EL SALVADOR: Furniture donation enhances student living and learning first appeared on MissionNewswire.

EL SALVADOR

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco University is working collaboratively with the United States Embassy in El Salvador to provide aid and support to those working on the front lines in hospitals across the nation. Through the American Spaces program, Don Bosco University has created and produced 3D-printed protective masks for donation.

The U.S. Embassy donated two 3D printers for the project. The protective masks were printed with PET and PETG, plastic filaments used mainly for 3D printing due to its versatility and resistance. Close to 350 masks can be produced per week. The final manufacturing process includes cleaning, sanding, drilling and positioning of the PET plastic, which takes several  days.

Recently, 100 masks were donated to the Rosales National Hospital, 100 to the Military Hospital, more than 200 to the National General Hospital of Pneumology and Family Medicine, and 75 to the Secretary of Innovation of El Salvador. More than 1,200 masks are expected to be delivered as part of the project to various hospitals across the country.

Raúl Arriaza is a member of a group of professionals and doctors who are promoting a campaign to collect protective material for the front-line staff of Rosales Hospital. He said, “Masks are highly necessary for the hospital system. In addition to protecting the mucous membranes of the face, they allow the person to receive less biological load.”

The director of the University of Don Bosco’s Energy Research Institute, Carlos Pacas, acknowledged the invaluable contribution this cooperation provides to the Salvadoran population. He noted, “We believe it is a project that benefits people, especially medical personnel. It also shows that the work we do with our partners allows the creation of projects in the service of society.”

David Cerritos, professor at the Energy Research Institute, added, “Participating in this project has been a very rewarding experience, which allows you to appreciate the joy of the people who receive the donation.”

Don Bosco University is one of the most prestigious institutions of higher education in the country, particularly in the technical and technological sectors. The university has close to 6,000 students enrolled and maintains a strong link to the local employment sector through research, technology transfer programs, continuing education courses and consultancy services.

Degree programs are offered in engineering, social sciences, humanities, economics, technology and aeronautics, among others. The university is also the only teaching center in the country that has the accreditation of the International Society of Orthotics and Prosthetics.

El Salvador is one of the most violent countries in Central America, along with Honduras and Guatemala. In 2016, San Salvador was named the murder capital of the world, seeing more murders and violent crime than any other city. Gang violence is a leading cause of violence in the country, and it’s estimated that some 60,000 young people have gang affiliation. Gang involvement often offers a sense of belonging and family that counters the lack of education and employment opportunities offered in the country.

Crime is often associated with poverty and close to 35 percent of El Salvador’s population lives in poverty, according to the World Bank. Youth in El Salvador are confronted not only with poverty but with instability, high levels of violence and inadequate access to educational opportunities. Despite ranking high for economic indicators, the need for practical education in El Salvador is more important than ever with 12 percent of youth ages 15 to 24 unemployed and 41 percent underemployed.

###

Sources:

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

ANS – El Salvador – American Embassy donates protective masks

Don Bosco University

Salesian Missions – El Salvador

World Bank – El Salvador

The post EL SALVADOR: Don Bosco University works with US Embassy to produce and distribute protective masks to hospitals first appeared on MissionNewswire.

EL SALVADOR

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco University in Soyapango, El Salvador, has provided 33 students academic scholarships which will allow them to continue their higher educational studies. The students selected have shown an attitude of commitment and responsibility to contributing to the country’s socio-economic and cultural development.

The students will take engineering and technical university courses. According to Don Bosco University’s secretary-general, Xiomara Martínez, the scholarships add to the university’s efforts to provide financial support to students whose families have been affected by the pandemic and who are at risk of discontinuing their university studies.

During the virtual ceremony to award the scholarships, Martínez said in a statement, “The assignment of 33 new scholarships on this day, in addition to the 459 already assigned, is an important milestone for Don Bosco University. Even during this crisis, we have always tried to support our young people, and it is of great satisfaction for us to be able to do that this year, facing so many adverse circumstances. We must appreciate the effort, commitment and courage that each of us has put forth to get through this moment.”

Martínez added, “Dear students, this scholarship is encouragement and recognition of your good academic performance and your desire to improve. We trust that you will continue to give your best to maintain it and to give life to the teachings of our beloved founder, Don Bosco, to be good Christians and upright citizens.”

For Josué Adolfo Ángel, one of the beneficiaries of the scholarship, the lack of economic resources can be difficult but not an obstacle to success. He is currently a student in a three-year degree course in communication sciences. Ruth Escobar, a student in a three-year degree course in arts and graphic design, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to have this privilege.

The scholarships awarded come in part from Don Bosco University funds, and in part, from external funds, thanks to donors, private companies and institutions that support young people in the country.

El Salvador is one of the most violent countries in Central America, along with Honduras and Guatemala. In 2016, San Salvador was named the murder capital of the world, seeing more murders and violent crime than any other city. Gang violence is a leading cause of violence in the country, and it’s estimated that some 60,000 young people have gang affiliation. Gang involvement often offers a sense of belonging and family that counters the lack of education and employment opportunities offered in the country.

Crime is often associated with poverty and close to 35 percent of El Salvador’s population lives in poverty, according to the World Bank. Youth in El Salvador are confronted not only with poverty but with instability, high levels of violence and inadequate access to educational opportunities. Despite ranking high for economic indicators, the need for practical education in El Salvador is more important than ever with 12 percent of youth ages 15 to 24 unemployed and 41 percent underemployed.

###

Sources:

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

ANS – El Salvador – In midst of pandemic crisis, “Universidad Don Bosco” offers scholarships for young students

Don Bosco University

Salesian Missions – El Salvador

World Bank – El Salvador

The post EL SALVADOR: Don Bosco University provides 33 scholarships to students impacted by the coronavirus pandemic and facing financial hardship first appeared on MissionNewswire.

EL SALVADOR

(MissionNewswire) The Salesian-run FUSALMO, located in the municipality of Soyapango, El Salvador, has launched an online educational platform called Transforma, which is available to both students and teachers. Transforma offers virtual learning with many resources, games, educational advice, assignments and tasks. From there, users can find a range of topics including cooking, music, recycling and more.

Access to Transforma courses is completely free and is available to all, regardless of the study center of origin, be it private or public. It is expected that around 3,000 children, adolescents and young people will benefit from this service.

The platform, which is fully compatible with mobile devices, was created thanks to FUSALMO Virtual, an initiative to meet the educational needs of Salvadoran children and older youth. FUSALMO Virtual offers courses on technology, art and sports. Within the platform, users can also find courses for learning how to become a bank teller and learn the English language for working in call centers. Additional work is being done to create a virtual tutoring program.

“Online education is becoming more commonplace, especially because of the pandemic, as educational centers try to reach youth in new and dynamic ways,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Salesian centers are always working to meet the changing needs of the youth they serve. This is just another innovative step in providing education.”

FUSALMO offers traditional and non-traditional educational opportunities for at-risk youth. Through recreational programs, enrichment opportunities in the arts and music, vocational training, and more, youth are encouraged to stay off the streets, learn to cooperate and co-exist, and gain the skills they need to become productive, contributing members of a more peaceful society. Founded in 2001, the organization has positively impacted the lives of more than 265,000 children and their families.

El Salvador is one of the most violent countries in Central America, along with Honduras and Guatemala. In 2016, San Salvador was named the murder capital of the world, seeing more murders and violent crime than any other city. Gang violence is a leading cause of violence in the country, and it’s estimated that some 60,000 young people have gang affiliation. Gang involvement often offers a sense of belonging and family that counters the lack of education and employment opportunities offered in the country.

Crime is often associated with poverty and close to 35 percent of El Salvador’s population lives in poverty, according to the World Bank. Youth in El Salvador are confronted not only with poverty, but with instability, high levels of violence and inadequate access to educational opportunities. The need for practical education in El Salvador is more important than ever with 12 percent of youth ages 15-24 unemployed and 41 percent underemployed.

###

Sources:

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

ANS – El Salvador – “Fundación Salvador del Mundo” (FUSALMO) committed to digital educational innovation of children and young people

FUSALMO

Salesian Missions (USA) – FUSALMO

Salesian Missions – El Salvador

World Bank – El Salvador

The post EL SALVADOR: FUSALMO launches online educational platform to reach close to 3,000 youth first appeared on MissionNewswire.

EL SALVADOR

(MissionNewswire) The Salesian Technical Institute Ricaldone in San Salvador, El Salvador, has received donations to help support educational programming thanks to Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The donations included musical instruments, 30 laptops, tools and digital music mixing equipment.

The first donation, received in September 2018, was musical instruments including violins, a clarinet, a sax, an electric guitar and keyboard pianos donated by the Salesian High School in New Rochelle, New York. The donation was distributed among the Pedro Ricaldone Catholic Early Childhood Education School, Ricaldone Orchestra, the Musical School of Piano and Violin, and Salesian summer adventure free time program.

This shipment also included 30 laptops obtained through USAID’s LEEP (Limited Excess Property Program). These laptops were provided for youth to use at the Technology Laboratory Multicenter for students who are involved in educational programs.

A second shipment, which arrived in November 2019 included tools from ASAP – Tools for Empowerment. The tools were provided to students who are attending general mechanics workshops, automotive maintenance workshops, and carpentry workshops that provide maintenance education and support to the Salesian programs. This shipment also included digital music mixing equipment.

“The partnership with ASAP and Salesian Missions helps ensure that youth have the tools they need for a proper learning environment,” says Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions. “Many Salesian students do not have the financial resources to purchase the tools of their trade and this donation will ensure students have the classroom resources they need to prepare for the next step in life and make them more employable.”

El Salvador is one of the most violent countries in Central America, along with Honduras and Guatemala. The murder rate in El Salvador rose more than 44 percent in the beginning months of 2014 when compared to the same time period the year before. In 2016, San Salvador was named the murder capital of the world, seeing more murders and violent crime than any other city. Gang violence is a leading cause of violence in the country, and it’s estimated that some 60,000 young people have gang affiliation. Gang involvement often offers a sense of belonging and family that counters the lack of education and employment opportunities offered in the country.

Crime is often associated with poverty and close to 35 percent of El Salvador’s population lives in poverty, according to the World Bank. Youth in El Salvador are confronted not only with poverty but with instability, high levels of violence and inadequate access to educational opportunities. Despite ranking high for economic indicators, the need for practical education in El Salvador is more important than ever with 12 percent of youth ages 15 to 24 unemployed and 41 percent underemployed.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

ASAP Tools for Empowerment

World Bank – El Salvador

Salesian Missions – El Salvador

The post EL SALVADOR: The Salesian Technical Institute Ricaldone receives donations to help support educational programming thanks to Salesian Missions first appeared on MissionNewswire.

EL SALVADOR

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco University in Soyapango, El Salvador, has organized the Science Challenge for the second consecutive year. The event, held in honor of International Day of Women and Girls in Science, was held during the third week of February on the Soyapango and Antiguo Cuscatlán campuses. The event was organized by Don Bosco University’s Women’s Empowerment Program “Promueve” and aims to empower women interested in science fields.

At its core, the Science Challenge is a knowledge exchange between high school and university students in various scientific specialties. Workshops and experiences led by specialists are held for students to take part in and engage with each other. In total, nine workshops, all developed by teachers, were held.

In addition, the Science Challenge featured an exhibition of projects by students who are taking courses under the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Don Bosco University and entrepreneurs from the Avalon company who are engaged with the university. This year 350 people, all intent on expanding their scientific knowledge to help find job opportunities or further study in the sector, participated in the Science Challenge.

Don Bosco University is one of the most prestigious institutions of higher education in the country, particularly in the technical and technological sectors. The university has close to 6,000 students enrolled and maintains a strong link to the local employment sector through research, technology transfer programs, continuing education courses and consultancy services.

Degree programs are offered in engineering, social sciences, humanities, economics, technology and aeronautics, among others. The university is also the only teaching center in the country that has the accreditation of the International Society of Orthotics and Prosthetics.

Don Bosco University also has a focus on providing higher education for young women. Its institutional commitment includes empowering women’s integration into university programs, with special attention to the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Among newly enrolled members of the university in 2020, 1,141 were female students, making the total Salesian university population 43 percent female for the first cycle of studies. Don Bosco University also intends to continue creating more growth opportunities for all women and youth, not only in the field of science but in all disciplines.

The Secretary General of Don Bosco University, Xiomara Martínez Mg., explained, “Our commitment is to operate responsibly and efficiently to create equal opportunities, so that women can stand out for their intelligence, dedication and honesty, achieving great professional successes. and contributing to the growth, innovation and development of our country.”

El Salvador is one of the most violent countries in Central America, along with Honduras and Guatemala. The murder rate in El Salvador rose more than 44 percent in the beginning months of 2014 when compared to the same time period the year before. In 2016, San Salvador was named the murder capital of the world, seeing more murders and violent crime than any other city. Gang violence is a leading cause of violence in the country, and it’s estimated that some 60,000 young people have gang affiliation. Gang involvement often offers a sense of belonging and family that counters the lack of education and employment opportunities offered in the country.

Crime is often associated with poverty and close to 35 percent of El Salvador’s population lives in poverty, according to the World Bank. Youth in El Salvador are confronted not only with poverty but with instability, high levels of violence and inadequate access to educational opportunities. Despite ranking high for economic indicators, the need for practical education in El Salvador is more important than ever with 12 percent of youth ages 15 to 24 unemployed and 41 percent underemployed.

###

Sources:

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

ANS – El Salvador – “Universidad Don Bosco” commemorates International Day of Women and Girls in Science

Don Bosco University

Salesian Missions – El Salvador

World Bank – El Salvador

The post EL SALVADOR: Don Bosco University organizes Science Challenge to empower women interested in science fields first appeared on MissionNewswire.

EL SALVADOR

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco University in San Salvador, El Salvador, is empowering the next generation of medical rehabilitation practitioners to transform the lives of people with mobile disabilities through its “Walking Anew!” project. This project was made possible thanks to a grant from USAID’s American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA) program secured by Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco.

The “Walking Anew!” project, which runs from March 2017 to March 2021, is expanding and upgrading the facilities at Don Bosco University’s School of Rehabilitation Science as well as the equipment used to train medical rehabilitation professionals. The project will also pioneer innovative techniques in the treatment of people with disabilities.

To date, the “Walking Anew!” project’s construction phase for the facility at Don Bosco University is in process. Included in this phase is the development of a two-story building that will hold new and expanded laboratories, practice centers and classrooms on the first floor, and a new Applied Research Center for collaboration with the U.S. on the second floor. The new building will implement photovoltaic electricity to promote conscientious energy use and reduce carbon emissions at the global level. It will be constructed under LEED parameters of the U.S. Green Building Council.

The project will also entail upgrading 50 percent of the current technology used and acquiring new and modern equipment for the four SRS laboratories that teach and apply rehabilitation techniques for people with disabilities. The laboratories to be updated include an existing mobility laboratory, an existing orthotics and prosthetics laboratory, a new podiatry laboratory and a new specialized practice laboratory.

Recently, Anne Dix, Ph.D., director of ASHA, visited Don Bosco University and was impressed with the leadership shown at the school. The Prosthetics and Orthotics Technical Program has been the only accredited program in Latin America since the civil war in El Salvador. The program has already trained people from El Salvador, Central and South America, Haiti, Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Dix was most impressed with the work showcasing the new LEED Lab construction. She said in a recent USAID/ASHA newsletter, “The A&E firm currently supervising construction efforts are certain that through the smart design of the new building, they will be placed to receive a Gold Level Certification. While most of their work is focused on energy conservation to achieve the highest level of energy efficiency possible to manage temperature gradients, air flow and lighting; the project also does an impressive job of conserving the existing tree cover in the vicinity and incorporating a green roof and maximizing the use of water. A green roof and an unusual set of ramps have been incorporated into the staircase to achieve American with Disabilities (ADA) compliance, while also helping the building seamlessly blend the existing landscape. I hope that Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification will eventually become the norm rather than the exception.”

The “Walking Anew!” project will also establish an Applied Research Center for innovation within the parameters of educational and medical practice. The Applied Research Center will stimulate and enable the exchange of knowledge and experience with scholarly and medical centers in the U.S. It will also include an information center dedicated to researching health issues specifically related to the rehabilitation of people with disabilities, orthotics and prosthetics, material science, physical medicine, and medical innovations across Central and South America. Subscriptions to databases and digital libraries related to rehabilitation will be available for the use of professors, students, researchers and health personnel. Center users will also have access to medical magazines edited in the U.S.

Don Bosco University is one of the most prestigious institutions of higher education in the country, particularly in the technical and technological sector. The university has close to 6,000 students enrolled and maintains a strong link to the local employment sector through research, technology transfer programs, continuing education courses and consultancy services. Degree programs are offered in engineering, social sciences, humanities, economics, technology and aeronautics, among others.

###

Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Don Bosco University

Salesian Missions

USAID

The post EL SALVADOR: Don Bosco University praised for development of LEED Lab for Prosthetics and Orthotics Technical Program with funding secured by Salesian Missions from USAID-ASHA first appeared on MissionNewswire.

EL SALVADOR

(MissionNewswire) The Don Bosco University in Soyapango, El Salvador, through its Faculty of Sciences of Rehabilitation, recently partnered with the city’s Channel 12’s “Hola El Salvador” program to fulfill the dream of Jairo Alemán, a father and bus driver who lost his leg to an infection.

Nearly 15 years ago, Alemán suffered from mycetoma, which caused serious damage to the bones in his left leg. Amputating the leg became necessary in May 2018 to prevent further spread of the infection. Alemán and his wife Elsa Gálvez sought support to obtain a prosthesis so that he could return to work and support their young daughters, but they failed to get the help they needed.

Gálvez learned of the “Hola El Salvador” program’s Christmas special called “12 dreams,” which made dreams come true for 12 people. She wrote to the program’s editorial staff, explaining the situation and her husband’s need for a prosthesis to return to his normal life.

The “Hola El Salvador” production staff contacted Don Bosco University to produce a prosthesis for Alemán. Carlos Zelaya, director of the Orthotics and Prosthetics School at Don Bosco University, and Elías Chacón, a student in the program, got to work and quickly developed a trans-tibial modular prosthesis made with duralumin modules and stainless steel.

Five days before Christmas Eve, Alemán’s dream came true and he received his prosthesis as a gift. His life is now different. He has been given back hope, joy and autonomy to continue his life. It’s not only positively impacts him, but his entire family.

“The Orthotics and Prosthetics School at Don Bosco University is changing lives,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Projects that are taking place at Don Bosco University pave the way for advanced research, learning and innovation that helps aid inclusion of people with disabilities.”

Don Bosco University is one of the most prestigious institutions of higher education in the country, particularly in the technical and technological sector. The university has close to 6,000 students enrolled and maintains a strong link to the local employment sector through research, technology transfer programs, continuing education courses and consultancy services.

Degree programs are offered in engineering, social sciences, humanities, economics, technology and aeronautics, among others. The university is also the only teaching center in the country that has the accreditation of the International Society of Orthotics and Prosthetics.

El Salvador is one of the most violent countries in Central America, along with Honduras and Guatemala. The murder rate in El Salvador rose more than 44 percent in the beginning months of 2014 when compared to the same time period the year before. In 2016, San Salvador was named the murder capital of the world, seeing more murders and violent crime than any other city. Gang violence is a leading cause of violence in the country, and it’s estimated that some 60,000 young people have gang affiliation. Gang involvement often offers a sense of belonging and family that counters the lack of education and employment opportunities offered in the country.

Crime is often associated with poverty and close to 35 percent of El Salvador’s population lives in poverty, according to the World Bank. Youth in El Salvador are confronted not only with poverty, but with instability, high levels of violence and inadequate access to educational opportunities. Despite ranking high for economic indicators, the need for practical education in El Salvador is more important than ever with 12 percent of youth ages 15 to 24 unemployed and 41 percent underemployed.

###

Sources:

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

ANS – El Salvador – Jairo Alemán fulfills dream of having prosthesis and continuing to work

Don Bosco University

Salesian Missions – El Salvador

World Bank – El Salvador

The post EL SALVADOR: Don Bosco University partners with news channel to provide prosthetic leg for a father so he could continue to support his family first appeared on MissionNewswire.