(MissionNewswire) Thanks to emergency aid funding that was sent to Salesian missionaries in Warsaw, Poland, Ukrainian refugees taking shelter in Salesian houses have supplies they need for daily living. With the funding, Salesians bought duvet covers, sheets, towels and other supplies like soap, paper towels, and personal hygiene items.

Salesian missionaries in Poland and bordering countries have been providing shelter and support to refugees since the start of the Russian invasion in March 2022. Currently, there are 170 refugees in Salesian houses in the Warsaw province with the capacity to provide for up to 370 refugees.

Because of the supplies, refugees have been able to live in comfort and take care of their living quarters by themselves, which has given them a sense of independence and self-sufficiency. Refugees have been able to focus on looking for a job, caring for their children, and learning the Polish language, among other activities to help them become acclimated to their new environments.

“Salesian centers in Poland have been providing care and support for refugees, and these supplies have been important because many refugees left with little more than some clothing,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Youth and their families have also connected with educational and social programs offered by Salesian missionaries in Poland and other surrounding countries during this difficult time.”

In addition to Salesian support, refugees are being cared for by Polish charities as well as the local and central government. They are provided housing and education for the children, a job for some mothers, and 100 euros a month for each Ukrainian child. With the start of the school year in September, 600,000 Ukrainian students will be studying in Polish schools.

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Photo courtesy of Salesians Warsaw Provice

Salesians Warsaw Province

Salesian Missions

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(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries held the Without Borders Festival in Różanystok, Poland. The annual Salesian event brings together youth from different countries to attend performances and workshops focused on singing, acrobatics, performing arts, percussion, all forms of juggling, puppet theater, beatboxing, rap and breakdancing. This year, 60 Ukrainian refugee youth were a part of the event.

According to UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees), more than 7.7 million people have fled Ukraine since the Russian invasion with more than 4 million fleeing to Poland. Most are women and children as men between the ages of 18 and 60 have been asked to remain in Ukraine to fight.

A Salesian missionary in Poland noted, “All the refugees have experienced severe hardship during their journey to escape their home country. There are those who have had to flee amid bombings and gunfire, those who have suffered fraud or exploitation, and others who have experienced racism or xenophobia, theft, and attacks. Being able to experience environments of serenity, recreation, beauty, and cultural and artistic richness for them represents so much.”

One young Polish volunteer interacted with Ukrainian refugees, a boy who is 11 and a girl who is 13, during the festival, and he shared his experiences. “I asked if their town had been bombed, and even as the words were leaving my mouth, I realized I shouldn’t have asked. But the girl, again in an incredibly calm tone, said as if it were something quite mundane and ordinary that yes, there was bombing. The boy nodded. After that, I avoided any reference to war. We continued our casual conversation, touching only on topics that school children are usually interested in, schools, the end of classes, and summer vacation. They told us that Polish school is different from Ukrainian school, but it’s getting easier by the day.”

He continued, “They said the festival was wonderful because they could participate in the workshops and learn new things, and have a great time. They loved the final concert when the whole audience came to the stage and danced together to the music, and Polish and Ukrainian flags were unfurled on the stage.”

The Polish volunteer had the opportunity to speak to adult refugees the following day. He said, “They use the international word ‘trauma’ and talk about the artillery shelling, the fighting, and capture of their hometown. They talk about life in the city occupied by Russian troops, the dramatic decision to go abroad, the Russian checkpoints, the long interrogations by armed soldiers, the wreckage of burned and crushed cars by the side of the road, the huge crowds of women and children on the platform of the Lviv train station, the relief after crossing the border and the even greater relief when it was discovered that all Ukrainians are allowed to cross into Poland without any restrictions.”

Refugees are being cared for by Polish charities as well as the local and central government. They are provided housing and education for the children, a job for some mothers, and 100 euros a month for each Ukrainian child. With the start of the school year in September, 600,000 Ukrainian students will be studying in Polish schools.

Salesian centers in Poland have been providing care and support for refugees including the St. John Bosco Oratory in Warsaw, Poland, which started its support for refugees at start of the conflict. Youth and their families have connected with programs and found resources from Salesian missionaries during this difficult time.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Poland – A festival without borders, a chance to hear from Ukrainian refugees

Salesian Missions

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Salesian Father Michał Wziętek, who works in Zambia, said, “Here there are more and more street children. People have lost their jobs and have no money, and therefore, do not shop as before. Since the children do not go to school, they are sent by their parents to the streets to beg or make small sales, hoping to garner the pity of a passersby. If a child does not bring anything home, there will be no dinner, and they will all go to bed hungry.”

Father Paweł Kociołek works in Bangladesh. In Joypurhat, he has distributed 320 kilos of rice, 160 kilos of dal and 80 liters of oil to 80 families living in the slums. He also provided milk for the children and helped the villagers.

In Liberia, food was distributed to people who live in the Matami slum. Father Krzysztof Niżniak said, “Three Salesians are active here and distributed food to the poorest. The situation in Liberia is difficult. They introduced a rigid lockdown, from 3:00 p.m. you can no longer go anywhere. Even the Salesians must be careful. Prices are constantly rising.”

The Salesians in Poland also sent help to Mexico. Brother Sebastian Marcisz noted, “We mainly buy rice, beans and corn to be delivered to those who need it most. The situation is very difficult, especially in the state of Oaxaca. Locals and indigenous people who live in the high mountains now face the problem of absolute food shortages. The help that we can offer to these people thanks to the Salesians and donors in Poland has been inestimable for them.”

Sister Teresa, who works in Sudan, reported on the worsening situation in Khartoum and refugee camps. She said, “The big problem is bread. Either it is missing or it is very expensive. The conditions in the camps are catastrophic in all respects, people are dying of hunger.”

Salesian missionaries in Poland and around the globe are working to respond to poor youth and people impacted by COVID-19 and the lockdowns which have caused people to lose their jobs and means to provide for themselves and their families. Missionaries continue to assess needs and provide relief supplies to those most in need.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Poland – Missionaries supported in the fight against Covid-19

The post POLAND: Salesian Missions Office in Warsaw funds food relief for 18 Salesian programs around the globe first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Piotrowska never thought that she would do mission work. She had never been moved by the stories from Africa of children suffering from famine and drought but that changed when she started her volunteer work in 2015 and saw firsthand the work of Salesian missionaries and the volunteers who assist them.

“Everything changed when I experienced missionary work for myself,” says Piotrowska. “I started working in the oratory. I was in charge of the children, taking care of them. I do not say just that these children radically changed my heart, but they managed to enlarge my small, narrow selfish heart.”

Ethiopia is experiencing the worst drought the country has seen in more than 50 years. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recently announced that agricultural assistance for the upcoming rainy season in Ethiopia is essential to help the drought-affected people as one of the strongest El Niño events on record continues to have devastating effects on the lives and livelihoods of farmers and herders. The agency reported that humanitarian needs in the country have tripled since the beginning of 2015 as the drought has led to successive crop failures and widespread livestock deaths. According to the United Nations, agricultural production in the affected regions has fallen by 50 to 90 percent and the Ethiopian government has declared a state of emergency.

As a result, food insecurity and malnutrition rates are alarming in the country with FAO reporting that some 10.2 million people are now food insecure. One-quarter of all districts in Ethiopia are officially classified as facing a food security and nutrition crisis. In addition, the country’s first rainy season is delayed and, with Ethiopia’s main agricultural season fast approaching, farmers need immediate support to help them produce food between now and September for millions facing hunger.

Salesian missionaries and volunteers with the International Volunteers for Development (VIS) are utilizing the deep wells built by VIS volunteers in recent years to distribute water to schools, hospitals and first aid clinics, centers for street children, women’s refuges and diocesan centers. The goal during this emergency phase is to support the 12,000 residents of the Somali, Tigray and Oromia regions and those living in the South.

Salesian missionaries’ primary focus in the country is on the education of poor youth. They accomplish this through the operation of six primary schools, three secondary schools and six vocational training centers for older youth. At all these Salesian-run educational facilities, youth are able to gain an education while having access to support services, including family sponsorship and school feeding programs, that provide care for them and their families all with the goal of keeping youth in school as long as possible.

“Education is always our primary focus,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “But we know youth in Ethiopia are dealing with much more than just having access to education. Salesian programs are tailored to meet the needs of the youth in the communities they serve. Homeless and malnourished youth are simply not able to focus effectively on their studies while they struggle to meet their basic needs. Our services provide food and shelter so youth are able to focus on the education provided.”

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(PHOTO: ANS)

ANS – Ethiopia – “These children have changed my heart and my life”

UNICEF – Ethiopia

UN News Center – Ethiopian farmers need urgent assistance amid major drought, warns UN agency

The post ETHIOPIA: Salesian Lay Volunteers Educate, Provide Hope to Poor Youth and Their Families first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Odessa, the third largest city in Ukraine and a major seaport and transportation hub located on the northwestern shore of the Black Sea, has been welcoming IDPs from Eastern Ukraine since the start of the conflict. A Salesian Center in the city is caring for many who have been displaced through a program that provides shelter, food aid and clothing. Often, those arriving at the center have come with nothing more than what they could carry, having left all behind when fleeing the fighting. The program, run by Salesian missionaries, works to meet the basic needs of the displaced and then assist in finding them long-term housing and employment to ease the transition to their new lives.

Since the beginning of the program, more than 300 people have found work and Salesian missionaries are in the process of helping another 200 prepare for and find stable employment. Those displaced have received assistance with training, resume creation and interviewing skills while being given access to Salesian resources and partnerships that connect them to employers who are hiring.

“Those displaced have fled their homes, their jobs and their support systems in search of safety and shelter,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “The services at the Salesian center in Odessa helps those displaced make the transition to their new community as easy as possible. Salesian missionaries working at the center help them regain stability, employment and hope for the future.”

Salesian missionaries have also opened a children’s center where youth are able to play and connect with their peers. Designed specifically for young people, the space is suitable for games, activities and educational workshops. It also offers individual psychological support to close to 20 children who have been traumatized by war and the abrupt changes in their lives.

Christian families already living in Odessa have been supportive of both Salesian programs and those displaced. Many have taken in displaced families and have helped them acclimate to their new surroundings and communities. Their assistance has decreased the number of displaced families forced to live on the streets.

“Having residents of Odessa assist those who are new to the city has significant results,” adds Fr. Hyde. “They know the landscape and are able to create a support system that includes a network of new neighbors, job prospects and assistance for the future.”

In addition, many military personnel, especially young soldiers, have been in need of medical care and rehabilitation since the fighting began. To help aid these soldiers, Salesian missionaries have started a project to help them access the services they need. Partnering with the local Odessa hospital, the Salesian project is providing funding for medical care and for the purchase of medical equipment like hearing aids for soldiers in need.

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ANS – Ukraine – Refugees are the priority for the Salesians in Odessa

UNHCR – Ukraine internal displacement nears 1 million as fighting escalates in Donetsk region

PHOTO: 01-26-14 © palinchakjr

The post UKRAINE: Salesian Missionaries Providing Shelter and Job Placement Services to Those Displaced by Ongoing Conflict first appeared on MissionNewswire.

According to the World Bank, Slovakia’s primarily manufacturing-centered economy, focused on exports, has allowed the country to weather the post-2008 global economic crisis better than most in the European Union. The World Bank also notes that while most families living in the country are generally prosperous, close to 11 percent are living below the poverty line and for many of those, living conditions worsened significantly in the years following the global economic crisis. The country has an unemployment rate of  just over 13 percent and one third of all those unemployed are between the ages of 15 and 24.

Salesians in Slovakia are working to educate youth while providing support for their families at Center Mamateyoya in the city of Bratislava in the western part of the country. Here, Salesians aim to develop students’ problem solving and team working skills while offering educational supports such as after-school tutoring.

The Center is run by more than 70 volunteers from local high schools and the local university in addition to the Salesian staff. Programs are designed for three age groups, children under the age of 16, youth 16 to 27 years old and families. Recreational activities are also available through the Center such as football, basketball, hockey, art, music, theater, photography and other activities that help youth foster both team building and individual skills.

“Students learn in a variety of ways,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Through team sports and other social activities, students can use their free-time productively while learning to rely on others, make friends and safely explore interests outside of school.”

Weekly peer groups are offered and serve as a place where youth can come to discuss their problems, ask questions about troubling issues, receive advice and support from others and discuss current topics of interest. The aim of the group is to provide social support while encouraging personal growth for the young people involved. Tutoring is also offered each week, staffed by both volunteers and professional teachers who provide the skills and resources necessary to improve student’s grades.

A parent center is available three days a week and provides programs that encourage parents in their own educational pursuits as well as supporting them in developing their parenting skills. Topics of discussion have ranged from effective parenting skills, rewards vs. punishments and coping with a child’s anger. Also available to parents of preschool aged children is a playground where the young children can engage in crafts, dancing, singing and puppet theatre, daily.

“Parent support is very important for the families we serve,” adds Fr. Hyde. “It helps parents to focus on their own individual needs which could be advancing their own education to help them better support their families in the future or receiving support and advice from other parents to help tackle parenting issues almost all parents face.”

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Sources

Salesian Center Mamateyova

World Bank – Slovakia

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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

The post MALTA: Learning Social Entrepreneurship to Combat Youth Unemployment first appeared on MissionNewswire.