TIMOR-LESTE

(MissionNewswire) The Maria Auxiliadora Medical Clinic, operated by Salesian sisters, is the only facility to provide medical care to patients living in villages in the Venilale district in Timor-Leste. The clinic provides medical care for those who otherwise would not receive any. Patients are treated for common ailments such as malaria, tuberculosis, asthma and pneumonia, with a focus on care for mothers and children.

Because a high percentage of the population lives in conditions of poverty and experiences food shortages, access to the Salesian clinic is an important alternative to a costly hospital visit. The clinic also promotes health education classes in local schools and nearby villages, while the mobile medical clinic serves remote villages by conducting health checks.

Sister Carolina, who operates the clinic, said, “It has been particularly concerning this year as the focus shifted to the pandemic with attention to other medical issues being neglected. We ensured that the clinic remained open so that we could continue conducting health checks and education on COVID-19.”

“Salesian sisters provide vital programming for women and children in these villages,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Being an integral part of the communities in which they work, the sisters are aware of local needs firsthand and are then able to develop programs to directly address those needs.”

Salesian missionaries and Salesian sisters living and working in Timor-Leste operate educational programs, three orphanages for poor and homeless youth, and a medical clinic. In the wake of the devastating civil war that claimed countless lives, decimated entire communities and resulted in living conditions that are among the worst in the world, the Salesian community has been providing programs to help residents rebuild. Efforts are focused on helping poor youth through education and providing new opportunities for the future.

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Sources:

Australian Salesian Missions Overseas Annual Report 2021

Australian Salesian Missions Overseas Aid Fund

Salesians of Don Bosco Indonesia-Timor Leste

Salesian Missions – Timor-Leste

World Bank – East Timor/Timor-Leste

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TIMOR-LESTE

(MissionNewswire) James Finlayson, an Irish retiree who grew up in Australia, has been working with Salesians in Comoro, Timor-Leste, for the past several months as part of the Cagliero Project, the Salesian missionary voluntary program of the Australian Province.

Finlayson has been teaching English and giving carpentry lessons to general construction students in the carpentry workshop. His background as a teacher has more than prepared him for his new mission. He recently helped students make models of various types of gabled roofs, as well as a basic structure for making concrete stairs.

One Salesian missionary said, “We wish Mr. Jim the best of luck and a good continuation of his stay in Timor-Leste, and we also want to extend our gratitude to the Cagliero Project for sending him to us. He is really helping the center and the students.”

Salesian missionaries and Salesian sisters living and working in Timor-Leste operate educational programs, three orphanages for poor and homeless youth, and a medical clinic. In the wake of the devastating civil war that claimed countless lives, decimated entire communities and resulted in living conditions that are among the worst in the world, the Salesian community has been providing programs to help residents rebuild. Efforts are focused on helping poor youth through education and providing new opportunities for the future.

Established in 2007, the Cagliero Project fosters cooperation and support among the different provinces of the East Asia-Oceania Region, with volunteers having also worked in Thailand, Cambodia, Samoa and Zambia. The project gives volunteers an opportunity to contribute to the local Don Bosco missions and serve the poorest and most disadvantaged children in their programs.

Volunteers in the Cagliero Project are committed to working in the Salesian way, which means that youth are placed at the center of all work. This provides an opportunity for volunteers to contribute to Don Bosco’s mission, which is to serve the poorest and most disadvantaged children and make them good Christians and upstanding citizens.

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Sources:

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

ANS – East Timor – Jim’s experience, a retiree and volunteer of Cagliero Project

Cagliero Project

Salesians of Don Bosco Indonesia-Timor Leste

Salesian Missions – Timor-Leste

World Bank – East Timor/Timor-Leste

The post TIMOR-LESTE: Volunteer teaches English and carpentry skills first appeared on MissionNewswire.

TIMOR-LESTE

(MissionNewswire) Recently 153 students graduated from Don Bosco Training Center in Comoro, Timor-Leste. The recent graduates specialized in various fields including automotive, administrative, construction, plumbing, carpentry, electricity, welding and air conditioning.

Since it was founded more than 30 years ago, the training center has graduated thousands of students who have changed their lives through technical education. Don Bosco Training Center continues to expand its programs and is committed to helping the poorest youth in the community.

Salesian missionaries also operate Don Bosco Technical School Fatumaca, which provides vocational education that helps youth gain an education and prepare for the future. More than 200 students have the opportunity to specialize in building construction, mechanical work, electrical installation and electronic communications.

Partnerships with local radio and television stations provide hands-on work experience opportunities for the electronics students. Poor youth are able to access a range of programs including health services, nutrition, education and general support services. The school also offers room and board for students who need on-campus housing.

“Technical and vocational education is important to ensure youth have the skills needed to find and retain long-term stable employment,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Students who are able to access education and find work are able to become contributing members of their communities, helping to support their families as well as community development.”

Salesian schools offer both classroom education and hands-on work experience. At graduation many Salesian students are more prepared for the workforce than other youth. Additional programs at the schools help students have a place to live, access nutrition and learn important life skills.

Timor-Leste is home to 1.3 million people and has close to 49 percent of its population living in poverty with over one-third of the population regularly experiencing food shortages. In addition, close to 50 percent of the population is illiterate, according to the World Bank.

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Sources:

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

ANS – East Timor – 153 students from “Don Bosco” Training Center in Comoro receive their diplomas

Salesians of Don Bosco Indonesia-Timor Leste

Salesian Missions – Timor-Leste

World Bank – East Timor/Timor-Leste

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TIMOR-LESTE

(MissionNewswire) Salesian communities in Timor-Leste have initiated green activities for the care and protection of the environment. These activities are in response to Pope Francis’ 2020 Laudato Si’, which underlined the importance of education and training that will help youth foster environmental responsibility. Rector Major Father Ángel Fernández Artime noted the importance of concrete initiatives in the care of the environment.

Several objectives are encouraging the environmental commitment of youth. The Salesian community in Quelicai has been planting rice two or three times a year to provide better nutrition to students and save money on the purchase of food. In Fuiloro, Salesians operate an agricultural school where they teach more advanced and green farming practices. The working farm at the school also provides food and vegetables for the community.

In addition, Don Bosco Comoro post-novitiate has created a vegetable garden in the backyard and is working with a private organization to collect plastic for recycling. Comoro Vocational Training Center is training students to sort trash found in and outside of the school. Father Jolino Vieira, a member of Don Bosco Green Alliance, supports the idea of an eco-friendly campus for the training center and will be ensuring it has plastic recycling machine.

The Don Bosco Green Alliance, which began in India in 2018, challenges its members to make pledges to live more eco-friendly lives. Members hold activities and programs to bring about concrete outcomes at institutional and individual levels. The alliance is focused on combating pollution, reducing global warming and eliminating disposable plastics.

Members have also undertaken such initiatives as environmental education to increase green areas, planting trees, reducing the use of non-degradable materials, promotion of organic agriculture and home gardens, preservation and conservation of water, and increasing the use of renewable energy sources.

“These initiatives in Timor-Leste are among many Salesians have launched around the globe with a focus on greener practices,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Not only do greener practices help the environment and ensure a better life for the youth we serve, but it also helps Salesians save energy costs, which is then used to aid programming.”

Timor-Leste is home to 1.3 million people and has close to 49 percent of its population living in poverty with over one-third of the population regularly experiencing food shortages. In addition, close to 50 percent of the population is illiterate, according to the World Bank.

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Sources:

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

ANS – East Timor – Salesian communities strengthen their environmental activities

Salesians of Don Bosco Indonesia-Timor Leste

Salesian Missions – Timor-Leste

World Bank – East Timor/Timor-Leste

The post TIMOR-LESTE: Youth act to protect environment first appeared on MissionNewswire.

TIMOR-LESTE

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries are focused on education in Timor-Leste to ensure students have the skills needed for employment. Schools offer both classroom education and hands-on work experience. At graduation many Salesian students are more prepared for the workforce than other youth. Salesians want youth to become self-sufficient contributing members of their community. Additional programs at the schools help students have a place to live, access nutrition and learn important life skills.

Don Bosco Co-educational Technical High School, located in Maliana, has boarding facilities and offers a three-year diploma course in general electricity. After school, students are encouraged to work in the vegetable garden, which provides food for the boarding home.

St. Anthony’s High School Baucau is a center of learning for poor youth in the region. The school has a special lunch program that ensures students have the nourishment they require to learn. Many students walk long distances to school without breakfast and have trouble concentrating all day without a healthy meal.

Don Bosco Technical School Fatumaca provides vocational education that helps youth gain an education and prepare for the future. More than 200 students have the opportunity to specialize in building construction, mechanical work, electrical installation and electronic communications. Partnerships with local radio and television stations provide hands-on work experience opportunities for the electronics students. Poor youth are able to access a range of programs including health services, nutrition, education and general support services. The school also offers room and board for students who need on-campus housing.

“Salesian missionaries provide a range of educational and social development services at educational centers and programs in Timor-Leste,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Poor youth are able to access education, social programs and general support services that help them to lead healthy productive lives.”

Timor-Leste is home to 1.3 million people and has close to 49 percent of its population living in poverty with over one-third of the population regularly experiencing food shortages. In addition, close to 50 percent of the population is illiterate, according to the World Bank.

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of the Australian Salesian Missions Overseas Aid Fund

Australian Salesian Missions Overseas Aid Fund

Salesians of Don Bosco Indonesia-Timor Leste

Salesian Missions – Timor-Leste

World Bank – East Timor/Timor-Leste

The post TIMOR-LESTE: Salesian students prepared for workforce first appeared on MissionNewswire.

TIMOR-LESTE

(MissionNewswire) Youth attending Salesian schools and youth centers in Timor-Leste had access to better nutrition thanks to a partnership between Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, and Rise Against Hunger, an international relief organization that provides food and life-changing aid to the world’s most vulnerable. A 2020 shipment provided donated rice-meals to ensure students and rural community members had healthy nutrition during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Don Bosco Foundation, the main recipient of the donation, shared the rice-meals among 11 Salesian centers and programs. Don Bosco Technical School Fatumaca, Don Bosco Technical High School Maliana, Don Bosco Training Center of Comoro, Don Bosco Laga Youth Center, and Don Bosco Lospalos Orphanage were among the recipients of the donation. The donation also went to Salesian primary and secondary schools and a local prison.

One of the recipients, Don Bosco Technical School Fatumaca, provides vocational education that helps youth gain an education and prepare for the future. More than 250 students, 11 percent of whom are girls, attend the school taking three-year courses in carpentry, mechanics and electronics. Each year there are more than 400 applications for 84 student spots. Final year students are required to design and produce a product that embraces much of what they have learned over the previous three years.

“Hungry students have trouble focusing on their studies and learning,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions. “Salesians provide feeding programs in their schools and centers so youth are able to fully take part in the activities and school lessons. During the pandemic, when so many families faced an extra financial burden due to a lack of work, the food ensured that families had healthy nutrition to survive.”

Timor-Leste is home to 1.3 million people and has close to 49 percent of its population living in poverty with over one-third of the population regularly experiencing food shortages. In addition, close to 50 percent of the population is illiterate, according to the World Bank.

Salesian missionaries in Timor-Leste have been providing programs to help residents recover and rebuild in the wake of a devastating civil war in the country that claimed countless lives, decimated entire communities and resulted in living conditions that are among the worst in the world. Now that the violence has subsided, efforts are being focused on helping the poor, restoring hope and providing new opportunities for the future.

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Rise Against Hunger

Salesians of Don Bosco Indonesia-Timor Leste

Salesian Missions – Timor-Leste

World Bank – East Timor/Timor-Leste

The post TIMOR-LESTE: Rise Against Hunger rice-meal shipment provides nutrition for 11 Salesian centers first appeared on MissionNewswire.

TIMOR-LESTE

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries operate Don Bosco Agricultural College in the village of Fuiloro, Timor-Leste. With more than 75 percent of the population deriving its livelihood from farming, Don Bosco Agricultural College plays an important role in promoting better care of livestock and increasing the yield from crops.

In 2020, the college continued to work toward becoming more self-sustainable by increasing farm production of corn, animal feed, horticulture and coconut oil. With an increase in applications, enrollment now exceeds more than 200 students. A new dormitory was completed with new beds, lockers and furniture to accommodate more students living on the college’s campus.

Timor-Leste suffered a drought in the early part of 2020 that impacted parts of the country that rely on subsistence farming for both food and income. Father Trans, a representative of Don Bosco Agricultural College, said, “A long summer with very little rain reduced both feed for the animals and produce for the community, boarders and surrounding villages. Due to the lack of reliable rain, we were unable to sow corn and many of our plantings dried up. This certainly affected our ability to provide food. We have increased the volume of rice purchased, which is very costly.”

Don Bosco Agricultural College offers its students an opportunity to combine theory with practice through its hands-on approach. Students use the skills they learn in the classroom in the fields working on their farming techniques. Providing education to help youth cultivate the land helps make their farms more productive and shows that farming can be a reliable source of income.

Salesian missionaries provide a range of educational and social development services at educational centers and programs in Timor-Leste. Poor youth are able to access education and social programs including health services, nutrition, education and general support services that help them to lead healthy productive lives.

Timor-Leste is home to 1.3 million people and has close to 49 percent of its population living in poverty with over one-third of the population regularly experiencing food shortages. In addition, close to 50 percent of the population is illiterate, according to the World Bank.

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of the Australian Salesian Missions Overseas Annual Report 2018

Australian Salesian Missions Overseas Annual Report 2020

Australian Salesian Missions Overseas Aid Fund

Salesians of Don Bosco Indonesia-Timor Leste

Salesian Missions – Timor-Leste

World Bank – East Timor/Timor-Leste

The post TIMOR-LESTE: More than 200 students learn farming skills first appeared on MissionNewswire.

TIMOR-LESTE

(MissionNewswire) Salesian sisters living and working in Timor-Leste have a medical clinic, a women’s training center, and orphanages for poor and homeless youth in the country. In the wake of the devastating civil war that claimed countless lives, decimated entire communities and resulted in living conditions that are among the worst in the world, the Salesian community has been providing programs to help residents recover and rebuild. Now that the violence has subsided, efforts are being focused on helping the poor, restoring hope and providing new opportunities for the future.

The Maria Auxiliadora Medical Clinic remains the only facility to provide medical care to patients in the villages in the Venilale district. The Australian Salesian Missions Overseas Fund has provided financial support so Salesian sisters can purchase medicines and milk powder for babies, as well as pay salaries. Almost 9,000 patients visit the clinic each year, often for skin conditions, malnutrition and tuberculosis.

The clinic’s priority is to care for mothers and children. Because a high percentage of the population lives in conditions of poverty and experiences food shortages, access to the Salesian clinic is an important alternative to a costly hospital visit. The clinic also promotes health education classes in local schools and nearby villages, while the mobile medical clinic serves remote villages conducting health checks.

Salesian sisters also operate a Women’s Training Center in Fuiloro, which offers courses in computing, basic office management and sewing. Students entering the program are mainly from rural poverty-stricken families. A high proportion of graduates secure work in Dili or Baucau.

The Venilale Salesian Sisters’ Orphanage accommodates 116 girls, aged 6-16. The girls are given an education and are encouraged to participate in recreational activities. Through the generosity of donors, two new rainwater tanks have been purchased and installed, saving the girls a daily 1.2 mile (2 km) walk with buckets to collect water. The water is used for drinking, washing clothes and showering.

The Laga Laura Vicuna Orphanage also ensures girls have a safe place to live and an education, and it is home to 98 girls, ages 6-16. Through education incorporating theater, dance, music, sewing and sports, girls are encouraged to develop their skills and talents. Nutritional meals are provided five times a day thanks to support from donors.

Laga has an extensive parish and consists of more than 40 villages, 24 schools and 38 pastoral centers, with many of them difficult to physically access. Parents connect with Salesian programs so their children receive an education that will help them find and retain stable employment and contribute positively to their communities.

“Salesian programs are so successful in part because they remain flexible and diversified to meet of the needs of the community,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Being an integral part of the communities in which they work, Salesian missionaries are aware of local needs first-hand and are then able to develop programs to directly address those needs.”

Timor-Leste is home to 1.3 million people and has close to 49 percent of its population living in poverty with over one-third of the population regularly experiencing food shortages. In addition, close to 50 percent of the population is illiterate, according to the World Bank.

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of the Australian Salesian Missions Overseas Aid Fund

Australian Salesian Missions Overseas Annual Report 2020

Australian Salesian Missions Overseas Aid Fund

Salesians of Don Bosco Indonesia-Timor Leste

Salesian Missions – Timor-Leste

World Bank – East Timor/Timor-Leste

The post TIMOR-LESTE: Salesian sisters help country rebuild first appeared on MissionNewswire.

TIMOR-LESTE

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Foundation in Timor-Leste received funding from Rise Against Hunger to provide healthy food for 1,375 beneficiaries in vulnerable situations in Dili, Liquica, Ermera and Maliana during the first quarter of this project. The overall goal is to reach 4,000 people. The funding came about from a Rise Against Hunger partnership with Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco.

With the funding, Don Bosco Foundation was able to help individuals across several programs including schools, orphanages, street children’s programs, refugee camps, programs for people with disabilities and directly to those living in rural areas including the elderly. Those who received assistance were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the flood that occurred on April 4, 2021. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, Salesians went directly to the programs and individuals to deliver the food while ensuring all safety precautions were in place.

One of the recipients of the donation was the Don Boco Halicuo Orphanage run by Father Belzito dos Santos. The orphanage is located in a rural area within the Maliana district and cares for young children who are without parents or were not wanted by their families. In the 2021 academic year, the orphanage accommodated more than 150 children who stayed in boarding houses and attended school. As a newly established community, Don Bosco Halicuo Orphanage has had difficulties, especially in securing food and health care because the location is remote and lacks nearby public facilities.

Fr. Belzito has tried to find all possible food, clothing and other basic needs for the children, but the pandemic has greatly reduced the few incoming donations he had secured. He said, “It has already been some months that we have lacked food, so we are really thrifty in managing the little food we have aside from working harder to cultivate vegetables and exchange it with other food options. We have also sold some of our cows in order to buy food, but you made the children aware that we are not alone. Even though they are orphans, there are still many brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers and families willing to feed us.”

Mario Ruken, one of the direct recipients of the donation, is attending the Don Bosco Comoro Technical and Vocational Education Center. The center received 60 emergency packages of food. Ruken is a poor young man who lived in Comoro with his brother and sister in a small hostel. Every month, the three siblings paid their own rent while attending university. To earn money, the siblings helped their neighbor, and Mario worked as an on-call driver.

However, everything changed for the siblings during the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many others studying in Dili,  Ruken lost his job. Additionally, the hostel was completely destroyed from the flood in Dili, and Ruken and his siblings lost everything they owned. Because of the pandemic lockdowns and closure of the university, Ruken’s younger brother and sister returned to their home in Oecusse. Ruken stayed in Dili to find work and sends money home to his impoverished family. With the food donation, Ruken has been able to sleep well again and is well nourished.

Ruken said, “Sincerely, I really don’t know who you are very well but for the fact that you support us with food, to extend our life if even only for a short period of time, you make us feel dignified.”

Timor-Leste is home to 1.3 million people and has close to 49 percent of its population living in poverty with over one-third of the population regularly experiencing food shortages. In addition, close to 50 percent of the population is illiterate, according to the World Bank.

Salesian missionaries in Timor-Leste have been providing programs to help residents recover and rebuild in the wake of a devastating civil war in the country that claimed countless lives, decimated entire communities and resulted in living conditions that are among the worst in the world. Now that the violence has subsided, efforts are being focused on helping the poor, restoring hope and providing new opportunities for the future.

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Rise Against Hunger

Salesians of Don Bosco Indonesia-Timor Leste

Salesian Missions – East Timor

World Bank – East Timor/Timor-Leste

The post TIMOR-LESTE: Vulnerable people receive food through Salesian Missions, Rise Against Hunger partnership first appeared on MissionNewswire.