Salesian missionaries are housing refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine at the Salesian house in Kazincbarcika, a city in northern Hungary near the Ukraine-Hungary border. Salesians also have a parish, two schools, a dormitory and several other institutions. As the mass of refugees started to arrive
Salesian missionaries have set up a modular city composed of prefabricated buildings designed to temporarily welcome those displaced by war inside of Ukraine. Salesians are calling the city Mariapolis, the city of Mary. The city was set up by the Municipality of Lviv in collaboration
The Salesian Youth Center, located in České Budějovice, Czech Republic, has been providing services for Ukrainian children who fled when the war erupted. The center employs two Ukrainian women to run programs for Ukrainian children. Masha Shumkova is a teacher and Olena Halushka is a
Salesian organizations in Poland and across Europe have opened their doors to those seeking shelter and humanitarian aid. Natalia, a nurse, fled with her three children from the Khmelnytskyi region in western Ukraine and is currently hosted at the Salesian house in Czerwińsk, Poland. She
Many Salesian schools in Ukraine are offering online classes. Inna is a Salesian elementary school teacher. She said, “I live and work in Ukraine, and most of my lessons happen between air raid alerts. To video-transmit the lessons I use my cell phone, which isn’t
A hospital in Ukraine has medical supplies thanks to a new partnership between MedShare and Salesian Missions. The shipment, which left the U.S. in March, is now in the hands of Salesian Sisters. The supplies are being distributed to ambulances and clinics and used to
The St. John Bosco Oratory in Warsaw, Poland, has been providing support and resources for Ukrainian refugees from the start of the conflict. Youth and their families have connected with programs and found support from Salesian missionaries during this difficult time.
Salesian missionaries in Ukraine and bordering countries are supporting youth in their schools, centers and oratories. About 2,000 Ukrainian youth have received support from the Salesians in Ukraine, Poland and Slovakia. This does not account for youth who have fled to other countries in Europe.
Even though war is raging in Ukraine, Salesian missionaries have remained in the country in their parishes and schools, providing for people who have stayed. Many are displaced and are seeking shelter and safety in Salesian houses, schools and centers. Salesians are also working to
Salesians in Poland are working to shelter more than 600 refugees and have the space to take another 500. Lydia, a Ukrainian refugee in Poland, said of the Salesians, “They asked us what we needed as soon as we arrived. They offered us everything, they