Salesians in East Timor 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.

Recently, faculty and students at the Don Bosco Technical School Fatumaca, with the assistance of Tony Jurd, an electronics engineer who spends several weeks at the school each year, developed a project that includes the creation of a television station that will broadcast to surrounding villages. The station has garnered a great deal of interest and enthusiasm from both teachers and students and will provide students with up-to-date training opportunities for future employment in the media.

As part of the project, students are trained to operate and maintain the television transmission unit as well as to build and install antennas. Still a work in progress, the goal is to have the television station fully operational by mid-2014 when Don Bosco Fatumaca celebrates its Golden Jubilee.

“Salesians in East Timor are engaging in a wide range of programs to improve the lives of poor youth and their families following years of war,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “This new project is helping students learn new skills and preparing them for employment in a sought-after field.”

Five years ago, Jurd worked on a similar project with the students at Don Bosco Technical School Fatumaca, setting up an FM radio station in the school. Today, the radio station operates for a few hours each day and is very popular in villages up to 50 km away. In addition to providing information on health and other matters, the radio station broadcasts segments responding to local music requests.

The Salesian complex of Don Bosco Fatumaca has diversified its services and educational programs throughout the years to best fit the emerging needs of its students. It currently includes a primary and secondary school for young students from local villages and a technical school which offers coursework in electro-mechanics, electronics, computers and woodwork. There is also a successful agriculture school with programs that reach 15 of the surrounding villages.

Poor youth are able to access a range of offerings at Don Bosco Fatumaca including health services, nutrition, education and general support services which help students prepare for an independent future. The schools also offer room and board for students with a need for housing on campus.

“Salesian programs are so successful in part because they remain flexible and diversified to meet of the needs of their students. Being an integral part of the communities in which they work, Salesians are aware of local needs first hand and are then able to develop programs to directly address those needs,” adds Fr. Hyde.

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Sources:

Newsletter, Spring 2013 Edition, The Australian Salesian Mission Overseas Aid Fund

World Bank – East Timor/ Timor-Leste

The post EAST TIMOR: New Television Project Gives Students Media Training for Later Employment first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Access to nutrition, education and health services is essential to creating a sustainable society and optimistic future. Salesians in the country have been providing programs to help residents recover and rebuild in the wake of a devastating civil war that claimed countless lives, decimated entire communities and resulted in living conditions that are among the worst in the world. Since the violence has subsided, efforts are being focused on helping the needy, restoring hope and providing new opportunities for the future.

“The Salesians are engaged in a wide range of programs to improve the lives of the people of East Timor,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Poor youth and their families receive support at community health centers, orphanages, parishes and youth centers. In addition, classes are conducted in primary, secondary, technical and agricultural schools – many of which provide room and board to their students.”

The Maria Auxiliadora Medical Clinic in Venilale, East Timor is vital to the local community as well as 13 surrounding villages. In 2012, the clinic provided care to 8,256 poor patients in need of health services. The program takes special care providing for mothers and babies and frequently delivers baby boxes containing essential baby care products to families in need. The clinic also provides free community education focusing on first aid, health issues and family planning.

Recently, staff at the medical clinic attended to 24 cases of tuberculosis which remains a concern for the medical staff and entire community. Not long bfore that, the clinic had to renovate due to damage sustained by heavy rain and wind. Thanks to donations and other funding, the clinic was able to repair the damage and continue to serve the community. Donated materials including bandages, gloves, needles, medicinal creams and hygiene products were very much appreciated by the staff and used effectively to treat patients.

“The health of the young people we serve is very important to us,” adds Fr. Hyde. “The work we do in East Timor and in programs around the globe goes beyond education. We serve the whole person by making sure the basic needs of health and nutrition are met in addition to other social service needs.”

This clinic is one of more than 200 medical clinics and hospitals, mostly in rural areas, that handle a wide range of medical care needs and are operated by the Salesians. One such need, the care of Leprosy, otherwise known as Hensen’s disease, has been a concern for well over 100 years. Salesian leper hospitals and leprosy control programs can be found in Brazil, Colombia, India, Thailand, Macau and a number of nations in Africa. HIV/ AIDS prevention programs are also part of the Salesian health care work in Africa. In many countries with Salesian programs, additional dental and other necessary health services are offered.

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Sources:

The Australian Salesian Mission Overseas Aid Fund 2013 Newsletter

Salesian Missions – East Timor

World Bank – East Timor

The post EAST TIMOR: Salesian Medical Clinic Provides Health Services to Thousands of Poor Patients first appeared on MissionNewswire.