ITALY

(MissionNewswire) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, facilitated the “Salesian Solidarity with Italy: the Emergency Response to COVID-19” project from July 31, 2020, to Oct. 30, 2021. The project was made possible with support from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the U.S. Government’s main development agency operating in more than 100 countries worldwide.

This project was one element of USAID’s $50 million commitment to Italy to help save lives and build resilience for the future. USAID’s work in Italy is one part of the U.S. Government’s response to the pandemic in Italy.

To implement the project, Salesian Missions worked with Salesian International Volunteering for Development (VIS) and two Salesian partners: CNOS-FAP, the National Salesian Center for Vocational Training and Ongoing Education, which is a network of technical and vocational institutions; and SCS-CNOS Federation, Salesians for Social Welfare

This project impacted 16 regions of Italy, mitigating the adverse social, health and educational consequences of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. It reached 4,508 direct beneficiaries, 249 school classes and 30 youth centers. The project also had a particular emphasis on the needs of young women, who represented 49.6 percent of the total beneficiaries.

With a heavy focus on digital educational resources, the project provided 5,000 digital kits to schools that applied to a national drawing contest. An additional 1,450 digital kits were distributed to VIS partners. Furthermore, an online form is currently available on the VIS website where 65 digital kits have been downloaded since October 2021. The digital kits provided educational activities, stories, cartoons, and interactive and creative games to raise students’ awareness about global citizenship topics such as discrimination and inclusion, school dropouts and sustainable development.

In addition, due to distance learning during the pandemic, many students experienced performance declines, and some had to drop out due to a lack of steady internet connection and device issues. Responding to this need, 550 ICT kits (laptop, tablet and Wi-Fi kits) were distributed to 450 selected students attending technical courses in subjects like electricity, mechanics, and graphics at CNOS-FAP colleges and schools that are a part of SCS-CNOS Federation.

The project also disseminated 183 licenses to Salesian schools for technical software including software for graphics and communication, a multi-asset repository, e-simulators, and e-platform software. This software enabled the schools to enhance online coursework.

During the project period, 971 people also attended a variety of online learning including 10 web talks, four online courses and two video classes. Web talks explored challenges and opportunities related to digital relations, geopolitics, and cooperative working environment during the time of COVID-19. Some of the topics included “COVID-19, the unexpected guest. Vulnerability at the time of the coronavirus,” “Digital relations: new perspectives after the emergency,” “COVID-19 and sustainable development” and “Human rights after COVID.”

In addition to educational activities, the project focused on much needed food, shelter, and mental health and social support for poverty-stricken families and migrants in Catania, Sicily, through local partner Don Bosco 2000. A temporary reception center for migrants and refugees was also set up to provide shelter to 10 vulnerable migrants coming from Algeria, Niger, Egypt, Gambia and Senegal.

“We are grateful to the U.S. Government for supporting this critical project in Italy, which was hard hit by the virus and has a struggling economy made worse by the pandemic,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions. “Salesians joined together across the country with the support of partners to help address the ongoing needs brought about by the pandemic. This is an example of yet another collaborative project to assist those most in need through education, psycho-social support and delivering direct relief materials.”

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

CNOS-FAP

CNOS-FAP Facebook

ITALY: ‘Salesian Solidarity with Italy: the Emergency Response to COVID-19′ project made possible through USAID supports migrant youth

Salesian Missions – Italy

UNICEF – Italy Poverty

This project is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of Salesian Missions and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.

The post ITALY: Digital learning made possible with support from USAID first appeared on MissionNewswire.

ITALY

(MissionNewswire) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, facilitates the “Salesian Solidarity with Italy: the Emergency Response to COVID-19” project. The project is made possible with support from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the U.S. Government’s main development agency operating in more than 100 countries worldwide.

This project is one element of USAID’s $50 million commitment to Italy to help save lives and build resilience for the future. USAID’s work in Italy is one part of the U.S. Government’s response to the pandemic in Italy.

The project aimed to impact more than 24,000 people including students and other young people, teachers, families, and migrants and refugees. Salesian Missions is working with Salesian International Volunteering for Development (VIS) and local Salesian partners CNOS-FAP, the National Salesian Center for Vocational Training and Ongoing Education, and SCS-CNOS Federation, Salesians for Social Welfare to implement project activities.

In addition to educational activities aimed to strengthen remote learning, the project is focusing on much needed food, shelter, and mental health and social support for poverty-stricken families and migrants in Catania, Sicily, through local partner Don Bosco 2000. A temporary reception center for migrants and refugees was set up to provide shelter to 10 vulnerable migrants coming from Algeria, Niger, Egypt, Gambia and Senegal.

These vulnerable migrants have been involved in several orientation activities including participation in Italian classes, coaching, legal tutoring, and more. At the end of the orientation time, thanks to the collaboration with local authorities, the legal custody of five migrants passed to SIPROIMI (Italian Protection System for Holders of International Protection and for Foreign UASC). Through the integrated reception provided by SIPROIMI, these youth will have long-lasting access to legal protection with an application for international protection, access to the health system and psychological support, education, and integration activities.

During a recent site visit by Salesian Missions staff to Colonia Don Bosco, a beachside hostel and center of Don Bosco 2000, Omar, a migrant in the program, shared his story. He arrived in Italy in February 2018 and worked as a bartender before being laid off after COVID-19 shut down the local hospitality industry. Since being at Colonia Don Bosco, Omar has been able to continue his education. He is in his second year of high school and has worked as a bartender during the summer months.

“The project gave me so many chances,” said Omar. “I would like to thank these people for the project, helping us to apply for our future. One day I would like to study tourism. One day I’d like to go back to Gambia. This project gave me a second chance to restart. It gave me a second chance to achieve my dreams.”

The project has also set up a mobile help desk that has provided case management and referral services to impoverished people in Catania and Aidone. Some of the individuals were referred for nutritional services while others were sent to the reception center for migrants and refugees managed by Don Bosco 2000. Some were also referred to job placement services.

In addition, the project has provided food assistance via electronic payment cards to 380 families, representing at least 1,317 people, so that they could buy groceries in supermarkets and small shops. The distribution of a prepaid card aimed to strengthen responsible consumption and boost a home-grown production and distribution food chain. In collaboration with this initiative, Green VIS developed guidance documents and assisted local partners to ensure the optimal distribution, storage and waste management procedures.

Salesian Missions continues to facilitate this project with its implementation partners and works to mitigate the harmful secondary effects the COVID-19 pandemic has had on vulnerable populations across Italy.

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

CNOS-FAP

CNOS-FAP Facebook

Salesian Missions – Italy

UNICEF – Italy Poverty

This project is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of Salesian Missions and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.

The post ITALY: ‘Salesian Solidarity with Italy: the Emergency Response to COVID-19′ project made possible through USAID supports migrant youth first appeared on MissionNewswire.

(MissionNewswire) With support from the U.S. Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, has launched a new project: “Salesian Solidarity with Italy: the Emergency Response to COVID-19.”

This activity is one element of USAID’s $50 million commitment to Italy to help save lives and build resilience for the future. USAID’s work in Italy is one part of the U.S. Government response to the pandemic in Italy.

The “Salesian Solidarity with Italy: the Emergency Response to COVID-19” project gives students access to online tools and technology.

The project will impact over 24,000 people including students and other young people, teachers, families, and migrants and refugees. Salesian Missions is working with Salesian International Volunteering for Development (VIS) and local Salesian partners CNOS-FAP, the National Salesian Center for Vocational Training and Ongoing Education, and SCS-CNOS Federation, Salesians for Social Welfare.

The project will mitigate the harmful secondary effects the COVID-19 pandemic has had on vulnerable populations across Italy.

Through the stay@ctive campaign, VIS will work with local Salesian centers to develop free online educational resources for families with children to provide parents and children with coping strategies during periods of self-isolation and quarantine.

Secondly, the project will help develop technical and vocational training for students who have experienced a lapse in education due to the pandemic. With an unpredictable timeline for a return to normalcy, these investments in career-focused training will help young people make up for any loss in education access. In partnership with CNOS-FAP, this effort will reach more than 25,000 students.

In addition, the project will provide the funding to acquire annual licenses for technical software, e-simulators and e-platforms aimed at delivering distance learning in vocational fields and at simulating practical work-based environments. One of the challenges with e-learning is the inability of lower income students to access online tools. Thanks to ongoing relationships with Apple and other companies, it is possible for CNOS-FAP to acquire educational devices for its students at competitive prices. In addition, 550 start-up technology kits will be donated to the most vulnerable and poor students.

Salesian Missions will also donate food baskets and personal protective equipment (PPE), including face masks, disposable overalls and gloves, and detergents to marginalized groups including refugees, migrants, impoverished families and the elderly. VIS will help deliver these services through its partnership with SCS-CNOS Federation. A psychological help desk service will also be established to provide people with emotional support as they struggle with the challenges of social distancing and other COVID-19 related personal obstacles.

“The United States is proud to support ‘Salesian Solidarity with Italy: the Emergency Response to COVID-19.’ This project will provide online educational training, as well as food, protective equipment, and psychological assistance to vulnerable populations across Italy. Coordinated action is essential to mitigating the long-term effects of COVID-19,” said U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See, Callista L. Gingrich. She added, “Faith-based organizations such as Salesian Missions are reliable partners in providing care and support to those most in need during this pandemic.”

“We are grateful to the U.S. Government for supporting this critical project in Italy, which has been hard hit by the virus and has a struggling economy made worse by the pandemic,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions. “Salesian organizations have rallied together across Italy to help mitigate the challenges and worsening conditions of poverty for those they serve. This is an example of yet another collaborative project to assist those most in need through education, psycho-social support and delivering direct relief materials.”

USAID is the U.S. Government’s premiere development organization operating in more than 100 countries worldwide.

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Sources:

Photos courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

CNOS-FAP

CNOS-FAP Facebook

Salesian Missions – Italy

UNICEF – Italy Poverty

This project is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of Salesian Missions and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.

The post ITALY: Partnership with USAID helps over 24,000 young, vulnerable as part of COVID-19 response first appeared on MissionNewswire.