Most students come from families with low incomes

(MissionNewswire) Students and educators at Salesian San Jose Agricultural Technical School, located in Barinas, Venezuela*, received nutritional support through a project funded by Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. During the nine months of the project, 64,584 meals were served, providing three meals a day to 96 boarding students who are training to become agricultural technicians. In addition, 50 educators at the school received lunches as an incentive for their work.

The project has been fundamental in helping the school increase its enrollment from 82 to 95 students. Most of these students come from families with low incomes. Education provides a way for students to improve their future and offers them a better quality of life. For many students, this education also gives them the opportunity to revive their families’ agricultural production activities.

The school grounds cover 1,880 hectares with a solid infrastructure, numerous pastures and 12 production units. These areas cover crops, nurseries, vegetable gardens, fruit trees, dairy farming, and cheese production, as well as the production of poultry, pigs, sheep, goats, cattle and rabbits. As a result of efforts and alliances made through cooperation agreements, project initiatives, and coordination with the private sector, some production units are in the process of reactivating production after years of being shut down due to the chronic crisis in Venezuela.

Father William Jiménez, administrator of the Salesian community and agricultural school, noted, “Youth have said that the project has had an impact on their psychological well-being. There have been significant advances in nutritional indicators for the students as a result of the feeding project. The project has even made it possible to identify 15% of students who were underweight or overweight, enabling comprehensive follow-up with their families to improve their health. It has also been an opportunity for students to learn about the value of maintaining good nutrition.”

Salesian missionaries have been living and working in Venezuela long before the country’s political and economic crisis began. They operate schools, youth centers, and other programs that support youth in need and their families. An estimated 87% of the population is currently living in poverty, and essential goods such as food and medicine are scarce.

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Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Venezuela

*Any goods, services or funds provided by Salesian Missions to programs located in this country were administered in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control.