In 1902, at the direction of Father Michele Rua, then the Salesians’ Rector Major to the Vatican, Father Antonio Belloni established an orphanage in Bethlehem. Soon, with the addition of a congregation, a novitiate and an agricultural school, Bethlehem became the seat of what is now the Middle East province. Today, Salesian missionaries throughout the region run schools, summer camps, sports, enrichment and other extracurricular activities for disadvantaged youth of all religions and ethnicities. In times of war and conflict, Salesian missionaries have been among the few who remain — offering refuge and respite for traumatized youth and families, as well as instruction in intercultural understanding.

*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.