Pre-novices learn music for their future missions.

NEW ROCHELLE, NY (Sept 11, 2023) Salesian pre-novices in Kokrajhar, Assam, India, have guitars and guitar stands thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. There are currently 15 pre-novice students and there will be 25 next year. The students will learn to play and care for the instruments, which will be an integral part of liturgical celebrations and activities in the youth ministry. Seven guitars and two stands were purchased with the funding.

The students are 18 to 22 years old and all come from poor tribal communities in northeast India. They have completed their junior college, with one student completing graduation. Each has an interest in learning music as it will be helpful for their future missions.

A Salesian missionary said, “The guitars and music lessons will enhance future missionaries with musical talents for their mission. We encourage a culture of responsibility and care among the pre-novices by educating them on proper instrument handling and maintenance. The present group of pre-novices will be later giving practices for the future students and aspirants to enhance their musical talents.”

Manish Xaxa is one of the students who has been impacted by the donation. He comes from a very poor family and lost his mother when he was at school. As a result, he had to look after his household and lost interest in continuing his studies. When he met the Salesians, he gained a new passion for learning and later expressed his desire to join the seminary.

Now Xaxa is enthusiastic about his studies and other activities. He also had a great desire to learn music, especially playing the guitar during the liturgical celebrations and in youth ministry. With the donation, Xaxa and other students are happy with their new guitar lessons.

Salesian programs in India are primarily focused on education. Salesian primary and secondary education helps youth prepare for later technical, vocational or university study. Other programs help to support poor youth and their families by meeting the basic needs of shelter, proper nutrition and medical care.

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