Renovations underway at Don Bosco Muhazi Recreation Center.

NEW ROCHELLE, NY (Aug. 26, 2024) The Salesian “Empowering Young People through Sports and Spiritual Activities at Don Bosco Muhazi Recreation Center” project in Rwanda has made significant progress in achieving its goals thanks to funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco.

With the funding, the existing infrastructure at Don Bosco Muhazi Recreation Center is undergoing renovation. The basketball and volleyball courts are near completion. Sporting and musical equipment has also been purchased. Through these efforts, youth will be able to access new initiatives at weekend programs.

In addition, Salesians aim to promote awareness on poverty reduction and sustainable development while supporting youth in preparing for their futures. Salesians will provide training on agriculture and farming activities to equip youth with skills to reduce poverty in their communities. Education on values and youth programs are also being organized in a safe environment to promote personal growth and development.

A Salesian explained, “The impact of the project on the community surrounding Don Bosco Muhazi Recreation Center will be significant. We expect that more youth will engage in agriculture and farming activities. We will also be able to serve more young people during the weekend program, as they participate in various activities such as games and training.”

The project is not yet complete but Salesians are confident they are on track. The Salesian noted, “Moving forward, we plan to continue implementing the project and further expand its reach to empower even more young people in the community. We want them to have a bright future and these new activities are a step in the right direction.”

Salesian missionaries provide a range of educational and social development services in Rwanda. Poor youth are able to access programs including health services, nutrition, education and general support services that help them to lead healthy productive lives. Salesians first arrived in the country in 1953. Today, there are six Salesian centers in Rwanda.

Close to 39% of Rwandans live in poverty, according to the World Bank. Rwanda is a rural, agrarian country with about 35% of the population engaged in subsistence agriculture with some mineral and agro-processing. Many of the country’s orphaned children are the tragic result of a violent civil war. Half of all children drop out of primary school and 2.2 million people — 22% of the population — face critical food shortages.

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