The impoverished community surrounding our Salesian Technical and Vocational Center in Mahajanga, Madagascar is celebrating the construction of a new building which will benefit its 400 students, plus provide educational opportunities for even more young people living in the region.

We are grateful for your support which helped fund this project, including transportation of materials, installation of water and electricity, and the purchase of other necessary building supplies.

The expanded facility addresses an urgent need since the existing structure was too small to accommodate all the students. The added space will enable the technical and vocational center to serve more young people who desperately want to attend the school.

“It is important for us to support the education of children and young people,” explains Fr. Michael Conway, Director of Salesian Missions. “We actively seek out these opportunities because we know that through education, youth can gain the knowledge and skills needed to overcome their difficulties and struggles.”

The new building is the latest in a long list of projects undertaken by the Salesians in Madagascar. Since 2007, our missionaries have built nearly 50 elementary, middle and high schools in the country. As a result, thousands of children have gained vital skills and knowledge, and are leading hope-filled, productive lives.

In addition to the new construction, ongoing efforts continue to make education accessible for children living in remote areas. Extensive travel distances and dangers enroute to the nearest schools deter many children from attending. In response, our missionaries have been working with local villages to set up a Safe Communities Network to protect children from kidnapping, exploitation and child labor.

With your continued generosity, we can keep offering educational opportunities for disadvantaged children and young people around the world.

Learn more about our work in Madagascar.

Our mission is to create opportunities for a brighter future by expanding access to education. What’s your mission?