Mission News
For nearly three decades, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has struggled with the prolonged and punishing legacies of war including hunger, disease, displacement and more. Knowing that education is key to permanently breaking this cycle, our Salesian missionaries in Bukavu are committed to providing youth with the chance to attend school. “Now more…
Easing the Stigma of Mental Illness
August 17, 2023
Despite rising global awareness around the many issues impacting mental health, equitable access to effective care remains elusive—especially in marginalized communities where social stigma, poor educational opportunities, and inadequate funding stand in the way. The Don Bosco Prafulta Center for Psychological Wellness aims to change that, one intervention at a time. “The evidence is clear.…
Empowering Youth for the Future
August 17, 2023
In Malawi and Mozambique, Salesian missionaries have partnered with a leading global energy corporation to teach underprivileged youth relevant and in-demand skills to lead the way forward. Since 2009, the Salesians have collaborated with Schneider Electric Corporation to provide hands-on, cutting-edge practical education for students across the developing world. Both organizations share a common goal…
Practical Education, Deeply Rooted
August 17, 2023
Hunger is a big problem in the Philippines. So big, in fact, that more people living there are food insecure than anywhere else in Southeast Asia. At the Don Bosco Technical Vocational Education and Training Center in Cebu, disadvantaged students are learning sustainable farming skills in the school’s brand-new vegetable garden. These skills are increasingly…
Quenching the Pain of Poverty
July 18, 2023
“We have come a long way. Our daily headache of searching for water has come to an end,” reports one of our Salesian missionaries serving in rural Ghana, where supporters of our Clean Water Initiative have funded the construction of critical infrastructure in two separate communities. Both communities are in the Bono Region, where residents—most…
Keeping the Faith in Ukraine
July 18, 2023
Novohryhorivka remains in the danger zone amid the relentless war in Ukraine that has already plunged nearly 18 million people throughout the country into desperate need for humanitarian aid. As always, our dedicated Salesian missionaries refuse to abandon those in need—despite persistent danger to their own lives. “I call all those who come to us,…
Bright Signs of God’s Mercy in Syria
July 18, 2023
On February 6th, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Gaziantep in southern Turkey—and the shock of its devastation rippled across the globe. Just a few months later, that shock has mostly faded from the world’s collective memory. Though not for the millions of people in Turkey and Syria who still struggle with the disaster’s heartbreaking aftermath. “Rest…
Donated Tools Build Hope for Migrant Youth
June 13, 2023
Growing up in Venezuela hadn’t been easy for young Francis—and it’s no wonder. Pummeled by skyrocketing inflation and the country’s relentless economic crisis, he and his family struggled just to eat most days. Getting an education, finding stable work, and earning a livable wage were three dreams that were just that—dreams. Like the vast majority…
Rediscovering their Joy for Learning
June 13, 2023
By now, it’s a well-known fact that COVID-19 caused significant learning losses among students, with very few exceptions. Still, some were better able to rebound after pandemic restrictions expired and school resumed as usual. In India, Salesian missionaries have devised creative ways to help less fortunate youth get back on track. These innovations can’t come…
Averting the Disasters of Poverty
June 13, 2023
Every morning at the Don Bosco Center in Rundu, Namibia, a little boy offers a thanksgiving prayer for a meal he never dreamed he would eat. Recently abandoned and living on the streets, with no way to find or pay for food, his situation teetered on disaster—until our missionaries stepped in to help. “Income inequality…