Sri Lanka: Refugees Get “New Beginnings”

For Sri Lankan refugees who fled a vicious ethnic conflict in their own country, there is little choice but to seek safety at refugee camps in India. Many do not have the resources to return to Sri Lanka, and many are fearful to return to their home country. During the war, many who tried to return faced abduction (or worse) by the army or rebel groups. To make matters more difficult, most refugees lack the essential skills needed to find anything but hazardous and low-paying work in India.

29 Mar

Salesian Missions Posted in No comments

INDIA: Sri Lankan Refugees Set to Graduate from Unique Training Program Developed by Salesian Missions, Funded by U.S. Department of State

NEW ROCHELLE, NY & TAMIL NADU, INDIA (March 9, 2012) – This April, 450 Sri Lankan Tamil refugees are set to graduate from a unique vocational training program in southern India designed especially for them. The class of 2012 will be only the second to graduate from the “New Beginnings” program developed by Salesian Missions and funded by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration.

06 Jan

sales_admin Posted in No comments

Salesian Missions Receives Grant to Expand “New Beginnings” Program to Assist Colombian Refugees in Central, South America

NEW ROCHELLE , N.Y. (November 8, 2011) – More than 5,000 Colombian refugees in four countries in Central and South America will receive vocational and human development training as well as job placement services through a Salesian Missions "New Beginnings" program, thanks to external grant funding.

31 Oct

Salesian Missions Posted in No comments

Hope for Refugees and Disaster Victims

Queen Sophia of Spain visits Haiti to officially open the new Salesian educational center

31 Oct

Salesian Missions Posted in No comments

“New Beginnings” for Colombian Refugees

More than 450,000 people have fled the violence of Colombia to neighboring Ecuador, Venezuela, Panama and Costa Rica. The volatile situation in their home country means that they often arrive with no job skills, making resettlement in their new country nearly impossible.
Even more challenging, negative stereotypes of the refugees only compound their problems.

09 Jun

Salesian Missions Posted in No comments

KOSOVO: A Brighter Future For Returning Refugees

Photo credit: UN Photo/R Lemoyne (1999)

Over the past several years, thousands of families have been forced to abandon their homes, their belongings and their livelihoods in the midst of ethnic violence and turmoil in Kosovo. But now, the outlook for peace and stability is encouraging – and many of the refugees are rapidly returning to their homeland eager to rebuild their shattered lives.

The process will be extremely difficult though, as returnees face enormous challenges. But Salesian programs in Kosovo are poised to make a big impact.

04 May

Salesian Missions Posted in No comments

Ivory Coast Update: 30,000 Refugees Now in Salesian Care

Last month, we reported that more than 20,000 victims had fled to the Salesian compound in Duekoue, Ivory Coast, after rebels looted and burned their homes. Since then, the violence has escalated and the Salesians are now caring for more than 30,000 refugees. The desperate conditions at the compound – a shortage of food, drinking water, bathroom facilities and the fear of a cholera outbreak – have forced the Salesians to send out a worldwide plea for aid.

04 Apr

Salesian Missions Posted in No comments

BREAKING NEWS: More than 20,000 Ivory Coast Refugees Flock To Salesian Center

The Salesians in Duekoue, Ivory Coast, are working around the clock to accommodate a massive wave of more than 20,000 refugees desperately trying to escape an outbreak of politically-driven violence that occurred in late March.

Families from Duekoue have been living in fear for the past four months after President Laurent Gbagbo refused to accept the victory of Alassane Ouattara in a runoff election. Radical supporters from both sides have since engaged in armed attacks, threatening the safety and lives of tens of thousands of innocent residents.

06 Apr

Barbara Posted in No comments

INT’L DAY OF SPORT FOR DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE: Salesian Missions highlights sports programs

Salesian missionaries provide sports programming in schools and youth centers. NEW ROCHELLE, NY (April 6, 2024) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian organizations and the international community in celebrating the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, which is celebrated each year on April 6. TheRead more about INT’L DAY OF SPORT FOR DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE: Salesian Missions highlights sports programs[…]

08 Feb

Tracy Posted in No comments

Living by Don Bosco’s Example

Hardship is a constant fact of life in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)—where far too many people already struggle to get by on just $1 a day. Now, escalating conflict is only making things worse. Thankfully, a group of dedicated past Salesian pupils have delivered a small glimmer of hope to those seekingRead more about Living by Don Bosco’s Example[…]