Giving hope to millions of youth around the globe
Giving hope to millions of youth around the globe
According to the World Bank, Namibia is just one of nine countries in Africa considered as upper middle income, but poverty is still prevalent with extreme wealth imbalances. Namibia’s poverty rate is 32 percent with an unemployment rate of 29.6 percent. Poverty in Namibia is acute in the northern regions of Kavango, Oshikoto, Zambezi, Kunene and Ohangwena, where upwards of one-third of the population lives in poverty. HIV prevalence in the country is 16.9 percent.
The Salesians of Don Bosco have been active in Namibia since 1998 and work in Rundu, the country’s second largest town. The number of homeless youth and AIDS orphans in Rundu is growing steadily. The country is one of the five in the world hardest hit by HIV/AIDS.
Salesian missionaries with the Don Bosco Youth Center, located in Rundu, were able to continue with a feeding program for vulnerable children thanks to funding from Salesian Missions donors. Missionaries provided feeding support for youth who have dropped out of school and other vulnerable children. The second half of the feeding project coincided with the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown. The children were able to stay indoors during this tough time because of the food supply that was available for them. The Don Bosco Youth Center also supported some families that were in dire need of food and on the verge of starvation.
In 2021, Salesian missionaries in Rundu were able to feed vulnerable children and parents who are a part of the Don Bosco pre-school. They also provided hand sanitizers for the prevention of COVID-19 as well as blankets thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. This project benefited 123 children aged 3-11 years who are from poor families, orphans and from families headed by children.
There is a Don Bosco Hostel for boys at the Shambyu St. Joseph’s Catholic Mission and village in the Shambyu kingdom in Kavango East. The mission was founded in 1930 by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and is staff by two native pastors, Father Berthold Mukongwa and Father Michael Murongo. The mission also has a clinic and a Marian House Hostel for girls
The Don Bosco Youth Center is situated on a two-hectare piece of land, where it takes in children and older youth from the poorest communities in Rundu. The center consists of a large multi-functional hall, a kitchen and bathroom facilities. Children are able to play, access healthy food and use the bathroom facilities. Rehabilitation programs and family social workers help children connect with their relatives in order to reintegrate them back with their families, when appropriate.
More than 600 youth attending the Don Bosco Youth Center in Rundu have access to clean, safe water thanks to the installation of a new water tank funded through donations to Salesian Missions. The project is part of Salesian Missions “Clean Water Initiative.” As a result of this donation, Salesian missionaries report that the water situation has improved. Water is running most of the time and there has been an improvement in the hygiene of youth. In addition, youth programs are no longer interrupted because of water shortages.
From Namibia
Purchase food and supplies for on-going program = $32,424.00
From Namibia
Hand sanitizer and blankets also provided to children and families. NEW ROCHELLE, NY (Sept. 13, 2021) Top of Form Salesian missionaries in Rundu, Namibia, were able to feed vulnerable children who are part of the Don Bosco pre-sch
The project is impacting more than 7,300 people who are part of the church community. NEW ROCHELLE, NY (June 22, 2021) Youth attending the St. John Bosco Parish, which is part of the Don Bosco Youth Center in Rundu, Namibia, have
Salesian Missions has supported nutritional and prevention projects in Burundi, East Timor, India, Namibia, Malawi, South Africa, South Sudan and Zambia NEW ROCHELLE, NY (Sept 3, 2020) The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has
Funding for food support has improved the lives and health of youth especially now during the coronavirus pandemic. NEW ROCHELLE, NY (June 25, 2020) Salesian missionaries with the Don Bosco Youth Center, located in Rundu, Namibia,
Funding for food support has improved the lives and health of youth, enabling them to focus on their daily activities. NEW ROCHELLE, NY (April 13, 2020) Youth attending Don Bosco Youth Center in Rundu, Namibia, have access to bett
We asked, and so many friends answered—enthusiastically, and from their hearts. Last November, more than 200 generous donors participated in our special Giving Tuesday campaign to fund two desperately-needed water reserve tanks
Salesian Missions includes agriculture in its vocational training programs – to ensure that youth of Rwanda learn better agricultural practices as well as keep the school self-sustaining in the face of the country’s food shortages.
Salesian Missions includes agriculture in its vocational training programs – to ensure that youth of Rwanda learn better agricultural practices as well as keep the school self-sustaining in the face of the country’s food shortages.
Salesian Missions includes agriculture in its vocational training programs – to ensure that youth of Rwanda learn better agricultural practices as well as keep the school self-sustaining in the face of the country’s food shortages.
