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
From Namibia
Don Bosco Youth Center provides 2 meals a day to give youth energy to focus in school. NEW ROCHELLE, NY (June 29, 2022) Youth attending Don Bosco Youth Center, in Rundu, Namibia, received nutritional support thanks to donor fundin
The project, part of the Salesian Missions ‘Clean Water Initiative,’ provided a new water tank and pump. NEW ROCHELLE, NY (March 29, 2022) Students at the Don Bosco Center and Don Bosco Primary School in Rundu, Namibia, have a
Salesian Missions highlights programs that empower youth, giving them a sense of well-being and happiness. NEW ROCHELLE, NY (March 20, 2022) Top of Form Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, jo
Project made possible thanks to donor funding from the Salesian Missions ‘Clean Water Initiative’. NEW ROCHELLE, NY (March 14, 2022) Top of FormPeople living in the Ngwa-ngwa village, close to Rundu, Namibia, have access to cl
With more than 5,500 Salesian educational institutions and youth centers, missionaries are educating children in some of the poorest places on the planet. NEW ROCHELLE, NY (Nov. 20, 2021) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development ar
More than 3.6 billion people are living without access to safely managed sanitation, according to UN-Water. NEW ROCHELLE, NY (Nov. 19, 2021) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanita
Working and living in the communities they serve, Salesian missionaries are perfectly positioned to ensure that soap and other hygiene items reach those most in need. NEW ROCHELLE, NY (Oct. 15, 2021) Salesian Missions, the U.S. de
Don Bosco Youth Center provides shelter and services for homeless youth. NEW ROCHELLE, NY (Sept. 28, 2021) Don Bosco Youth Center in Rundu, Namibia, has a renovated a children’s playground thanks to donor funding from Salesian M
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 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.