Nigeria

Salesian missionaries have been working in Nigeria since 1982 and are developing new educational programs to meet the increasing demand for services. Poverty remains one of the most critical challenges facing the country and population growth rates have meant a steady growth in the number of people living in conditions of poverty.

The World Poverty Clock shows Nigeria has overtaken India as the country with the most extreme poor people in the world. India has a population seven times larger than Nigeria’s. The 86.9 million Nigerians now living in extreme poverty represent nearly 50 percent of its estimated 180 million population. As Nigeria faces a major population boom—it will become the world’s third largest country by 2050—it’s a problem that will likely worsen.

More Missions In Nigeria

Build orphanages & shelters for homeless youth

In January 2017, Salesian missionaries launched the Bosco Boys Home in Ibadan. The new Salesian home was developed to address the rising issue of street youth. Young people, some as young as 9 years old, end up living on the streets because of serious social and family problems. On the streets, they are faced with exploitation, delinquency and addiction.

In 2018, the Bosco Boys Home cared for 55 children at the shelter. Children were provided accommodation, nutrition, healthcare, rehabilitation, psycho-social support, and reintegration and education assistance. Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, supported the center with donations including food, household items and medical supplies.

Rescue children facing adversity

The Don Bosco Child Protection Center in Lagos is able to provide ongoing support for 25 boys thanks to funding received funding from Salesian Missions. The center provides care for boys, aged 7 to 15 years, who were living on the streets, had faced physical abuse in their homes or were rescued from child trafficking.

The funding from Salesian Missions provided tuition and skills training, counseling and psychological care, medical care, and clothing for the boys. Some funding also went to support the operational expenses of the center for such items as fuel, internet access, stationery and toiletries.

Provide clean, safe water

Ten communities in Nigeria have clean water access thanks to donor funding through Salesian Missions “Clean Water Initiative.” The borehole projects have been completed in Ibadan, Akure, Ijebu Ode, Ondo, Onitsha, Abuja, Koko and three poor communities in the state of Benue. All of the communities are home to Salesian programs that provide education and help to meet the basic needs of poor youth and their families.

The project has consisted of a survey within each community, drilling of borewells and construction of areas for water tanks. A finished well in each community consists of water tanks, plumbing and electrical work.

The new water supply is ensuring that poor youth, their families and Salesian missionaries living and working in the area have access to safe, clean water for drinking, cooking and personal hygiene. This project also ensures access to water for Salesian youth centers that are providing services for street children.

In addition, more than 20,000 people across the Nigeria states of Bagbe, Litaye, Ondo, Akwa Ibom and Imo have access to clean water thanks to Salesian Missions “Clean Water Initiative.” Due to geographic conditions, there is very little potable water in this region. People are forced to travel long distances to access clean water for their daily needs or rely on rain and river water, which can sometimes be contaminated. The five new boreholes will provide clean water, reduce outbreaks of waterborne diseases, and eliminate the need for traveling hours each day in search of water.

Provide technical & vocational training

Salesian missionaries have developed the St. Joseph’s Farm, in Sagamu, thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. The farm is a center for training, research and production on 25 hectares of land acquired by the Salesians. Forty farmers received training in better methods of crop production to help improve production and revenue. A piggery and fishery were also constructed with this funding.

St. Joseph’s Farm assisted mostly poor women, young girls and unemployed youth from the local area and provided training and hands-on help with farming techniques. In addition, the project helped small farmers develop skills to manage their farms for increased productivity, self-employment and sustainability.

With a population close to 256,000, including a mix of Christians, Muslims and traditionalists, Sagamu is known for its agricultural products such as cocoa and kola nuts. The region’s rich vegetation and large masses of unoccupied or unused land attract people who develop an interest in agriculture. Yet, the region has high rates of unemployment and underemployment, as well as a low rate of formal education.

Empower girls & women through education

Salesian missionaries in Nigeria were able to train 15 girls in tailoring and give them self-employment starter kits thanks in part to funding from Salesian Missions. The training project “Post-COVID Relief through the Provision of Skills in Tailoring for Young Girls in Lagos and Ijebu Ode” ran from November 2020 to April 2021. A second phase of the project ran through July 2021.

Guided by the goal of equipping trainees with adequate skills in tailoring and sewing, the training consists of 90 percent practical work and 10 percent theory, which also involved life skills training, marketing, human management, interpersonal communication and other essential aspects of running a business. The trainees also completed a one-month internship before being provided with starter kits to help with self-employment to improve their livelihood.

Improve health services

Nigeria, the most populated country in sub-Saharan Africa, has roughly 3.5 million people infected with HIV, ranking it third among the countries with the highest HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) burden in the world, next only to India and South Africa, according to UNAIDS.

The country has 1.5 million of its residents requiring antiretroviral therapy treatment and more than 200,000 people die each year from HIV/AIDS-related complications. Nigeria also has a staggering 2.1 million AIDS orphans whose parents have succumbed to the disease. Entrenched gender inequalities, chronic and debilitating poverty, and stubborn persistence of HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination significantly contribute to the continuing spread of the infection.

In 2009, the Salesian missionaries were awarded a five-year U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Centers for Disease Control grant to work to combat the spread of HIV in Nigeria. The program, known as Don Bosco Life Choices, targeted Nigerians between the ages of 15 to 49 years and worked to increase knowledge and decrease the stigma of HIV while increasing the number of people who knew their HIV status. The program also increased access to voluntary counseling and testing and increased the number of people who had access to HIV treatment by offering a referral network to those who tested HIV positive.

Deliver essential equipment & supplies

John Bosco Institute of Technology in Ondo has a new school bus thanks to a donation from Stocker Bus Co. in Newton, N.J. Salesian Missions secured the donation and shipped it to the Salesian school. The bus will be used for transport for student activities and sports competitions. The staff and students at the school are very grateful for the new transportation.

John Bosco Institute of Technology was established in 1987 and graduated more than 2,000 students. Today, 400 students are taking courses in mechanical engineering, wood and aluminum technology, automotive engineering, electrical installation, business administration, computer science and technology, and event management and decoration. Youth at John Bosco Institute of Technology are learning important skills and trades in order to be prepared for the workforce.

Donations like the bus help ensure that youth are able to take full advantage of everything offered at the school including academic competitions at other schools, peer to peer activities and sporting events. These help students to have a well-rounded school experience while learning important life skills.

Improve infrastructure

Salesian missionaries in Onitsha are establishing the Don Bosco Solar Energy Training Center thanks to donors from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. Donors have provided the funding for the materials, labor and staff for the new center.

The launch of this new Solar Energy Training Center is the first of a four-step process to develop a reliable and renewable energy plan in the region. The center will teach local youth the skills required to install and maintain solar energy systems and will also create job opportunities for the local community.

Salesian missionaries with Corpus Christi Catholic Church, located in Ikoto, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, have been able to make improvements to their chapel thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. This project has benefited 500 young children, 400 older youth, and 600 women and men. The chapel can now be used by all who want to find some solace, peace and quiet as well as by groups and organizations who are holding prayer meetings, reflections, retreats and novenas.

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From Nigeria

Sustaining Communities through Farming

How do you reverse the tide of generational poverty in a country where nearly 90 million people suffer from it every day? You start, literally and figuratively, by teaching young people how to fish—which is exactly what Salesian

NIGERIA: Pig farm improves economic opportunities

Salesian missionaries develop working pig farm with donor funding from Salesian Missions. NEW ROCHELLE, NY (Dec. 27, 2022) Salesian missionaries have continued to develop the St. Joseph’s Farm, in Sagamu, Nigeria, thanks to dono

HUMAN RIGHTS DAY: Salesian Missions highlights programs for youth

Salesian Missions highlights programs helping poor youth receive an education and find a path out of poverty. NEW ROCHELLE, NY (Dec. 10, 2022) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humani

INT’L DAY OF RURAL WOMEN: Salesian Missions highlights projects that empower rural women

Women make up more than 40 percent of the agricultural labor force in developing countries says UN Women. NEW ROCHELLE, NY (Oct. 15, 2022) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitari

INT’L DAY OF PEACE: Salesian Missions highlights life-changing programs

Salesian missionaries provide programs to youth regardless of gender, race or religion. NEW ROCHELLE, NY (Sept. 21, 2022) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian organizations

NIGERIA: Scholarships awarded to 150 students

150 students from Don Bosco Vocational Training Center Koko received scholarships thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. NEW ROCHELLE, NY (May 31, 2022) Youth attending the Don Bosco Vocational Training Center in Koko, wi

Water for Everyone: A Worthy Ongoing Goal

Water, as Pope Francis reminds us in Laudato Si, is a basic human right. Yet billions of people around the world still lack a safe water source for drinking, cooking and washing. Addressing this crisis requires bold action—and S

WORLD WATER DAY: The Salesian Missions ‘Clean Water Initiative’ ensures access to clean, safe water

Led by UN-Water, World Water Day is celebrated March 22. NEW ROCHELLE, NY (March 22, 2022) Top of Form Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian organizations and countries aroun

INT’L DAY OF HAPPINESS: Salesian Missions programs promote well-being for youth

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

NIGERIA: Students access technology thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions

Donated equipment includes desktop and laptop computers, computer accessories, printers, and a smart TV. NEW ROCHELLE, NY (March 7, 2022) Students from the Don Bosco Vocational Training Center in Koko, in the Kebbi State of Nigeri

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Agriculture Training Programs

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Feed a Child

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.

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Technology Program

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.

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