Giving hope to millions of youth around the globe
Nepal is still rebuilding after devastating earthquakes destroyed cities and left more than 500,000 people displaced and homeless. A 7.8 earthquake struck Nepal on April 25, 2015, and a second struck on May 12 that year. More than 8,000 died and close to 20,000 were injured as a result of the earthquakes and their aftermath.Read more about Nepal[…]
Burundi, located in the heart of the African Great Lakes region, has seen more than a decade of violence and conflict which has contributed to widespread poverty, according to UNICEF. Since it obtained independence from Belgium in 1962, the nation has recorded five episodes of civil war that have claimed more than 500,000 lives andRead more about Burundi[…]
Salesian missionaries across Benin strive to keep youth safe and provide them with an education—which for many is the only path out of the staggering poverty 70 percent of Benin’s population experiences. According to UNICEF, Benin remains one of the poorest countries in the world. Youth in Benin suffer greatly from the effects of extremeRead more about Benin[…]
The Salesians are providing life-saving support in Peru, a country plagued by poverty, hunger and disaster. Half the population is poor, 24% of children are chronically malnourished and communities struggle to rebuild after a devastating 8.0 earthquake that destroyed 60,000 homes and businesses. The situation is made worse by a shortage of productive farmland and a lack of job skills among women entering the workforce.
Salesian Missions knows the best way to combat poverty in Mozambique – one of the poorest countries in the world – is through education and skills training. Half the population lives in poverty and a shortage of trained teachers has hampered efforts to open new schools in the past.
Salesian Missions is providing opportunities for children and families struggling to improve their lives in Mongolia. Specific focus is on students who are having difficulty coping in a traditional high school setting, and on families that are arriving in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar in desperate search of employment.
The Salesians in Mexico are directing their efforts toward the country's at-risk population, including girls and young mothers who face severe dangers on the streets. Innovative programs are preventing poor children from dropping out of school and are providing important opportunities to keep their lives on the right track.
Salesian Missions has been serving a life-saving function in Liberia – one of the world's poorest countries – for the past 30 years. Nearly two-thirds of the 3.5 million residents fall below the poverty line and families struggle to rebuild in the wake of a devastating civil war. Among the most vulnerable victims are former child soldiers who must be rehabilitated and guided into a responsible and productive lifestyle.
Salesian missionaries are helping poor youth and their families through education, nutrition and workforce development in the Kakuma refugee camp and across Kenya. Nearly 45 percent of the population lives in conditions of poverty. In addition, UNICEF notes that while Kenya has free and compulsory education, disadvantaged youth still cannot afford to attend school, resulting in close to 90 percent of children from poor households failing to complete their basic education.
Salesian Missions is making a huge difference in India, but the need is enormous. The country is home to 25% of the world's hungry poor, 44% of the workforce is illiterate, 220,000 children have been affected by the AIDS epidemic and India has the largest number of child laborers in the world. Progress has been significant: the number of out-of-school children has been reduced from 25 million to 8 million in the past 8 years, and more than 85% of the population has access to sustainable clean drinking water.