The outlook for impoverished youth in Sub-Saharan Africa is concerning. More than one out of every five children between the ages of 6-11 – and a third of children between 12-14 – are out of school. That number increases to nearly 60% for young people between the ages of 15-17. Fortunately, there’s hope … thanks to scholarships awarded to 209 disadvantaged students.

Fr. César Antonio Fernández was a Salesian missionary who served poor youth in this region of Africa from 1982 until his passing in 2019. Fr. César knew the importance of an education but also knew that the poor children he served didn’t have the necessary resources to attend school. He made it his mission to raise funds to give children the educational opportunities they desperately needed.

The “Antonio César” scholarship program was founded in his honor to keep the memory of his good deeds alive. Today, thanks to funding from compassionate friends like you, we are able to carry on Fr. César’s legacy. Recently, scholarships were distributed by our Salesian missionaries in the provincial community of Our Lady of Peace, which has been serving impoverished families in Sub-Saharan Africa for decades. Beneficiaries included the most vulnerable youth, especially young girls, orphaned and abandoned children, and the poorest of the poor in Benin, Burkina Faso, Gambia, Guinea, Mali* and Senegal.

“We want to ensure that all youth have the chance to gain an education – particularly girls, who face greater barriers,” explains Father Michael Conway, Director of Salesian Missions. “It’s our goal to connect all children with opportunities that enable them to gain the knowledge and skills they need for employment and success in life, despite the disadvantages they face.”

To increase the chances of success, missionaries held seminars and workshops for youth at 14 training centers, four colleges, two primary schools and one nursery in the Salesian province. They also had 15-minute dialogue sessions before class each day to encourage the students to excel in their studies.

Our missionaries will continue to monitor the scholarship recipients, ensuring they have the support and services they need to maximize their educational journey and realize their fullest potential. The goal is to expand the scholarship program allowing even more youth to experience the benefits of an education.

In a community plagued by poverty, the scholarships provide a beacon of hope for children and young people desperate to take control of their destiny and put an end to their suffering. It’s also one of the many examples of how your generosity is making that possible.

Our mission is to provide vulnerable children with the support they need to access an education and improve their quality of life. What’s your mission?

*Any goods, services, or funds provided by Salesian Missions to programs located in this country were administered in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control.