For families living in Mandalay — Myanmar’s second-largest city — daily life is filled with uncertainty and hardship. In March 2025, a powerful earthquake severely damaged the city’s infrastructure, leaving millions of people in crisis. Residents struggling to recover from this catastrophic disaster faced hardships compounded by an ongoing civil war, leaving already vulnerable communities fractured and helpless. And, as so often happens in times of turmoil, children are among those who suffer the most.

Many young people in Mandalay have been left alone on the streets, without protection, stability or access to basic necessities. Some have lost one or both parents, while others come from families who are no longer able to care for them amid the chaos. Faced with hunger, fear and exploitation, these children desperately needed a safe place that they can turn to.

Thankfully, the Don Bosco Youth Center in Mandalay has become a beacon of hope for these precious boys and girls.

Since 2014, Salesian missionaries have been serving vulnerable youth at the Center, providing a loving environment where children feel cherished, protected and valued. Before the earthquake, the Center also offered vocational training in electrical work, IT services, and motorbike repair — giving young people practical skills to help them build a better future. Sadly, damage to the facilities forced these classes to be suspended.

Despite these challenges, the Don Bosco Youth Center continues its mission.

Today, the Center is run by four Salesian priests, plus two cooks and a dedicated volunteer. Together, they provide meals, basic education, and a welcoming space where children can participate in sports, music and cultural activities — moments of joy and normalcy in an otherwise unstable world.

However, the ongoing civil conflict has made daily operations increasingly difficult. “The cost of food has risen sharply, and providing meals for young people who rely on the Center has become a growing struggle,” explains Father Michael Conway, Director or Salesian Missions. “But we know our missionaries will do everything possible to provide nourishment, security and hope to vulnerable youth in Mandalay — no matter what challenges lie ahead.”

In a country battered by natural disaster and violence, the Don Bosco Youth Center stands as a place of refuge — where children are reminded that they are not forgotten and that a brighter future is still possible.

Learn more about our work in Myanmar.

Our mission is to help vulnerable children overcome hardship so they can grow up in safety, dignity and hope. 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.