Students benefit thanks to donation from Father Mark Hyde, former director of Salesian Missions.

NEW ROCHELLE, NY (Nov. 28, 2022) Two nursery and primary schools in El Salvador received school furniture thanks to a donation from Father Mark Hyde, former director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. Fr. Hyde is currently working at St. Rosalie parish in New Orleans. When the parish primary school closed, Fr. Hyde made sure that the furniture was donated to Salesian Missions for use abroad.

The donation, which was sent to the Laura Vicuña Pro Education Foundation for distribution, impacted 127 students at the Mary Help of Christian School in San Salvador and 275 at the Obra Social María Auxiliadora School in Chalchuapa. The new furniture has improved the educational environment of these two schools.

Sister Maria Antonieta Salguero Abrego said, “Educational environments are a fundamental part of the learning process for many children. Receiving new school furniture has created a more comfortable environment for the children to sit and engage with the learning materials. Comfort not only helps students pay attention, but it also allows the body to be in correct postures that leads to better learning. Improvements in the children’s academic performance is ultimately what we strive for.”

Sr. Abrego added, “This also builds children’s confidence and allows them to aim for academic excellence. This will better secure their futures after school and will further aid them in taking care of themselves and their families after school. Being able to provide an enriching experience for the children not only makes the staff and children happy but also brings comfort to parents knowing that their children are being well looked after and prioritized at school.”

Close to 22 percent of El Salvador’s population lives in poverty, according to the World Bank. Youth in El Salvador are confronted not only with poverty but with instability, high levels of violence and inadequate access to educational opportunities. Despite ranking high for economic indicators, the need for practical education in El Salvador is more important than ever with 12 percent of youth ages 15-24 unemployed and 41 percent underemployed.

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