Salesians serve vulnerable youth throughout Haiti.

NEW ROCHELLE, NY (April 8, 2024) Salesian students in Haiti received healthy nutrition thanks to a partnership between Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, and Rise Against Hunger, an international humanitarian organization growing a global movement to end hunger. The shipment was received by the Salesian-run Vincent Foundation and then distributed to seven Salesian centers and schools in the second half of 2023. More than 3,100 youth were impacted by the donation.

The Vincent Foundation school, located southwest of Cap-Haïtien, was founded by President Vincent in 1936. It was handed over to the Salesians in 1955. The professional school offers courses in tailoring, cabinetmaking, automobile mechanics, electricity and agricultural technology. In addition to this school, the shipment was shared with Don Bosco Technique, Lakay Don Bosco, Timkatec, Lakay Foyer and Atelier, and Lakou CDR and Atelier.

Salesians serve vulnerable youth around the country. During the second half of 2023, Cap-Haïtien faced high levels of generalized insecurity, including looting and hostage-taking. The region also faced extremely high inflation and almost complete unavailability of fuel for transportation.

Because of the insecurity in Cap-Haïtien, many of the school’s activities that involve traveling, such as educational outings and family visits, were canceled during this period. The Lakay Center also intensified the work in its kitchen garden to address food insecurity due to inflation.

The local economy is precarious and everything is focused on agriculture. The feeding programs at Salesian schools offer an incentive for parents to send their children to school. The food allows students to be better prepared for their studies and have more success.

Dorcilien Evens, age 14, is one of the students who received the Rise Against Hunger meals. He lives with his parents and two sisters. His parents don’t have jobs and food is hard to come by. He worries about his sisters and himself. Evens says he can see the pain in my parents’ eyes because they can’t feed their children.

Evens explained, “When I arrived at the Vincent Foundation, my life changed. I no longer worry about food because I receive a hot dish every day and I can eat until I am full. Sometimes, I can bring something for my sisters. Without this food, students cannot work in the classrooms. We arrive at school without eating, and we have a stomachache or a headache. When we eat something, we are happy and able to follow along with the teacher. When I go home, even if I don’t find anything to eat, I have no worries because at school they already gave me something substantial.”

Salesian missionaries began working in Haiti in 1935 in response to the Haitian government’s request for a professional school. Since then, Salesian missionaries have expanded their work to include 11 main educational centers and more than 200 schools across the country.

The 11 main centers each include a number of primary and secondary schools, vocational training centers, and other programs for street children and youth in need. Salesian programs are located throughout Haiti, including in the cities of Port-au-Prince, Fort-Liberté, Cap-Haïtien, Les Cayes and Gressier. Today, Salesian missionaries in Haiti provide the largest source of education outside of the Haitian government.

###

Contact: [email protected]