Don Bosco Technique welcomes youth who have difficulties attending school.

NEW ROCHELLE, NY (May 23, 2023) Five students received scholarships to attend Don Bosco Technique, located in Fidar, Lebanon,* thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The school is one of the area’s few professional institutes and welcomes many youth who have difficulties attending school. The goal is to provide them with an education and social supports so they remain in school and gain the skills needed for employment.

Don Bosco Technique offers several different programs for youth, including mechanics, electrical installation, hairdressing and computer science. One of the school’s most sought-after programs is focused on training in catering and hotel services. There is a large employment sector across the world for graduates in these areas.

“We are grateful to our donors who have provided scholarship funding for students in need,” said Father Timothy Ploch, interim director of Salesian Missions. “The educational programs at Don Bosco Technique are created to help youth have a smooth school to work transition. Because Salesian missionaries live in the communities in which they work, they are knowledgeable of market conditions and what employment sectors are the most advantageous for employment.”

Lebanon is in the middle of a deepening economic crisis that has pushed more than 80% percent of the population into conditions of poverty. Marginalized communities, including seniors, children and refugees, have been disproportionately impacted by the worsening economic conditions that are affecting public services, including education and health care.

Lebanon is also dealing with more than 1.5 million refugees who have fled the Syrian civil war, according to UNHCR – the United Nations Refugee Agency. Close to 90% of those are living in extreme poverty and don’t even have enough to meet their basic needs. Salesian missionaries have been working in Lebanon since 1952 and currently have two centers. The one center in Fidar has Don Bosco Technique and a youth center. The Salesian community in El Houssoun has an oratory and a reception house that has been housing Catholic refugees since the start of the war in Syria.

*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.

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