Two students attending Don Bosco Calauan received scholarship funding from Salesian Missions donors.

NEW ROCHELLE, NY (March 11, 2021) Two youth attending the Don Bosco Technical Vocational Center in Calauan, Philippines, continued their studies thanks to scholarship funding provided by donors of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The financial assistance received will enable the students to gain the education needed to find and retain stable employment either locally or internationally.

Don Bosco Calauan provides education in automotive servicing, motorcycle small engine servicing, computer systems servicing, electrical installation and maintenance, and shielded metal arc welding.

“We at Don Bosco Calauan are grateful to Salesian Missions for the support you have given us especially in this great moment of crisis,” said Father Jeffrey L. Mangubat, administrator and technical director of Don Bosco Calauan. “We thank you for being part of our mission in cutting the vicious cycle of poverty among youth as we provide them quality technical education and training which will bring them to obtain a decent future. The students and their parents are very grateful for this wonderful opportunity.”

The Salesians are regarded as the single largest provider of vocational and technical training in the world. They offer more than 1,000 vocational, technical, professional and agricultural schools around the globe. This training provides youth the practical skills to prepare for employment and helps them lead productive lives while becoming contributing adults in their communities. These programs go beyond educating. They also assist youth with making connections within industries and preparing them for the process of searching, finding and retaining employment.

“We know that access to education lays the foundation for a better future for all youth and that work must continue even as we face a global health crisis,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions. “In many countries around the globe where poverty is high and access to education is not universal, it is crucial that Salesian missionaries continue to offer technical and vocational training to as many youth as possible to ensure that they have access to long-term stable employment.”

Since 1950, Salesian Missions has been providing crucial help in the Philippines—working with at-risk youth, impoverished families and disaster victims. Humanitarian agencies warn of the dangers faced by the most disadvantaged children in the Philippines. According to UNICEF, there are at least 1.2 million children between the ages of 5-15 who are out of school and are being left behind. In addition, children born into the poorest 20 percent of the population are almost three times more likely to die during their first five years as those from the richest 20 percent.

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