Salesian community supports more than 100 children and more than 50 youth.

NEW ROCHELLE, NY (June 1, 2024) Salesian missionaries had the funding to build a house for volunteers in Kazembe, Zambia, thanks to donor support from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The building can accommodate the 10 volunteers along with guests who stay at the Salesian community. In the summer months, the community will also house five seminarians. The community supports more than 100 children and more than 50 youth in the oratory.

Prior to the construction of the house, volunteers and guests needed to find space either at the main Salesian house or in an orphanage belonging to another organization. Neither of these situations were ideal as most of the volunteers are young women who need separate accommodations.

The new building has three bedrooms, a spacious kitchen connected with the living room and a space for an office. In addition to the construction of the building, the funding provided the necessary financial support for drilling a borehole for water, installing a water stand and building an underground septic tank. The building was then equipped with water, sewage and electricity. Funding was utilized for furniture and necessary items including an oven, refrigerator, pots, plates, and kitchen utensils.

A Salesian noted, “One of the people impacted by this donation was Kelvin. He joined us in May 2023 as a helper on the building site. After three months, we realized that he was skilled and hard working. In November, he started to work as brick layer. He improved his skills so much that now he is working for us on a daily basis as a top bricklayer in our whole mission. We are planning to provide him with a skills course in bricklaying and a certificate of completion. That will help him in the future life.”

Salesians in Zambia provide a range of social development programs and education to aid poor and at-risk youth so they can have a healthy productive life. Early education helps youth gain a foundation to allow them to later advance to skills training for employment. Basic needs are met along the way ensuring youth focus on their education.

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