‘Clean Water Initiative’ project provides new water resource for Don Bosco Makululu.

NEW ROCHELLE, NY (Sept 3, 2024) Youth living at Don Bosco Makululu and students attending the Salesian primary and secondary school have access to clean water thanks to a project funded in Zambia by the Salesian Missions “Clean Water Initiative.” Salesian Missions is the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco.

More than 1,500 youth are benefiting from this project at Don Bosco Makululu, a home for street children from poor areas who have nowhere else to live. Salesians ensure youth have their basic needs met and are able to access education.

The project included drilling a new borehole and the steel needed for a new water stand. A new water tank is connected to the existing water system so that even when the power is out, which can be up to 16 hours a day, Salesians can utilize the water pump and the solar power to ensure clean water access.

The entire area where the Salesian center is located suffers from poor sanitary conditions, including an inadequate water supply, bad drainage and poor air quality. This area of Zambia has also been experiencing frequent droughts. The new water resource is enabling Salesians to ensure that youth in their programs and schools have the water they need.

One youth who is benefiting from the project is John Chilufya, age 11, who started living on the streets in 2020 when he was just 8. Chilufya and his siblings had a rough life. His mother passed away and he was forced to live with his father who did not properly care for him. He ended up on the streets to find food and comfort with his friends.

Chilufya explained, “The time I was on the street I was engaged in harmful activities. I was sniffing glue and eating from the dust bins as well as begging for food. We also used to sleep in the drainage and corridors, and we were sleeping without anything to cover ourselves. When the rain came during the rainy season, it was difficult for us to sleep because the drainage was full of water and the boxes we used to sleep were too wet.”

He was guided to seek help from the Salesians, leaving once, but returning to the Salesian program when he was starving and had no other place to seek for help. Today, Chilufya remains at the Salesian center. He said, “I’m happy to be finally in school for the first time in my life. I have a place to sleep, food to eat and the clothes that I need. I am receiving rehabilitation from the staff that are here and I am very happy.”

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.

To learn more about the Salesian Missions Clean Water Initiative, go to SalesianMissions.org/water.

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