DR Congo: Abandoned children receive care
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MissionNewswire) Father Albert Kabuge, Salesian provincial of the Central Africa Province, recently visited Salesian programs in Bukavu and Goma and made an appeal for support for 75 abandoned children and babies living at the Ushindi Center Orphanage. These children are accessing shelter, care and basic needs, and when old enough, they will be enrolled in Salesian education.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo was plagued by intense civil war and ongoing internal conflict. As a result, there have been close to 5.4 million deaths, according to the International Rescue Committee. Most deaths resulted from non-violent causes such as malaria, diarrhea, pneumonia and malnutrition, all typically preventable under normal circumstances but often fatal in times of conflict. Close to 1.5 million people have been internally displaced or have become refugees in neighboring countries after having fled the country to escape the continued vio
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MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries with St. Augustine’s Parish, located in the Dworzark community within Freetown, Sierra Leone, have partially completed construction of a new church thanks to donor funding provided by Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. As the number of parishioners and the size of the community have increased, Salesian missionaries embarked on a multi-phase project to expand their outgrown church.
St. Augustine’s Parish is one of the poorest parishes in the Archdiocese of Freetown and parishioners are making personal efforts to bring the building to completion. The church is still in need of funding to complete the last phase of the project, which includes windows, doors, flooring, painting, plumbing and electrical work. Salesian Missions is seeking donor funding to help finish this project.
Thailand: Help continues for those impacted by typhoon
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MissionNewswire) Thailand was hit with a strong typhoon that battered the southern part of the country at the end of November. The storm brought sudden flooding and disruption to 11 provinces. Even though the water level has come down, there is still flooding and flood damage in the region with the province of Nakhon Si Thammarat affected the most.
The Salesian Saengthong Vitthaya School mobilized support from the Association of Past Pupils, the Parent-Teacher Association, and teachers and students. Working together, they contributed more than 2,000 food bags and financial support to help the villagers of Amphoe Chawang and the local community of Bo Sap. The school also gave scholarships to Don Bosco Development Training Center in Amphoe Ronphiboon.
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MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries in Yaupi, Ecuador, are finding innovative ways to make sure youth can continue their studies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Yaupi and the surrounding areas are remote, and there is no internet access and no television broadcasting signal. Missionaries have provided families in 20 communities kits that include solar panels, batteries and radios to ensure that youth can access their lessons and continue their education from home.
According to UNICEF, only 37 percent of families in Ecuador have internet connection. In rural areas, only 16 percent of households have network connectivity. This means that many children cannot study at home, which is critical since many areas are focused on remote learning during the pandemic.
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MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Youth Center, part of the Dwarzak Parish in Freetown, Sierra Leone, offers youth a space to enjoy leisure and sports, get help with schoolwork, have a nutritious meal, and find personal and spiritual support in a safe and healthy environment. Salesian missionaries also promote an attitude of service and teach children and older youth the importance of giving back to their families and community. They are being prepared to be good, honest citizens.
Youth in Sierra Leone face significant challenges in accessing education. With too few teachers and many school buildings destroyed in the war, resources are thin. Persistently high illiteracy rates mean that an estimated 70 percent of Sierra Leone’s youth are unemployed or underemployed. Programs facilitated by Don Bosco Youth Center help to ensure youth have access to the services they need to gain an education and to be able to connect with their peers.