This post comes to us from Salesian Missions USA, headquartered in New Rochelle, N.Y., and part of the Don Bosco Network — a worldwide federation of Salesian NGOs. The mission of the U.S.-based nonprofit Catholic organization is to raise funds for international programs that serve youth and families in poor communities around the globe. The Salesian missionaries are made up of priests, brothers and sisters, as well as laypeople — all dedicated to caring for poor children throughout the world in more than 130 countries and helping young people become self-sufficient by learning a trade that will help them gain employment.
Salesian Missions funds sustainability projects in poor communities around the globe
With the last nine years as the warmest on record, sustainability is crucial for preserving our planet’s natural resources, reducing pollution, conserving water and protecting the globe from further warming.
In fact, all United Nations Member States adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in 2015. These 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a framework for addressing poverty and other global issues in developed and developing countries.
These goals recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth — all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.
Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, raises funds for international Salesian programs that serve youth and families in poor communities and understands the value of teaching young people the importance of sustainability.
The Salesian focus on the environment was inspired by the teachings of Pope Francis’ 2020 Laudato Si’, which underlined the importance of education and training that helps youth foster environmental responsibility.
Just in time for World Environment Day (June 5), the following are some examples of how Salesian Missions provides critical funding for sustainability education and programs around the world.
NIGERIA
Salesian missionaries in the Imo state of Nigeria had the funding to help local farmers thanks to donor support from Salesian Missions. The project “Post-COVID Empowerment through the Provision of Poultry and Farm Crops for Poor Young People and Women in Nigeria” supported four poor families with their farms in 2022.
These families had established small-scale farms and saw improved revenues at harvest time given the training and support received from the Salesians. Training topics included crops, organic manure, pest control and spacing of crops. Additional training was provided directly at the farm locations, and it included clearing, mapping and planting periods.
TANZANIA
A total of 316 students looking to make a career in renewable energy received training in solar installation, operation and maintenance thanks to grant funding Salesian Missions received from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.
Through the training initiative, students benefited from solar technician courses along with soft skills training, field attachments, job search help and other career guidance. With this funding, business development services training started for 94 short course students and 110 Level III trainees. Students now have the knowledge and skills to develop and implement business plans and formally register their businesses.
PERU
Salesian chapels in Peru received solar panels to help with electricity thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. Solar panels were provided to Santa María de Cahuapanas, Barranquita, Chopiloma and one other chapel.
Given the size of the Santa María chapel, two solar panels were installed. Prior to the installation, the chapel did not have electricity.
For many years, Salesian missionaries have been focusing on teaching about sustainable environments within their specific communities in which they live.
To date, more than 3 million youth have received services funded by Salesian Missions. These services and programs are provided to children regardless of race or religion. For more information, go to SalesianMissions.org.
