Salesian Missions joins humanitarian organizations and the
international community in celebrating World Youth Skills Day,
celebrated on July 15 each year since
2014. The United Nations designated the day as a way to bring
greater awareness of the importance of technical and vocational
education and training, as well as the development of other skills
relevant to both local and global economies.
NEW
ROCHELLE, N.Y., July 15,
2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Salesian Missions,
the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins
humanitarian organizations and the international community in
celebrating World Youth Skills Day, celebrated on July 15 each year since 2014. The United Nations
designated the day as a way to bring greater awareness of the
importance of technical and vocational education and training, as
well as the development of other skills relevant to both local and
global economies.
"Education is one of the most important
factors for getting out of conditions of poverty," said Father
Michael Conway, director of Salesian
Missions.
Salesians are regarded as the single largest private 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 with
practical skills to prepare for employment and helps them lead
productive lives while becoming contributing adults in their
communities. 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.
"Education is one of the most important factors for getting out
of conditions of poverty," said Father Michael Conway, director of Salesian Missions.
"Salesian missionaries offer technical and vocational training to
as many disadvantaged and at-risk youth as possible in countries
around the globe to ensure that they have access to long-term
stable employment. When youth learn employable skills, they can
enter the workforce prepared, earning an income to help themselves
and improve their communities."
To mark World Youth Skills Day 2024, Salesian Missions is proud
to highlight technical and vocational programs that provide
life-changing education and skills training for poor and at-risk
youth.
BOLIVIA
Students attending the Madre Cándida Center, located in
Santa Cruz, Bolivia, have new
computer equipment thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions.
The funding provided 14 new computers to improve the computer
laboratory which had obsolete and outdated equipment.
With the donation, students are now more comfortable in class
and are working with equipment that helps prepare them for the job
market and their careers. There are 125 students who access
technical training offered by the center. They take courses in
cutting and dress making, comprehensive beauty skills, executive
secretarial work, machine embroidery and computer systems. Twenty
students in the computer systems course will benefit most from the
donation.
A Salesian said, "Our students come from low-income families
from the municipalities of Yapacaní in the Ichilo province. They do
not have sufficient financial resources to enter the university or
emigrate to the city to be able to pursue a degree at the
undergraduate level, which is why they choose to study a technical
degree near their communities. We are hoping with these new
computers we also will be able to increase enrollment into the
computer systems course."
ECUADOR
Salesian missionaries in Machala, Ecuador, launched a project to provide
technical education for more than 200 at-risk young people from
low-income sectors in the city. Salesians also supported 20 small
family business initiatives to improve the living conditions of the
beneficiaries.
The goal was to reduce poverty by strengthening technical skills
and promoting family and entrepreneurship for young people ages
18-35.
Courses focused mostly on young women who are migrants, mainly
from Venezuela, and Ecuadorian
citizens experiencing social exclusion, including single mothers
and economically dependent women. With lower levels of education,
these young women face the greatest barriers to accessing training
and employment.
Education included courses in gastronomy, cosmetics and cell
phone repair, which were held at three different times. Each course
included 108 hours of face-to-face lectures on technical topics, 12
hours of lectures on peace culture, entrepreneurship, and business
models, and 24 hours of hands-on individual work that was done at
home. A total of 218 students participated in the courses, with 68%
of the students women and 32% men. Of the students, 56% were from
Ecuador and 44% were migrants.
NICARAGUA
Students attending Saint John Bosco Salesian School in Granada,
Nicaragua, received scholarships
thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. In 2023, 62 primary
and secondary students benefited from this scholarship funding.
The students come from poor families who do not earn a
substantial wage or who are led by single mothers. The families
have serious financial difficulties and struggle to pay tuition on
their own. The scholarship funding ensures youth from these
families have access to high-quality education.
A Salesian noted, "Salesian education responds to today's
challenges and seeks to educate and empower youth to develop a
sense of responsibility for one's own life, overcoming obstacles
with courage and perseverance."
The school was founded in May
1912, the year in which the first Salesians arrived in the
city. Education is offered for preschool, primary and secondary
school.
UGANDA
Students attending Don Bosco Primary School, part of Don Bosco
Children and Life Mission (Don Bosco CALM), in Namugongo, northeast
of Kampala, Uganda, received new
school uniforms, sports uniforms and school supplies thanks to
donor funding from Salesian Missions. The 200 children, ages 5-13,
were from families most in need. They could not afford to buy their
children new school uniforms or the school supplies to take part in
educational activities.
Mbabazi Prosper, age 9, was one of the recipients. He lives with
his grandmother who is unable to buy the things he needs for
school. Prosper said, "I was not going to school before because my
grandmother could not afford the school fees. Now I study at Don
Bosco and I'm sure I will succeed in the future. Thanks to the
donors we received new uniforms, books and pencils that allow us to
participate in school. We are all grateful."
Many of the students who received the donation drew pictures and
wrote notes in thanks for the donation that allows them to fully
participate in their education.
About Salesian Missions USA
Salesian Missions is headquartered in New
Rochelle, NY, and is 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. 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.
Contact:
Laura Perillo
media@salesianmissions.org
908-406-3413 (text messages OK)
Twitter: @MissionNewswire
Newswire: MissionNewswire.org
Press room: SalesianMissions.org/press
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SOURCE Salesian Missions