Salesian Missions joins humanitarian organizations and countries
around the globe in recognizing World Humanitarian Day. Celebrated
every year on Aug. 19, World
Humanitarian Day honors the humanitarian efforts worldwide that
support people in crisis.
NEW
ROCHELLE, N.Y., Aug. 19,
2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Salesian Missions, the
U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins
humanitarian organizations and countries around the globe in
recognizing World Humanitarian Day. Celebrated every year on
Aug. 19, World Humanitarian Day
honors the humanitarian efforts worldwide that support people in
crisis.
"Salesian missionaries are on the forefront
of humanitarian efforts in more than 130 countries around the globe
and aid in humanitarian relief during times of natural disasters,
traumatic circumstances and civil strife," explained Father
Michael Conway, director of Salesian
Missions.
The day was established by the United Nations to recognize those
who face danger and adversity in order to help others. It was
designated to coincide with the anniversary of the 2003 bombing of
the U.N. headquarters in Baghdad,
Iraq. The bombing killed 22 humanitarian aid workers,
including the U.N. special representative of the secretary-general
for Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello. Five years later, the
General Assembly adopted a resolution designating Aug. 19 as World Humanitarian Day.
"Salesian missionaries are on the forefront of humanitarian
efforts in more than 130 countries around the globe and aid in
humanitarian relief during times of natural disasters, traumatic
circumstances and civil strife," explained Father Michael Conway, director of Salesian Missions.
"Because Salesian missionaries live in the communities they serve,
they are often on the front lines of humanitarian disasters.
Whether providing clothing and shelter in the immediate aftermath
or assisting the long recovery process to help families rebuild
their homes and salvage their livelihoods, Salesians are perfectly
positioned to help."
In honor and celebration of World Humanitarian Day 2024,
Salesian Missions is proud to highlight humanitarian and
transformative programming in countries around the globe.
DR CONGO
People who have been internally displaced and are living at Camp
Don Bosco, located at the Don Bosco Ngangi Youth Center in Goma,
Democratic Republic of the Congo*,
had access to healthy nutrition thanks to a partnership between
Salesian Missions and Feed My Starving Children. The donation
helped 2,780 people over three months in 2023.
The war between a rebel group and the loyalist FARDC army has
been going on for nearly two years. Camp Don Bosco was set up in
the fall of 2022. Don Bosco Ngangi Youth Center welcomed the
displaced people and allowed them to use a plot of land that was
once used for youth sports activities. Most of the 21,000 people
camped on the land were displaced from Rutshuru and Nyiragongo.
A Salesian noted, "The highly nutritious food from Feed My
Starving Children has been warmly welcomed by the families living
in the camp. The families know that they are getting much-needed
nutrition and are able to provide healthy meals for their families.
Families with children testify that this food is highly nutritious
and facilitates a quick recovery of malnourished children."
HAITI
Salesian students in Haiti
received healthy nutrition thanks to a partnership between Salesian
Missions and Rise Against Hunger. The shipment was received by the
Salesian-run Vincent Foundation and then distributed to seven
Salesian centers and schools in the second half of 2023. More than
3,100 youth were impacted by the donation.
The Vincent Foundation school, located southwest of Cap-Haïtien,
was founded by President Stentio Joseph Vincent in 1936. It was
handed over to the Salesians in 1955. The professional school
offers courses in tailoring, cabinetmaking, automobile mechanics,
electricity and agricultural technology. In addition to this
school, the shipment was shared with Don Bosco Technique,
Lakay Don Bosco, Timkatec,
Lakay Foyer and Atelier, and Lakou
CDR and Atelier.
Salesians serve vulnerable youth around the country.
Haiti is experiencing high levels
of insecurity, including looting and hostage-taking. The
Cap-Haïtien area is also facing extremely high inflation and almost
complete unavailability of fuel for transportation.
NAMIBIA
Don Bosco Private School in Namibia received classroom furniture thanks to
a donation from Furniture Reuse Solutions secured by Salesian
Missions. Furniture Reuse Solutions has a commitment to
sustainability and societal benefit. The company provides charities
and nonprofits with gifts-in-kind donations that aid in their
humanitarian missions.
The furniture is being used in the classrooms, computer lab,
staff room and small school hall. All of these locations lacked
furniture before this donation arrived. The donation has impacted
230 students, 16 teaching staff and indirectly more than 500
parents who are happy with the resources for their children.
The combination of desks and chairs for students is the first of
its kind at Don Bosco Private School. Salesians report that the
furniture has made the learning environment more relaxing for the
students, who would have otherwise been disadvantaged because of
the lack of desks and chairs. The new desks and chairs also create
neatness in the class and with more space for movement among the
rows and for class activities. Both students and teachers
appreciate the new classroom set-up. The school plans to add more
classrooms in order to better serve the local population.
NIGERIA
The Salesian Hostel in the Don Bosco community of Onitsha, located
in the Anambra State of Nigeria, has the support needed for a new
roof project thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. While
the roof is not yet completed, the funding helped pay for
construction of roof beams, fabrication of the iron trusses, and
connection, fixing and anchorages of the structural steel
works.
Close to 800 youth, ages 11-18, are boarders of the hostel and
will benefit from this project. The roof also creates a safer
workplace for educators, Salesian staff and personnel at the
hostel. A Salesian noted, "This new roof is ensuring a safe and
comfortable environment for everyone who is staying and working at
the hostel. We are grateful for donor support."
Salesians have been working in Nigeria since 1982, providing social and
educational support for poor youth and their families. Currently,
Salesians have five technical and training centers in the country,
two child protection centers, a health care center, a secondary
school, nine youth centers and one formation center.
Salesians also operate a school of philosophy and six job
service offices to help youth who are graduating from Salesian
schools with access to employment. In addition, Salesians have two
farm projects and a migration office, and they have completed 41
water boreholes to ensure clean water across Nigeria.
*Any goods, services or funds provided by Salesian Missions to
programs located in this country were administered in compliance
with applicable laws and regulations, including sanctions
administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign
Asset Control.
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
Media Contact
Laura Perillo, Salesian Missions,
1908406341, media@salesianmissions.org,
https://salesianmissions.org/
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SOURCE Salesian Missions