Rimac, Peru – December 2024 – On the occasion of the feast of the Immaculate Conception, 8 December, the Provincial of the Salesians in Peru, Fr Juan Pablo Alcas, presided over the Eucharist at the Salesian San Juan Bosco Oratory in Rimac. During the homily the said, "Today Don Bosco begins the Oratory through the Immaculate Virgin", recalling the meeting between Don Bosco and Bartholomew Garelli, a moment that marked the beginning of the Salesian Oratory in 1841. With this event, the Salesians of Peru closed the activities commemorating the Bicentenary of Don Bosco's "Dream at 9 years of age". The celebration was attended by young people, teachers and families who cycled from the San Francisco de Sales school to arrive together at the Rímac oratory. The route filled the streets of Lima with joy, with participants of all ages, from the youngest to the most experienced cyclists. All united in a single mission: to reach the oratory to celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception and the beginning of the Salesian Oratory. "We came to the first Salesian house in Peru, on foot, by car or by bicycle, to celebrate a special event: the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. We are a Marian Congregation par excellence," said the Provincial. After the ceremony, the courtyard at the Rímac youth centre became the scene of a great Salesian celebration. Parents with their children, those who attend the oratory, students and members of the Salesian Family gathered to participate in a lively gymkhana full of games, and moments of shared joy; an atmosphere that fully reflected the true Salesian spirit.

Walvanda, India – December 2024 – On Sunday 1 December, past pupils from the Bosco Boys Unit – Borivali organised an awareness programme for disadvantaged Adivasi children attending Don Bosco Walvanda in the rural area of Maharashtra. The programme aimed to support and involve the 100 children who regularly participate in the activities of the oratory. A team of 15 past pupils interacted with the children, with a series of lively games that brought visible excitement and joy. To further support their educational journey, 100 gift baskets were distributed, each containing essential school items such as backpacks, stationery, notebooks, geometry boxes, watercolor sets, and more. The initiative not only gave happiness to the young students, but also strengthened the commitment of the past pupils in supporting disadvantaged and marginalised communities.

Corrientes, Argentina – December 2024 – The students of the Salesian Pius XI school participated in the last edition of the International Young Entrepreneurs Competition. The event brought together national and international participants who presented innovative business projects. More than 50 students from the last years of the Economics and Administration, Social Sciences and Natural Sciences courses participated from Pius XI. Three of their projects won major awards: best national project idea - ‘VYNOX DETECTOR’, a kit for detecting drugs in drinks, designed by Clara Brandes, Alejandro Manassero, Fátima Sosa and Luciana Pizzichini; mention for ‘Sustainable Innovation (UNL)’ - project presented by Julián Pereson, Sofía Bezos, Valentino Gilí, Juan Pablo Fernandez Devecchi and Mateo Alegre; and 2nd place for the best project idea to ‘AUTOPARK’, developed by Valeria Christiani, Ignacio Ojeda, Benjamín Miles and Jurgen Hermann. The Pius XI Salesian school has successfully participated in the competition since 2019, standing out each year for its entrepreneurial approach and commitment to social issues. This year the result had a strong impact in Corrientes, with local awards and also the visit of the Provincial Minister of Education, Práxedes López, who congratulated the students. With their commitment, the young entrepreneurs from Pius XI demonstrate that innovation and teamwork can generate solutions with a real impact on society.