Cebu City, Philippines - 9 February 2025 - The Sinulog Foundation, an organisation made up of Cebu City government officials and leaders of other local government units, has awarded a plaque of recognition to the Zatti Friends Club for its assistance during the Sinulog festivities - an annual celebration that falls on the third Sunday in January and celebrates the Christianisation of the Philippines, bringing millions of pilgrims and festive people to the city, and with them the challenge of flow management and first aid. Zatti Friends Club, an association of young helpers and rescuers, is a member of the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM). Together with other groups, and under the direction of the Department of Health, the young people of the club helped in the arduous task of providing safety and assistance during the Sinulog. The award presentation took place at the Cebu Waterfront Hotel with the city's mayor, Raymond Garcia, personally presenting the awards. This is the first time that a group of young people from Salesian circles has been recognised by the city for their contribution to health and safety, testifying to the enduring spirit of volunteerism and charity in the SYM.

Buterere, Burundi - February 2025 - As part of the Jubilee 2025 celebration, the Salesian Africa Great Lakes Vice-Province (AGL) organised a jubilee for the Salesian Youth Movement (MGS) in the Cité des Jeunes Don Bosco in Buterere, from 7 to 9 February. The event was attended by young people from the three Salesian houses in Burundi (Cité des Jeunes in Buterere, Ngozi High School and Rukago parish), as well as a representation from Kagwema, in the diocese of Bubanza, where the Salesians of Don Bosco have already begun construction work on a new building. The subject of reflection was ‘Youth of hope in a desperate world’ (cf. Rom 5:5). The Vicar of the AGL Vice-Province, Fr Frédéric Murindangabo, and many other Salesians working in Burundi honoured the activities that marked this initiative with their presence. More than 250 young people participated. On Sunday 9 February, a concluding solemn Mass was celebrated at the shrine of Mary Help of Christians in Buterere, with the young people sent on mission.

Bangkok, Thailand - February 2025 - On 11 February, Don Bosco Technological College in Bangkok celebrated the official opening of its new mechatronics and robotics laboratory. Present at the event were Mr Alexander Leutgeb, Second Secretary for Economic Affairs of the German Embassy in Bangkok; Mr Marius Mehner, Deputy Executive Director and Head of the Business Services Department of the German-Thai Chamber of Commerce; Fr Boonlert Paneetatthayasai, Superior of the Thai Province (THA); Fr Phonchit Phoolvithayakij, Rector, Fr John Lissandrin of the Past Pupils of Don Bosco Association; and other distinguished guests. After the guests were welcomed by the Provincial, Mr Mehner and Mr Leutgeb gave their speeches, which were followed by the cutting of the ribbon to officially open the workshop. The Don Bosco Technological College’ in Bangkok is the only vocational college that has been following a German mechatronics and robotics programme since 2020, a five-year programme through which students obtain a German vocational certificate and a Thai vocational certificate as well as a higher vocational diploma. When students in this department complete their third year, they do an internship at ‘Pathum Thani Brewery Co., Ltd’. (Boonrawd Brewery Co., Ltd.). This project is a collaboration between many sectors, which helps train Thai students to have valid skills and experience in the application of three main engineering disciplines: mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and automation control engineering. By bringing computer and information technology together, the programme enables students to design and manufacture modern parts and products.