Petare, Venezuela - June 2021 - The Salesian Youth Ministry of the "San Lucas" Province of Venezuela (VEN) continues to be a sign of hope among the young people who participate in the various Provincial projects. Most children, adolescents and young people live in personal situations of great difficulty that cause them serious injuries and much suffering; but if duly accompanied, following their own process of personal recovery, with growth and maturation, they can become true educators of their companions with whom they share the same path that gradually prepares them for future tasks of educational service in the same work, in their families and in society. For over a year, the Salesians have been giving their support to a group of 200 refugee children in the Petare neighborhood near Caracas. These were times of hard work, but also of gratification since many of them have already asked for the sacraments of the Eucharist and Baptism.

Fr Jorge Bastidas, SDB