South Sudan is the world’s youngest country, having gained independence in 2011 after a very long civil war that lasted more than 40 years. It has a population of about 12 million people, and children and young people under the age of 25 make up about 75 percent of the population: this also means that the vast majority of the country has always lived in war. More than two million people have died since 1983, either in the struggle for independence from Sudan or in the fratricidal internal war after the country's recent independence in 2011. 

Juba, the capital of South Sudan, a city of one million people, has been preparing for months for Pope Francis's apostolic visit; and so has the Salesian community of "Don Bosco Gumbo," which is located about 8 km from the center of the capital, accessible from Gumbo only by crossing the Nile on a narrow bridge. Three more bridges, sponsored by Japanese industries, have been promised in the near future. On a square kilometer of land, under the Don Bosco banner, stand 12 different "sectors" of the Don Bosco Mission, animated by three religious communities, consisting of 7 Salesians of Don Bosco, 4 Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, and 4 Sisters of Charity of Jesus.

"Gumbo Don Bosco" stands at the center of the territory of St. Vincent de Paul Parish, a community of about 9,000 Catholics, assisted and accompanied both there and at the other 6 mission stations, where Mass is celebrated every Sunday. About 500 children and adults are baptized in the parish each year, and at Easter 2022 alone, 125 children and 120 adults were baptized. Twenty catechists - lay people, and several Sisters of the Salesian Family - are involved in catechesis, as needed; and in addition to the daily morning Mass, all year round the Rosary is recited at 5 p.m., when all sports activities in the oratory are over.

Of course, the key to Africa's future is education: "Don Bosco Gumbo" opens its doors to about 4,000 children and youth in its schools every day: two kindergartens (300), two primary-middle schools (up to grade 8, with about 2,500 children), an "accelerated elementary school" (in four years the children finish primary and middle school, about 200 students), a secondary school (for 600 students), and a Vocational Training Center offering various courses (electrician, mechanic, mason, solar panel technician, car mechanic, welder, computer) for 700 young people.

In addition to these schools, since 2013 there has also been a large camp with 9,000 internally displaced persons seeking a safe place for their families after the outbreak of civil war. And rounding out the Salesian mission are also a clinic, a women's promotion center, and many sports camps that keep the Don Bosco Oratory alive and active.

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