Sangradouro, Brazil – January 2024 - With the aim of helping overcome the linguistic barriers that Xavante young people encounter in daily life, the Salesians have organised the first "Portuguese language week" for them. The initiative aims to provide participants with better conditions for communication and understanding of the national language. This first edition, held in Sangradouro, was attended by 25 students. The course, which takes place from 15 to 19 January, is led by Professor Thirly Vieira de Moraes, a pedagogue and literature teacher in two schools in Primavera do Leste-MT, with the collaboration of teachers from Sangradouro. The lessons, after an initial evaluation, deal with simple and basic topics of the Brazilian language, with the aim of offering participants a first understanding of the language. This is the first experience aimed at young people and Xavante adolescents, who will undergo an evaluation of the course to design future experiences. Salesian missionary Fr Joseph Tran Van Lich has evaluated the project optimistically, and expects that it will then continue with a lesson every week, involving a Salesian, to help deepen the knowledge of the language, do homework and study. Another intensive course is planned for next July.