In the northern region of Piura alone there are 225.492 people affected. Many students, teachers and staff of the Salesian Institute "San Juan Bosco" are suffering first hand as a result of the disaster. Since the Piura River burst its banks, in fact, the school suffered severe flooding of its facilities, so that the beginning of school activities has been postponed yet again. The main playground is filled with water and it is almost impossible to move. Nearby places have also suffered damage and flooding, so access is very difficult. The statue of Don Bosco, which is located in the Don Bosco park, is a witness of the tragedy that thousands of people are experiencing. The rains are becoming more intense and are expected to continue for the next few days. Moreover, the mud has entered the Salesian oratory of Juan Soñador and is causing serious damage. Two Salesians, Fr Luis Carbajal and Fr Pedro Da Silva, are trying to bring relief and prayer, tranquillity and hope to children and youth.
Faced with adversities of this kind, the Salesians of Peru, through the "Fundación Don Bosco", and with the help and solidarity of the friends of the Salesian Family, are joining forces to bring aid to thousands of people affected by this disaster. The help is coming quickly and in an orderly manner, especially for those most affected: the Salesian oratories and the slums where many people live.
What worries most are the consequences that "el Niño Costero" will leave on the schools in the northern part of the country. According to the newspaper "Gestión" there will be 112 unusable schools, 45 of them destroyed and another 38 damaged. One of these is the Don Bosco Institute of Piura.
The biggest risk now is that children and young people are exposed to contagion of infectious diseases.
However, the young people from the Salesian environments have not stopped smiling. They continue to bring their small contribution of joy to those most in need, and the attitude with which they approach these problems is a great message of hope, love and solidarity.
https://www.infoans.org/en/component/k2/item/2948-peru-juan-sonador-oratory-in-piura-flooded#sigProId42489afbaa
