Initially, the Salesians who had been assigned to it were all Italian; then, thanks to their commitment and their testimony, over time the vocations among the youth of these remote areas flourished, so now all four Salesians who live and work there originate from the very same regions.
Faithful to their charism, in addition to animating the public church for Christians in the area, they dedicate themselves, above all, to education via a school that goes from elementary to high school. And they do so, as often happens, together with the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA). In total, they deal with 1,100 students: 500 males and 600 females, of which 100 boys and 100 girls from two different hostels, for boys and girls.
Salesians and FMA fight in unison so that the highest possible number of children and young people can learn to read and write and develop their talents, and they are particularly attentive to the situation of the deprivation of rights in which girls live.
In that area, in fact, there is generally little attention with respect to the education of children, but girls are especially discriminated against; they often work as domestic workers and their salary is used to allow their male siblings to study.
Among the various difficulties that afflict these isolated lands is the supply, or lack, of electricity, which is highly erratic: for this reason the local Salesian Family has recently requested the support and generosity of Salesians across the globe, so that they may replace the electricity generator currently in use, old and noisy, with a new one.
Without electricity, of course, it is impossible to provide and take computer lessons and, alas, the kids who live in the hostels have no light by which to study in the evening. A new generator would solve these two problems.
For more information, please visit the website: www.missionidonbosco.org
