Most of the young people who have studied in Salesian schools and vocational training centers in Dili today have a stable job. Some teach in the same schools where they studied, others have found jobs in the construction sector, at airports or have opened shops and bars.
Furthermore, the "Don Bosco Training Center Comoro" offers another highly regarded career opportunity, namely an accredited course in rural road construction. The objective of this course is to improve access in and to rural areas, which clearly offers excellent prospects for the future. In addition to guaranteeing a job to those involved in road construction, in fact, it is expected that this will improve the lives of the inhabitants of rural areas and reduce the risk of malnutrition.
Noteworthy, the activities of the Technical Institute of Maliana, which today is a thriving educational center and has more than 100 students who all reside within the campus.
In East Timor, the Salesians also manage several orphanages. In Laga and Venilale there are homes that host girls, while in Lospalos there are those for males. In all the centers, the Salesians offer loving care to all those children who do not have parental support.
East Timorese Salesian schools and parishes also host many students from Melbourne, Australia, who choose East Timor as a destination for their immersion programs. It's always nice to see how these experiences generate friendships that will last over the years.
Despite all these efforts, many difficulties still persist in East Timor: 4 out of 10 people live in poverty, easily preventable diseases are still widespread and access to water and sanitation is reduced.
The Salesians' commitment and effort to the education of young people continues. A commitment carried out also thanks to the generosity of Australian donors, who support the Salesians through "Salesian Mission Australia", the Missions Office of the Province of Australia.
Please visit the Salesian Mission Australia website (https://salesianmissionsaustralia.org.au/) for more information.
by Michael Lynch
