Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – November 2024 – The Don Bosco Osterbay Vocational Training Centre organised a Career Fair on 6 November, a large job fair that brought together students and professionals to explore interesting job proposals. It was an opportunity to network with industry leaders and learn about the latest advances in new technologies. After the official opening of the event, with a prayer by Fr Deogratias Massawe, the Director of the Centre, Fr Augustine Sellam spoke, greeting those present and inviting everyone to actively participate. The theme of the event was: "Unlock your future", which emphasisesempowerment, self-discovery and preparation for the professional world, through a smooth transition from training to rewarding careers. During the event the students presented five projects, entirely designed and developed by them. Tooku Garments Tanzania Ltd and Toyota Tanzania Ltd, who deal with the export of fabrics and mechanics of motor vehicles, presented the technologies they use. It was a very important day for young people, who were able to learn and discover their future in the world of technology.

Cayambe, Ecuador – November 2024 - Mass was celebrated at the St John Bosco Church in Cayambe, with the sending of seven young international volunteers who will carry out missions in Bolivia and Peru. This ceremony was part of a joint process with the National Meeting of Missionary Groups, an event that gave the volunteers the opportunity to share their personal testimony. During these meetings the young people explained how they fell in love with mission, stressing that mission is not only an act of giving, but also of receiving and learning. In addition, they encouraged other young people to listen and respond to the Lord's call. The celebration of the Eucharist was presided over by Fr Marcelo Farfán, Superior of the Salesian Province of Ecuador (ECU), who during his homily stressed three fundamental principles for missionaries: "obedience to God, generosity in what I am and in what I have and trust", stressing that "the more generous they are, the more they will receive; this is how God works." The Provincial also pointed out that these seven young people are part of the first joint groups that send international missionary volunteers, thus paving the way for future missions to other continents.

Los Teques, Venezuela – November 2024 - From 7 to 9 November, the San José de Los Teques High School hosted the first Salesian student meeting, an event that brought together 620 young people from colleges, schools and vocational training centres in different regions of the Salesian Province of Venezuela. The event stood out for its focus on sport as the centre of the experience, complemented by cultural evenings that celebrated the values and traditions of each participating region. The young people appreciated the activities that fostered fraternity and friendship, as well as time for prayer and the Eucharist, which allowed them to get in touch with God, with themselves and with their classmates. The event was organised by the Provincial Commission for Salesian Schools, with special thanks to the San José High School team, led by Salesian Brother José Liborio Escalano. It offered a safe and welcoming environment, transforming the place into a real home, school, oratory and parish. The meeting was also attended by all the school leaders and a group of Salesians who accompanied the young people in this sporting and spiritual experience. During these days the participants had experiences of gratitude, joy and celebration, including games, dances and recreational activities. The event was not only an opportunity to strengthen the Salesian community, but also for thanking God for the 130 years since the arrival of the Salesians in Venezuela, thus reaffirming their commitment to the education and integral development of young people.

Chichirat, Peru – November 2024 - On 9 and 10 November, the community of Chichirat, in the Peruvian Amazon, was the site of the 12th Binational Congress of Achuar Lay Ecclesial Ministers. Involving 250 representatives from different communities in Peru and Ecuador, this meeting has become a lively space for reflection and strengthening the Achuar cultural identity. This congress is the result of the pastoral work of the Salesian provinces of Ecuador and Peru, which continue the legacy of Fr Luis Bolla in his accompaniment of the Achuar people and in the inculturation of the Gospel in the region. Focused on young people, the congress addressed crucial issues such as ancestral education, mythology, culture and traditions. Through an approach that embraces the past, present and future, they sought to strengthen fraternal ties between communities and reaffirm the importance of this ancestral knowledge. On the second day, the challenges faced by young people today were analysed, especially in relation to the use of technology. The participants were encouraged to take advantage of technological tools as allies for the development and well-being of their communities. The main objective of the congress was to strengthen the Achuar culture and promote good living in the communities. Fr Rogger Valdivia, a Salesian in the community at Wasakentsa, stressed the importance of generosity and sharing as fundamental values of the Achuar culture and as key elements of this meeting.

Monica Ulloa
Don Bosco Editorial Group

Namuncurá San Ignacio, Argentina – November 2024 – As part of the commemoration of the 17th anniversary of the Beatification of Ceferino Namuncurá, the community of San Ignacio, a town in Neuquén, organised a celebration, held from 8 to 10 November. The event opened with the arrival of the first gauchos on horseback, welcomed with the Mass celebrated by Fr Natalino Freitas. The next day, those present went on pilgrimage to the cemetery where Rosario Burgos de Namuncurá, Ceferino's mother, rests. At the altar in the cemetery, the tombs were blessed, the deceased were prayed for and flowers were offered in memory of each Mapuche. The pilgrims then went to the "kultrum", where the remains of the Blessed Mapuche rest. The pilgrimage was followed by torches to the top of the "Cerro Ceferino", where the pilgrims prayed in front of a bust of the young Mapuche. The event in honour of Blessed Ceferino Namuncurá was also attended by numerous authorities, including the Mayor of Junín de los Andes, Luis Madueño; the Mayor of Aluminé, Diego Victoria; Deputy Gabriel Álamo; the Minister of Education and the Governor of Neuquén, Soledad Martínez; and artist Alejandro Santana, author of the "kultrum" and the "Vía Christi", in Junín de los Andes. The formal greeting was addressed by Cirilo Namuncurá, president of the Ceferinian Commission. Mass was then celebrated by Fr Antonio Sánchez Lara, SDB, parish priest of Chimpay, Río Negro, the birthplace of Blessed Namuncurà, and concelebrated by Fr Natalino Freitas and Fr Isidoro Adami, SDB.

Araçatuba, Brazil – November 2024 - In a solemn session full of emotion and tributes, the Municipal Council of Araçatuba granted Salesian Fr Paulo Fernando Vendrame the title of "Araçatubense Citizen", in recognition of the services rendered to the Municipality as Rector of the Salesian Presence and Rector of UniSALESIANO. The session, held on the night of 7 November, was chaired by the Vice-President of the Chamber, Councillor Gilberto Batata Mantovani, and was attended by several local authorities, including Deputy Mayor Edna Flor, Judge Alcides Lourenço Cabral Filho, Mayor Renne Rodrigues Antônio, delegate Marcelo Cury and Councillor Dr. Jaime José da Silva, author of the award proposal. In addition, Fr Vendrame's family, members of the faculty and management of UniSALESIANO, the professors, the coordinators and the members of the Administration participated in the event. Several representatives paid tribute to Fr Vendrame, underlining his vocation and his commitment as a priest and Salesian educator. The Bishop of the diocese of Araçatuba, Bishop Sérgio Krzywy, sent a video message underlining his role as a religious leader and qualified educator. According to Bishop Sérgio Krzywy, the recognition reflects the positive impact Fr Vendrame has had on the lives of young people and on the mission of evangelising and educating with joy and dedication.