Panama City, May 2024 – The Damas Salesianas Association (ADS), the 16th group of the Salesian Family, celebrated its 22nd anniversary in Panama on 13 May. The commemoration took place during a solemn Eucharist in the church of Mary Help of Christians at the Don Bosco Technical Institute in Panama City, celebrated by Fr Ovidio Tubac, SDB. During the ceremony, Fr Tubac, on behalf of the Salesians in Panama, imparted a special blessing using a relic of Saint Mary Domenica Mazzarello, co-founder of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA), which symbolises the continuous divine protection of the work carried out by this group. Fr Tubac then invited those present to persevere in their praiseworthy work in the service of the children and young people in Panama, inspired by the love and dedication of St John Bosco. ADS, founded in Venezuela on 13 May 1968 by Fr Miguel González, SDB, was founded in Panama in 2002 at the initiative of Fr Walter Guillén Soto, SDB, now Bishop of Gracias, Honduras. The association is dedicated to social assistance, especially in the health, food and educational sectors, developing programs and projects that strengthen the Salesian mission, both in Panama and throughout the world.

Lubumbashi, DR Congo – May 2024 - Wednesday 15 May, from 9:00 to 12:00, at the Salama Technical Institute, Don Bosco's 10th successor, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, met with young people from the various Salesian works and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. As soon as he entered the park at this great Salesian work, the Rector Major was welcomed by the Rector, Fr Paolo Kyanino, and by all the Salesians. After the welcome from a student of the elementary school at Imara and the gift of a bouquet of flowers, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime joined all the young people who were waiting for him impatiently, singing with them with joy. The girls from Tuendelee high school sang the opening prayer and the President of the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM) welcomed the Rector Major who addressed some words to the young people present. Then there was the anthem for the bicentenary of Don Bosco'schildhood Dream by the ITS choir and a moment of exchange between the Rector Major and the young people. Finally, after a performance by the acrobats, the official launch of the 70th Anniversary of the Salama Centre and the inscription of the words of the Rector Major in the guest book at the Salama Institute, a symbolic award was given to Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime who concluded his visit with the final blessing.

Córdoba, Argentina – May 2024 – Young people from the National Animation Team of the Mallinista Movement, a group that operates within the Salesian Youth Movement met at the Pius X Salesian House in Córdoba on  4 and 5 May. During the days, representatives from various areas around the country spoke about their circumstances, challenges and dreams. Among the topics covered, the team pursued the development of a current description of the movement, a diagnosis that serves as a basis for planning projects and activities for the next three years at the national level.

Madrid, Spain – May 2024 – On 10 May more than 500 young people participated in the 6th Basic Vocational Training Contest, held at Atocha, in Madrid. The school courtyard has become an exhibition space for 25 projects developed by students and teachers from 14 Salesian Vocational Training Centres from different locations in Spain. The competition jury visited each of the stands to learn about the students' projects, along with many other interested visitors. All the works presented were then awarded in a concluding ceremony at the house in the presence of Fr Óscar Bartolomé, head of Salesian Schools in Spain's St James the Greater Province and other personalities. In the closing address, words of encouragement were addressed to students and teachers: "We must believe we are capable of realising dreams that seem impossible". To see the projects carried out, visit the website: https://www.salesianos.es/certamenfpgb/

Bomboiza, Ecuador – May 2024 - On 10 May, the Bilingual Intercultural Educational Unit known as Fiscomisional ETSA in Bomboiza experienced one of the most important academic moments of the school year, with the Institutional Pedagogical Fair 2023-2024. The event focused on "Education is a matter of the heart", highlighting the institutional commitment to forging a more just and equitable society through education that comes from the heart. The fair, in which several civil authorities of the area participated,aimed to show the results obtained by the students in the different projects they developed in different areas and categories. It was also was a way to demonstrate the institutional commitment aimed at strengthening the Shuar culture, giving life to  the community and family values that are the basis and fundamental pillar of this culture. The artistic and cultural groups of the educational community were presented at the event: the student band, the young people from the Shuar dance academy, the songs of the Shuar people and their handicrafts, as well as the results of school projects such as  a vegetable garden, typical dishes and results obtained in terms of environmental protection.

Pedro Brand, Dominican Republic – May 2024 - From 10 to 12 May, the national and local councillors of the Salesian Cooperators (ASC) in the Dominican Republic met at the retreat house in La Paz, in Pedro Brand to discuss the theme "Dreaming to value our leadership". The congress brought together leaders from the 13 local ASC centres in the country, the ASC National Council and 6 members of the Provincial Council who reside in the country, along with Fr Carlos Juan Himeliz, a Cuban diocesan priest, also a Salesian Cooperator. The event aimed to encourage a positive and joyful apostolic and Salesian service, sharing experiences and initiatives; maintaining the sense of belonging and valuing the bonds of fraternity, including the coordination of initiatives; spreading a constant attitude of discernment and willingness to update according to the needs of the times. During the work, the National Council presented the 2023 management report and outlined the strategies for the second year of the journey towards the 150th anniversary of the Association of Salesian Cooperators. The message sent by Martín Calderón, ASC World Councilor for the Region, was also presented, which motivated those present to experience this second year of preparation for the 150th in a deeper way. The concluding Eucharist was celebrated by Fr José Cuello, SDB, Delegate of the Salesian Province of the Antilles (ANT) for the ASC.