Madrid, Spain – December 2016 – On December 12th, a collaboration agreement was signed by José Miguel Solans Nerín of “Schneider Electric” and by Juan Carlos Pérez Godoy, Provincial of the Salesians of “Santiago el Mayor”. The agreement envisages that “Schneider Electric”, a company specialised in energy management, provide the formation of the professors of the Salesian Centres of Vocational Training in the fields of electricity and electronics. The schools of Vocational Training of the  Salesians in Spain are 53, with about 25.000 students and 1.800 professors.

Ponta Grossa, Brazil – December 10th, 2016 – On December 10th, in the community of the Parish “Our Lady Help of Christians” there was the priestly ordination of Salesian confrère Jeferson Junio Moreira. The celebration was presided over by Msgr. José Valmor Cesar Teixeira, SDB, bishop of São José dos Campos, and was concelebrated by Fr. Asídio Deretti, Provincial of Porto Alegre.

Bamberg, Germany – November 2016 – In the month of November a new house of Don Bosco was opened in Bamberg. The building, which dates back to 1780, in baroque style, belonged to the Combonians and has been refurbished and adapted so as to host children and youth at risk ranging from 6 to 18 years of age, as well as traumatised children. The spaces have been redesigned in such a way that the young residents may feel as if they were at home, followed by a group of therapeutical support. In the building, three independent apartments have also been prepared for parents who go to visit their children.

Lubumbashi, D.R. Congo – December 11th, 2016 – “Christians in Africa and D.R. Congo: Challenges and Perspectives” is the theme that gathered the youth of the delegations of the Salesian Youth Movement for the first day of formation held in “Cité des Jeunes” last December 11th.

Sonada, India – December 8th,2016 – On December 8th, at the “Salesian College” of Sonada, there was the beginning of the programmes of the first university web radio of Western Bengala. The Salesian radio “Voice of the Hills”, 90.8 FM, offers 25 programmes a week –  most of them in Nepalese language – with 12 hours of broadcast per day, throughout the week, done by a team of six djs, on social, cultural and religious themes, programmes for children, dedicated music, youth opinions and talent show. To tune in to the radio, visit site www.salesiancollege.in with any gadget provided with internet connection.

Tijuana, Mexico – December 2016 – About 150 migrants from Haiti, after an average five-days-long journey, arrive every evening in the Salesian community of “Padre Chava”, where they are welcomed, are given a warm meal and a place where to spend the night, waiting for the immigration office to find them a permanent accommodation. The teams of the Salesians and of the volunteers works unceasingly for them.