NEWS PHOTOS
Jakarta, Indonesia– August 2024 – After participating in the 8th East Asia-Oceania Region Region (EAO) Salesian Borthers Congress held in Jakarta, the Economer General, Br. Jean Paul Muller, visited the Salesian communities in Indonesia. From 5 to 10 August, the Economer General visited the communities of Tigaraksa-Banten, Purwodadi-Central Java, Blitar-East Java, Surabaya-East Java, Waipengali-Sumba and Gerak village-Flores, learning how education and training is carried out and observing the facilities. Br. Muller spoke with the students, gave Goodnights to the communities and talks to the Novices, Prenovices and Aspirants. He was also able to see how collaboration with local industries and companies is a good basis for the job placement of graduates. At the same time, it was highlighted that technical schools in particular, but also schools in general, need further support in order to be able to offer teaching materials and technical training to young people. Finally, the Economer General also spoke of the next General Chapter and, based on the changes in society and the Church, stressed the importance of an intense spiritual dimension of the Salesians to fulfill their mission as preachers of the Gospel.
Maturacá, Brazil – August 2024 – As part of the Extraordinary Visitation to the Salesian Province of Manaus, Brazil (BMA), Fr Gabriel Romero, Councillor for the America South Cone Region, presided at the Sunday Eucharist in the Salesian Mission of Maturacá where a group of 38 young people and adults from the Yanomami communities received their first communion. They were prepared with dedication by the Rector and catechist of the group, Fr José Ivanildo de Oliveira Melo, and accompanied by the parish priest, Fr José Tran Thai Hoang. The celebration took place at the end of the 2nd Yanomami Youth Assembly, organised by the Salesians in the mission, involving community leaders, students, young people, teachers and catechists. During the Assembly, whose theme was "Young Yanomami, builders of dialogue", various current issues in communities were reflected on: communication, addictions, technology, active involvement, education, health.
Tverečius, Lithuania – August 2024 – Children and young people attending the oratory in the St John Bosco Salesian parish in Vilnius are holding a summer camp this month in the town of Tverečius, supported in part by the Municipality of Vilnius. Games, workshops, swimming, trips, prayer formation... all accompanied by the great creativity of the leaders.
Brasília, Brazil – August 2024 – The CESAM-DF Salesian social work located in Brasilia carried out the first day of the "Artisanal Bakery" project on Saturday, 3 August, a valuable initiative conceived by the Second Lady of Brazil, Lu Alckmin, wife of Vice President Geraldo Alckmin. The opening event of the project at CESAM-DF was attended by 20 people, who directly benefited from training in the bakery. The course included a theoretical presentation, which identified the essential hygienic practices, and a practical phase in the kitchen during which the participants, in a collaborative and educational environment, learned to handle the ingredients and produce a variety of breads such as wholemeal bread, loaf and beetroot bread. Lu Alckmin, founder of the project, was present at the conclusion ceremony, and presented certificates of participation to the graduates. The course, which is free and lasts 8 hours, will be held on a single day, with classes of up to 20 people, once a month throughout the year. The "Artisanal Bakery" project is now expanding with the aim of forming families in situations of social vulnerability, offering a new source of income and opportunities for personal and community transformation. Begun in 2000, it has been responsible for creating 10,000 artisan bakeries and training over 100,000 people.