In common, Nely, Daniel and Franco have their participation in the activities of the Salesian "Merendero" of "La Juncal", a space managed by the young people themselves, in which the Salesians and the young people offer, from Monday to Thursday, a snack to be shared with the area’s needy people; a space in which, in addition to food and drink, there is also an opportunity to be together, to learn small and big daily lessons, to put oneself at the service of others.

The "merendero" is an initiative carried out thanks to the support of the "Tejiendo Lazos" program, of the Salesian Mission Office "Por los jóvenes" based in Buenos Aires. In total, it involves about 100 young people at socioeconomic risk between the ages of 13 and 30 and benefits about 150 families living in vulnerable conditions.

Most of those who attend this Salesian proposal have some addiction, or have not completed their studies, or are unemployed; many come from poor families, in which their parents survive on informal day-to-day jobs; even the children who are still studying often have problems keeping up with formal education; and other participants are young people from rural areas who have found a second home at the "Residence" run by the "Don Bosco" Oratory.

In a highly problematic context, in a neighborhood that does not offer attractive alternatives, the "merendero" is thus a lifeboat that then leads young people to get to know the other educational, formative and spiritual initiatives put in place by the Salesian Oratory. And in the end, many young people, like Nely, Daniel and Franco, end up making a radical change in and to their lives.

"Personally, it's helped me so much. With the space they provide for us, I now want to go back to school," Nely testifies.

"I'll never get bored of coming here because it's a beautiful, unique environment in which I encounter that peace that I couldn't find elsewhere," reports Daniel.

"Many small people, in many small places, doing small things, can change the world!" they say enthusiastically at Salesian Mission Office in Buenos Aires, to conclude.

For more information, please visit: https://mailchi.mp/porlosjovenes.org/santiagodelestero 

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