This was an opportunity to discuss the educative and pastoral activities carried out by the different sectors of the Salesian mission in BBH Province in the work with children, adolescents and young adults – especially ones in situations of social vulnerability – in the Brazilian States of Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro, Goiás, Tocantins and in the Federal District.
According to Fr Natale Vitale, SDB, Superior of BBH, this report describes the "Economy of young people" that the Salesian Congregation is active in today. And the first meaning of the word economy, he specified, is "care of the home". Home understood not only as the physical place in which we live, but as our community, our relationships, the cities in which we work, our roots. By extension, he added, the house is the whole world, the only one available, entrusted to everyone's care. By the mere fact of being born, we are called to become custodians of this "Common Home", and therefore brothers and sisters of every inhabitant of the earth, he summarised in conclusion.
For her part, Carolina Neves, Coordinator of the Social Action of the Province, observed: "With great joy and deep satisfaction we share with society another report on the great impact generated by our significant contribution. I remember the inspiring words of Fr Rafael Bejarano, SDB, during the International Seminar on Salesian Works and Social Services in Turin in 2022, where we were called to cultivate and clearly express the good we do through our actions."
According to Neves, “this report is not only a tool for accountability, but it is also a powerful tool for engagement. It represents the union of all those who share our mission on a daily basis and those who wish to join the Salesians to foster life and the transformation of stories."
In the year in which the Salesian Congregation celebrates the Bicentenary of Don Bosco's Childhood Dream, the BBH Province, recalling the Rector Major's Strenna for 2024, invites everyone to be inspired by the history of this dream and to continue to work to welcome and establish bonds of trust with young people, especially those at social risk.
The Social Impact Report also aims to strengthen dialogue and relations with organisations in the First (public authorities), Second (companies and individuals) and Third Sector (civil society) to articulate collaborations, projects and raise funds.
“We are committed to demonstrating not only the tangible results achieved, but also the transformative power that comes from our work together. May this relationship inspire an even more intense collaboration, encouraging everyone to join us in building a more promising and merciful future for the communities we serve, "concluded the Coordinator of Social Action for the BBH Province.
To read the full report on BBH's Social Impact in the year 2022-2023, click here.
Source: Salesianos BBH
