"It is very important for us to continue supporting children and young people. We actively seek them out, even in occupied areas, and strive to maintain contact with them. Most importantly, we do everything possible to ensure they can continue their education," say the Salesians working in Ukraine.
The impact on education has been devastating. Over 4,000 schools—accounting for 13% of the country’s educational infrastructure—have been damaged or completely destroyed.
As Ukraine enters its fourth year of war, the nation faces immense uncertainty, with discussions of a possible peace.
"We hope for a just and lasting peace. These years of war have brought immense suffering to the people. Today, more than 14.6 million people depend on humanitarian aid for survival, with over 6.5 million refugees and 3.5 million displaced persons. Our commitment is to peace, and we will continue to support the population—especially children and young people, who remain our true mission," says Fr. Luis Manuel Moral, head of the Salesian Mission Office in Madrid, "Misiones Salesianas."
Salesian Support for Ukraine
- The Salesian Mission Office in Madrid is just one of many Salesian organizations directly involved in supporting Ukraine’s war-affected population. Even focusing only on Misiones Salesianas and their work in the past year alone, the impact has been significant. Their projects include:
- Mariapoli House – A shelter that has hosted nearly 1,000 displaced people.
- Winter Survival Program – Ensuring that schools remain safe spaces where children can continue their education despite Ukraine’s harsh winters.
- Support for Orphaned Minors – At Pokrova in Lviv, 67 children receive psychosocial care to help them cope with trauma.
- Bunker Construction – The Pokrova parish bunker provides psychological and spiritual assistance to over 230 people.
- Mobile Schools in Vynnyky and Zhytomyr – Created with the support of the Real Madrid Foundation and the European Union, these schools provide 150 children with a place to play, receive educational support, and access psychosocial care.
A Life on Pause
"Our lives were shattered three years ago—broken by the sound of cannons and the whistle of missiles. Normalcy no longer exists: the smell of breakfast in the morning, a goodbye kiss before school, the comfort of a safe night’s sleep… Today, everything is a nightmare. We are surrounded by insecurity and violence. Life itself has been put on hold," shares one Salesian.
For three years, no one in Ukraine has been safe. Two-thirds of children have barely been able to attend school. The scale of displacement and destruction is unprecedented in Europe since World War II.
Yet, despite this devastation, the Salesians of Don Bosco—together with members of the Salesian Family, dedicated laypeople, and people of goodwill—continue their mission of hope. Whether in Ukraine or in neighboring countries, they work tirelessly to assist displaced people and refugees, striving to restore a sense of normalcy—especially for the children and young people who need it most.
