(ANS – Freetown) - Don Bosco Fambul in Freetown, one of Sierra Leone’s leading child-welfare organizations, has added staffing support thanks to a grant from the Flora Family Foundation secured by Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The Flora Family Foundation was established in 1998 by the family of William R. Hewlett (co-founder of the Hewlett-Packard Company) and his wife Flora Lamson Hewlett to support social progress, environmental well-being and cultural vibrancy.

(ANS – Lubumbashi) – During the period rom 3 to 13 February, Radio Don Bosco Lubumbashi, a Salesian radio station active in the south of the Democratic Republic of the Congo – which broadcasts only on the 103.10 MHz FM band – found itself in a situation of serious difficulty. In fact, during the recent rains in early February, its 2,000 kilowatt transmitter was severely damaged by lightning that unfortunately hit its facilities and destroyed the motherboard circuit. The failure was so severe that it had a considerable impact on the signal, making it impossible to transmit for several days.

(ANS – Goma) – In the territory of Masisi, a few dozen kilometres from Goma, in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, clashes between the regular army and the rebels have intensified in recent days, with a consequent new and massive resumption of exoduses by huge masses of the population for fear of violence. The humanitarian situation is serious and risks worsening further at any moment. While the Salesians continue to do everything possible to help the needy, moving on all possible fronts, appeals are coming from the civilised world to not pretend they cannot see.

(ANS – Kigali) – The 15 Superiors of the Salesian Provinces and Vice-Provinces of the Salesian Africa-Madagascar Region, with their respective Councillors, have been gathered in Kigali from Friday 16 February 2024  for the traditional meeting known as the "Team Visit" – an animation tool used by the Rector Major and the General Council to verify the ongoing journey in the different Salesian circumscriptions and ensure their convergence and unity. The meeting began with a day of pilgrimage, Monday, 19 February in Kibeho, in southern Rwanda, a significant place where several Marian apparitions took place between 1981 and 1989. It was a good opportunity for all those present to entrust the Salesian African Provinces and Vice-Provinces, with all their young people, to the Virgin Mary.

(ANS – Cebu) – Youth at Don Bosco Boys’ Home in Liloan, Cebu, Philippines, have 15 new accordions thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. There are 45 boys at the home and, prior to the donation, there were only four accordions. The donation is giving all the students the opportunity to learn how to play the accordion. Other young people are also being invited to learn.