(ANS – Bangalore) – The beats of a dangoora (traditional drum) broke the quiet of the night in Balichakra village of Yadagiri district, calling people to hear the news. The drummer invited the villagers to learn and discuss mental well-being the next day in their Gram Panchayat (village administration) office. Thus, the 57 villagers who assembled there heard of World Mental Health Day for the first time ever on 10 October 2024, thanks to the local Don Bosco organisation and the BREADS-supported MINDS initiative in six districts of Karnataka. 

(ANS – Campo Grande) – The third week of the Extraordinary Visitation by the Regional Councillor for America South Cone, Fr Gabriel Romero, to the St Alphonsus Liguori Province of Campo Grande, Brazil (BCG) involved several visits to the Salesian communities in Corumbá and the Indápolis district, both in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul. The activities included meetings with religious, lay people and local communities, as well as celebrations and moments of integration, which strengthened the Salesian evangelising mission.

(ANS – Madrid) – The opening and blessing of the new Don Bosco Salesian house in Madrid took place on Saturday 12 October, with a large representation of Salesians, Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, the Salesian Family and lay people.

(ANS – Madrid) – From 11 to 13 October 2024, the third stage of a threefold proposal by the Salesian Mediterranean Region took place in Madrid, aimed at deepening and updating pastoral activity in its many facets.

(ANS – Rome) – The Don Bosco Global Youth Film Festival (DBGYFF) 2024 is approaching its grand finale, set for October 17 and 18, 2024, with celebrations happening worldwide. This year’s competition has been more diverse and expansive than ever, featuring various categories including 2-Minute Short Films, 5-Minute Short Films, 5-Minute Animation Films, 5-Minute Music Videos, and 10-Minute Documentaries. An impressive 1,287 films were submitted from 110 countries, showcasing the incredible talent of young people who are using the power of cinema to address the critical issue of climate change.