(ANS – Cape Town) – Since its establishment in 2022, the Salesian Institute Youth Projects' (SIYP) Stitch Ahead Sewing Programme has been dedicated to empowering women from disadvantaged backgrounds with essential hand and machine sewing skills. Today, we are thrilled to announce a significant milestone in our journey towards self-sustainability and community impact.

(ANS – Goma) – As part of his Extraordinary Visitation to the Assumption Province of Central Africa (AFC), Fr Alphonse Owoudou, Regional Councillor for Africa-Madagascar, is currently travelling among Salesian works in the east of the country, in the area of Goma which has been the scene of armed clashes between the army and some rebel formations for several months now. In this context of great suffering for the local population, Fr Owoudou has once again renewed the Salesian commitment to accompany, give hope and spiritual and human support to all those in need, and has received intense testimonies of how all the work done by the Salesians in this land really does make the difference between life and death for many people.

(ANS – Lisbon) – From 29 August to 1 September 2024, Fatima will host the 9th International Congress of Mary Help of Christians. The main aim of this Congress is to get to know, further explore and spread  devotion to Mary Help of Christians. A press conference was held on 15 March, in Lisbon, also involving the Provincial of Portugal, Fr Tarcízio Morais, to present the event. Further relevant information about this important event of the Salesian Family was offered there. 

(ANS – Kadambur) – A novel and path-breaking joint venture has just been completed by Niraivagam with a colourful and meaningful valedictory ceremony on 17th March 2024 at Don Bosco Centre in Kadambur. The novelty is that while the financial funding was provided by a group of families of a Salesian priest, the year-long transformative training programme, “Life Skills for Empowered Living” (LSEL) was conducted by Niraivagam – Don Bosco Institute of Psychological Services of the Salesian Province of Chennai. This Empowerment Project was launched by Dr. Fr. Joseph Jeyaraj SDB, a Development Psychologist and Psychotherapist, the Founder and Director of Niraivagam and a Professor at Salesian Pontifical University, Rome.

(ANS – Rome) – Setting up the mood for the Salesian Youth Synod, the song, “In the Shape of Your Dream” composed by Emanuel Geraci (ISI), was chosen as the official theme song by the Core Group of Salesian youth – Pablo Osorio (SSM), Marta Radic (CRO), Kasia Grabek (PLE), Kyle Portelli (MLT), Teaghan Dolan (AUL), Jennifer Lie (INA), Wendy Ponce (BOL), Santiago Roda Cano (COM), Maria Belen Gisbert (ARN), Joao Pedro Maximiano (BBH), Noah Rodrigues (INP), Leander Pereira (INB), Faddyl Fabrice Yadolo (AON), and Danwell Phoues (ZMB).