(ANS - Tulle) - Within the «Don Bosco Action Sociale» network of Salesian works and bodies, promoted by the Salesian Province of France and Southern Belgium (FRB), nearly a thousand migrant minors, known as unaccompanied minors, are currently housed, welcomed, and accompanied. The Don Bosco Institute, headquartered in Gradignan, Department of Gironde, is the Salesian house that contributes most to this reception and has several branches, including one in Tulle, where an interesting project for the social insertion of these youngsters has been set up.
(ANS - Bratislava) - The Salesians of Slovakia, assisted by many volunteers and young people from their works, continue with creativity and a spirit of service to try to give useful and concrete answers to the needs of the Ukrainian refugees in their territory, and especially to those of young refugees. Here are just a few of the many activities carried out in recent days.
(ANS - Bratislava) - The time of summer is getting closer and closer and so, all those activities that under various names - GREST, oratory or summer center, or camp - are about to start, activities that throughout the Salesian world mean a time to grow together for: religious, volunteers, animators and animated. This year, following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, in many realities throughout Europe specific activities are already being organized for Ukrainian refugee children abroad. This is the case, for example, of the "Mary Help of Christians" Province of Slovakia (SLK).
(ANS – Kazincbarcika) – Kazincbarcika is a city in Northern Hungary, where the Salesians are maintaining a parish, a Salesian house, two schools, a dormitory, and several other institutions, where they care for the poorest of the young people, mostly for the minority Roma people. This Salesian house is located closest to the Ukraine-Hungary border, where refugees fleeing the war are continuously arriving to seek shelter. Welcoming refugees has become a part of the daily life of the Salesian House of Kazincbarcika and the dormitory of the Don Bosco School.
(ANS - Lviv) - Seventy days have already passed since the outbreak of war in Ukraine and the violence seems to show no sign of stopping. On the contrary, the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) present in Lviv, in the west of the country - in one of the areas considered to be among the least exposed to danger and in fact a destination for many internally displaced persons - bear witness to how the war is fully manifested there as well, with all its burden of destruction and fear.
(ANS - České Budějovice) – The Salesian Youth Centre in České Budějovice employs two Ukrainian women to run programs for Ukrainian children. Masha Shumkova is a teacher and Olena Halushka is a psychologist. Both of them used to work at a children's centre in Zaporizhia, Ukraine. What is the situation of Ukrainian children? What do they have to deal with? And how can we help people fleeing the war? Olena answered these and other questions.
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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Democratic Republic of Congo – Fr Owoudou on the situation in the eastern parts of the country: “No matter how dark the night may seem, dawn will inevitably come”
(ANS - Goma) - During his latest phase of the Extraordinary Visit to the "Mary Most Holy Assumption" Province of Central Africa (AFC), Fr. Alphonse Owoudou, Councillor for the Africa Madagascar Region, conducted an interview with the magazine "JAMBO VIJANA," representing the youth engaged in the Salesian works of the Province's Eastern Delegation. Addressing the ongoing violence and conflicts in the region, Fr. Owoudou expressed hope, saying: "No matter the length of the night, dawn will inevitably come."
EDITORIAL
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“Speaking with the Heart”: A great Antidote for the Ills of today’s world
‘Revolutionize the world with your kindness, by speaking with your heart’, is the dream that Pope Francis envisions for humanity through his 57th World Communication Day message, that falls on this Ascension Sunday, 21st May 2023. ‘Speak with your heart in truth and charity’, and this is the best antidote that can cure the ills of today’s society.
EVENTS
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Italy – "Labs To Future": the final event of the "Labs To Learn" project in Valdocco
(ANS – Turin) – The final event of the "Labs to Learn" project was held on Tuesday, 5 March 2024, entitled "Labs To Future: The path – The results – The challenges" . The project was selected by the "Con i Bambini" social enterprise within the framework of the Foundation for the Fight against Child Educational Poverty and came into being with the intention of combating early school leaving and preventing educational poverty, increasing the number of young people with difficulties who fulfil their school obligation, access higher education and/or job placement, and opening the way for personal growth according to their inclinations and aspirations.
SPECIAL REPORTS
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Peru – Centenary of the High Altar of the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Lima
(ANS – Lima) – The centenary of the consecration of the high altar in the Crypt of the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Lima was celebrated on 19 March, on the feast of St Joseph and in homage to Fr José Calasanz Marqués, then Provincial of the Salesians in Peru and Bolivia – now recognised as Blessed by the Church – on account of his name.
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
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DREAMS THAT KEEP COMING TRUE!
THE MESSAGE OF THE RECTOR MAJOR, Card. Ángel Fernández Artime, SDB
When reflecting on all this, I feel I have a little authority to say: “Dear Don Bosco, your Dream is still VERY ALIVE.”