Kinshasa, R.D. Congo - September 2022 - On September 25, the youth of the Salesian Missionary Group in Kinshasa organized a time of formation through two major conferences at the Gombe/Don Bosco IG2 Institute. The day began with a Mass presided by Fr. Christian Balabakeba and concelebrated by Fr. Jerry Matsoumbou, Delegate for Youth Ministry of the Africa Congo VP (ACC). The first conference, led by Fr. Balabakeba, focused on the theme "In the face of multiple interpretations, how can the Bible be a true guide for a missionary?" The theme of the second lecture was "Complications and Consequences of Abortion Today," led by Dr. Jacques Ngayuna, a physician at the Monkole Hospital Center and a former student of Don Bosco. At the end of each lecture, there was a time for discussion, exchanges, and testimonies in which each youth from the Salesian Missionary Group was able to express themselves by asking a question or making a contribution in relation to the theme.

Oświęcim, Poland - September 2022 - On the weekend of September 24-25, the Salesians in Oświęcim celebrated the 70th anniversary of the Salesian Parish, the 25th anniversary of the rededication and the establishment of the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians. On Saturday, Sept. 24, after the evening Mass presided over by Fr. Marcin Kazanowski, Provincial of the Krakow Province (PLS), the Holy Rosary was prayed in St. Hyacinth Square with the faithful of Divine Mercy Parish in Oświęcim-Zasole. Then, in the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians, the hymn "Akathistos" to the Mother of God of Czestochowa was sung, with opera singer Jan Paweł Nowacki and the participation of the choristers of the "Schola Canticum." On Sunday, September 25, the jubilee celebrations began with a solemn Mass presided over by Msgr. Roman Pindel, ordinary of the Diocese of Bielsko-Żywiec, who blessed a new wooden baptismal font. Afterward, participants went to the Salesian gardens for the planned parish party with music, the presentation of awards to some parishioners, games, and entertainment for children and youth. The festivities were a time of joyful gathering among parishioners, conversations, and shared memories with priests who have worked in the parish in past years. The Salesian orchestra "Fausystem" and the Śleszowice Orchestra performed during the celebration.

Text: Małgorzata Potaczek

Nairobi, Kenya - TVET plays a crucial role in any society by supplying labour for economic development. Rather than operating in isolation, TVET institutions should create solid alliances and networks with both the public and private sectors. Accordingly, Don Bosco Tech Africa hosted a virtual Annual Stakeholders Assembly with the focus of "ensuring multi-stakeholder participation and partnership in the TVET learning process." Participants from AOS (Ghana), MOZ (Mozambique), (MDG) Madagascar and AFE (Tanzania) Provinces exchanged best practices on collaboration and partnership with the public and private sectors, as well as with the government. These experiences led to the conclusion that partnerships have a number of advantages, including support for centres upgrading their curricula, capacity building for trainers, scholarships for trainees, and job prospects for graduates.