Bomboiza, Ecuador – April 2025 – Recognizing the need for alternative technical and professional training in rural Bomboiza, the Salesian Mission recently inaugurated the Artisanal Training Center. This new facility offers vocational courses in key sectors such as hairdressing and beauty, baking and pastry, carpentry, and computing.

The initiative reflects the Salesian commitment to holistic development, especially for women, youth, and adults, by providing education that meets market demands while highlighting local talents and skills. The goal is to pave the way for dignified and sustainable employment, strengthening the local economy through the mastery of valuable trades.

One of the most popular courses is baking and pastry, taught by instructor Katherine Brito. This hands-on course teaches essential skills—from dough preparation to baking techniques and decoration. Beyond technical learning, the course has become a source of motivation, creativity, and personal growth, allowing participants to discover their ability to transform simple ingredients into high-quality, culturally rich, and commercially valuable products.

Students expressed their excitement about the program’s real-world value, noting how the skills gained can support entrepreneurship, family income, and community sharing.