Uruguay – Freedom-deprived youth to study Mechanics at "Talleres Don Bosco" with INISA

27 July 2021

(ANS - Montevideo) - On Friday 23 July, the Salesian Institute "Talleres Don Bosco" and the National Institute for the Social Inclusion of Adolescents (INISA) signed an agreement for adolescents deprived of their freedom but are about to leave institutions, so that they can follow a professionalizing Mechanics course at the Salesian institute.

Among those present at the agreement's signing ceremony were various Salesians and educators of the school, the President of INISA, Dr. Rosanna de Olivera Méndez, and the Director, Andrea Venosa, officials of the Institute and the General Manager of the financial company “Unión Capital Afap”, Maria Dolores Benavente.

"This event connects us to our Salesian mission," commented Fr Marcelo Fontona, SDB, who signed the agreement on behalf of the Vocational Training Schools and "Talleres Don Bosco". The religious recalled that the mission of the founder of the Salesians of Don Bosco, St. John Bosco, began by dedicating himself to adolescents and young people who were imprisoned in Turin, in 1840: "This passage gives us joy for the possibility it means for these young people, for whom we want to generate other life opportunities," added the Salesian, before recalling that always in Uruguay, in Salto, the Salesians have been developing a similar project for 20 years, of assisted freedom and socio-educational measures without detention with young people reported by the judiciary, with the aim of helping them to generate a life project.  

The agreement, also signed by "Unión Capital Afap", which includes this initiative in its vast plan of social responsibility actions, will allow, in a first phase, 10 young people from different INISA centers to follow the vehicle mechanics for gasoline engines course; but there is already a waiting list of as many young people willing to take this path, which was defined by the President of INISA, a "resounding success" for the enthusiasm aroused in adolescents. “Being motivated is crucial,” she said.

“I am very happy, today is a very important day. We are innovating, it is the first time that we have signed this framework agreement with Talleres Don Bosco," said Dr. de Olivera Méndez. "Talleres Don Bosco has great prestige and at INISA we have the mission and commitment to give these adolescents, who have difficult and traumatic life stories, the opportunity to find their vocation."

“We have a responsibility to leave them, in view of their stepping out, a network that includes their health, their family (so they return to their environment) but also formation and the possibility of entering the job market. If we do not give them the opportunity to go out with real training and the opportunity to find decent work, it is difficult for them to support themselves,” she added.

"We know” she concluded, “that in the 'Talleres Don Bosco' they are trained technically, but also in values, discipline, respect for timetables, citizenship, because they need support to be good citizens and to be aware that crime is not a valid path, that there is another way."

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