Fr Martin Lasarte, SDB, explains that "the presence of the Salesians in this part of the world is not only important, but vital, because they are going through times of emergency, national reconciliation and commitment to progress. In recent days President Salva Kiir and the Vice-President, Riek Machar, have reached an agreement. This means the pacification of the country."
The Salesian mission, located in the Gumbo district, on the outskirts of Juba, receives every morning an invasion of 2,500 children and young people: school children, pre-school centres and vocational training centres. In addition to these, a total of 3,000 IDPs (Internal Displaced People) are welcomed, people who have fled their homes because of the war. The reception centre is home almost exclusively to women and children, since the men have died in the fighting.
The Salesian community, through Fr David Tullimelli, is coordinating humanitarian aid. They search for food for the people and if they do not get the support of international organizations they have to buy food for 3,000 people.
In addition to providing daily food, the Salesian community has built a primary school and a pre-school centre for children of the camp. They have also sunk wells for water and they are preparing the land for agriculture.
The clashes that began in 2013 have left at least 70,000 dead and 2.3 million people who have fled their homes but, in the midst of so much violence, the presence of the Merciful God is felt through the Salesians.
https://www.infoans.org/en/sections/news/item/967-south-sudan-3-000-cold-hungry-people-knocking-at-the-door-of-the-salesian-house#sigProIdf63151568a
