United States – Nutritional support to most disadvantaged populations, thanks to the help of Salesian Missions
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15 September 2020
Zambia

(ANS - New Rochelle) - Since the beginning of the pandemic, "Salesian Missions", the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, has responded to the emergency by helping the most affected populations in the most critical conditions. Thanks to its funds, food rations, personal hygiene products and medical care have been provided.

The coronavirus pandemic, in fact, required immediate and effective responses. All over the world, many people have lost their jobs and many have found themselves below the poverty line.

“Salesian missionaries live in the communities in which they work so they are well-positioned to understand the local needs and come up with solutions to address them,” said Fr Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions. “We have funded projects in seven countries to date that address nutritional support, sanitation and hygiene, and educational materials for prevention.”

BURUNDI

Through the funding of “Salesian Missions”, the Salesian Parish of Rukago in Burundi was able to provide community prevention measures to counter the spread of COVID-19. Thanks to this project, which benefited 65,000 people from the parish and the local community, hand-washing stations were installed in 8 churches, 15 schools and the Don Bosco Oratory.

EAST TIMOR

The communities of Dili, Lospalos and Venilale have benefited from the aid provided by Salesian Missions. In particular, widows, orphans, disabled, poor and elderly people were helped, for a total of 1,174 beneficiaries.

INDIA

Thanks to “Bosconet”, food rations have been provided to the people most affected by the pandemic. A total of 780 families benefited from the aid, as well as workers and temporary workers employed in tea plantations.

NAMIBIA

The Salesian missionaries of the Don Bosco Youth Center, located in Rundu, carried out a nutritional program for children who suffer from hunger and provided food support for young people who have dropped out of school and other vulnerable children.

MALAWI

The "St John Bosco" parish in Lilongwe received support for the purchase of corn to help 382 families. In Malawi, already very poor families have seen their conditions worsen due to the pandemic.

SOUTH AFRICA

The Salesian missionaries, together with the local Planning and Development Office in South Africa, were able to provide food support to the communities of Eswatini (Swaziland) and Lesotho.

SOUTH SUDAN

In the Gumbo camp for internally displaced persons, the Salesian missionaries distributed food, soaps, blankets and other basic necessities.

ZAMBIA

In Kasama, thanks to the collaboration with “Feed My Starving Children”, food was distributed to children, orphans, the blind and other people in need.

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