Project enhances learning environment at Don Bosco school.
NEW ROCHELLE, NY (Nov. 4, 2024) Don Bosco Matriculation Higher Secondary School, located in Thalavadi, in the Erode district of Tamil Nadu, India, has built a multipurpose open hall thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The new hall is benefiting 567 students and 50 staff members by enhancing the learning environment.
The school provides education to youth from tribes or youth who are poor. Given the increasing rates of admission, new infrastructure was needed. Prior to the new multipurpose hall, students stood outside during assemblies, often having to run back to their classrooms when the weather turned poor. This affected the health and well-being of the students. It also caused disruptions to the flow of school activities. The project created a space for assemblies that will also serve as a gathering space for youth who attend evening study centers and special functions.
A Salesian noted, “Many of the youth in our school come from marginalized communities and face significant economic hardships, making access to quality education a challenge. In addition to the school students, the project also benefits 150 children who attend evening study centers from nearby villages. These children, similar in age, also come from underprivileged backgrounds and face various socioeconomic challenges, making the project crucial for their academic and personal development. We want all of the youth in our school to have a safe and conducive environment for learning and personal growth, addressing their educational needs and supporting their overall well-being.”
Salesians engaged local community members, including parents and leaders, to foster a sense of ownership and long-term responsibility. Additionally, Salesians initiated local fundraising efforts and explored further funding opportunities to secure ongoing resources to help enhance the learning environment for the school.
India has the world’s fourth largest economy but more than 22% of the country lives in poverty. About 31% of the world’s multidimensionally poor children live in India, according to a report by the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative.
India’s youth face a lack of educational opportunities due to issues of caste, class and gender. Almost 44% of the workforce is illiterate and less than 10% of the working-age population has completed a secondary education. In addition, many secondary school graduates do not have the knowledge and skills to compete in today’s changing job market.
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About Salesian Missions USA
Salesian Missions is headquartered in New Rochelle, NY, and is part of the Don Bosco Network—a worldwide federation of Salesian NGOs. The mission of the U.S.-based nonprofit Catholic organization is to raise funds for international programs that serve youth and families in poor communities around the globe. The Salesian missionaries are made up of priests, brothers and sisters, as well as laypeople—all dedicated to caring for poor children throughout the world in more than 130 countries and helping young people become self-sufficient by learning a trade that will help them gain employment. To date, more than 3 million youth have received services funded by Salesian Missions. These services and programs are provided to children regardless of race or religion. For more information, go to SalesianMissions.org.
Contact:
Laura Perillo
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