Salesians around the globe work to ensure youth can live more fulfilled lives.
NEW ROCHELLE, NY (March 20, 2025) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian organizations and countries around the globe in celebrating International Day of Happiness, which falls each year on March 20. In 2011, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution that recognized happiness as a “fundamental human goal” and called for “a more inclusive, equitable and balanced approach to economic growth that promotes the happiness and well-being of all people.”
The day is coordinated by Action for Happiness, a nonprofit movement of members from 160 countries, and is supported by a partnership of like-minded organizations. It was founded as a way to inspire, mobilize and advance the global happiness movement. In 2015, the U.N. launched the 17 Sustainable Development Goals that seek to end poverty, reduce inequality and protect the planet — three key aspects that lead to well-being and happiness.
Each year, the day has a theme. This year’s theme is “Caring and Sharing” as a reminder that “lasting happiness comes from caring for each other, feeling connected and being part of something bigger.”
“Salesian missionaries do more than educate youth. They are working to ensure youth can live a more fulfilled and happier life,” said Father Michael Conway, director of Salesian Missions. “Salesians know that when youth can access education, they are able to live out their dreams, build a safe net of peers and trusting adults, and plan for their futures.
Advanced skills training through Salesian vocational and technical schools enables youth to become self-sufficient and in control of their destinies, leading to healthy and happier outcomes.”
In celebration of International Day of Happiness, Salesian Missions is proud to highlight Salesian programs that educate, empower and support youth.
GUINEA
Salesian missionaries have improved the socio-economic living conditions of youth and young adults through job market training in Kankan and Siguiri, Guinea. The funding for the project came from Salesian Missions and was used to purchase training equipment for the St. John Bosco Centers in the two communities. The donation impacted 880 youth including 130 young women, ages 16-25, from the Kankan and Nzérékoré regions. The students come from families with low levels of education who earn their living mainly through the subsistence economy.
A Salesian explained, “Thanks to the additional training equipment available, the St. John Bosco Centers have been able to increase the number of classrooms where young people can receive training. This has made it possible to offer training to even more youth. In Siguiri, we have gone from 61 students in 2022-2023 to 100 students in 2023-2024. Similarly in Kankan, we have gone from 165 pupils in 2022-2023 to 181 pupils in 2023-2024. This project has been a great success.”
One of the students impacted was Emmanuel, who is attending vocational training at the center in Siguiri. He said, “The reason I came to the center was because I failed secondary school. I tried several times without success to take the baccalaureate exam, even though I had difficulty reaching the final year of secondary school. My classmates and parents advised me to do vocational training. I decided to train in building electricity and I’m in my second year.”
ECUADOR
Youth attending programs at the Salesian Madre del Salvador Center, in the Santa Marta neighborhood in the Parish of La Merced, Ecuador, have a new recreation and sports area thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. Youth and their families in the area live in situations of vulnerability, poverty and danger from violence due to gangs and drug trafficking. Located on the Esmeraldas River, the area also suffers from flooding and high pollution.
Youth need a refuge and a place to feel safe, and the donation impacted the lives of 143 youth. Salesians were able to use donor funding to make the recreation area of the center more welcoming, secure, and accessible so youth have a proper environment to play sports and engage in recreational activities with their peers.
A Salesian missionary explained, “This project permitted the construction of a synthetic soccer field and additional recreational areas. The joy of the children and youth is evident. The new spaces have changed the environment, and youth feel a sense of belonging and dignity. This investment reinforces our commitment to providing a more dignified quality of life.”
EGYPT
Salesians in Alexandria, Egypt were able to facilitate summer activities for vulnerable youth at the Don Bosco Institute thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. The 320 participating youth were from the city’s poorest neighborhoods in the communities surrounding the Sacred Heart Church of Alexandria.
The project successfully trained 50 volunteers about the Don Bosco program and its content. The volunteers, who had grown up at the center, related quickly to the youth and were able to be positive role models.
A Salesian noted, “The volunteers played a key role in looking after each child, fostering a safer environment, especially for young refugees. Additionally, a focus group discussion at the end of each day’s activities was vital for gathering feedback, building rapport, and establishing trust between the volunteers and the youth.
These discussions provided a safe space for youth to express their needs, interests, and concerns, and enabled volunteers to tailor activities to create a more engaging experience. As a result, youth felt valued and heard, leading to increased engagement and satisfaction throughout the summer camp. The summer activities also contributed to well-being of the youth and their families.”
TANZANIA
Don Bosco Kilimanjaro International Institute for Telecommunications, Electronics and Computers (Don Bosco KIITEC), located in Arusha, Tanzania, has a new hostel for 300 students thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. The construction for the hostel had been started thanks to a local benefactor, and the donor funding from Salesian Missions was utilized to build the upper floors and finish the building, including plumbing, tiling, doors, electrical work, and painting. The building is currently being used for 150 students.
Don Bosco KIITEC serves poor youth and young adults. The school sits on a 15-acre campus that offers the most advanced training technologies in the region. Courses include electrical engineering with industrial automation, renewable energy, and computer science, as well as electronics and telecommunications.
One of the students, Herman Exaud John, has enjoyed his time at Don Bosco KIITEC. He said, “I am so proud of myself, and I feel I’m at the right place because until now I have learned a lot through different programs like the entrepreneurship training. It really helped me a lot since I got new skills to handle my life. I am staying in the hostel which is a place to live and learn. We have all the facilities there. I would really like to thank all who supported us.”
*Any goods, services or funds provided by Salesian Missions to programs located in this country were administered in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control.
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About Salesian Missions
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.
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