Center offers job training to students who face significant poverty.
NEW ROCHELLE, NY (April 15, 2025) The Don Bosco Technical and Vocational Training Center in Makuyu, Kenya, has undergone much-needed renovations to improve the learning environment for students thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco.
The funding was used to renovate student bathrooms, paint the entire center, cement and plaster exterior pillars and the interior of some classes, and replace windowpanes and frames. The next project is replacing the roofing of the center, which has asbestos.
The center offers training to youth and adults aged 13-35 to equip them with the job skills they need. The students come from the surrounding communities and often face significant poverty. The majority of students lack the tuition money to continue with their secondary or college education. Some even find it difficult to get three meals a day from their families due to harsh economic situations.
The center has become a refuge for these students to help them become self-sufficient. Salesians offer technical training in various areas of specialization including masonry, plumbing, electrical installation, arc welding, motor vehicle mechanics, solar photovoltaic skills, carpentry and joinery, printing technology, and cabinet making.
One of the students impacted is James Munene, who is the oldest in a family of seven. He is studying motor vehicle mechanics. Munene said, “When I finish school, I want to get a job and help my family and pay school fees for my brothers and sisters. Thanks to the repairs and painting, our school is very beautiful. I feel proud to be here.”
The economic situation of the students has led the center to face financial constraints. A Salesian explained, “The limited funds we have are channeled to purchasing training materials, and salaries for the teachers and staff. To equip the school with modern machinery and equipment has proven to be a challenge to date. This is why we are so grateful for the funding that has enabled us to make improvements to the school, which positively impacts the learning environment.”
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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.
Contact:
Laura Perillo
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