(Belo Horizonte, Brazil) – The “St. John Bosco” Province of Brazil-Belo Horizonte (BBH) in 2022 will celebrate 75 years of Salesian activity in the promotion of young people in situations of social vulnerability. In tune with Don Bosco, it is still dedicated to the education and evangelization of young people, through initiatives and projects in schools, universities, social works, and parishes in the states of Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo, Goiás, Tocantins, and the Federal District.
Currently, the BBH Province has more than 10 social works and projects that help approximately 4,310 children and adolescents in socially vulnerable conditions each month. In the Salesian schools and the University Center “UniSales”, more than 1,900 partial, full and related scholarships for higher studies (PROUNI) are available for low-income students. In their social units, they also provide approximately 6,210 social benefits to their beneficiaries each month. An immense task that is possible through public and private collaborations and synergies, the support of benefactors, and the voluntary work of many people of goodwill who identify with the Salesian charism
The youth centers – located in Pará de Minas, Belo Horizonte, Campos dos Goytacazes, Niterói (2), and Palmas – offer social and relationship-building services for children and adolescents during their free time. The activities carried out focus on strengthening family and community ties, human and citizen formation, and youth protagonism, and promote children’s access to education, healthy nutrition, sports, leisure and culture.
The Salesian Apprenticeship Programme developed by CESAM (Salesian Centre for Adolescent Workers) in compliance with current regulations, promotes initiatives aimed at guaranteeing the rights of adolescents and young people, as well as combating child labor, reducing school dropout rates, empowering youth, and promoting activities to support and strengthen family ties. It is carried out in the States of Espírito Santo, Goiás, Minas Gerais, and the Federal District.
The Dandara Pre-University Project aims to promote the entry of socially vulnerable adolescents and youth from the public school network of the Grande Vitória region into higher education, encouraging the construction of new life projects. This project, which has been running for 20 years, thanks to the voluntary work of teachers and social educators, currently assists an average of 110 students between the ages of 17 and 29.
Attentive to the legacy of St. John Bosco, his Spiritual Sons active in the Province of BBH remain committed so that every Salesian environment is for young people: a home that welcomes, a parish that evangelizes, a school that leads to life, and a courtyard where they can meet among friends and live with joy.
Source: ANS – “Agência iNfo Salesiana”