Shipment provides meals to 5 programs.
NEW ROCHELLE, NY (Feb. 2, 2026) Oeuvres Maman Marguerite, a network of Salesian centers located in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo*, received a shipment of nutritious meals through a partnership between Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, and Rise Against Hunger, a nonprofit that helps underserved people worldwide achieve food security and resilience.
The shipment provided meals for feeding programs at a prison, a hospital, an orphanage, a retirement home and a training center. Close to 600 people were fed during the first half of 2025.
A Salesian noted, “Children used to go hungry in the centers, but today we have largely responded to these challenges. Food not only serves as nourishment for our young people but also as a means of keeping them in our homes and centers.”
Médine is one of the young women who received the meals. She lives in the Visitation House in the Kafubu neighborhood, an area on the outskirts of Lubumbashi. She ended up at the center after her parents’ divorce, bouncing between parents and spending a few days on the street. Médine was then directed to the Salesian center.
She credits the morning meal with giving her the energy to get through the entire day of training without getting tired, allowing her to participate fully in her school activities. All of the students eat twice daily.
The nutritious food has allowed her to improve academically and make significant progress. Compared to when she lived with her father, Médine’s health has drastically improved since arriving at the center. She no longer gets sick frequently and maintains a strong immune system.
Camel Kajila Ntambu, a school social worker, said, “Now that the youth are better fed in school, they are out of school less. We have come to understand that providing adequate nutrition was a key factor in minimizing absenteeism.”
Salesian missionaries have been working in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for more than 100 years, ensuring that the most vulnerable children are not forgotten. Salesian primary and secondary schools and programs lay the foundation for early learning, while Salesian trade, vocational and agricultural programs offer many youth the opportunity for a stable and productive future.
*Any goods, services, or funds provided by Salesian Missions to programs located in these countries 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.
