More youth who are vulnerable access education.
NEW ROCHELLE, NY (March 16, 2026) Don Bosco Youth Center in Kalay, Myanmar*, was able to update and expand classrooms to create more spaces for education. The funding came from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. Salesians were able to add five classrooms, which will enable them to admit more students.
Kalay is located at the gate to the northern Chin State and is one of the business border towns adjacent to India. In 2021, the military took over the town, destroying everything. Salesians report that fighting happens on the outskirts of town, houses are burned down, roads are blocked and youth run away from the town for their safety. Life has become more difficult with people living well below the poverty line. With the economy down, many people are engaged in smuggling goods or enter early marriages without hope for the future.
A Salesian reported, “Don Bosco Youth Center is the only boarding school for youth. Many come seek our care for education and spiritual growth. The expansion of these classrooms allows us to serve many more vulnerable and at-risk youth who have little opportunity for education.”
A resident in the community, Ko Khai No, explained, “I know many youth who are taking classes at the center. Don Bosco, with its preventive system, brings positive changes for youth and their families. I am quite impressed and grateful for the Salesians for all they are doing in our community.”
Despite the challenges in the country, Salesian missionaries continue supporting people who are the most vulnerable, and efforts have expanded to the creation of a long-term global aid plan to help people rebuild their lives after the earthquake.
*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.
