Facility benefits more than 20,000 people across 25 sub-stations.
NEW ROCHELLE, NY (Jan. 21, 2026) Salesians with Don Bosco Morobo in South Sudan* have finished renovations on the community house thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The rehabilitation provides a safe, functional space for governance of Don Bosco Primary School and coordination of parish activities across 25 sub-stations.
The Don Bosco Community House in Morobo was fully renovated including work on structural repairs to the roof, walls, and flooring, as well as adding essential equipment for educational and pastoral use. The renovation further included complete plumbing and electrical installations to ensure safety and functionality, and the addition of a new 15kV solar power system for reliable energy. A 20,000-liter water tank with a tower and solar pump was installed to serve both the school and community, addressing critical water needs.
Furthermore, a protective fence was constructed to safeguard the property from wild animals and theft. These enhancements ensure the long-term sustainability, security, and usability of the community house and its services. The renovated facility now serves as a hub for education, pastoral care, youth development, and community gatherings.
The donation has impacted more than 1,000 children enrolled in Don Bosco Primary School as well as 40 teachers and more than 20,000 parishioners across the sub-stations. Many of these people have returned to their homes after conflict drove them to Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Anthony Ukwar Uber, a member of the parish choir, explained, “I run a small shop in the local market, where I sell basic household items to help support my family. Life in Morobo hasn’t always been easy. We are still recovering from the effects of the war, and many young people like me are trying to rebuild our lives from scratch. But having the church and the Salesians back with us has been a big relief. It brings hope.”
He continued, “When the civil war started in 2015, everything collapsed. The Salesians had to leave because of the fighting, and many of us — including my own family — fled to Uganda as refugees. Life in the camps was difficult. When we returned around 2020, the Salesian compound was destroyed and abandoned. There were no priests, no parish activities, and we felt spiritually empty. We had no one to guide us, no sports or music, and no place to come together as before.”
Uber is grateful the Salesians have returned. He concluded, “When we heard that Salesian Missions was supporting the renovation of the Salesian house, it brought excitement and a sense of hope. We saw the house being rebuilt, and with it, we saw our parish life slowly coming back. I was excited and just prayed the priests would return. There was no anxiety, only joy. We have a resident priest who celebrates Mass daily, works with school children during the day, and organizes games and sports for us youth in the evenings. The community feels alive again. We are seeing improvements in both our spiritual and social lives. Youth are more united, and there’s less idle time. The project gave us exactly what we needed.”
Salesian missionaries in South Sudan are dedicated to providing programs and services across the country. Salesian missionaries provide education, social development services, nutrition programs, and health clinics for poor youth and their families. For some, the education offered at Salesian schools is the only opportunity to gain an education and the skills necessary for future employment.
*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.
