Salesian missionaries educate more than 1 million youth.
NEW ROCHELLE, NY (Oct. 5, 2025) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian organizations and countries around the globe in honoring World Teachers’ Day, which has been celebrated each year on Oct. 5 since 1994. The day honors the vital role that teachers play in the lives of their students and commemorates the anniversary of the signing of the 1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has noted the day is “a day to celebrate how teachers are transforming education but also to reflect on the support they need to fully deploy their talent and vocation, and to rethink the way ahead for the profession globally.”
Salesian missionaries educate more than 1 million youth in over 5,500 schools and youth centers and nearly 1,000 vocational, technical, and agricultural schools in more than 130 countries around the globe.
Father Michael Conway, director of Salesian Missions, said, “Salesian teachers are dealing with a lot in the classroom, more than just the subject they are teaching. They know their students are facing more than learning math and reading. Some youth were previously living and working on the streets while others have faced war as child soldiers or became refugees in war-torn communities. Salesian teachers meet these challenges head-on, providing education and hope for a brighter future and the Salesian community supports them in their work.”
In honor and celebration of World Teachers’ Day 2025, Salesian Missions is proud to highlight the work of Salesian teachers and programs that support them around the globe.
INDIA
Teachers from the primary, secondary and junior college schools within Don Bosco Naigaon, located in Mumbai, India, participated in a seminar on specific learning disorders. The seminar was led by Father Edward D’Souza, an educator specializing in learning disorders. According to Fr. D’Souza, globally about 10-15% of the school population is affected, and he helped provide understanding in working with these students.
The teachers participated in a series of simulation exercises, which helped them experience the challenges faced by students. Fr. D’Souza explained how specific learning disorders are neurological disorders caused by differences in the structure of the brain, which affects the way information is processed and which can have an impact on one or more skills.
A Salesian said, “The seminar ended with teachers becoming more aware of specific learning disorders and left the seminar with a renewed commitment to extending understanding, patience, support and appropriate recovery to ensure the success of all students during their school life.”
MADAGASCAR
Salesian missionaries are working on a construction project to expand classrooms at Don Bosco Mahajanga, a technical and vocational center in Madagascar. Donor funding from Salesian Missions is financing the project. The funding has been utilized for the ground floor construction work that was needed, which is currently 80% finished.
The classroom extension project will enable the center to increase classroom sizing by 20 to 40 students per training cycle. These students typically range from ages 15-20, and they are often transitioning from general education or unemployment to skilled trades. The goal is to provide practical training relevant to the local economy, enhancing their employability and improving livelihoods. The students come from families with limited financial resources, and vocational training offers them a path to economic empowerment.
Father Bruno Ramaharaisoa, director, explained, “Beyond the direct beneficiaries, the project will also indirectly benefit the teaching staff and administration by creating a more conducive working environment and increasing the skilled workforce in the region. It is poised to have a significant positive impact on the educational opportunities and future prospects of numerous young individuals in the region, while also contributing to broader community development. The new building is seen as a catalyst for future positive initiatives in the field of education.
NIGERIA
Salesian sisters with Mary Help of Christians were able to start construction for a nursery and primary school in Ikorodu, Nigeria, thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. The foundation and raising of the walls of the new structure have been completed, and work is continuing. When finished, the school will educate 250 children, with priority given to young girls.
Salesian sisters have been in Nigeria since 2019 providing education for youth. In 2021, they bought land in Mowo-Kekere. They developed a skills training center for short-term courses to help educate youth to give them employable skills, and they also run an oratory. The structure is made of containers.
The sisters have been working in the community long enough that they are able to identify challenges for people in the community. One of the biggest is the lack of public primary schooling for the children, especially girls. The few private schools that are available have tuition that is too high for families who are poor. The project to develop a new school will ensure that children from these families will be able to access quality education.
SOUTH SUDAN
Salesian missionaries in Wau and Tonj, in the St. Josephine Bakhita Delegation of Sudan* and South Sudan*, organized teacher training to start the academic year 2025. Aimed at all primary and secondary school teachers and technical center educators, the training helped teachers deepen their understanding of Don Bosco’s work and the Salesian preventive system and educational philosophy.
A Salesian noted, “The teacher training sessions were enriched by interactive activities, lectures and reflective discussions, in which participants exchanged insights on the Salesian education system and how to apply Don Bosco’s principles in today’s educational context in South Sudan.”
Through similar training, Salesians also educated teachers in Kuajok, Gumbo and Maridi, committing themselves to achieving the planned objectives inspired by the Strenna for 2025: “Anchored in hope, pilgrims with young people.” The Strenna was announced last year by Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime.
*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.