Lospalos, Timor-Leste
The Salesians of Don Bosco have been in the remote village of Lospalos since 1948. It is a vibrant community that consists of a Parish, Orphanage and Pre-novitiate. The Salesians are geographically and spiritually at the heart of the local community.
The Pre-novitiate is a place where young men can come to discern if they have a religious vocation with the Salesians of Don Bosco. In Lospalos they are educated to have a deeper understanding of the Salesians and also develop their skills. One of the key skills these young men need is the ability to speak English. Cagliero volunteers are crucial to assisting in this area.
Don Bosco Orphanage Lospalos accommodates over 100 boys ages 6 – 16. The aim of the orphanage is to educate the boys to be self-disciplined, organised and live responsibly. There is also an emphasis on the importance of a balanced diet, exercise and healthy living. The aim of the orphanage is to help both develop skills that will enable them to enter into the world as they reach adulthood. Most importantly it provides the boys with safe, loving and joyful environment where they can engage in their studies and enter adolescence and adulthood with a strong foundation.
Timor Leste is a new venture for the Cagliero Project and we look forward to supporting them with volunteers from diverse backgrounds. The Cagliero volunteers will engage with the pre-novices, the boys living in the orphanage and the local young people. Volunteers needed for this placement include professional teachers, youth workers, social workers and tertiary students from areas such as education and development.
Lospalos needs volunteers to work in the following areas:
- teaching English as a second language (ESL) to the pre-novices
- conducting afterschool tutoring sessions and evening activities
- living with and mentoring both the pre-novices and young men living in the orphanage
- engaging in oratory and sporting activities with the local young people
- assist with parish activities with the young people