Countries & Communites
The places and people the Cagliero Project works with!
The Cagliero Project has worked hard to establish close links with communities around our Asia-Pacific region.
Click through to learn more about the needs of the communites that our volunteers serve, as well as a brief introduction to the country they are situated in!
Australia is well known for its beautiful natural wonders, wide open spaces, deserts and beaches. It is also one of the world’s most highly urbanised countries and has some wonderful cities such as Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth. Australia is a wonderfully diverse nation of migrants and people come from all over the world to make Australia their home.
Australia’s First Nations peoples have lived on the continent for over 50,000 years. There are two distinct groups of Indigenous people in Australia - Torres Strait Islanders, who come from the Torres Strait Islands, and Aboriginal people, who come from all other parts of Australia. Each of these have their own distinct languages, cultures and beliefs and therefore, when we refer to “Indigenous Australians”, we’re actually using a collective name to refer to hundreds of diverse groups that spanned the entire continent for thousands of years.
Despite the incredible things that Australia has to offer, there are still many challenges faced by young people. Many young Australians suffer from mental health conditions and issues with substance abuse. Unemployment, poverty and homelessness are also issues that impact upon young people, with young people aged 12-24 years making up on quarter of Australia’s total homeless population.
The first Salesians arrived in Australia in 1922 to work with Aboriginal Australians in the Kimberley. Eventually, they moved to Victoria where they established several schools and other works in Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and New South Wales over the years. The Australia-Pacific province now encompasses Australia, Samoa, Fiji and New Zealand with work in 15 different centres.
The Cagliero Project seeks volunteers for Australia to work in the Engadine community at St. John Bosco Parish and the Dunlea Centre, both of which are found in the greater Sydney area and Dominic College, located in Glenorchy, Tasmania
The Salesian community is located in the suburb of Glenorchy just outside Hobart, the largest city in Tasmania, in the very south of Australia. The key outreach and work of the Salesian community is in Dominic College.
Dominic College is a Kindergarten - Year 10 school that focuses on the education of the whole child within a learning community and a faith community where each student is known, valued and nurtured to become more than they are now. The learning and teaching relationship is based on a belief in the potential of every student to achieve success. Students are also given a rich range of faith and spiritual development experiences. Outreach opportunities to develop a sense of service to others are important in the College's witness to the poor and needy.
The Glenorchy community is a new placement for the Cagliero Project. We are looking forward to a long relationship of sending volunteers to the Glenorchy community. The volunteer will be engaged in interacting with Dominic College in a variety of different ways.
There are so many possibilities for volunteers at Dominic College and we therefore look forward to welcoming volunteers from all backgrounds – teachers, social workers, youth workers and those with interest and experience in any field related to working with young people. As there is such a diverse range of activities that a volunteer can undertake, we will work with the volunteer and community to ensure we best utilise their background in the various outreach activities of the Glenorchy community.
The Glenorchy community needs volunteers to work in the following areas:
- Engaging in oratory, music and sporting activities with students
- Engaging in seminars, workshops or retreats on personal and spiritual development with the students
- Being an active and positive presence with students and staff both inside and outside the classroom
- Mentoundsring and tutoring young people with a diverse range of needs and backgrounds
The Salesian community is located in the beautiful suburb of Engadine in the city of Sydney. Engadine is located south of Sydney in the Sutherland shire and boasts of tremendous natural beauty as it surrounded by the Royal National Park. The community has so many different aspects of its outreach to young people. There is St. John Bosco High School, Dunlea Centre (Australia’s original boy’s town) and it is also home to the Salesian sisters who work in the primary school.
A key part of the community is St. John Bosco Parish, known for its deep connection to the community and incredible outreach to those most in need. They also have a thriving youth group that provides young people of all ages a safe space to gather, an opportunity to grow in their faith and in true Salesian spirit, a place to have fun! Volunteers in the Engadine community will not be bored!
The Engadine community is a new placement for the Cagliero Project. We are looking forward to a long relationship of sending volunteers to the Engadine community. The main places of work for the volunteer will be Dunlea Centre and St. John Bosco Parish.
There is so much diversity in the work of the Engadine community that we look forward to welcoming volunteers from all backgrounds – teachers, social workers, youth workers, youth ministers and those with interest and experience in any field related to working with young people.
As there is such a diverse range of activities that a volunteer can undertake, we will work with the volunteer and community to ensure we best utilise their background in the various outreach activities of the Engadine community.
The Engadine community needs volunteers to work in the following areas:
Providing support and working with young people at the Dunlea Centre (ESL)
Teaching academic school subjects
Engaging in oratory and sporting activities with local young people
Supporting and mentoring young people in the diverse range of youth groups at St. John Bosco Parish
Cambodia, a predominantly Buddhist country, is home to the magnificent Angkor Wat however the real treasure of Cambodia is the Khmer people. Cambodians suffered enormously under the brutal regime of the Khmer Rouge during the seventies. Despite the atrocities of its recent history and its ongoing impact, the Khmer people have a remarkably positive and peaceful spirit.
Life in Cambodia is tough for most Khmer people. The major social problems include corruption, poverty and gender inequality. Young people experience the harshest consequences surrounding these issues, which often seriously impact upon their health and ability to access basic education. Cambodia is an area of priority for the Cagliero Project as its many Salesian programs and schools remain severely understaffed.
The Salesians of Don Bosco in Cambodia work under the NGO: Don Bosco Foundation of Cambodia (DBFC). DBFC started working in Khmer refugee camps in Thailand during the 1980’s. In 1990, DBFC was invited by the Royal Government to open technical schools in Cambodia. One year later, it opened Don Bosco Technical School, Phnom Penh. In 1991, the Don Bosco Children’s Fund was created by DBFC to support children from vulnerable communities to be able to attend schools and assist with their basic needs. The Don Bosco Hotel school was opened in 2007 to train young people in the ever expanding hospitality and tourism industries.
The Cagliero Project seeks volunteers to work for Don Bosco Technical School, Don Bosco Hotel School and Don Bosco Children’s Fund.
Don Bosco Technical School (DBTS) located in the outer suburbs of Phnom Penh, was opened in 1991 in order to provide education for poor Cambodian young people. DBTS was the first institution in Cambodia to provide a free technical education to young adults in extreme poverty after the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge regime.
The school provides a two-year technical education in the areas of computer, printing, electronics, electricity, automotive and mechanics. Each student undertakes one of these areas of specialisation and a work placement as part of the course. DBTS is such a well-respected institution that it boasts a 100% employment success rate among its graduates.
DBTS is also a home for boarder boys and boarder girls. These young people are students at DBTS, often coming from the poorest families and backgrounds. The school also houses the Besucco boys, who are a group of high school aged boys generally coming from extremely poor Catholic Vietnamese families.
The Cagliero Project began sending volunteers to DBTS in 2010 and since then, has fostered a strong relationship of respect, love and support with the school. Past volunteers have included professional teachers, engineers and business and education administrators. In addition, many tertiary students have served as volunteers in Cambodia, coming from areas such as education, sociology, design, psychology, marketing and law.
Don Bosco Technical School needs volunteers to work in the following areas:
- Teaching English as a second language (ESL)
- Teaching technical skills for subjects including computer, graphic design, printing
- Electronics, electricity, automotive and mechanics
- Leading oratory activities including afterschool and weekend tutoring
- Giving formation talks, workshops or retreats on personal and spiritual development
- Providing marketing, fundraising and administrative support
Don Bosco Children’s Fund (DBCF) was opened in 1992 to attend to children from disadvantaged communities and orphans. It guarantees that poor children can attend school through a sponsorship program. The project has its headquarters in Phnom Penh and offices in Poipet, Battambang and Sihanoukville. Since its inception DBCF has attended to a population of more than 50 thousand children throughout Cambodia.
Don Bosco Children’s Fund in Phnom Penh has two main outreach activities. The first is the BESS group. The focus of the BESS group is ensuring that young children are provided with a basic education. The second outreach focuses on supporting young people and families who are impacted by HIV/AIDs. Both groups visit local villages and seek to address both the immediate and longer term needs of the young people they care for.
Both the BESS and HIV programs conduct distribution and visitation. During distribution the young children who are sponsored undertake education and formation activities. This can include information such as the importance of education and good nutrition. The program is designed to not only provide the young people with basic needs but also to provide a holistic education. During visitation the outreach team visits the homes of the young people to make assessments and ensure the well-being of the young person.
Cagliero volunteers have been working with Don Bosco Children’s Fund since 2008. Volunteers have worked in both the BESS and HIV program supporting the outreach staff and providing education and activities to the young people involved in both programs. Cagliero volunteers have created wonderful connections with the young people whom they work with and also the outreach staff from Don Bosco Children’s Fund.
Don Bosco Children’s Fund needs volunteers to work in the following areas:
- Assisting with the distribution program for both the BESS and HIV programs
- Teaching English through games and activities during the distribution program
- Leading oratory activities with young people attending distribution
- Providing marketing, fundraising and administrative support
The Don Bosco Hotel School was set up in 2005 and officially inaugurated by the King in 2007. It is located in the coastal resort town of Sihanoukville and provides a technical education in hotel management, food & beverage administration and general hospitality matters. Tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors in Cambodia and the school enables the poorest youth to obtain a professional education that will enable them to work in such an important sector of the country's economy.
The Don Bosco Hotel School is not just a school but also a real hotel where the students learn on the job cooking, food & beverage, housekeeping and front office. The program runs over two years and includes both a theoretical education and a lot of practice within the classes and serving the guests. The students also undertake a three-month internship in hotels and resorts all over Cambodia.
Graduates from the Don Bosco Hotel School are sought after by potential employers. Don Bosco Hotel and School, therefore, sees its mission as a direct response to poverty through holistic professional education, which transforms its students, reaches out to their families, and helps to improve society.
The Cagliero Project began sending volunteers to Don Bosco Hotel School in 2009. Past volunteers have included people with a background in teaching, marketing and journalism. The Cagliero Project is looking to continue its support of Don Bosco Hotel School with volunteers from a wide range of disciplines.
Don Bosco Hotel School needs volunteers to work in the following areas:
- Teaching English as a second language (ESL)
- Teaching skills related to the tourism and hospitality industries
- Providing mentoring and support for young men and women working at Don Bosco Hotel school and Don Bosco guest house
- Giving formation talks, workshops or retreats on personal and spiritual development
- Providing marketing, fundraising and administrative support
Fiji is made up of 330 islands, with only around a third known to be inhibited. Fiji is sprawling with natural beauty located in the South Pacific approximately 3000 km from Australia and 2000km North of New Zealand.
With more than one fourth of the population of Fiji under the age of 15, the population is young. Income disparity between urban and rural families, and access to education and employment impact the prospects for all. The two main sources of income in Fiji are subsistence farming and tourism.
Fiji’s many mixed ethnicities lend itself to a rich cultural heritage, with aspects of traditional Fijian life, such as traditional crafts, village systems, and ceremonies still present in daily life.
The Salesians have been present in Fiji since 1999 with Don Bosco Formation House located in Suva. The Salesians are actively engaged in offering activities to youth of the Muanikoso and the Makoi area, and have recently finished the construction of and opened ‘Don Bosco Youth and Education Centre’.
Opened in 2021, the Don Bosco Youth and Education Centre serves as a hive of activity for the entire community. Parish activities take place on the weekends and daily up to 200 young people gather to share in the joy of the Salesian Oratory facilitated by the Salesian brothers.
The Oratory is an opportunity for young people to make new friends, participate in sports, games, and additional classes. The Salesian community also supports young people in accessing the oratory by taking buses out to the local villages.
With the oratory now having a permanent space to utilise, the Salesian community is looking to set up regular programs and supports for young people to access.
Samoa is one of the most beautiful islands in the South Pacific. There are only 190,400 people that inhabit Upolu and Savai’i, the two islands that make up Samoa, a predominantly Christian country. Samoans have a very strong cultural identity and take great pride in ‘Fa’a Samoa’ - the Samoan way. Their culture puts a great emphasis on family and the ‘Fale’ (house) as the centre of their lives.
Samoans enjoy a relaxed pace of living, however there are many things that threaten their way of life, including natural disasters such as tsunamis and cyclones. Major social issues in Samoa are poor nutrition, domestic violence, alcohol abuse and a lack of employment opportunities. The country’s economy is extremely limited, with most money coming from foreign aid. Due to these and other contributing factors, Samoa has one of the world’s highest rates of youth suicide. These ongoing social problems have presented great struggles for the people of Samoa. The Cagliero project works closely with Samoa as it is one of our closest neighbours in the pacific.
The Salesians of Don Bosco first came to Samoa in 1981. In that year they established a technical school for young men that had not succeeded in mainstream education. Today, Don Bosco Technical Centre is one of the most respected schools in the country. Salesian Priests, along with the Salesian Sisters, now run: parishes, youth centres and primary and secondary schools throughout Samoa.
The Cagliero Project seeks volunteers for Divine Mercy Primary School, Malololelei, Don Bosco High School, Saleleloga and Don Bosco Technical School, Alafua.
Bosco Technical Centre is a Salesian technical school offering technical education and vocation training for young men aged 16 – 20 years. The Centre, which is situated on the outskirts of Apia, the capital of Samoa, caters for students who have not previously experienced educational success, providing the opportunity for them to learn a trade through ‘hands-on’ experience.
The Centre offers two and four year trades training courses specialising in welding, motor mechanics, woodwork, electronics and plumbing. More than 85% of the graduates secure employment in Samoa and those who migrate to New Zealand and Australia have been able to get work in their trade. Without their years at Don Bosco many of these young men would have risked a life-time of vulnerability, poverty and unemployment.
The Centre actively promotes the spiritual and personal development of students, and emphasises participation in cultural and performing arts to enhance students’ self-image and self-esteem. The overall programme has a holistic focus and includes trades training, religious formation, academic studies, and cultural awareness. Significant emphasis is placed on workshop and practical experience, engagement in a variety of sporting and cultural activities and active involvement in opportunities for prayer and liturgy.
Don Bosco Technical Centre is a Salesian technical school offering technical education and vocation training for young men aged 16 – 20 years. The Centre, which is situated on the outskirts of Apia, the capital of Samoa, caters for students who have not previously experienced educational success, providing the opportunity for them to learn a trade through ‘hands-on’ experience.
Don Bosco Technical Centre needs volunteers to work in the following areas:
- Teaching English as a second language (ESL)
- Teaching technical skills for welding, motor mechanics, woodwork, electronics and plumbing
- Co-ordinating afterschool and weekend tutoring
- Engaging in afterschool sports and cultural activities
Don Bosco High School and Vocational Centre is located in Salelologa on the island of Savai’i. Don Bosco High School opened in 2011 to fill a major educational need on the island of Savai’i. The standard of education is generally lower on the larger, less populated and less developed of Samoa’s two main islands. The school aims to provide a Catholic education and raise educational standards for the young people in Savai’i.
The school operates both an academic and vocational program thus ensuring it is meeting the needs of a broad cross section of students. Students at Don Bosco High School undertake either one of these programs based on their capabilities and needs. The school provides vocational training in the areas of metalwork, woodwork, plumbing and cooking.
The Cagliero Project has supported Don Bosco High School before the doors even opened in mid-2011. One of our very first Cagliero volunteers actually assisted with the construction and the painting of the school. Our first volunteer teacher to assist at the high school began his classes under a banana tree. A few months later the school opened and he was placed in a classroom. Since then the Cagliero Project has supplied Don Bosco High School with a steady stream of professional teachers and tertiary students studying education, social work and youth work.
Don Bosco High School needs volunteers to work in the following areas:
- Teaching English as a second language (ESL)
- Teaching other subjects such as Science and Mathematics
- Teaching technical skills for subjects including metalwork, woodwork, plumbing and cooking
- Coaching students in after school sports
- Co-ordinating afterschool and weekend tutoring
The Divine Mercy School is run by the Salesian Sisters. The school is located in Malololelei on the island of Upolu in Samoa. The village is quite high up in the mountains, behind the capital city of Apia. The school caters for pupils beginning with pre-school and up to year 8. It is a new undertaking for the Sisters who were invited by the Archdiocese in 2013 to start a community and school. The Sisters commenced the school in 2013 and it was officially completed in 2015.
As the village is quite remote the school aims to provide an education for children in Malololelei and the surrounding villages. This is important so the children do not need to travel too far to attend school. The community is also involved at the local parish teaching religion classes and facilitation the Children of Mary group.
The Cagliero Project sent its first volunteer to work in Malololelei in 2014. Volunteers in this placement work at the Divine Mercy Primary school as teachers, tutors and teaching assistants. They also participate in and help to run after school tutoring and activities. Volunteers are also invited to participate in the various activities that the Sisters are involved in at the local parish.
Divine Mercy Primary School needs volunteers to work in the following areas:
- Teaching English as a second language (ESL)
- Assisting with the reading program and in other classrooms
- Conducting afterschool tutoring sessions
- Leading oratory activities and assisting at the local Parish
Solomon Islands is a beautiful country located in Melanesia full of diversity and rich in culture. It consists of nearly 1000 different islands, each with its own traditions and unique language. In order to communicate with those who are not their 'wantok' (someone who shares their language, and who is therefore regarded as family), Solomon people speak pidgin - a mix of English and their native languages.
The Solomons have been the home of many recent conflicts. From 1998- 2002 the people of Guadalcanal and Malaita were involved in a brutal civil war known as ‘The Tension’. In an effort to rehabilitate the country, in 2003 Australia and the neighbouring Pacific Islands formed the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI). This presence has led to a large ex-pat community in Honiara. While many Solomon people live quite western lives the majority live in villages in a more traditionally cultural way.
There are many problems that impact upon the youth in Solomon Islands. In particular the lack of access to education and health care limits their prospects in life.
The Salesian Sisters have been working in the Solomons since January 2007. They opened a girls hostel to give young women a safe and supportive environment to pursue their studies. In 2014 they opened a brand new Development Centre to cater for young mothers.
The Cagliero Project supports the Sisters in the Solomon Islands by providing volunteers for the Laura Vicuna Hostel and the Maria Mazzarello Development Centre, both located in Henderson.
The Laura Vicuna Hostel is run by the Salesian sisters. The hostel is located in Henderson, not far from the capital, Honiara on the island of Guadalcanal. It houses up to 36 local women from all over the country (aged 16-mid 20s) and provides a safe and quiet place for them to live while they finish their education. Many of the girls attend Don Bosco Technical Institute, which is run by Salesian priests and brothers and is just across the road from the hostel.
The Sisters work in collaboration with lay staff and volunteers to run the Hostel. As many of the young women come from remote parts of the country this enables them to give more time to their studies. The extra time for study has meant that the young women achieve higher grades and experience increased educational success.
In 2014 the Sisters opened the Maria Mazzarello Development Centre. The Centre uses the facilities of the hostel in order to conduct weekday classes. At the centre, the Sisters offer young mothers and other young women the possibility of completing their interrupted education and acquire employment and life skills. The programme runs for six months and there are two per year.
The Cagliero Project sent its first volunteer to the Solomon Islands in 2011. Volunteers that attend this placement act as house mothers for the girls, living with them, organising activities, helping with mealtimes and assisting with study. They are also invited to participate in the various activities that the Sisters are involved such as Sunday Oratory, Social Communications Office activities and diocesan events.
Laura Vicuna Hostel needs volunteers to work in the following areas:
- Living with and mentoring young women from the hostel
- Teaching life skills at the Maria Mazzarello Development Centre
- Conducting afterschool tutoring sessions and evening activities
- Leading oratory activities at the local parish in Red Beach
- Giving formation talks, workshops or retreats on personal and spiritual development
The Don Bosco Technical Institute is run by the Salesians of Don Bosco. It is located directly opposite the Laura Vicuna Hostel in Henderson, not far from the capital, Honiara on the island of Guadalcanal. Don Bosco Technical Institute offers job-oriented courses to young men and women who are left out of the educational system due to their poor performance in the state examinations after Grade 9, 11 and 12.
Students spend two years in the institute and almost one year in industry before they graduate. They are offered a variety of other educational experiences while in school. There is a hostel for young men on campus called ‘Rua Haus’ where about 20 students of DBTI reside. The Salesian sisters are across the road and have a hostel for young ladies undergoing studies at DBTI. There are lots of opportunities for volunteers to be involved in sports and other extra-curricular activities.
The Cagliero Project sent its first volunteer to the Solomon Islands in 2011 to work at the Laura Vicuna Hostel. Our volunteers at the Hostel have also previously assisted at the school. The Cagliero Project would like to extend its presence to the Technical School in a formal capacity and is seeking volunteers for the school.
Don Bosco Technical Institute needs volunteers to work in the following areas:
- Teaching basic skills in computer
- Teaching students in mathematics, knows as ‘Trade Maths’
- Assisting teachers in automotive technology, construction, carpentry and joinery
- Assistant teaching in hospitality an tourism
- Teaching communications, English, Music, singing and Drama
- Assisting in the local Salesian parish
- Giving formation talks, workshops or retreats on personal and spiritual development
Timor-Leste, despite its difficult history, is becoming one of the safest countries in the world. It is known for its incredible natural beauty and its rich culture. Timor-Leste has transitioned from a country in turmoil to a peaceful and democratic place. The country boasts great natural beauty however the people, with their warm welcoming nature and natural generosity, are the most precious thing about Timor-Leste.
The Timorese however are still working to rebuild their country in the wake of a devastating civil war that claimed countless lives, decimated entire communities, and resulted in living conditions that are among the worst in the world. One-third of the population faces food shortages and many of the schools have been destroyed. The Salesians have been in Timor-Leste since 1927. The Salesians are working for young people across Timor-Leste in ministries that include schools, orphanages and medical clinics. In many of the Salesian works there is a real focus on teaching agricultural skills. Thus ensuring that the education provided is resulting in a realistic livelihood for the young people.
Timor-Leste is our closest neighbour. As a nation it is still finding it difficult to establish itself and advance into the 21st Century for this reason Timor-Leste is a new venture for the Cagliero Project. The Cagliero Project will seek volunteers at the various Technical Schools in Timor-Leste and to work with the young people in youth centres and orphanages.
The Cagliero Project supports the work of the Salesians of Don Bosco in Los Palos, Fatumaca and Comoro.
Don Bosco Technical Training Centre has been offering training to young people for over 30 years in the fields of automotive, administration, construction, plumbing, carpentry, electrical, and welding!
Don Bosco Comoro’ is instrumental in offering a life changing avenue to employment to its students, whilst also teaching students English and Religious Education, and instilling a Salesian spirit of joy and generosity in them.
The Salesians of Don Bosco have been in Fatumaca since 1964. It is an incredible place that has many different activities taking place – it is almost like a small city unto itself. In addition to the novitiate and technical school, Fatumaca is also home to the aspirants, a vibrant parish and a primary school. Their commitment towards sustainability is very impressive and there is a fully functioning farm that supports all facets of the community.
The Novitiate is a place where young men continue to depth their relationship with God and discern if they are called to a life as a Salesian of Don Bosco. These young men come to Fatumaca for further training after spending one year in Los Palos. They continue to be educated and develop their skills. One of the key aspects of their education is further studies in English. Cagliero volunteers are crucial to assisting in this area.
At Don Bosco Technical School approximately 250 students have the opportunity to specialise in construction, mechanical, electrical installation and electronic communications. Each year there are more than 400 applicants for less than 100 places. It provides a comprehensive education with skills that lead to employment for many of the graduates.
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 primarily engage with the novices however there are also other opportunities to engage with the other areas of the community. Volunteers needed for this placement include professional teachers, youth workers, social workers and tertiary students from areas such as education and development.
Fatumaca needs volunteers to work in the following areas:
- Teaching English as a second language (ESL) to the novices
- Conducting afterschool tutoring sessions and evening activities
- Teaching technical skills in construction, mechanics and electronics
- Participating in oratory and parish activities with the local young people
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
Mongolia is a vast, landlocked country in East Asia. Known for its rugged landscapes and the Gobi Desert. It has a small population of around 3.3 million people, many of whom maintain a traditional nomadic lifestyle. The connection to nature, animals, and the open land is central to its culture. The ability to adapt to land and weather, especially during winter, has shaped a culture of endurance and self-reliance which is characteristic of the Mongolian people.
Poverty is a problem that persists in Mongolia despite its economic growth. Many families migrate to the capital city in desperate search for employment putting their children in a vulnerable situation making it difficult for them to cope with traditional school setting. This particularly affects young people who are not able to complete secondary education and therefore miss the opportunity for a better future.
The Salesians of Don Bosco have been present in the country since 2001. In that year a technical school was opened in Ulaanbaatar in order to provide young Mongolian people with useful skills so that they can earn a livelihood. Nowadays the Salesians are also present in Darkhan province and Shuwuu where schools and day care centers welcome vulnerable children and young people.
The Cagliero Project seeks volunteers to work for Don Bosco Technical and Industrial Training Center, Don Bosco Caring Center, and Day Caring Center in Ulaanbaatar.
Don Bosco Technical and Industrial Training Center in Ulaanbaatar provides technical education in car mechanics, tailoring, secretarial services, welding, and construction to young people who have not been able to complete a traditional high school education. The students come from poor families, thus, without the possibility to access formal education they are at risk. The training facility that started with 30 students has nowadays more that 300 young people gaining skills to ensure job opportunities in the future.
Courses in the training center are structured in collaboration with local industries to improve the students’ knowledge and be able to meet the work market needs. In this way, students receive training that is relevant and useful for their future making it easier to guarantee job opportunities when they graduate. This is done from a Salesian spirituality approach so that young people feel supported and loved.
The Cagliero Project plans to send its first group of volunteers to Mongolia in 2025. Volunteers in this placement will support educational activities by teaching English, assisting as teachers, and helping in the oratory.
Don Bosco Technical and Industrial Center needs volunteers to work in the following areas:
- Teaching English as a second language (ESL)
- Assisting teachers
- Leading oratory activities and assisting at the local Parish.