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We are an international collective of young people from Salesian Institutions & organizations who are passionate about the welfare of our only planet.
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Instituto Salesiano, China - Nativity Scene Design
Father John Bosco, the founder of the Salesians, often received divine inspiration in his dreams, leading to great achievements in the field of evangelization. The theme of our school for this academic year is "Appreciate and embrace each other wholeheartedly, and pursue our dream bravely" Therefore, the Nativity scene created this year revolves around the theme of "Everyone Has A Dream" Dreams are the most beautiful part of life, filling our lives with hope and meaning. Guided by God, we use our talents and efforts to achieve our goals. These dreams and actions are the best gifts we can offer to Baby Jesus.
This is the third year our school has participated in designing the Nativity scene, a process that has become a collaborative effort involving all teachers and students. At the beginning of the semester, students took the initiative to collect eco-friendly materials and worked together with teachers on planning and creating the scene. Materials used include milk cartons, cardboard boxes, plastic bottles, bottle caps, egg cartons, fruit nets, covers of old exercise books, last year's Christmas tree, and cherished toy capsule shells donated by the students.
We used cardboard for the background wall, the covers of exercise books to create stones, fruit nets on water bottles for decoration, and toy capsule shells to make hanging ornaments. Students wrote their dreams on bottle caps, which were then attached to egg cartons, resembling a mosaic artwork. Additionally, students wrote actions they would take to achieve their dreams on their handprints, symbolizing that dreams can only be realized through practical actions, which were then placed on the Christmas tree. Teachers and students together witnessed the birth of the "Dream" Nativity scene, displaying their excitement.
Creation of the Ceferino Namuncura inclusive native forest in Chile
Watch this video to see the creation of the Ceferino Namuncura inclusive native forest in Centro Educativo Salesianos Talca, Chile. You can read about it here.
The students of this centre have also installed a technical irrigation system in the forest which you can read about here.
Many professionals and students have been part of this project, which they hope to launch in March 2025.
Nurturing Nature: Mega Tree Plantation Drive at Don Bosco College
In line with the growing global emphasis on environmental conservation, Don Bosco Cares for our Common Home (DBCCH) of Don Bosco College (Co-Ed), Yelagiri Hills in Tamil Nadu, India organized a Mega Tree Plantation Drive. This initiative encouraged students, staff, and stakeholders to actively take responsibility for the environment and contribute towards building a sustainable future.
The event witnessed enthusiastic participation, with the entire community coming together to plant a variety of tree saplings. These included Teak, Water Apple, Mahogany, and Rosewood, which were strategically planted both within the college campus and in the surrounding areas. In total, 300 saplings were planted during the drive, symbolizing a collective effort to restore and protect nature.
Rede do Bem and Don Bosco Green Alliance collect recyclables
Rede do Bem and Don Bosco Green Alliance Campaign 2nd semester 2024 CEDESP Don Bosco Bom Retiro and Vila Paulistana - Don Bosco Institute, Brazil. In support of the environment and social action, the campaign to collect used plastic bottle caps and cooking/engine oil, as well as aluminum can seals for wheelchairs for NGOs that need this resource for the public served, is a competition for good among those served, with awareness and the right to a prize. After the local collection, the recyclable material is sent to the Bom Retiro headquarters, where the Green Alliance team makes the necessary arrangements.
Currently, in addition to the biannual campaigns with the students, Vila Paulistana is already a reference point for collecting these materials in the neighborhood, and the community always collaborates.
Participation in the Environmental Fair for Water and Biodiversity
On December 3, the Electronics Department of the Salesian Educational Center of Talca installed a technological irrigation system for the trees planted in the Inclusive Native Forest, located in Villa Pinardi, Callejones. This activity was led by Professor Patricio Cáceres.
The work was carried out by 10 students of the Electronics Specialty, and consisted of the implementation of an automated system for the irrigation of the Native Forest, which includes the installation of an electronic controller, which allows the programming of the irrigation schedule, in addition to the installation of the pipes so that the irrigation reaches each of the trees through a drip system. The project was designed by students Bastián Martínez and Benjamín Morales (3°ETP), who during the second semester dedicated themselves to finding the necessary equipment to develop the installation in an automated manner and at a more affordable cost. Bastián pointed out that the experience was gratifying "because of the teamwork with his classmates, for achieving the goal, for contributing to the service of the educational community and, above all, that, through our specialty, we can contribute to the care of the environment," he indicated.
CEST Ecological Brigade: A Commitment to Recycling and the Environment
At the Salesian Educational Centre in Talca, Chile, education is not limited to the classroom, but also extends to the formation of essential values such as environmental responsibility and solidarity. In this framework, the Ecological Brigade has established itself as an exemplary initiative, focused on promoting recycling and environmental protection within the educational community.
Made up of students from 1st to 6th grade, the Ecological Brigade is committed to caring for the environment and dedicates part of its weekly time to promoting responsible habits throughout the school community. Its main mission is to implement concrete actions to promote recycling, thus reducing the institution's environmental impact.
One of the brigade's most important tasks is the collection and sorting of recyclable materials, such as paper, cardboard and plastic. These waste materials are carefully deposited in recycling points strategically located throughout the school. In addition, the brigade's students are in charge of supervising the use of the eco-boxes, installed in each classroom, to ensure that recyclable waste is collected in an orderly and efficient manner.
Blog Articles
As the year comes to a close, many experience a slower work period as schools and colleges break for vacation. This is the time most people are busy arranging Christmas gatherings, travel, and family vacations. Amidst all of this, we must not forget that the season of Advent is a call to spiritual renewal, to deeper love, to fruitful meditation on key figures of our salvation history (the prophets, Mary, John the Baptist).
As we conclude this year’s Season of Creation, we reflect on the vibrant and meaningful activities that brought our community together in celebration, reflection, and action. From September 1st to October 4th, we embraced the theme “To Hope and Act with Creation" Take a glimpse at the activities from the Salesian Family.
Changing a few habits when it comes to food consumption to avoid wastage can make a big difference:
● Schedule a weekly ‘Use It Up’ Day or ‘Use It Up’ Meal to make the most of leftover ingredients.
The world wasted 1.05 billion tonnes of food in 2022, about 1/5 of all the food that was available to consumers.
● Most food wastage, 60%, occurs in the home.
United Religions Initiative (URI) is a non-governmental organization (NGO) with consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. URI, the world's largest grassroots interfaith network, cultivates peace and justice by engaging people to bridge religious and cultural differences and work together for the good of their communities and the world.
Infinite Dignity: A Privilege To Care For Creation
The impact of the present imbalances in the environment affects the most vulnerable people on the planet. Strategies for a solution demand an integrated approach to combating poverty, restoring dignity to the excluded, and at the same time protecting nature.
Bonding with the Feathered Brother
Bird watching is fascinating. It’s been happening in my sister’s house in Chennai. Every day a crow visits her kitchen window. Not for his day’s share of cooked food or bird's feed, but for his delicacy mixture (a common spicy snack). When others try to offer the best bird’s feed, it doesn’t interest him. He demands only mixture.
Heatwaves: Testing our human endurance
India was sweating through heatwaves in the past few months. Temperatures in 37 cities crossed 45ºC and night-time temperatures remained as high as 36 degrees in many locations.
My missionary experience took me to Banswara, Rajasthan. Along with my friend, Dr. Gloria, I went for 10 days. Our visit was during peak summer, and the scorching 48-degree heat was harrowing, but it was also an opportunity to see a new place, culture, and way of life. Salesian Missionary Volunteering is invaluable for youth seeking exposure and a chance to make an impact. It allows young people a chance to explore another side of life.
The United Nations Environment Program’s Faith for Earth coalition approached the Don Bosco Green Alliance to nominate a member for the Faith for Earth Youth council. I, Leann D’souza, was nominated by the DBGA and subsequently selected as a member for the council.
The Faith for Earth Coalition is a global platform to facilitate partnerships with faith leaders, faith-based organizations and people of faith at global, regional and local levels in order to inspire, empower and strengthen action and behavioral changes towards achieving the SGDs.
During the month of May, I attend the community rosary in my Church and in my local small Christian community, and a rosary which is conducted for all the residents in my building. Our services begin with adorning the grotto with candles, incense and flowers, singing hymns to Our Lady, praying the rosary followed by savoring some delicious snacks, playing games and enjoying a time of togetherness. One of my benevolent neighbors often takes the responsibility of sponsoring snacks and also cleaning and lighting up the Cross where we gather to say the rosary.
Don Bosco Green Alliance was privileged to be part of the faculty that provided resources for the ongoing course - Joint Diploma on Integral Ecology - which is being held by the Pontifical University in Rome.
The DBGA selected Fr. Francis Gustilo, SDB, President of the Don Bosco School of Theology (DBST), Philippines, a very active member of the DBGA. Fr. Francis gave the participants of the course an inside view of how the DBST has implemented Pope Francis' Laudato Si' in their curriculum and a gist of the institute's vision for the next 10 years.