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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.
Member Activities
Waste Management at Don Bosco Boys Town Technical Institute
Don Bosco Boys Town Technical Institute in Nairobi, Kenya with the support of Don Bosco Tech Africa and coordination by AFE province through the Don Bosco Development Outreach Network, completed the fabrication of waste bins. This project marked a significant achievement in promoting waste management and environmental sustainability in the community while working towards achieving a Green Campus, Green Community and Green Culture. The collaboration between these organizations highlights the importance of working together towards a cleaner and greener future.
The fabrication of waste bins by Don Bosco Boys Town Technical Institute showcases the dedication and skills of the students and staff involved in the project. Through hands-on experience and practical training, the institute has not only contributed to waste management efforts but has also provided valuable learning opportunities for the participants. The successful completion of this activity demonstrates the positive impact that vocational education can have on both individuals and the community. By actively engaging in such projects, Don Bosco Boys Town Technical Institute is setting an example for other institutions to follow in promoting environmental consciousness and responsibility.
During the commissioning of the fabricated waste bins, in attendance were DBTA (Matthews Wafula), DBDON (Vivian Muthoni and Nicole Choka), the Don Bosco Boys Town School Management (Br. Francis Mulu and Madam Jacqueline Watila), the Green Facilitator (Pius Mutemi) and the Green Club Members.
“No Plastics Day” Program at Don Bosco College, Yelagiri Hills
Objective
The objective of the “No Plastics Day” program was to raise awareness about the harmful effects of plastic pollution and promote sustainable practices among the students and staff of Don Bosco College.
Program Schedule
Department Assembly: Oath Taking Ceremony
● Time: 9:15 AM - 9:30 AM
● Activity: Students from each department participated in an oath-taking ceremony, pledging to reduce plastic use and promote eco-friendly alternatives.
Break Time: Student Speech on No Plastic Day
● Time: 11:20 AM - 11:45 AM
● Activity: Master Sanjay the president of Green Hills club delivered a speech on the significance of No Plastic Day, highlighting the origins and importance of eradicating plastic pollution.
● Speaker: Fr. Charles Grace
● Activity: Fr. Charles Grace provided practical ways to reduce plastic pollution and encouraged sustainable practices among the students. During the break time, awareness posters were displayed in front of the Jubilee Hall to visually reinforce the message of the campaign.
Vegetable Harvesting at Thiruvalluvar Thottam at Don Bosco College, Yelagiri Hills
We are delighted to share the news of a significant milestone in our campus sustainability efforts at Don Bosco College, Yelagiri Hills, Tamil Nadu, India. The Thiruvalluvar Thottam vegetable garden has successfully cultivated and harvested fresh vegetables, including radishes, beans, and turnips. This achievement marks a major step forward in our commitment to sustainable agriculture and healthy living.
Cultivation and Harvest
The dedicated efforts of our gardening team have resulted in a bountiful crop. The radishes, beans, and turnips, carefully nurtured over the past season, have now been harvested. These vegetables are not only nutritious and delicious but also a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team.
Radishes
Radishes, known for their crisp texture and peppery flavor, were among the first to be harvested. They have thrived in our garden, providing a fresh and healthy option for our campus community.
Beans
Beans, another successful crop, offer a great source of protein and fiber. The harvesting of beans has added a versatile and nutritious component to our garden’s produce.
Successful conclusion of the first agricultural course at the Don Bosco school in Muhazi for young mothers
The Gender issues applied to agriculture project has borne fruit at the Don Bosco School of Technical and Vocational Education in Muhazi, Rwanda, with the graduation of the first class of 21 young mothers in vulnerable situations. For six months the girls participated in a short agriculture course, finally receiving a tool kit and learning to produce soap and tofu to sell.
The graduation ceremony for the young single mothers who participated in the project was attended by Fr Raymond Bavumiragiye, Director of the Salesian technical-vocational institute, Sister Leocadie Nyanzira, Head of Gender Affairs, Aurore Niyitanga, and the Head of Labour Services, Jules Sugira.
The beneficiaries of the project, now graduates, participated in the course for six months. They are all young single mothers, mainly from the rural area of the districts of Gasabo and Gicumbi, and live in situations of great vulnerability. Thanks to the project, they were also able to carry out an internship at the end of the studies to verify the results of what they learned in theory.
Thanks to the sponsorship formula, which allowed many of them to participate in the project, they had the opportunity to meet mentors and trainers in the creation of companies and cooperatives. One of the objectives of the course was to ensure that young mothers learned not to depend on a single activity, so as to diversify and expand their skills and possibilities for employment or self-maintenance. They also practised producing soap alone, making bags and cooking tofu to sell. At the end of the course they received a tool kit to continue their work, both on farms and in the fields with agricultural tools.
"I want to thank all our benefactors, because it is thanks to their help that I have been able to acquire skills; now I am ready to put into practice what I have learned, wherever it is in Rwanda, and thanks to the pay I will receive I will be able to support my child and my brothers and sisters who depend on me," Rachel, one of the young participants of the course, testified on the sidelines of the ceremony, still excited.
Another collegeau, Florence, is grateful for the project because it was an effective response to her problems. “Because I'm poor, I used to ask people to rent me their fields, but I always ended up giving up because of the lack of proper skills. Now I am very happy with this experience, because for the first time I feel sure of what I can do, thanks to what I have learned".
In his speech to the graduates, Fr Bavumiragiye asked them to use "the skills acquired with the aim of producing results to protect themselves from those who take advantage of them and eventually abandon them". And he also advised younger mothers "to go back to school to learn other professions and thus improve their well-being."
After this first class of new graduates, a second class with other girls and women in vulnerable situations is already underway, as envisaged by the project, with the aim of increasingly promoting gender equality and eradicating poverty among young women.
Source: ANS
Ecological Activities at Salesian School in Argentina
Escuela Salesiana Ceferino namuncurá, Argentina shared an interesting video which includes all the green activities done by their school.
The activities include solar panel construction to supply a hot water tank, waste sorting, eco brick manufacturing, collecting and reusing bottle caps, tending the school garden and reaping its harvest and composting.
In doing so, they abide with their commitments made to the Don Bosco Green Alliance.
Kudos to them for all their hard work in promoting environmental action!
World Environment Day 2024 at St. Joseph’s, Australia
At the foot of the picturesque Mt Dandenong Ranges is St Joseph’s College, Ferntree Gully, Victoria, Australia. World Environment Day is an extremely important day on our calendar each year.
June 5 2024 was no different. It was a very productive day for our staff and students with many activities planned across our college to engage boys from different Year Levels. Our Year 7 and 8 Environmental Student Team participated in a sustainability workshop at Knox Environmental Society. The boys learnt about their local environment along Ferny Creek and the indigenous plant species and native animals that inhabit this area. We then got a chance to get our hands dirty and propagate cuttings to help regenerate these areas. These junior students were accompanied by staff and some older students who came along as part of our Big Brother Program where senior students volunteer to support the junior Boys.
At the same time our Year 9 Campus celebrated the day by harvesting pumpkins and herbs from our vegetable gardens and lemons, oranges and grapefruit from our orchard. The students made a delicious pumpkin soup and lemonade which was served to our staff and students throughout the day raising money for the Samoa Missions.
Over the coming weeks we look forward to promoting to all our students and staff our Waste Free Lunch Challenge in an effort to reduce soft plastics and rubbish in our community.
Blog Articles
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.
Today the term “development” is widely used, but often from a philanthropic or ideological perspective. That is why it is important to talk about integral sustainable development from a Catholic perspective. Doing so, on the monthly anniversary of the Salesian Missionary Expedition, is General Councillor for Missions Fr Alfred Maravilla.
Here are some ideas from the World's Largest Lesson Newsletter on how to celebrate Earth Day with students -
Resource of the Month: #MakeSpaceforNature
Ages 8-14
As we celebrate Earth Month, encourage students to understand the wonder of biodiversity and why it’s key to achieving the Global Goals. Explore the beauty of the natural world with students and understand why we need to bend the curve on nature loss.
Young people from all over the world are once again invited to participate in the "Don Bosco Global Youth Film Festival" (DBGYFF), the Salesian international youth film festival. The Social Communication Sector of the Salesian Congregation has in fact joyfully announced the third edition of the competition, the final of which is scheduled for 17-18 October 2024 - as usual in a multitude of realities and locations in over 100 countries around the world.
We're excited to announce a new partnership. On March 19th, the Feast of St. Joseph, the Don Bosco Green Alliance signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Jugend Eine Welt for the promotion of the "Back to Nature" campaign.
Easter People Choose to BE GREEN…and Continue to Fast and Feast
Easter means FULLER LIFE, a rejuvenated life with all its expressions. Fasting need not end with Lent. Fasting does not exclude Feasting. In some sense, fasting is feasting. They are two sides of the same coin. Here, I do not mean fasting in the context of food but fasting from some habits and behaviours. This continuous fasting enhances one’s personal and social life, and benefits our natural environment.
Why I Prefer a Flexitarian Approach Over Vegetarianism for Lent
As the season of Lent approaches, many individuals contemplate dietary changes as part of their spiritual practice. While some opt for strict vegetarianism, others, like myself, find that a flexitarian approach better aligns with both our religious observance and personal values. In this article, I will explore why I believe flexitarianism offers a more sustainable and holistic approach to Lenten dietary practices.