Salesian Entity Facilitates Self-Sustainability Initiatives for Catholic School in Eritrea

SDB members say they hope to have funding for additional cows and to enlarge the barn to increase their self-sustainability initiatives.

The Don Bosco Technical School in Dekemhare has 400 boys and girls enrolled in the program where courses in automotive work, general metal, general mechanics, carpentry, building construction, woodwork or furniture making, electricity, electronics, and surveying are offered. 

In addition, students take information technology and academic courses in the two-year program, which concludes with a national exam. The students also take part in the military training for six months and are assigned a job by the government.

Salesian missionaries also have aspirant training and a youth center.

The East African nation of Eritrea has a population of approximately 5.5 million, of which 69 percent is estimated to live in poverty, according to the World Bank. 

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While agriculture contributes 13 percent to the country’s economy, it employs nearly 80 percent of the population. Because of Eritrea’s rocky and mountainous terrain, and, in part, the persistent drought, only 12 percent of the total land is suitable for farming.

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.