The Salesians of Don Bosco in Southern Africa have launched an environmental project aimed at 15,000 young people from Salesian schools, their communities and families, and the wider society.
Pope Francis, in his encyclical “Laudato sỉ, mi Signore” (Praise be to you, my Lord), inspired by the words of his namesake, St. Francis of Assisi, reminds us that the earth is our “common home”. What is also shared in this message is that we as human beings should not be indifferent to what we are doing to the earth, that we should stand united in its preservation, and that there is an urgent need for a change of heart in society towards environmental protection.
His words inspired a large part of the Salesian General Chapter 28 (GC28) to reflect on the state of the environment. One of the guidelines of particular interest was number 8, “Accompanying youth towards a sustainable future”. This guideline could be considered as the basis for the conception of the Eco-Ubuntu project.
Ubuntu” is a Nguni Bantu term for “humanity” and “eco” is an abbreviation for ecology, which deals with the relationship of creatures to their environment.
These are the concepts that underpin the Eco-Ubuntu project, with the hope that after 3 years it will have created “Green Centres” that empower and strengthen local communities in Southern Africa to improve environmental and climate protection.
The main concept of the Eco-Ubuntu Project is to guide the youth in a mindset shift towards being more aware and responsible of their impact on the environment.
Throughout the year, several workshops were held with a variety of Eco-Ubuntu project stakeholders: school leaders, green delegates (mainly teachers), and experts in the project’s five green pillars: renewable energy (solar technology), water access, waste management, hydroponics, and sustainable agriculture.
The four main areas of focus are: Green Skills Training, Green Interventions, Capacity Building, and Establishing Project Pillars.
Moreover, climate change information has been disseminated through the Eco-Sports Day, Green Youth Day, Eco-School debates and Gardening competitions.
Solar technology workshops and 6–12-month courses have started or are in development, starting with the first location at MYC (Manzini Youth Care, eSwatini), Cape Town (Salesian Institute of Youth Projects) and DBEP (Don Bosco Education Projects) such as the Declan Skills Centre in Ennerdale (Gauteng). Sustainable farming practices and hydroponics, have been especially in the numerous schools served by the Salesians in eSwatini and Lesotho, together with Waste Management (Manual and Education about recycling).
Two borehole projects have already been completed in water challenged areas in eSwatini rural schools (eGebeni Catholic School in Malkerns and Bosco Youth Agricultural Centre on the outskirts of Manzini).
The local wider society has been impacted, especially in primary schools in Delft and Cape Town (Western Cape) with a particular engagement of the community around the Salesian schools in Lesotho, both in Maseru and Maputsoe.
Salesians of Don Bosco and the Salesian Family believe that through education we can transform our society, using a consistent process, day by day, and little by little, especially in the care of our common home, so close to the hearts of our young generation. (Fr. Klement Vaclav)
