Salesian Missions Funds Clean Water and a Chapel in Africa

Salesian Missions Funds Clean Water
and a Chapel in Africa

Source: missionnewswire.org

Don Bosco Novitiate gains clean water access

(ANS – Morogoro, Tanzania – January 9, 2026) – Salesians at the Don Bosco Novitiate in Morogoro, Tanzania, have access to clean water thanks to funding from Salesian Missions of New Rochelle. The project is part of Salesian Missions’ Clean Water Initiative. Close to 1,500 people are benefiting from this project, including those in the surrounding community who are able to access the water.

The area is semi-arid at the foot of the Uluguru Mountains. Most families rely on subsistence farming or trade, and they face frequent water shortages in the dry season. Many homes lack electricity or piped water, and droughts and erratic rains make life challenging.

The project involved the construction of a new water system, including a submersible solar-powered pump inside the underground tank to push water up to a new 50,000-liter plastic header tank. Solar panels and an inverter power the pump, ensuring an independent energy source. In November, the reservoir, pump, and header tank were fully connected and delivering water by gravity to all taps across the novitiate and youth center.

All 350 people on site now have a dependable daily water supply without interruptions, allowing residents to bathe, cook, and clean without rationing. This uninterrupted access has improved daily living conditions and hygiene.

The Salesians also offer free water outreach to the surrounding community. In the past, the public tap often ran dry by midday. Now water is available all day, even at peak demand. Women and girls benefit from shorter lines and are able to access water when they need it.

Deusdedit K. Julius, coordinator of youth activities, said, “Now the tank is finished, and it has changed our lives. We no longer need to ration water. There is enough for the novices, the oratory youths, and even the neighboring families who come to our gate.”

Julius added, “Health and hygiene have improved. The children at the oratory can wash their hands or even take a quick shower after playing. This is a luxury we couldn’t afford before, and the novices can keep themselves and their clothes clean without stress. Our whole community is now optimistic. This gift of water has given us our life back. The time we spent searching for water, we now spend on productive work and with our youths. God bless everyone who made it happen.”

Community in Kapesa has new chapel

(ANS – Kapesa, Zambia – January 9, 2026) – Salesians in Kapesa, located in the Kazembe Mission in Zambia, have completed a new chapel thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. Work included clearing the land and construction of the building, which is also equipped with a new water system. 

The Catholic community of Kapesa is happy with the new chapel. For years, people had been praying in a nearby school classroom. Having a church of their own has brought a deep sense of pride in their freedom of worship. 

One of the elders in the community, Benedict Chitundu, said, “In the beginning we did not have a proper established church. The late Father Gotter, a Polish missionary, had established this center in 2005 without a proper structure. For so long, we had wished to have a place of worship of our own. Our former parish priest, Father Gabriel Mwenya, saw that our situation was not conducive for prayer. We had to use a classroom on Sundays, and sometimes the head teacher would refuse to give us the keys. This left us without a place. We people are very proud and grateful for this great gesture, recognizing us with a beautiful house of God, a place of worship, and a place of refuge in terms of distress.”

Salesians in Zambia provide a range of social development programs and education to aid youths who are poor and at risk so they can have a healthy, productive life. Early education helps youths gain a foundation to allow them to advance later to skills training for employment. Basic needs are met along the way, ensuring that youths focus on their education.