Salesians in Amazon Have New Energy Source

Salesians in the Amazon Have a New Energy Source

Salesian Missions funds photovoltaic energy system

(ANS – Manaus, Brazil – September 3, 2026) – The Salesian province of Manaus, Brazil, installed solar panels at the provincial house and at the Salesian community in Maturacá, located in the Upper Rio Negro region, thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions of New Rochelle.  The project directly benefited more than 1,000 people, including teachers and students of the Immaculate Conception School and parishioners of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish.

A Salesian explained:  “The project represents much more than mere financial savings. It promotes the use of clean, renewable energy, reduces environmental impact, and ensures better conditions for the Salesians to carry out their educational, pastoral, and social activities, reaffirming the province’s commitment to care for our Common Home.”

For more than 60 years, the Salesians have been in Maturacá, where they share life with the indigenous Yanomami people.  Salesians provide education and pastoral care, offering support to families and promoting human dignity.

With the installation of 26 solar panels, the community now has a system capable of fully meeting the energy needs of the religious house and part of the school and parish.  The use of the diesel-powered generator has been reduced by around 90%, lowering operating costs and reducing the environmental impact.  Furthermore, the system is modular and can be further expanded in the future, enabling it to supply power to other areas of the mission thru the installation of new panels and batteries.

The provincial house, which coordinates the pastoral, educational, and social programs of the entire province, had faced high electricity costs, frequent blackouts, and growing operational demands due to its role as the administrative, logistical, and spiritual center of the province.  The stabilization of its energy and the reduction of costs will generate a cascading impact that directly benefits local teams and, consequently, thousands of people assisted in the Amazon.

Jhone Fonseca Vilela is the 19-year-old father of a 1-year-old son.  He acts as president of the student guild and actively collaborates with the Salesian youth center and school.  He resides at the Xapono Yanomami of Ariabú community, located in Pico da Neblina National Park.  The community has about 1,200 people who preserve their language and traditional customs but face pressures from western culture.  The local population lives with serious problems such as illegal mining, alcohol and other drugs, and poor access to quality healthcare and education.

Vilela reports a profound transformation in the community and school after the solar power was installed.  He noted:  “The use of freezers allowed the conservation of natural proteins for school meals.  This replaced the previous consumption of canned food and ensured access to cold water.  The energy also enabled electricity in classrooms and internet access.  Now students can conduct school surveys, watch instructional videos, and follow news.  The technology has allowed community members to communicate with relatives living in other geographical regions as well.”

Inspired by the severe shortage of health professionals in the region, Vilela’s goal is to complete high school and attend a college or technical training in healthcare.  His main focus for the future is to obtain a profession to directly help his people and provide better living conditions for his own family.

Salesian missionaries in Brazil provide education, workforce development, and social services thruout the country.  Missionaries help to meet the basic needs of youths who are poor, including children living on the street, and provide them with an education and life skills to gain employment, break the cycle of poverty, and lead productive lives.

Source: Salesian Missions