Namugongo - Kira Town, Kampala Uganda

DON BOSCO - Children And Life Mission - CALM

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Namugongo - Kira Town

Kampala - Uganda

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Namugongo - Kira Town

Kampala Uganda

Don Bosco and Salesians of Don Bosco

The Salesians of Don Bosco are a religious congregation of Brothers and Priests . We were founded in 1859 by Saint John Bosco. Don Bosco’s mission was clear and simple: to be a friend to young people who were poor, abandoned or at risk, and in so doing to be a friend to Christ. Wherever the Salesians work, our mission is the same, but its expression changes to suit the particular context. So you will find Salesians in schools of all kinds, youth clubs, in homes for homeless or abandoned children; working with street children; missionaries; chaplains in schools, colleges and universities and in parish work. There are currently almost 16,000 members (priests and brothers) in the congregation, working in 131 countries around the world.

Why the name Salesians?

John Bosco had a great admiration for St Francis de Sales (1567-1622). Francis, who was born near Geneva, 21 August 1567, was patron saint of Piedmont and Savoy and much loved by John Bosco. He admired his joyful, optimistic spirituality and simplicity of life. St. Francis used a simple metaphor to sum up his work when he said: ‘you catch more flies with a spoonful of honey than a barrel full of vinegar.’ In other words: Love is stronger than violence or force of any kind. Because of the gentleness of his approach, he chose him as a patron of the Congregation, hence the name Salesians. He wished his followers to be filled with the spirit of Francis de Sales – a kindness that was all-embracing, a gentleness that was strong, a love that was humble and a faith that was steadfast.

Don Bosco Calm: Historical background

Salesians of Don Bosco –Children And Life Mission (CALM) was first known as CALM from the time of its inception in 2001 having been started by a combination of two Comboni missionaries (A nun and a priest) and one Jesuit priest. The Salesians of Don Bosco were then given full control and running of the project during the official hand over on the 31st day of January 2006. Don Bosco – CALM is a member of the Salesian Congregation of the Africa Great Lakes (AGL) Province which covers the countries of Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi. In Uganda, the Congregation has four Communities; the first of these communities was the Bombo Community, followed by Kamuli Community, Namugongo Community and lastly the Gulu Community. Don Bosco – CALM is a network of empowerment and education of children whose mission is: “rescuing, rehabilitating, and reintegrating into society, street and other vulnerable children through provision of education, basic needs and socio-cultural activities for a bright future”. In executing its duties, Don Bosco- CALM deals with street boys, orphaned, battered, and neglected, HIV/AIDS positively living and other vulnerable children. It has a vision which is to “secure a bright future for destitute children in Uganda.” Underlying our vision and mission is the value of deep respect for the safety, integrity and wellbeing of persons, and in particular children, when they are part of any Don Bosco – CALM activities or events.) So far, the organization has got 165 children that it is assisting and taking care of. Among them 84 are in our Don Bosco Primary School and Seven others study from Saint Bakita Primary School of Bombo. 34 children attend to Secondary schools and 41 children go to Vocational Training Institutes in the boarding. Besides the provision of education, and evangelization, back at the Centre, children indulge themselves in such activities like Youth Alive, Music Dance and Drama, Football, Volley ball, Basketball, and other indoor games. They also involve themselves in Brass band, jazz band, gardening, and farm among others. The Salesians of Don Bosco have taken a priority of opening a primary school for educating children from CALM and the neighborhood.