(ANS - Madrid) - Five years after the tragic earthquake that sowed death and destruction in Haiti, the Salesian Mission Office in Madrid remains committed to the country. The Salesian missionaries continue working in the reconstruction of schools, training centres and infrastructure for the most needy. "However, Haiti needs not only walls and roofs. We undertake the education of children and young people, with the aim of restoring Haiti after this tragic event," says Ana Muñoz, spokesperson for the organization.

Since 2010, the Salesian missionaries have not stopped working thanks to the support received by millions of people around the world in solidarity. Today, more than 20,000 children receive education and food daily in the Little Schools of Father Bohnen; almost 800 children and young people go to the Timkatec school; 340 young people are trained in agricultural schools and vocational training centres in Cap-Haitien; about 1,000 children study in the centre at Gressier; at Fort Liberté, 170 children receive basic training and another 160 will become nurses through the Nursing School; and now the ENAM vocational training centre has opened its doors. In addition, street children in Port-au-Prince can be cared for in the newly rebuilt Lakay centre.

However, there are still people living in camps. Thousands of children and young people have no schooling. For this reason, the Salesian missionaries continue working to build a pre-school at Gressie and a primary school in Les Cayes, and to build new workshops for street children. "Despite all that has been done, we cannot let our guard down because Haiti still needs our help," warns Ms Muñoz.

Published 12/01/2015