A group of seven young adults and two leaders from Turin, Italy, have concluded a month-long missionary exposure trip to Salesian centers in Lesotho, marking the culmination of months of preparation that began in September 2025.
Representing the Salesian Youth Movement of Piedmont, the delegation included volunteers Cristian, Ines, Ilaria, Ilaria, Andrea, Sofia, and Carlotta. They were accompanied by Salesian priest Fr Giorgio Ramundo and team leader Elena Menguzzo.
The itinerary began with a stop at the Salesian Provincial House and Don Bosco Center in Johannesburg, South Africa. There, the team observed local youth development initiatives, including “Love Matters”—a training and awareness project focused on HIV/AIDS prevention and promoting healthy lifestyles among young people.
Upon arriving in Lesotho, the Italian delegation was welcomed by the local Salesian community, led by Rector Fr Lingoane Tlaile, SDB, along with three fellow Salesian priests and the broader Educative Pastoral Community (EPC), which encompasses the FMA Sisters, MSMHC Sisters, and Salesian Cooperators.
Throughout the month, the volunteers integrated into educational and pastoral facilities across Maseru and Maputsoe, engaging with thousands of local students and children. Their daily work spanned several specialised institutions:
- Laura Vicuña Nursery School & St Luke Primary School: Assisting teachers in daily classroom activities and community programs.
- Ferrando School for Special Children: Supporting tailored educational activities for youth with special needs.
- Mazzarello Life Skills School: Participating in practical training programmes designed to empower young women for social and economic integration.
In addition to classroom support, the volunteers visited key regional developments, including the construction site of a new youth oratory in Maseru, the Muela Dam, and local quarries, gaining broader insight into the region’s socio-economic landscape.
Reflecting on the mission, the volunteers described the trip as a profound period of professional, personal, and spiritual growth. They emphasised that while their formal service in Lesotho has concluded, the experience of solidarity and pastoral care will continue to shape their work back home in Italy.
The initiative was highlighted by Fr Vaclav Klement, SDB, Regional Superior for Southern Africa (AFM), who expressed hope that this exchange between the youth of Turin and Lesotho will continue in future years.
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