The Salesians of Don Bosco have been serving young people in Cambodia since 1991, when they first arrived from Thailand to support refugees along the border through technical education. Over the past three decades, their mission has grown alongside the country, responding to shifting needs while remaining firmly focused on those most at risk of being left behind. Today, Don Bosco schools operate across Cambodia and are widely trusted for their commitment to education, dignity, and opportunity for the poorest young people. Remarkably, over the last 12 years every graduate from Don Bosco technical programs has transitioned directly into employment, as noted by Fr. Arun Charles SDB when speaking about the impact of technical education.
In Sihanoukville, the Don Bosco mission serves the local community through a technical school, hospitality school, and kindergarten. Each day, more than 400 children and young people benefit from a safe, welcoming environment in which they can learn, develop skills, and simply be children. However, the coastal climate poses ongoing challenges. Harsh weather and recurring floods have exposed the school’s open drainage canals, raising safety and health concerns.
With support, a project was completed to install concrete drainage covers across the campus. This has significantly improved safety, reduced the risk of illness, and strengthened the school’s resilience against flooding. Importantly, the project itself became a learning opportunity: technical students were actively involved in producing and installing the concrete slabs, gaining practical skills and pride in contributing to their own school community. This project was further enriched through the Cagliero Project immersion, which brought a group of young people to Cambodia last July. Spending a week at the Sihanoukville Technical and Hotel School, participants built strong connections with students through sport, music, dancing, and oratory, core elements Don Bosco’s approach to education. Central to the immersion was the hands‑on drainage project, where Cambodian students demonstrated how to make and lay concrete slabs, fostering solidarity and meaningful connection.
Beyond Sihanoukville, the Salesians serve some of Cambodia’s poorest communities in Poipet on the Thai border. Their school provides general and technical education to more than 600 students, many of whom have experienced interrupted schooling and extreme hardship. The school supports 80 boarding students and provides daily meals to all students. This essential support that has continued even amid border closures and ongoing instability.
Together, these works reflect the enduring Don Bosco mission in Cambodia: to walk alongside young people, especially the poorest, offering education, care, and hope. Through practical projects, immersive experiences, and steadfast commitment, the Salesians continue to help young Cambodians build safer lives and brighter futures.
