Don Bosco Technical Centre is a Catholic technical school offering technical education and vocation training for 350 young men aged 16 – 20 years. The Centre, which is situated on the outskirts of Apia, the capital of Samoa, caters for students who have not previously experienced educational success, providing the opportunity for them to learn a trade through ‘hands-on’ experience. The Centre actively promotes the spiritual and personal development of students, and emphasises participation in cultural and performing arts to enhance students’ self-image and self-esteem. Volunteers at Don Bosco Tech work as teachers and mentors.

Website: www.sdb.org.au/works

St. Joseph’s is run by the Salesian sisters.  They currently have 450 students enrolled that come from Leauva’a and the surrounding villages. Volunteers in this placement live and work with the Sisters in the school.

Website: www.salesiansisters.org.au

Moa Moa is a beautiful village located in the mountains, very close to the capital Apia. The Salesian sisters run a home for young women from other Pacific Islands that have come to study in Samoa.  Volunteers here would assist with the young boarders in particular with their studies and the general running of the home.

The parish of St. Michael, based in Leauva’a, also caters for the villages of Leloto and Leualesi. The activities of St Michael’s Parish are mostly village based. There are youth groups attached to two churches. There is an afternoon oratory with many sporting activities including table tennis, rugby, volleyball, soccer (for young people and adults), and a twice weekly soccer school. There is also a major catechetical program for young people.  Volunteers here work in the parish – primarily with the youth groups and oratory.

Website: www.sdb.org.au/works

Don Bosco High School on the remote island of Savai’i is currently being built by the Salesians.  There is a lack of secondary education on Savai’i – in particular there are no other Catholic secondary schools.  It is scheduled to open in January 2011.  Volunteers are welcome at this point as teachers.