The Salesians are a Catholic order dedicated to improving the lives of young people. As a documentary photographer, I began photographing their work in the US and Haiti. Over the next several years, I plan to expand the work to several other countries. The intention is to show the consistency of their mission despite working in highly diverse situations.

The purpose of the blog is two-fold. First, I would like to draw attention to the work being done by the Salesians. Second, I want to demonstrate what can be done with a micro-blogging platform. This is an example to NGO clients of how they can set up micro-sites for specific documentary and aid projects and the ease with which it can be integrated with other social media sites.

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Fundraiser and Party for the Opening of: Salesiana - an exhibition showing Christopher Occhicone’s photographic exploration of the Salesians and the children they serve. The exhibition will contain photographs from the past year as well as photographs taken by former street children from Nairobi, Kenya as part of a workshop conducted by the Christopher.  The work will be on display starting Saturday May 5th at the Ironworks Gallery in Orange NJ. The gallery is located at 406 Tompkins St. Orange, NJ 07050 Join us for the opening on the 5th. The reception begins at 7pm. There will be artisan pizza made in an outdoor earth oven, bar, dj, and more. All proceeds go directly to the Salesian institutions profiled in the exhibition (Bosco Boys School- Nairobi, Kenya —- Foundation of St. Vincent, Cap-Haitien, Haiti and the Boys Home in Tyzciniec, Poland) for more information email: occhicone98@post.harvard.edu

Fundraiser and Party for the Opening of:

Salesiana - an exhibition showing Christopher Occhicone’s photographic exploration of the Salesians and the children they serve.

The exhibition will contain photographs from the past year as well as photographs taken by former street children from Nairobi, Kenya as part of a workshop conducted by the Christopher. 

The work will be on display starting Saturday May 5th at the Ironworks Gallery in Orange NJ. The gallery is located at 406 Tompkins St. Orange, NJ 07050

Join us for the opening on the 5th. The reception begins at 7pm. There will be artisan pizza made in an outdoor earth oven, bar, dj, and more. All proceeds go directly to the Salesian institutions profiled in the exhibition (Bosco Boys School- Nairobi, Kenya —- Foundation of St. Vincent, Cap-Haitien, Haiti and the Boys Home in Tyzciniec, Poland)

for more information email: occhicone98@post.harvard.edu

23rd October 2011

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This was presented to the Polish Salesians at their annual symposium. It discusses my current project: documenting the work of the Salesians around the world. It includes photographs taken by street children in Kenya at a workshop my wife and I conducted. It also includes photographs from my project taken at the Salesian Formation House in S. Orange, NJ, at a Salesian school in Cap-Haitien, Haiti, and the the boys school in Trzciniec, Poland. The first 2-3 minutes explain the project before the photographs begin. You can find more of my work and contact information at occhiconki.com

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Salesian Brother, Cap-Haitien, Haiti   •   ©  Christopher Occhicone

Salesian Brother, Cap-Haitien, Haiti   •   ©  Christopher Occhicone


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Talent Show, South Orange, NJ    •   © Christopher Occhicone Local kids gather at a youth center run by Salesian seminarians to perform for their friends.

Talent Show, South Orange, NJ    •   © Christopher Occhicone

Local kids gather at a youth center run by Salesian seminarians to perform for their friends.

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MP3,  Cap=Haitien, Haiti - ©Christopher Occhicone A student relaxes in between classes at the Salesian school in Cap-Haitien.

MP3,  Cap=Haitien, Haiti - ©Christopher Occhicone

A student relaxes in between classes at the Salesian school in Cap-Haitien.

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Portrait,  Nairobi, Kenya - Photo by Peter Kariuki Taken as part of the Bosco Boys Photo Project - click on the photo to see more Here is Peter’s story in his words: My name is Peter Kariuki and I was born in 1990. I am a pupil in Don Bosco Primary School in Nairobi, Kenya. I am in standard 8 and this is my final year in primary school Before Don Bosco, I lived in the streets where I used to collect old iron, sheet metal and tin from the garbage to sell. My grandmother has 7 children. My mother was first born and she does not have any other children except me. She is jobless. Her second sister has 3 children and there are 3 others with 1 child each. Only one has a house. All the others depend on what my grandmother gets from her small vegetable kiosk. Of the seven children, only one other is in primary school and two are in secondary school. I am putting my effort into my studies so that I can help my mother, grandmother and relatives. When I finish my education I would like to be an engineer. I chose this because my favorite subject is mathematics.

Portrait,  Nairobi, Kenya - Photo by Peter Kariuki

Taken as part of the Bosco Boys Photo Project - click on the photo to see more

Here is Peter’s story in his words:

My name is Peter Kariuki and I was born in 1990. I am a pupil in Don Bosco Primary School in Nairobi, Kenya. I am in standard 8 and this is my final year in primary school

Before Don Bosco, I lived in the streets where I used to collect old iron, sheet metal and tin from the garbage to sell.

My grandmother has 7 children. My mother was first born and she does not have any other children except me. She is jobless. Her second sister has 3 children and there are 3 others with 1 child each. Only one has a house. All the others depend on what my grandmother gets from her small vegetable kiosk. Of the seven children, only one other is in primary school and two are in secondary school.

I am putting my effort into my studies so that I can help my mother, grandmother and relatives.

When I finish my education I would like to be an engineer. I chose this because my favorite subject is mathematics.

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Homemade Umbrella, Cap-Haitien, Haiti -     © Christopher Occhicone I was working in the streets of Cap-Haitien when it began to rain. Nobody had an umbrella and most settled for a shower cap or plastic bag. I saw this little girl pick up a folding chair a street vendor had abandoned. When we made eye contact, I think we were both equally amused by her homemade umbrella. I think this photograph speaks to the ability of the Haitian people to be creative and adapt to very difficult situations - usually with a smile.

Homemade Umbrella, Cap-Haitien, Haiti -     © Christopher Occhicone

I was working in the streets of Cap-Haitien when it began to rain. Nobody had an umbrella and most settled for a shower cap or plastic bag. I saw this little girl pick up a folding chair a street vendor had abandoned. When we made eye contact, I think we were both equally amused by her homemade umbrella. I think this photograph speaks to the ability of the Haitian people to be creative and adapt to very difficult situations - usually with a smile.

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Dance, Cap-Haitien, Haiti                          photo by Christopher Occhicone Former street boys, now in the care of the Salesians of Don Bosco, perform a blend of traditional and modern dance for their fellow students and foreign missionaries. Dancing teaches the students that hard work and persistence will yield results. The traditional aspect of the dance produces pride in their culture. The time dedicated to practice is time not spent on the streets.

Dance, Cap-Haitien, Haiti                          photo by Christopher Occhicone

Former street boys, now in the care of the Salesians of Don Bosco, perform a blend of traditional and modern dance for their fellow students and foreign missionaries. Dancing teaches the students that hard work and persistence will yield results. The traditional aspect of the dance produces pride in their culture. The time dedicated to practice is time not spent on the streets.

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Magic, Cap-Haitien, Haiti                          photo by Christopher Occhicone The language barrier for Americans working in Haiti can be problematic. Salesian missionaries look for creative ways to break that barrier and connect with the youth. 

Magic, Cap-Haitien, Haiti                          photo by Christopher Occhicone

The language barrier for Americans working in Haiti can be problematic. Salesian missionaries look for creative ways to break that barrier and connect with the youth. 

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Salesian at Work, South Orange, NJ photo by Christopher Occhicone Dedicated to working with young people, it is important that they become their friends. In South Orange, one way is through basketball. The Salesians host a weekly  youth center where they provide local kids with a safe place to play, creating opportunities to connect with them.

Salesian at Work, South Orange, NJ photo by Christopher Occhicone


Dedicated to working with young people, it is important that they become their friends. In South Orange, one way is through basketball. The Salesians host a weekly  youth center where they provide local kids with a safe place to play, creating opportunities to connect with them.