Salesians Around The World

Fundraiser and Party for the Opening of: Salesiana - an...

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 13:26:00 -0500

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

This was presented to the Polish Salesians at their annual...

Sun, 23 Oct 2011 14:58:27 -0400

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

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

Sun, 17 Jul 2011 17:49:40 -0400

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

Talent Show, South Orange, NJ • © Christopher...

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 17:46:11 -0400

Talent Show, South Orange, NJ • © Christopher Occhicone

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

MP3, Cap=Haitien, Haiti - ©Christopher Occhicone A student...

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 21:09:05 -0400

MP3, Cap=Haitien, Haiti - ©Christopher Occhicone

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

Portrait, Nairobi, Kenya - Photo by Peter Kariuki Taken as part...

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 20:18:00 -0400

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.

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

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 19:26:00 -0400

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.

Dance, Cap-Haitien, Haiti photo by...

Sun, 10 Jul 2011 20:15:13 -0400

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.

Magic, Cap-Haitien, Haiti photo by...

Sat, 09 Jul 2011 15:43:00 -0400

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.

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

Sat, 09 Jul 2011 15:23:00 -0400

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 Missionary with a Child - Cap-Haïtien, Haiti photo by...

Sat, 09 Jul 2011 14:56:00 -0400

Salesian Missionary with a Child - Cap-Haïtien, Haiti

photo by Christopher Occhicone

The group of missionaries visiting from the US were kept busy throughout the day, working, playing, and praying. These were mainly group activities. However, some of the most beautiful moments were when an individual missionary and child could connect one on one.

Me, Cap-Haïtien, Haiti This Spring I spent 10 days documenting...

Sat, 09 Jul 2011 14:09:00 -0400

Me, Cap-Haïtien, Haiti

This Spring I spent 10 days documenting some of the work being done by the Salesians in Cap-Haitien, Haiti. When I was not working on the project, I was able to spend time playing with the kids who are in their care. It was often bitter sweet; being struck by both the seriousness of their economic and social problems while also being uplifted by their enthusiasm, dedication to studies and sense of hope.

English Student - Cap-Haïtien, Haiti photo by Christopher...

Sat, 09 Jul 2011 14:09:00 -0400

English Student - Cap-Haïtien, Haiti photo by Christopher Occhicone

Spending time in the classrooms at the Salesian school in Cap-Haiten was a great privilege. I was impressed by the children’s curiosity, dedication, and spirit of cooperation. While the struggles of the Haitian people sometimes seem insurmountable, moments like this show that they are not.

Bosco Boys School - Nairobi, Kenya In 2009 my wife and I visited...

Sat, 09 Jul 2011 14:08:00 -0400

Bosco Boys School - Nairobi, Kenya

In 2009 my wife and I visited Bosco Boys in Nairobi, Kenya. We conducted photo workshops and distributed disposable cameras to the boys who participated. The results were fantastic. First, they were able to produce some stunning photographs. Second, after returning home we contacted the Salesians at Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey, NJ. After telling them about our experience, they utilized their fundraising network to great effect. They were able to gather 65 computers, equipment to set up a metal shop, music instruments (including a baby grand piano!), sports equipment, sneakers, and school supplies. We were able to work with the Salesian Mission office, based in New Rochelle, NY, to send an entire shipping container to Nairobi.

You can visit the project website by click on the picture. I will be posting some of the students work as well as their stories here.

Photo by Paul Kimani - student at Bosco Boys in Nairobi, Kenya...

Sat, 09 Jul 2011 14:03:00 -0400

Photo by Paul Kimani - student at Bosco Boys in Nairobi, Kenya (click on the photo to visit his gallery)

As part of our photo project, Paul wrote the following to accompany his work and tell people a little about himself. He wrote:

I am delighted to have this golden chance to tell my story!

Life before Bosco Boys was full of catastrophe. I underwent so many problems like a lack of basic needs and guidance. I was begging to get my daily bread. As I was begging I was chased by the police who sometimes beat me thoroughly.

I came to Bosco Boys in 2002. I was brought by a good samaritan who I met in the streets. he told me about Bosco Boys and how good it was.

When I came, I found everything as it was told. II was taken to Lagata Rehabilitation centre. I stayed for 2 years bit it seemed like only a month because everything was so enjoyable and interesting.

I was then taken to the main centre which is Bosco Boys Kuwinda and I was promoted to class 5. Now I am in class 8 and I am hoping to do well .

I promised myself that will double my efforts for the coming final examination in order to produce the best results.

I am a Kikuyu by tribe and proud to be Kenyan and a civilized citizen!