WHO WE ARE?

Who are we?

CIVAM – Conferenza Ispettorie-Visitatorie Africa Madagascar is the interprovincial conference of the Salesians of Don Bosco in Africa and Madagascar. Officially established in 2002 by the Rector Major, CIVAM serves as a platform for communion, coordination, and shared mission among the Salesian Provinces and Vice-Provinces across the continent. From its inception, CIVAM has fostered collaboration in pastoral ministry, formation, education, youth ministry, social communication, and missionary outreach. It exists to strengthen unity among the Provinces while respecting the richness and diversity of cultures and contexts throughout Africa and Madagascar.

A Growing Mission

In response to the remarkable growth and dynamism of the Salesian presence in Africa and Madagascar, the General Chapter 29 discerned the need for a new structural configuration to serve the mission better. In 2025, it officially established two Regions within the continent:

  • RACO – Regione dell’Africa Centro-Ovest (Africa Central and West)
  • RAES – Regione dell’Africa Est-Sud (Africa East and South)

This reorganisation was undertaken to foster continued growth, strengthen animation and governance, and ensure closer accompaniment of the Provinces by the Regional Councillors. By creating two Regions, the Salesian mission in Africa and Madagascar is better positioned to respond effectively to the pastoral and educational needs of young people, especially the poorest and most vulnerable.

Our Purpose

CIVAM exists to:

    • Facilitate collaboration and coordination among Salesian Provinces and Vice-Provinces
    • Promote shared initiatives and strategic planning
    • Strengthen formation and leadership
    • Enhance missionary vitality and pastoral effectiveness
    • Foster unity in the spirit of John Bosco

Rooted in the charism of Don Bosco, CIVAM continues to accompany and animate the Salesian mission across Africa and Madagascar, ensuring that young people encounter hope, faith, education, and a future filled with opportunity.

A Brief History of the Salesian Presence in Africa and Madagascar

The history of the Salesians of Don Bosco in Africa and Madagascar is a story of missionary courage, patient sowing, and remarkable growth.

The Early Seeds (1891–1979)

Although the formal and organized expansion of the Salesian mission on the continent began

in 1980, the seeds of Don Bosco’s charism had already been planted much earlier.

The first Salesian presence in Africa dates back to 1891, with the opening of an oratory in Oran, Algeria. This pioneering foundation marked the beginning of Salesian pastoral and educational work on African soil. Due to a hostile political climate, however, the Salesians withdrew from Algeria in 1976.

Soon after, in 1894, another presence was established in Tunisia. The missionary horizon continued to widen:

    • Mozambique (1907) – initially for a short period, later re-opened in 1952
    • Belgian Congo (1911) – a mission that would grow significantly and bear abundant fruits

By the time of the death of Don Rua in 1910, the first successor of Don Bosco, Salesian activity had already begun to take root in Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, South Africa, and Mozambique. These early foundations, though often marked by political instability, missionary hardship, and limited personnel, demonstrated the Congregation’s commitment to evangelization and integral education. The mission in the Congo proved especially fruitful. Its development led to the creation of the Province of Central Africa in 1959 and later the Vice Province of Africa Great Lakes in 2006, signs of sustained growth and local maturation.

Project Africa (1980): A Turning Point

A decisive moment came in 1980 with the launching of Project Africa by the Rector Major, Fr. Egidio Viganò. This visionary initiative aimed to strengthen and expand the Salesian presence across the continent in response to the urgent needs of African youth.

Project Africa mobilized missionary personnel from around the world and encouraged the development of indigenous vocations. It marked a new phase characterized by:

    • Rapid expansion into new countries
    • Establishment of formation houses for African Salesians
    • Growth of educational, technical, and pastoral institutions
    • Strong emphasis on youth at risk and the poorest communities

Since then, the growth has been steady and significant. African Salesians now form one of the most vibrant and missionary forces within the Congregation.

The Present Reality

Today, the Salesian presence in Africa and Madagascar is organized into:

    • 6 Provinces: ANN, AOS, AFC, AFE, AON, TZA
    • 10 Vice Provinces: AET, ACC, AGL, ATE, ANG, MOZ, MDG, ZMB, AFM, ACE
    • 4 Delegations, including the Delegation of AET Eritrea, AFE-SUD, and AON (Senegal, Guinea Conakry, and The Gambia)

Salesians are currently present in approximately 41 countries across the continent and Madagascar.

Mission and Works

Faithful to the charism of John Bosco, the Salesians in Africa and Madagascar are engaged in a wide range of pastoral and educational activities, including:

    • Technical and Vocational Training Centers
    • Primary and Secondary Schools
    • Universities and Higher Institutes
    • Youth Centers and Oratories
    • Parish Ministry
    • Formation houses for Salesians and Young Religious
    • Programs for Street Children and Youth at Risk
    • Social Development and Humanitarian Initiatives

In many regions, Salesians are present in remote or economically disadvantaged areas, offering not only education but also hope, stability, and Christian formation to young people and their families.

A Continent of Hope

From a single oratory in Oran in 1891 to a vibrant network of Provinces, Vice Provinces, and Delegations today, the Salesian presence in Africa and Madagascar has grown into one of the most dynamic realities within the Congregation. Rooted in the Preventive System and animated by missionary zeal, the Salesians continue to walk with the young, especially the poorest, forming good Christians and honest citizens, and contributing to the human and spiritual development of the continent.

The story continues, sustained by faith, nourished by vocations, and inspired by the enduring dream of Don Bosco for the salvation and integral growth of young people everywhere.

SALESIANS OF DON BOSCO

  • Official title: Society of Saint Francis de Sales
  • Alternative title: Salesians of Don Bosco
  • Date founded: 18 December 1859
  • Founder: Saint John Bosco
  • Nations: 133
  • Regions: 7
  • Provinces: 90
  • Groups in the Salesian Family: 32
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We, the Salesians of Don Bosco, officially known as the Society of Saint Francis de Sales, are recognised in the Church as a clerical religious institute of pontifical right, dedicated to apostolic works. We are a male religious congregation dedicated to apostolic and missionary activity and to the many works that Christian charity has given rise to, but above all at the service of young people, especially the poorest and most abandoned.

Open to the cultural values of the countries in which we work, we try to understand them and welcome their values, to embody the message of the gospel.

The needs of young people and popular groups, the desire to act with and in the Church’s name move and guide our pastoral action for the advent of a more just and more fraternal world in Christ.

Founded by St. John Bosco, a nineteenth-century Italian educator, we are present in 133 countries.

This official website of our international community seeks to let you know what we do, how we do it and why we believe that what we do is worth our life and our death.

By walking with young people  you take part in this adventure!