We had the pleasure to speak with Lisset Barcellos, who coordinates the San Francisco operations of the international aid organization, Artesanos Don Bosco. This volunteer-based organization runs vocational schools in the Peruvian Andes, and provides poverty-stricken youth excellent training in carpentry, furniture manufacturing, wood carving, glass design, weaving and fashion design. The Don Bosco school provides a free five year training program for students, and equips them with the skills to support their families and invest in their communities.

“Our goal is to provide economic opportunities,” said Barcellos. Indeed, the organization helps Andean youth to create small independent businesses and provides them with connections to international markets. There is currently a gallery in Baltimore, Maryland that showcases work created by the graduates of the Don Bosco school.

Barcellos manages the fundraising efforts in San Francisco and recruits volunteers interested in working in Peru. With a group of volunteers, Barcellos is currently organizing a trip to the Peruvian Andes to visit the youth from the vocational training schools and fundraising to help them build houses for the poorest of their community. Funds raised will help purchase building materials such as adobes, roof tiles, and other constructions assets.

Artesanos Don Bosco was started in 1979 by an Italian priest named Father Ugo de Censi, who overwhelmed by the extreme poverty he witnessed, founded the Don Bosco School of Carpentry. The school provides students selected from among the neediest in the community with education, vocational training, and room and board free of charge. To date, over 14,000 students have graduated from these schools. Since 1985, their furniture as well as their arts and crafts have been sold in Italy, Peru, and most recently, in the US.