At a Salesian school in a South American favela, it seems obvious that the sole instructor available to these children would be responsible for all their educational and formational needs: scholastic, occupational and personal. But back at home in Western countries, one would think that, due to the numerous educational figures already available here, the Salesians might focus on different areas. This is not the case, however. At any latitude, their goal remains the same: to form men and women into good Christians and honest citizens. In developing countries, as in Europe, as in Spain.
The Plajis project, which is based in an area of Barcelona with an extremely high rate of immigration, uses educational units on social values that are aimed at enhancing community integration. The programme consists of intervention programmes with five tracks divided according to age and participants ranging from 3 years old to adult. The educational project in social values aims to deeply involve participants: it is not a fleeting experience but one that becomes a way of life. These programmes also produce new educators and teachers. The project is long-term precisely because it does not involve purely technical training with books and study but instead focuses on interpersonal relations and enhancing skills in listening, understanding and camaraderie.