Zaruma, Ecuador – 1948 – The Salesian presence in Zaruma arose from the desire to found a school of Arts and Crafts, initially realised with the opening of the primary school in 1948. Already in 1910, the parish priest, Fr Manuel Chiriboga, had promoted the arrival of the Salesians for the Christian education of young people, overcoming various obstacles. In 1945, official approval arrived from Turin for the foundation of a work in Zaruma, and in 1947, the first priest arrived. Then, in 1949, the college was inaugurated with about 200 pupils. The Salesians also took over the parish and built a church dedicated to St John Bosco and a carpentry workshop. After more than sixty years of educational and pastoral service, the community withdrew, entrusting the work to lay people. This led to the creation of the current Salesian Educational Unit ‘San Juan Bosco’, which continues the Salesian charism.
