The beginnings The Salesians came to Mozambique to the island by that name in to run a School of Arts and Trades, where they looked after some hundred or so boarders. Then they extended their activities to the Mission in Mochelia, in continental Mozambique. Therefore the Salesians in Mozambique were expelled in They had an education centre with approximately boys living in, orphans entrusted to them by public welfare.
By request of the Archbishop they took on responsibility for the Mission of St. Joseph of Lhanguene, in Maputo in This comprised the parish church, school buildings and a hostel for about poor youngsters. In Salesian work extended to Tete province, in the centre of the Mozambique, when they took on the St John the Baptist Mission, with the task of evangelising the entire district of Moatize with some thirty Christian communities.
For the second time the Sons of Don Bosco had to abandon their work, so much so that many returned to their country of origin. The small group that remained behind to keep contact with the young made themselves available to teach in the official schools and at the same time organised catechesis, oratories and other cultural activities in spaces at churches they were able to use.
Despite the difficult situation, it gave rise to the first vocations. During these years the Salesians, given the scarsity of missionaries, took charge of seven parishes, in the capital, in Maputo.
A few years after Independence the two largest political parties involved the nation in a war that lasted until and not only prevented development, but destroyed the infrastructure and caused great poverty, ruined families and left many orphaned.
