Antananarivo, 06 February, 2021 / 12:30 pm (ACI Africa).
Members of the Religious Institute of the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) ministering in the Indian Ocean Island nation of Madagascar are offering a “second chance” to homeless youths living in prisons.
In a Wednesday, February 3 report obtained by ACI Africa, officials of SDB say that they are ministering among 100 youths at the invitation of prison authorities in Anjanamasina, a suburb within the Archdiocese of Antananarivo.
The youths were sent to Madagascar’s re-education centers for rehabilitation, but ended up living in a prison-like environment where they are mixed with prisoners, SDB officials add in the report.
“Youth who are in these facilities because they were living on the street deserve a second chance at life,” Fr. Gus Baek, the Director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of SDB has been quoted as saying.
He adds, “Salesians help (the) youth with their spiritual growth, social support and provide hope for a better future.”