Goma, 03 September, 2021 / 8:13 pm (ACI Africa).
Members of the Religious Institute of the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) serving in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are empowering young ex-combatants in the Central African nation with life and vocational skills.
In a Wednesday, September 1 report, SDB officials say the “Don Bosco Ngangi Center, located in Goma, is working to transform the lives of youth who are at high risk of becoming victims of communal violence.”
“In addition to the life skills and technical and vocational skills training youth receive, Don Bosco Ngangi also provides a suitable environment for forming good Christians and honest, upright citizens,” SDB leadership says in the report published by Mission Newswire, the information service of the Salesians.
SDB members in DRC recount, “Since the beginning of August, 74 young ex-combatants and young girls and women who were collateral victims of community violence have been trained to become plumbers, bricklayers, hairdressers and beauticians.”
“The goal is to reduce violence in the community and give young men a chance at a prosperous future through legitimate means so that they do not join armed groups to earn a living. Young girls and women are given a second chance at life after being victims of violence,” SDB members explain.
