How Salesians in Sierra Leone Help Hundreds of Deprived Youth Spiritually, Physically

Under the leadership of Salesian Fr. Sergej Goman, the staff at the Don Bosco Youth Centre in Dwarzak Parish of Freetown Archdiocese, reaches out to about 100 youth, including minors aged seven and teenagers aged 18.

“More than 50 youth receive nutritional assistance three times a week, and 80 children receive education and spiritual assistance six days a week,” officials of the SDB entity have reported.

The management of the centre also organizes sports activities that include basketball and soccer training six days a week. 

Besides sporting activities, the children who arrive at the centre also get a chance to join a music band and study music courses. 

According to the leadership of Salesian Missions, the centre in Freetown also promotes “an attitude of service and teach children and older youth the importance of giving back to their families and community.”

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In the March 2 report, the Director of Salesian Missions, Fr. Gus Baek, says the activities at the Don Bosco Youth Centre in Dwarzak Parish “decrease the risks for vulnerable youth who might otherwise lead dangerous lives on the streets.” 

Fr. Baek adds that the activities serve as “a unique space for youth who lack connection to adults, academic assistance and access to safe places for play.”

Meanwhile, the SDB missionaries in Sierra Leone also help rehabilitate street children in the West African country through the Don Bosco Fambul in the capital, Freetown. 

In an April 2020 report, the SDB members of the Freetown-based program said that the 120 staff members at the facility who include social workers head out to the slums, streets and markets “to engage with vulnerable youth” and encourage them to join the street children rehabilitation program.

“Many of the youth who are contacted during this time fill out the required questionnaire and those most at risk are admitted into the program. Salesian missionaries seek out youth who have few other options and are most in need,” the SDB members explained.

They add that after evaluating the youth, “they are assigned to appropriate educational levels and are given thorough medical exams, necessary treatment and housing.”

“Participants also engage in listening sessions and counselling, group discussions, prayer, talks, sports and recreation, all of which are a part of the rehabilitation process,” the Salesian missionaries at the Don Bosco Fambul centre reported April last year.

Magdalene Kahiu is a Kenyan journalist with passion in Church communication. She holds a Degree in Social Communications from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). Currently, she works as a journalist for ACI Africa.