Salesians in Ivory Coast Providing Nutrition, Education, Social Support to Needy Children

“Salesian missionaries focus their attention on working with youth in need and their families to provide education and social services to provide them hope for a better life,” the Director of Salesian Missions, Fr. Gus Baek, has been quoted as saying in the November 10 report.

Fr. Baek adds, “Youth who are able to engage in productive activities are able to (bring) forward what they have learned in Salesian centers.”

“They connect with their communities and increase their self-confidence,” Fr. Baek says.

Meanwhile, Don Bosco Immaculate Child Protection Center in the West African nation of Togo has been providing educational and social programs for street children.

In a Wednesday, November 9 report, SDB officials say the center that is based in Kara was created in 1985 “to provide shelter and support for street children.”

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“The aim was to help engage them in productive activities to deter them from delinquent situations,” SDB officials in Togo say.

They add, “The goal was to also facilitate social and family reintegration. The street children, between the ages of 5-17, come from towns and villages in Togo.”

In August, SDB officials in the West African nation say, “Students took part in educational classes during the school break to help prepare them for the school year.”

“Each morning, primary and high school students took courses at Don Bosco College and High School,” they say, and add, “These courses included math, written and spoken expression, civic and moral education, history, geography, English and French language, and philosophy.”

SDB officials further say, “Students also engaged in socio-educational activities in the afternoon. This included sports and activities that help youth express themselves artistically.”

“With the collaboration of the educators and volunteers, youth acquired physical, moral and psychological skills through activities which promote their full development,” SDB officials say in the November 9 report.

This story was first published by ACI Africa on 11 November 2022.

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.