“Children in Benin face significant challenges gaining an education within the country’s poor educational system," SDB officials say, and add, “Youth in Benin also face overwhelming challenges in combating poverty, one of the root causes of child trafficking.”
According to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Benin remains one of the poorest countries in the world with close to 70 percent of its population living in poverty.
“About half of all children between the ages of 5 and 13 are engaged in some kind of forced labor in the country and almost 20 percent are chronically undernourished,” UNICEF reports.
In their January 16 report, the Salesians say they received support from UNICEF to establish the home that accommodates the children while guiding them to other homes or trying to find their families.
The Salesians at the institution that relies on donations from people of goodwill are collaborating with law enforcement officers to rescue children in high-risk situations.
“In collaboration with the juvenile courts of Benin, minors who are in conflict with the law and in high-risk situations are assisted by the Salesians,” SDB officials say, and continue, “The border police also intercept children being trafficked from Niger and Burkina Faso.”
In the report, two beneficiaries of the Don Bosco institution express their appreciation to the Salesians.
“I celebrated Christmas well at Don Bosco Kandi and received beautiful clothes and had a nice party. Thank you and may the Lord bless you,” Leon Kansomede, aged 8 has been quoted as saying.
On her part, Kaifatou Tino, a sewing apprentice whose school fees was paid for, says she is optimistic about the future thanks to the financial help from the SDBs.
Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.
