How Salesians are Supporting Victims of Human Trafficking in Africa

In Sierra Leone, the Don Bosco Fambul’s Girls Os+ program is providing support and recovery for underage girls who are victims of sexual violence and abuse and forced into prostitution.

Launched six years ago, the program has changed the lives of more than 600 girls and given them the opportunity to start a new life and access education, the SDB officials say in the report.

To support the Girls Os+ program, they say, “Don Bosco Fambul launched a therapeutic center with four large buildings, a clinic, accommodations for volunteers and social workers, a house for the Salesian community, and a chapel. It’s the only program of its kind in West Africa that enables girls to live in a safe environment to overcome their traumas and start a new life.”

“Salesian missionaries, professional social workers, and pastoral workers provide crisis intervention and follow-up care for girls and young women who have been victims of sexual assault. Girls that access services at the shelter are also able to attend educational programs that are a part of the broader Don Bosco Fambul network of programs,” they add.

They continue, “These educational programs give young women the skills necessary to find and retain employment.”

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In the East Africa nation of Uganda, Don Bosco Children and Life Mission (Don Bosco CALM), located in the town of Namugongo, just northeast of the city of Kampala, rescues, rehabilitates and reintegrates street children back into society. 

“Salesians meet basic needs and provide education, socio-cultural activities and recreation to help youth have a bright future,” SDB officials say in the report.

Don Bosco CALM, they continue, “works primarily with homeless boys and those who have been orphaned, battered, and neglected.”

“They also work with other vulnerable youth and children, including those who are HIV/AIDS positive,” SDB officials say and add, “Currently, the organization has 165 children in its care. All of the children are in school with some attending Don Bosco Primary School, Salesian secondary schools and vocational training institutes.”

Marked under the theme, “Reach every victim of trafficking, leave no one behind”, this year’s event seeks, according to the United Nations, to highlight “calls on governments, law enforcement, public services, and civil society to assess and enhance their efforts to strengthen prevention, identify and support victims, and end impunity.”