GUADELOUPE: Salesian Lakou Bosco kicks off new village project
New Lakou Bosco Village supports youth to become self-sufficient adults
(MissionNewswire) For almost five years, Salesian Lakou Bosco, based in Les Abymes, Guadeloupe – a French overseas region in the southern Caribbean – has been supporting youth and their families. Through educational and social activities, the goal is to help at-risk youth have hope for a brighter future. The organization is about to construct a new village to provide even more services and is looking at youth needs to develop it.
The new Lakou Bosco Village will be a 280-square meter meeting place, including a large house with a living room, kitchen and workshop for handicrafts, a Lakou space (home in local Creole), a sports field and two multi-activity rooms that will house a multimedia space, workspace, playroom, and place for sports. The building will be constructed with environmental impact in mind using thermal insulation and solar panels while ensuring comfort.
To kick off this project, the organization held a seminar, led by the L’effet Papillon Association, which works to restore biodiversity in Guadeloupe. This event brought together volunteers, employees, youth and partners to reflect on the values of the project and its future.
The discussions highlighted kindness and openness to others, which are the pillars of Salesian Lakou Bosco. The organization’s charter emphasizes, “We welcome everyone unconditionally in the spirit of lakou, with solidarity and listening, respecting the dignity of each individual. These values guide every action, uniting a large family where everyone contributes their talents for the common good.”
Arthur Massiet, director of Salesian Lakou Bosco said, “Our actions revolve around young people in their living spaces including with family, in their neighborhood and school, and now the digital world. We aim to support youth in their personal and social development while helping parents to strengthen their role.”
The future village will embody these ambitions. Designed to be eco-friendly it will incorporate solar panels, water collectors and, thanks to a partnership with L’effet Papillon, an aquaponics pond and a green roof.
Salesian Lakou Bosco wants to introduce youth to green professions such as solar cooking and low-tech solutions, using recycled materials for simple and sustainable technologies. Massiet noted, “We want young people to become pioneers in ecology for a greener planet. At the same time, workshops, academic support, internships and cultural or sporting activities promote the empowerment of young people and the autonomy of families.”
Digital technology is also a priority area. Massiet explained, “Their virtual world is often foreign to us. We want to join them to understand, without judging.” Monitoring activities are planned, as well as support for families with digital administrative procedures with the help of social workers.
Salesian Lakou Bosco does not just provide support, it aspires to transform neighborhoods into spaces of collective responsibility. With its new village, Salesian Lakou Bosco is building a model where youth, supported by their community, are able to take control of their lives and become self-sufficient adults who contribute back to their communities.
###
Sources:
ANS – Guadeloupe – Lakou Bosco, five years of commitment to young people
