MALI: Youth improve educational and social skills with new project
Youth center emphasizes empowerment of young women and girls
MALI
(MissionNewswire) Youth from Touba, Mali* have been able to strengthen their education and personal development thanks to a project promoted by Bosco Global with the support of the Government of the Autonomous Community of the Balearic Islands in Spain. This project improved the facilities and activities of the Saint Jean Bosco Youth Center and school complex to expand educational opportunities for 150 youth in the rural community.
The youth center is a safe space where youth can learn, share and grow in an environment of trust. Through the project, educational, cultural and sports activities have been implemented. In addition, workshops on intercultural dialogue, human rights awareness, a culture of peace and co-education were conducted, increasing the participation of youth in building a more just and cohesive society.
One of the main initiatives of the project was the renovation and expansion of the youth center, with the construction of a new multi-purpose hall to accommodate more youth. This renovation allowed for new training activities and created a more suitable environment for youth development. In addition, the youth center achieved energy self-sufficiency thanks to the installation of 12 solar panels for a stable electricity supply, a crucial resource in a region where power outages are frequent.
The project placed a special emphasis on the empowerment of young women and girls, who are often in a more vulnerable situation. At least 30 young women and girls participated in specific events where they learned about their rights and acquired professional skills to improve their future opportunities. These events included training in basic literacy and income-generating activities such as soap and oil production. Salesians also provided meeting spaces to strengthen their participation in community life.
A Salesian noted, “This approach has been instrumental in breaking down barriers of inequality and encouraging women’s participation in all areas of the center. The space allowed young women to feel valued and express their opinions without inhibition.”
The results of the project were very positive. Eighty percent of the youth who participated have improved their educational and social skills. Youth have noted that the youth center is a place that offers them support and tools to face the future with more confidence and security. Their awareness of their rights and their active role in society was also strengthened, promoting a more engaged citizenship.
The project leader said, “The project experience demonstrates the importance of continuing to invest in education and in spaces that foster the personal and collective growth of young people. Bosco Global and the local Salesian community reaffirm our commitment to continue working to ensure that the youth of Touba have access to quality education and opportunities that allow them to build a better future.”
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Sources:
ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS)
ANS – Mali – Education as a tool for change
*Any goods, services, or funds provided by Salesian Missions to programs located in this country were administered in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control.
