Salesians hold training for professionals about safeguarding and protecting children

(MissionNewswire) Salesians with Don Bosco Tech Africa in Nigeria are providing training about safeguarding and protecting children. Brother John Njuguna, deputy director of Don Bosco Tech Africa, in collaboration with Cathrine Kisasa and Sister Damaris, is conducting the training for Salesian rectors and the provincial council.

In-depth knowledge and skills in safeguarding can prevent harm to both children and practitioners. One five-day training was held in early November, and another followed in late November in the Ibadan location for 92 post-novitiates. The group includes young people from different congregations.

One Salesian said, “Child safeguarding and protection are important in our daily work given that we are working with young people who are in most cases coming from disadvantaged backgrounds. The trainers were excited about the diverse methodologies. It was well attended and an eye-opener for all involved.”

Salesians work with abandoned children in two centers in Nigeria. One is in Lagos, opened in 2018, and the other is Ibadan, opened in 2009. These centers are changing the lives of hundreds of children who are trafficked, abused, orphaned, in conflict with the law or are facing addiction. Through scholarships and grants, Salesians are able to ensure that youth have a stable foundation and gain an education.

According to UNICEF, Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country and the ninth most populous country in the world. By United Nations estimates, Nigeria will be one of the countries responsible for most of the world’s total population increase by 2050. While Nigeria has the second strongest economy in Africa, it also has extreme rates of poverty with 100 million people living on less than $1 a day.

About 64 percent of households in Nigeria consider themselves to be poor while 32 percent of households say their economic situation had worsened over a period of one year, according to UNICEF. Poverty still remains one of the most critical challenges facing the country and population growth rates have meant a steady increase in the number of people living in conditions of poverty.

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Sources:

ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS)

ANS – Nigeria – Child safeguarding and protection Training – ANN Province

Don Bosco Tech Africa

Salesian Missions – Nigeria

UNICEF – Nigeria