IVORY COAST

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Child Protection Center, located in Koumassi, Abidjan, Ivory Coast, has been in operation since 1994, providing education and social support for street children and children in poverty. At the center, youth are fed a hot meal in the morning before heading off to school so they have the nutrition they need to focus on their studies.

After school youth engage in recreational activities as part of the rehabilitation process. With the help of a coach, sports instructor or staff, youth participate in sports and physical education to stay healthy. These activities also enable socialization and teach morals and values.

“Salesian missionaries focus their attention on working with youth in need and their families to provide education and social services to provide them hope for a better life,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Youth who are able to engage in productive activities are able to pay forward what they have learned in Salesian centers. They connect with their communities and increase their self-confidence.”

According to the World Bank, 46 percent of those living in the Ivory Coast live in conditions of poverty — with more than a quarter of the population living in severe poverty on less than $1.25 a day. The Ivory Coast has one of the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rates in West Africa. While a wide range of national and international initiatives focus on HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention and testing, the collapse of public health facilities in the north, as a result of years of conflict, has made the situation worse.

During the country’s time of war, Salesian missionaries provided life-saving shelter, food and security for the thousands fleeing violence and seeking refuge on their grounds. Today, Salesian missionaries continue their work providing shelter, education and social development services to youth and their families. They also work with the victims of war to heal the country’s deep wounds. They listen, help victims seek compensation and work for social reconciliation between opposing groups. Known for their work with child soldiers around the globe, Salesian missionaries are also providing training for youth, some who had been aggressors during the war.

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Don Bosco Child Protection & Youth Empowerment Projects

Don Bosco Child Protection & Youth Empowerment Projects Newsletter July – Sept. 2022

Don Bosco Foyer Facebook

Salesian Missions – Ivory Coast

World Bank – Ivory Coast

The post IVORY COAST: At-risk children receive education and social support first appeared on MissionNewswire.

IVORY COAST

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries working in the commune of Koumassi in the city of Abidjan, Ivory Coast’s economic capital, implemented a project supporting the Salesian-run Don Bosco Foyer and Marie Dominique Foyer, operated by the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. There are 41 boys and 21 girls who are residents in the two homes.

Through the project, Salesian missionaries and sisters were able to acquire equipment and materials for hand-washing, personal hygiene equipment including buckets, bath towels, and soaps, sanitary hygiene washing powders, hydro-alcoholic gel, masks, sheets, mats, and more. In addition, children and staff have been instructed on how to maintain proper hygiene to help prevent the spread of the virus.

In support of these efforts, a crisis management unit has been set up and is made up of two educators in each house. The unit drafted a crisis management procedure. It is also responsible for organizing awareness sessions and workshops for children and surrounding populations, along with making awareness posters and flyers.

At Salesian-run homes in the Ivory Coast, children have been instructed on how to maintain proper hygiene to help prevent the spread of the virus.

Don Bosco Foyer and Marie Dominique Foyer also provided holistic care for the children. Because of school closures and the lockdown, children remained in the homes. Activities were organized by the educators to keep them occupied. Planned activities included educational games and lessons, reading, and monitoring courses on television.

“Salesian missionaries living and working in cities across the Ivory Coast focus their attention on working with youth in need and their families to provide education, food security, health clinics and workforce development services,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “This work is more important than ever, but resources are limited. Salesian missionaries and sisters continue to assess needs and seek resources to support poor youth and their families.”

According to the World Bank, 46 percent of those living in the Ivory Coast live in conditions of poverty—with more than a quarter of the population living in severe poverty on less than $1.25 a day. The Ivory Coast has one of the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rates in West Africa. While a wide range of national and international initiatives focus on HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention and testing, the collapse of public health facilities in the north as a result of years of conflict has made the situation worse.

During the country’s time of war, Salesian missionaries provided life-saving shelter, food and security for the thousands fleeing violence and seeking refuge on Salesian grounds.

Today, Salesian missionaries continue their work providing shelter, education and social development services to youth and their families. They also work with the victims of war to heal the country’s deep wounds. They listen, help victims seek compensation and work for social reconciliation between opposing groups. Known for their work with child soldiers around the globe, Salesian missionaries are also providing training for youth, some who had been aggressors during the war.

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Sources:

Photos courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Don Bosco Foyer Facebook

Marie Dominique Foyer Facebook

Salesian Missions – Ivory Coast

World Bank – Ivory Coast

The post IVORY COAST: Salesian missionaries provide support to children living in shelters during coronavirus pandemic first appeared on MissionNewswire.

IVORY COAST

(MissionNewswire) Like many countries in Africa, the Ivory Coast has been seriously affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. While the cases of infection and death are still quite contained, experts believe the virus may spread rapidly in forthcoming months. Conditions of poverty have been aggravated by the rigid confinement and lockdown in many sectors of the country. It has plunged the most vulnerable populations into a dramatic situation, taking away their most basic resources for survival.

Salesian centers in the Ivory Coast have also been impacted. For example, the Salesian girls center Foyer Marie Dominique Village, located in Abidjan and caring for 30 children, urgently needs food, hygiene materials to prevent infections and medical assistance.

Salesian missionaries have been working with poor youth and their families in Abidjan for more than 25 years. They provide social development services, education and workforce development to help youth break the cycle of poverty and become contributing members of their communities. To help respond to the issue of violence against children, the Salesian community of Abidjan provides several programs and awareness activities related to the protection of children, in addition to a new psychological care center.

“Salesian missionaries living and working in cities across the Ivory Coast focus their attention on working with youth in need and their families to provide education, food security, health clinics and workforce development services,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “This work is more important than ever, but resources are limited. Salesian missionaries are doing the best they can right now given the circumstances, and they continue to assess needs and seek resources to support the poor youth and families they serve.”

According to the World Bank, 46 percent of those living in the Ivory Coast live in conditions of poverty—with more than a quarter of the population living in severe poverty on less than $1.25 a day. The Ivory Coast has one of the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rates in West Africa. While a wide range of national and international initiatives focus on HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention and testing, the collapse of public health facilities in the north as a result of years of conflict has made the situation worse.

During the country’s time of war, Salesian missionaries provided life-saving shelter, food and security for the thousands fleeing violence and seeking refuge on Salesian grounds.

Today, Salesian missionaries continue their work providing shelter, education and social development services to youth and their families. They also work with the victims of war to heal the country’s deep wounds. They listen, help victims seek compensation and work for social reconciliation between opposing groups. Known for their work with child soldiers around the globe, Salesian missionaries are also providing training for youth, some who had been aggressors during the war.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Ivory Coast – “Street girls”, the most vulnerable, need help and solidarity

Salesian Missions – Ivory Coast

World Bank – Ivory Coast

The post IVORY COAST: Salesian missionaries working to address conditions of extreme poverty in the face of the pandemic first appeared on MissionNewswire.