Boys aged 7-18 gain education, social support

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Makululu, located in the city of Kabwe, Zambia, is rescuing boys, aged 7-18 years old, from a life on the streets. Some of the children and youth are orphans while others come from families marked by violence, addiction and extreme poverty.

A Salesian said, “A telephone booth is not a home. Yet for many street children, it becomes one, even if only for a night. When darkness falls, the narrow space, exposed to cold and shadow, becomes the only refuge that allows them to survive until dawn. It offers neither warmth nor safety, only the illusion of shelter from noise, fear, and loneliness. Here, children learn vigilance instead of trust and silence instead of cries for help.”

Ciloto, part of Don Bosco Makululu, is the first step, which offers youth a process of formation and education that gradually prepares them for return to their families or reintegration into the community. Salesians, together with lay collaborators, provide a safe place to live, regular meals, access to clean water, and basic medical care. Once boys are able to access this stability, they study, have shared responsibilities, work, play sports and rest.

The Salesian noted, “The most powerful educational tool is the steady and coherent presence of a caring adult. Many boys struggle with addiction, often to glue. Here, addiction is not an identity but a wound to be healed. Recovery includes medical care, constant guidance and a structured routine that helps restore self-control. There are relapses and returns to the street, yet experience shows that once a child has known the safety of a true home and the faithfulness of adults, the memory of that goodness remains within him.”

In addition, Ciloto 2 was created to serve as a rehabilitation and support facility for those requiring specialized care. Educators, along with professional psychological support, serve youth with more complex needs.

The Salesian added, “Closely connected to this newer home is a farm that has become not only a workplace but also a place of inner renewal. Its aim is self-sufficiency and care for creation, using solar energy and biogas while teaching responsible stewardship. The farm includes pig breeding, food production, and fishponds serving both the house and the local community. The farm also has fields of corn, soybeans and sunflowers, as well as an orchard and an area for laying hens. Even small participation in farm work is part of the rehabilitation process.”

Whenever possible, Salesians search for families, often in remote areas of Zambia, to help youth safely return home. Reintegration into the family or local community is among the most meaningful outcomes of this mission. More than 240 boys have received support, and 142 have returned to their families or communities.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Zambia – A Telephone Booth Is Not a Home: From the Street to Hope in Makululu

Ciloto-Saved from the Streets

Don Bosco Makululu

Salesian Missions – Zambia

UNICEF – Zambia