City of Hope offers housing and education to at-risk youth 

(MissionNewswire) The City of Hope, run by the Salesian sisters, is giving young women a chance at a better life in Zambia. Rejoice Banda, from Chibolya, has gained an education through the organization, according to a recent article in Global Sisters Report. 

Chibolya is known as a hub for drug trafficking, alcohol abuse and burglary, among other dangerous activities. At age 28, Banda was binge drinking and had been smoking marijuana since the eighth grade. A social welfare program led her to the St. John Bosco’s Home for Girls at Risk, part of the City of Hope.  

According to the article, Banda is now studying hotel management at the Salesian Auxilium Skills Training Center, in the Lusaka suburb of Makeni. She told Global Sisters Report, “I am blessed to be among the youths awarded a bursary through the Constituency Development Fund, [a scholarship] to enable me to acquire a skill at this training center.”  

She added, “The sisters’ mentorship has transformed me. I can’t wait to establish my own restaurant once I graduate. Thanks to school management and tutors for reshaping my life.”  

Banda is among 150 young women supported by City of Hope. The organization was founded in 1987 and offers the Home for Girls at Risk, the Auxilium Skills Training Center and the Open Community School.  

The training center targets a broad range of youth, including both men and women, and is not just for those in residency at the Salesian home. Youth can take courses in hospitality, information and communication technologies, hotel management, tailoring, and general agriculture, among other course work. Salesian sisters also offer counseling support about sexual exploitation and gender-based violence. 

According to the article, the Auxilium Skills Training Center is rated among the best in the country by Zambia’s Technical Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority. The center collaborates with the government and community and development organizations to address poverty, lack of skills training and high unemployment. Hundreds of youth graduate from the center each year and go on to become self-employed or work in restaurants, hotels and lodges. The center is also well-known for the support provided to women through counseling and business development opportunities.  

Ruth Mukuma, age 24, is another student at the center. She is studying to become a fashion designer and is in the tailoring course. She told Global Sisters Report, “I can’t wait to finish my course because my passion has always been to become a fashion designer. Thank you to this institution for adding value to what I want to become, as I can’t wait to live my dream and lift myself out of poverty.”  

Salesians in Zambia provide a range of social development programs and education to aid poor and at-risk youth so they can have a healthy productive life. Early education helps youth gain a foundation to allow them to later advance to skills training for employment. Basic needs are met along the way ensuring youth focus on their education. 

Poverty is widespread in Zambia with 64% of the total population living below the poverty line. For those living in rural areas, the poverty rate rises to 80%, according to UNICEF. Over the past three decades, incomes in Zambia have fallen steadily, and people do not have enough money to meet basic needs such as shelter, nutritious food and medical care. 

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Sources:  

Photo by Derrick Silimina. Photo used with permission of Global Sisters Report – Girls at risk in Zambia find residency, skills training with Salesian sisters 

Global Sisters Report – Girls at risk in Zambia find residency, skills training with Salesian sisters 

City of Hope  

Salesian Missions – Zambia 

UNICEF – Zambia