The Salesians inaugurated a new girls’ boarding school at the Don Bosco Ngangi Youth Center in Goma, DRC, to house 56 girls. This initiative, in collaboration with Maison Marguerite, aims to provide safe education and vocational training while addressing the needs of vulnerable girls affected by conflict. Funded by Don Bosco Bonn, it forms part of a larger effort to support socio-economic reintegration in the strife-affected region.
The Salesians have inaugurated a new girls’ boarding school named Foyer Anuarite at the Don Bosco Ngangi Youth Center located in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo. This facility is designed to accommodate 56 girls, creating a secure educational space that emphasizes vocational training and an awareness of girls’ rights. The project collaborates with Maison Marguerite, another organization operating within the same site.
This initiative is financially supported by Don Bosco Bonn in Germany and is part of the Afrique Centrale 23-122 initiative, which aims to aid the socio-economic reintegration of vulnerable girls, especially those impacted by the ongoing conflicts in the North Kivu Province. These conflicts have disproportionately affected young women who are often victims of gender-based violence.
The inaugural ceremony featured a Catholic Mass led by Father Gauthier Tshibangu, the provincial delegate for Central and East Africa. In his sermon, he expressed delight at the joy of the students and participants, celebrating the completion of the long-awaited school building. He also offered prayers of gratitude for the benefactors involved, especially from Don Bosco Bonn.
Following the Mass, attendees toured the new facilities, which concluded with a blessing of the premises. The event included recreational activities and games for the youth, fostering a sense of community and joy.
Father Michael Conway, director of Salesian Missions, remarked, “Don Bosco Center Ngangi is one of the most comprehensive Salesian organizations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.” He highlighted the center’s multi-faceted support, which includes vocational training and assistance for various vulnerable groups, including refugees, orphans, and disaster victims.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo faces significant challenges, including extreme poverty where approximately half of the population survives on less than $1 daily. The ongoing civil strife and violence have left more than 8.5 million individuals in urgent need of humanitarian aid. The newly opened girls’ boarding school is a crucial part of efforts to provide educational and socio-economic opportunities to young women affected by these crises. The Salesians have a longstanding commitment to helping vulnerable children in the region by offering education and various support services for over a century.
The opening of the Foyer Anuarite at the Don Bosco Ngangi Youth Center represents a pivotal step towards enhancing educational opportunities for vulnerable girls in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The collaboration among various organizations has successfully addressed the pressing needs of girls affected by conflict, emphasizing vocational training and awareness of rights. Such initiatives are critical in paving the way towards socio-economic reintegration and empowerment for these young women.
Original Source: missionnewswire.org
