Salesians have inaugurated a new girls’ boarding school at the Don Bosco Ngangi Youth Center in Goma, DR Congo, to accommodate 56 girls. Funded by Don Bosco Bonn, the initiative focuses on the integration of vulnerable girls affected by conflict. The center provides comprehensive support, including vocational training and nutritional aid, in a region struggling with poverty and humanitarian crises.
Salesians recently inaugurated a new girls’ boarding school at Foyer Anuarite, part of the Don Bosco Ngangi Youth Center in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo. This facility is designed to accommodate 56 girls and aims to create a secure and supportive educational atmosphere, emphasizing vocational training and awareness of girls’ rights. The project collaborates with Maison Marguerite, another organization within the same compound.
Funding for this initiative was provided by Don Bosco Bonn in Germany, as part of the Afrique Centrale 23-122 program. This initiative seeks to assist the socio-economic reintegration of vulnerable girls, particularly those affected by the ongoing conflict in North Kivu Province. Many of these girls have suffered from gender-based violence due to the regional turmoil.
The opening event featured a Catholic Mass led by Father Gauthier Tshibangu, provincial delegate for Central and East Africa. In his homily, he expressed happiness for the enthusiasm displayed by the attendees and acknowledged the completion of the long-awaited facility. He also prayed for the benefactors who supported the project.
Father Michael Conway, director of Salesian Missions, remarked on the comprehensive nature of the Don Bosco Center Ngangi, which has developed into a multifaceted institution providing vocational training, refugee housing, and rehabilitation for child soldiers, as well as nutritional and medical support for the community.
The center caters to numerous refugee camps in the vicinity of Goma, offering aid to orphans, abandoned children, and disaster victims. For many, this institution provides the only daily nutritious meal available. Salesian missionaries have dedicated over a century to ensuring that vulnerable children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo receive attention and support.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo, despite its abundant natural resources, continues to face significant poverty, with half of its population living on less than $1 per day, especially in rural areas. Ongoing violence has left approximately 8.5 million people urgently needing humanitarian assistance, underscoring the vital role of organizations like Salesian Missions in the region.
The establishment of the girls’ boarding school at the Don Bosco Ngangi Youth Center reflects a concerted effort to provide educational opportunities and safety for girls in a country beset by conflict. The initiative underscores the importance of supporting the socio-economic reintegration of vulnerable populations and highlights the long-standing commitment of Salesian missionaries in providing assistance and access to education for over 100 years in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This comprehensive approach addresses both immediate needs, such as safety and nutrition, as well as long-term objectives through vocational training.
The new girls’ boarding school at the Don Bosco Ngangi Youth Center represents a significant step towards providing educational opportunities and safety for vulnerable girls in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Funded through international collaboration, this initiative tackles major socio-economic challenges while recognizing the critical need for continued support and protection for those affected by ongoing violence. As stated by Father Conway, Salesian organizations play a vital role in fostering development and stability in a region plagued by poverty and conflict.
Original Source: missionnewswire.org
