In recent weeks, the global focus of the pandemic has shifted from the heart of old Europe to Africa, Latin America, the United States, Russia, India ... The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that the pandemic is accelerating and is very concerned about the health consequences and the extreme poverty it is generating in the most vulnerable groups.
The Salesians in Mali are well aware that Africa risks suffering the consequences of the pandemic in a very hard manner and, for this reason, they aim to support the young and the most vulnerable families with whom they work.
Thus, disinfection devices were also installed in the Salesian educational centers of Bamako, Sikasso and Touba, where activities have resumed.
"The installation of handwashing devices in our Vocational Training Centers in Bamako, Sikasso and Touba guarantees the education of the most vulnerable," explains Fr Salami.
The Salesian educational centers had closed for months, but recently the government has allowed the resumption of activities. "Thanks to the collaboration of 'Bosco Global' we have managed to comply with the safety measures required in most of our projects. We distributed masks to every student and to the whole educational community and disinfectants were made available," adds the Salesian.
It is true that it is very difficult to apply protection measures in an overcrowded context, but it is necessary to do so, and education to do so is urgently needed, as the virus can affect anyone. Furthermore, if it is true that those with a good economic and social position have less chance of being exposed to the infection, the question is: what happens in Mali where most of the population lives by the day, in overcrowded environments, without water and without toilets?
Fr Salami is confident that awareness campaigns to comply with security measures are essential to contain the pandemic.
“We are working very hard to sensitize the population about the risks of contagion and the necessary protective measures. It is not easy, in the context of poverty in which we work. But there is no choice, we must all be aware of our personal responsibility to stop the pandemic, "concluded Fr Salami.
Source: Boscoglobal
