The work of Salesians and Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in Togo dates back almost half a century ago. Since then, the religious of the Salesian Family have been committed to training thousands of children and young people, most of whom are at risk of marginalization, to offer them and their families a better future.
A clear example of all this is the project that "Bosco Global", with the support of the Municipality of Malaga, started at the beginning of the year in Kara at the FMA's "Foyer Jean XXIII" Education and Formation Center.
This project aims to offer opportunities to young people through training and accompaniment towards decent work. In practice, it tries to train young people, most of whom have dropped out of school, through courses and workshops in Cooking-Pastry Making, and Cutting and Sewing.
Once the courses have been completed, the boys and girls who benefit from them, of various religions, ethnicities and nationalities, receive a diploma recognized by the State which will facilitate their entry into the job market.
Furthermore, this action aims to make the training of the Center known and positively appreciated by local youth. The project seeks to adapt its courses to the needs of students and the world of work, while improving the equipment of the tailoring, cooking and hairdressing workshops and, at the same time, creating a team that favors the employment of the center's students in companies through internships and apprenticeships.
In Kara, a large number of young people do not have access to school and youth unemployment is very high. Most young people have unskilled jobs and very precarious working conditions, which further weakens this segment of society and makes it even more vulnerable.
The socio-cultural situation, combined with the economic difficulties of many families in guaranteeing basic studies for their children, make it difficult for them to continue their studies, especially for girls. For this reason, the initiative carried out by the Salesian NGO is an unprecedented opportunity for many boys and girls to have accredited vocational training that allows them to integrate into the professional world in dignified conditions.
