The situation they face is not simple. First of all, a differentiation must be made between street children, those who live on the streets of Lagos, and minors who are forced to beg or steal during the day but who still have a home to return to every night. These two phenomena combined together generate very high numbers of children forced into insecurity, theft, delinquency or pickpocketing. What generates this sad reality is extreme poverty, neglect, abuse and domestic violence.
The Bosco Home Child Protection Centre, managed by the Salesians of the Province of Africa Nigeria and Niger (ANN), is located in the area of Onipetesi, in the city of Lagos, and is a beacon of hope for these young people who face situations of uncertainty and despair.
The Centre responds to the needs of these young people through a specific rehabilitation programme that includes accommodation, meals, education, medical care, clothing, counselling and psychotherapy sessions, acquisition of professional skills, contacts with the family and reintegration.
Currently, the house can only accommodate twenty children, but it is mobilising to start a new project that will accommodate eighty vulnerable girls and boys. In addition, there is a Vocational Training Centre that will allow many less privileged children and young people to acquire the necessary skills for self-support.
