Sierra Leone is one of the poorest African countries in the world, where 38% of children suffer from chronic malnutrition. A desperate condition that threatens their health and very survival every day. Misery, vulnerability and lack of sources of income for families are just some of the triggers of this plague that affects the smallest and most fragile, to which are added the serious consequences of 11 years of a bloody internal war, natural disasters, such as floods, landslides or fires, and the tragic Ebola epidemic, all of which have had a terrible impact on the population of this land.

The Salesians of Don Bosco operate in three communities in the country: Bo, where they dedicate themselves to agricultural and pastoral projects; Lungi, where they manage several schools; and Freetown, where they are divided into two presences and take care of the parish, the school, the youth center and Don Bosco Fambul.

Their commitment is aimed at the social and human development of young people, preparing them through work to face situations of greater vulnerability. The goal is to educate young people and give them autonomy, directing them towards a path of life and growth as productive citizens.

In 2016, the Don Bosco Fambul centre established a Girls Shelter program through the construction and start-up of a temporary shelter for girls between the ages of 9 and 17 who are victims of sexual exploitation. The project offers a safe and welcoming environment aimed at protecting, rehabilitating and reintegrating girls into society, using a holistic approach to respond to their physical, psychological, spiritual, moral and social needs.

The aim is to protect, rehabilitate and reintegrate girls out of prostitution. Since its founding in 2016, the Girls Shelter has successfully reunited over 550 girls with their families and provided them with educational opportunities (formal and informal) and support. The results were excellent as very few girls returned to the streets.

The girls are directed to the Don Bosco Girls Shelter by a special telephone line - the Don Bosco Child Line 323, the twin Don Bosco Mobil Department and the main institutional partners: the Ministry of Social Welfare, the Ministry of Gender and Children Affairs, the Family Support Unit of the Sierra Leone Police. In addition, the program's social workers visit the places where prostitution is most widespread, approach the girls, gain their trust and, by presenting them with a different life opportunity, invite them to reach the shelter.

Thanks to the solidarity promoted by the Christmas Concert in the Vatican 2023, the Salesians intend to increase the number of girls assisted: while in 2020 there were 36 and in 2021, 115, for next year the goal is to help 180 young people, strengthening the following activities: identification and reception of abused girls; rehabilitation through a path of physical, emotional and psychological healing and accompaniment that integrates food, accommodation and training at work; and finally, tracing and family reunification for the full social reintegration of young women. In addition, the areas of legal support for children and their violated rights, and networking, will also be developed to make support for young people as effective as possible.

For more information, visit: www.missionidonbosco.org 

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