In Tambacounda, the Salesians have been animating their center since the 80s with a parish, oratory and vocational training center; recently, a small Projects Office was opened by the Salesian association "Don Bosco 2000" which, in collaboration with the Turin Mission Office - "Missioni Don Bosco" - and VIS, the "International Volunteering for Development" NGO, are working to promote the education and vocational training of young people as well as fostering development of micro-businesses for and by the young in the fields of tourism, crafts and agriculture. In practice, it supports the local development and economy by creating concrete employment opportunities.
This is why it has decided to involve 4 of the area's young, all potential migrants: Adama, Jeronime, Maxime and Doudou. They will work to create a vegetable garden, a small farm, together with another young man: Seny Diallo.
The role of Seny is fundamental to the project: he is a returning migrant, involved in the "Cooperation Circular" protocol: in practice, those who have already experienced migration and return to the country of origin are trained to become tutors of other young people, the aim being to prevent trafficking.
The project foresees the start of a vegetable farm by preparing the soil, sowing and raising crops. On the plot of land, owned by Adama, an indispensable well for irrigation will also be dug. Once harvested, the vegetables (okra, tomatoes, peppers and other local vegetables) will be sold at local markets.
The youths involved were chosen based on specific characteristics: Jeronime and Maxime attended a course on Agriculture provided by VIS; Adama is the owner of the land, in the village of Nettebolou, on which the vegetable garden will be created; Doudou is an expert farmer, while Seny is extremely motivated towards providing others with a chance to stay in Senegal.
They have the whole future ahead of them and have the right to live their future safely, in their own land, alongside their loved ones.
For further information, please visit the website: www.missionidonbosco.org
