A Salesian school should target primarily poor and vulnerable children. For that reason, last September the Salesians organized an "entrance test" which is the exact opposite of those that take place in the more prestigious educational centres: the boys with the worst results were immediately offered a place in the literacy classes, while the better ones who do not need literacy classes were told to wait and then go directly to the professional courses if there were places available.
"The classrooms and laboratories are not very big, so we give priority to those who have greater need of basic training," explained the Director, Fr Pietro Gavioli, a Salesian missionary in the country for over 30 years.
Altogether about 150 young people have enrolled free of charge, including four girls aged 16-17. All of them were well used to living on the streets. For many of them it is difficult to sit still for hours and listen to even the minimum theory required. In addition to working in coordination with teachers, families and social workers, the Salesians are trying to create opportunities for singing, sports and other recreational activities, and they offer all the students a daily meal.
In addition to the one-year courses – with a possible apprenticeship – in construction, car mechanics and carpentry, this year they have also opened a repair and welding section which offers good employment opportunities in Bukavu. Girls who do not feel like learning "masculine" jobs, are directed to Nyota Center, where they can pursue a course for 1-2 years in tailoring and sewing.
If they succeed in adapting a working area, it is hoped within the year to open a hydraulic section to make use of equipment made available by the Belgian NGO "Doctors without holidays."
From this year they have signed an agreement with the Provincial Department of Justice, which will allow the Salesians access to the juvenile section of Bukavu prison for the moral and spiritual education of the young people, and to offer training at the centre for 30 young people who are in conflict with the law.
