The Don Bosco Ngangi Youth Center in Goma has inaugurated a new girls’ boarding school, fostering a safe educational environment for 56 vulnerable girls. In partnership with Maison Marguerite and supported by Don Bosco Bonn, this effort seeks to enhance the socio-economic reintegration of girls affected by local conflict and gender-based violence. The initiative reflects a century-long commitment by Salesian missionaries to support orphaned and vulnerable youth in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
A new girls’ boarding school has officially opened at the Foyer Anuarite within the Don Bosco Ngangi Youth Center in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo. This facility will accommodate up to 56 girls, providing them with a safe environment that emphasizes education, vocational training, and awareness about girls’ rights. The project is a collaboration with Maison Marguerite, another organization within the same center, and is supported by Don Bosco Bonn in Germany as part of the Afrique Centrale 23-122 initiative.
The initiative aims to aid the socio-economic reintegration of vulnerable girls affected by the ongoing conflict in North Kivu Province, where many have experienced gender-based violence. At the opening ceremony, Father Gauthier Tshibangu celebrated a Catholic Mass, expressing joy for the girl’s enthusiasm and gratitude towards the benefactors that made the school a reality. The ceremony included a tour of the new facility, followed by the blessing of the premises and recreational activities for the youth.
The Don Bosco Center Ngangi, noted for its comprehensive range of services, has evolved to support vocational training, housing for refugees, rehabilitation for child soldiers, and programs addressing nutritional and medical needs. It remains a vital resource for the surrounding communities, providing essential support to orphaned or abandoned children and refugees. Many students rely on the center for access to nutritious meals.
Salesian missionaries have dedicated over a century to assisting vulnerable children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, establishing primary and secondary educational institutions and vocational training programs aimed at providing youth with stable futures. Despite the nation’s rich natural resources, it remains impoverished, with half of its population living on less than $1 a day and over 8.5 million individuals requiring urgent humanitarian assistance due to internal conflict and ongoing violence.
The establishment of the girls’ boarding school at the Don Bosco Ngangi Youth Center signifies an important step towards providing educational opportunities for girls in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The socio-political instability in the region has led to significant challenges for many young women, who often face violence and discrimination. This project, part of a much broader initiative focusing on the socio-economic reintegration of vulnerable groups, highlights the ongoing efforts by Salesians of Don Bosco and allied organizations to address these challenges. Key partnerships, such as with Maison Marguerite, enhance the range of support available to these girls, providing them with needed resources to thrive despite adverse circumstances.
The opening of the new girls’ boarding school at the Don Bosco Ngangi Youth Center marks a pivotal advancement in creating safe educational environments for vulnerable girls in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. With support from international partners, the initiative seeks to empower young women through education and vocational training, addressing the pervasive issues of gender-based violence and socio-economic challenges in the region. The continued commitment of Salesian missionaries to these efforts highlights the importance of nurturing the potential of girls and providing hope for a brighter future in a challenging context.
Original Source: missionnewswire.org
