New Girls’ Boarding School Opens at Don Bosco Ngangi Center in DRC
A new girls’ boarding school was inaugurated at the Don Bosco Ngangi Youth Center in Goma, DRC, aimed at providing education and vocational training for 56 girls. Funded by Don Bosco Bonn, the initiative supports girls affected by local conflict and gender-based violence. The opening ceremony featured a Mass led by Father Gauthier Tshibangu, celebrating the center’s initiatives for vulnerable populations, particularly amidst the challenges of poverty in the region.
A new girls’ boarding school has been established at the Foyer Anuarite, located within the Don Bosco Ngangi Youth Center in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo. This facility will accommodate 56 girls, providing a safe educational environment that promotes vocational training and awareness regarding girls’ rights. The initiative is a joint effort with Maison Marguerite, another institution working within the complex.
Financed by Don Bosco Bonn in Germany, the school is part of the Afrique Centrale 23-122 initiative focused on supporting the socio-economic reintegration of vulnerable girls, particularly those affected by the ongoing conflict in North Kivu Province. Many young women in the region have suffered from gender-based violence due to this conflict.
During the opening ceremony, a Catholic Mass was celebrated by Father Gauthier Tshibangu, the provincial delegate for Central and East Africa. He expressed his joy at the successful completion of the building and the enthusiasm of those in attendance. Father Tshibangu also offered prayers for the benefactors from Don Bosco Bonn and acknowledged the contributions of other partner organizations involved in the project.
After Mass, a tour of the new facility took place, followed by the blessing of the premises. The event concluded with a photo session and recreational games for the youth in attendance. Father Michael Conway, director of Salesian Missions, commended the Don Bosco Center Ngangi for its extensive range of services for vulnerable populations, including vocational training, refugee housing, and medical support.
The center provides essential services to numerous refugee camps surrounding Goma, catering to orphans, abandoned children, and disaster victims. For many, it is their only source of a daily nutritious meal. Salesian missionaries have worked in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for over a century, focusing on the needs of the most vulnerable children, ensuring they are not overlooked in society.
Although the Democratic Republic of the Congo is rich in natural resources, a significant portion of the population survives below the poverty line, living on less than one dollar per day. Ongoing conflict has left millions in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, highlighting the necessity of programs like those offered at the Don Bosco Center Ngangi.
The opening of the new girls’ boarding school at the Don Bosco Ngangi Youth Center is part of a broader initiative aimed at addressing the socio-economic challenges faced by vulnerable girls in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Given the ongoing conflict and history of gender-based violence in the region, educational institutions like this play a crucial role in empowering young women and facilitating their reintegration into society. This project is supported by various partners, illustrating a collaborative effort to improve the lives of affected youth.
The establishment of the new girls’ boarding school at the Don Bosco Ngangi Youth Center represents a significant stride towards providing a secure and nurturing environment for vulnerable girls in Goma. This project not only emphasizes the importance of education and vocational training but also illustrates a collaborative approach to addressing the socio-economic challenges faced by young women in the region. The proceeds from such initiatives are vital in combating poverty and promoting the rights of girls amid challenging circumstances.
Original Source: missionnewswire.org
