Madagascar: A Second Chance at Life
Nearly 70 percent of Madagascar’s population lives in abject poverty—a harsh reality that too often forces parents to abandon their children.
“It’s heartbreaking,” says Father Michael Conway, director of Salesian Missions. “Parents don’t want to make this choice, but they simply can’t afford to feed their families. So kids end up living on the streets, where they’re vulnerable to all sorts of negative impacts … labor exploitation, violence, illness and more.”
With no home, and no caring adult to look after them, many of these children end up in state-run “re-education” centers—sent there by authorities who lack other viable options or resources to address this growing problem. In Anjanamasina, a suburb of the capital city Antananarivo, 110 boys are crammed into the “Home for Little Rascals,” whose capacity is only 60. As Fr. Mike explains, being at this center—and having to deal with the conditions inside—can negatively and permanently impact children’s self-esteem and belief in their own potential.
That’s why our missionaries are working hard on their behalf. In fact, center officials invited the Salesians to provide on-site support services for the boys.
Every Sunday and on special occasions, they serve warm meals and organize musical, theatrical and sporting activities. These gestures help youth feel loved and valued, rather than neglected and forgotten.
Additionally, Salesians run their own center in Anjanamasina, where as many as 115 boys—including abandoned street children—receive meals, participate in activities and sports, and have a safe place to live.
“Youth who are in these facilities because they were living on the street deserve a second chance at life,” says Fr. Mike. “By helping with their spiritual growth and offering meaningful social support, our missionaries are providing hope for a better future—exactly what Don Bosco himself would have done.”
South Africa: A Fresh Start in Life
Today in South Africa, far too many people struggle to survive on less than $1 a day. More than 63% of children live below the poverty line. And many of their parents can’t afford to feed, clothe or house them. As a result, many youth live on the streets, seeking odd jobs to earn a little money, or begging for change to buy food. When they don’t succeed and despair hits hard, some turn to substances to numb their pain.
In Cape Town, the Salesian Institute offers a comprehensive approach to help address the plight of these youth. Here, three integrated programs offer a fresh start in life—a chance for youth to take charge of their futures, and live as productive members of society.
First, children enter the Center of Hope, where they take part in programs and activities designed to ease their transition from the streets. This is where the children begin the hard work of rebuilding their self-esteem and learning to trust adults. They receive safe shelter, meals and educational opportunities. Every day, between 40 and 60 youth participate in the Center’s activities.
The next step is the Learn to Live School, which prepares youth ages 13-19 to return to the classroom. Students study reading, writing and arithmetic, and regularly interact with positive adult role models. There are 26-36 students per class, with 14-20 students per workshop lesson. Students over the age of 16 take technical training workshops to learn basic skills in fields like hairdressing, hospitality, electrical work and woodworking.
Finally, youth between the ages of 18 and 26 can choose to enroll in the Youth Employment Skills (YES) program, where they gain practical knowledge for in-demand jobs in sectors including bricklaying, tiling and laminating floors, computer maintenance, computer literacy and office management. To complement these new technical skills, students also learn “soft skills”—the social resources that prepare them for professional settings. The YES program aims to place every graduate into a job once their coursework is complete; to date, 80% have succeeded!
In these ways, the Salesians are equipping marginalized and forgotten youth to escape a life of poverty and build a better future.
