With their hearts full of gratitude, 56 vulnerable girls have settled into a long-awaited Salesian-run girls boarding school at Foyer Anuarite. It’s the newest facility within Don Bosco Ngangi in Goma, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and it addresses the urgent needs of girls and young women in the region.

The boarding school is unique because of its focus on women’s issues. Many of the young women and girls have endured physical and sexual trauma because the region is dangerous and crime-ridden. The school provides the girls with a safe environment and raises awareness about gender-based violence and women’s rights.

The facility’s inauguration included Holy Mass celebrated by Father Gauthier Tshibangu, our Salesian provincial delegate for Central and East Africa. The day continued with a special blessing and a tour of the new building, a festive celebration for all in attendance, and recreational games for youth. The younger children were excited to play on the grounds of their new home.

“The Don Bosco Ngangi Center is one of the most comprehensive Salesian organizations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,” explained Father Michal Conway, Director of Salesian Missions. “Built as an extension to the existing school and sports field, the girls’ school is perfectly positioned to set these young women up for success.”

The Center offers psychological support to help the girls heal from their traumatic experiences. A variety of educational and vocational programs are available, offering many different options to learn and grow. Nutritional food and medical care are also provided. There are even specialized courses to teach young families how to raise their children.

Foyer Anuarite is part of a larger initiative to support the re-integration of vulnerable girls and young women back into their communities. Thanks to caring friends like you, our Salesian missionaries are making a profound impact on a global scale, transforming the lives of at-risk youth who would otherwise be destined for poverty, depression and hopelessness.

Learn more about our work in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Our mission is to empower vulnerable girls and young women to overcome their hardships and guide them toward a productive and fulfilling future. What’s your mission?

*Any goods, services, or funds provided by Salesian Missions to programs located in this country were administered in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control.