ROME

Feb. 2, 2017

(Excerpt) While the process of healing and reconciliation continues in Colombia after 52 years of war, Salesians in the country are helping some of the most vulnerable victims of the conflict: former child-soldiers.

On the lush green hillsides of Colombia’s second-largest city, Medellin, sits “Ciudad Don Bosco” (“Don Bosco City”), an oasis of peace for young men and women who continue to bear — both physically and mentally — the scars of war and violence.

Two former child-soldiers along with Salesian Father Rafael Bejarano, director of “Ciudad Don Bosco,” and James Areiza, the home’s program director for child protection, were in Rome Feb. 2 to present a documentary on some of the children’s journey toward recovery and reintegration.

See the full Catholic News Service article by Junno Arocho Esteves: Salesian home gives former child-soldiers new lease on life

###