Changing Lives, One Person at a Time

Changing Lives, One Person at a Time

(ANS – Freetown, Sierra Leone – July 12, 2024) – More than almost any other place on Earth, youths in Sierra Leone struggle to survive because of the consequences of abject poverty. Yet amid overwhelming adversity, there’s hope for something better, and it starts at Don Bosco Fambul.

Don Bosco Fambul is one of the country’s leading child welfare organizations—providing food, clothing, shelter, educational opportunities, counseling, crisis intervention, and family reunification services for an estimated 2,500 street children each year. Salesians and staff that run this center provide these important services in close partnership with local authorities, who rely on the Salesians’ expertise and shared commitment.

“Despite Sierra Leone’s constitutional guarantee to protect and educate its children, there simply aren’t enough government resources to help vulnerable children,” explains Fr. Michael Conway, director of Salesian Missions in New Rochelle. “That’s where Don Bosco Fambul steps in—changing lives one step, and one young person, at a time.”

Such transformation starts at the street level—literally—with Don Bosco Mobil.

Officially established in 2010 as the primary contact point for many of Don Bosco Fambul’s beneficiaries, the Don Bosco on Wheels outreach bus travels to Freetown’s most notorious neighborhoods. They offer meals, clean clothes, showers, and basic health care to children living and working on the streets. Staff also educate these children about Don Bosco Fambul’s full complement of programs so that—if and when youths are ready to make a change—they know where to turn for help.

“It’s not hard to imagine the skepticism and fear among homeless youths who spend their days dodging exploitation and abuse,” Fr. Mike says. “That’s why the staff who operate Don Bosco on Wheels invests considerable time into gaining the confidence and trust of vulnerable youths.”

That’s how Titus, now 19, learned about Don Bosco Fambul. He first began spending time on the streets when he was just 7 years old—a coping mechanism for escaping dire poverty and despair at home. Rather than return to his parents after school, he would roam the sidewalks and alleyways of Freetown until midnight. Sometimes, he would steal money in order to eat—which led to his being kicked out of the house permanently.

For 2 years, young Titus fended for himself … and then Don Bosco Mobil rolled into his life.

Initially, staff worked with Titus and his family in hope of reunifying them. When those efforts didn’t succeed, he entered Don Bosco Fambul’s Group Home for boys, where he received the support he needed to reshape his future.

And the results are tangible. Missionaries at the Group Home report that Titus is a lector, an altar server, a brass band player, a baker, a practicing tailor, and a singer! He is also enrolled in Milton Margai Technical University, with plans to become a social worker so that he can help more kids like himself.

Titus is just one of the young people who have found new hope at Don Bosco Fambul. Thanks to caring people, many more precious children will be rescued from the streets.

Source: Salesian Missions