In Benin, children's rights are not a priority for the government. Just look at the budget dedicated to the care and protection of children. The Don Bosco Foyer serves boys and girls in very complex situations: children abandoned by their families, victims of abuse, young people who are victims of forced marriages. The Foyer offers a home that welcomes, protects, educates and accompanies. The Foyer seeks to create new opportunities so that tomorrow the young people who attend will have the opportunity to build a better future. In this situation, the great work that the Salesians are doing is an investment for the future.
The situation of the rights of children and young people is very serious because, as Fr Elie Assogba, Director of Don Bosco Foyer in Kandi, says "most people ignore the problem." The educational system "is based on violence and threat". This violation of rights is normalized. In such a situation it is critical that the work of educators and teachers with families and with the other institutions of society be coordinated. The young people themselves may be the best vehicle to raise awareness of their rights among their classmates and peers.
The Don Bosco Foyer in Kandi is running a project called "Improvement of equipment at Don Bosco Foyer, Kandi, Benin". It seeks to revive the commitment of all to the "Right to education."
