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Ivory Coast – Integral care for minors at risk in Salesian family homes

13 October 2020

(ANS - Abidjan) - The "Our Lady of Peace" Province of West Francophone Africa (AFO), based in Abidjan, extends over eight countries: Ivory Coast, Senegal, Mali, Gambia, Togo, Guinea, Burkina Faso and Benin. In the current context of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Province has provided emergency health care and food projects in shelters for minors in difficult situations: one in Abidjan, in the Ivory Coast, and the other in Kara, Togo.

The Abidjan project was fulfilled thanks to the support of the Salesian Mission Office "Don Bosco Mission" in Bonn, Germany, and took place in two locations: the "Don Bosco House" of the Salesians (SDB), which houses 41 young people, and the “Maria Domenica Mazzarello House” for the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA), which welcomes 21 girls, from the municipality of Koumassi, in the city of Abidjan.

With the collaboration of 9 educators, and the supervision of a crisis management unit composed of two educators per home, the initiative has made it possible to acquire different types of equipment and materials necessary to prevent infections, such as devices for washing hands, materials for personal hygiene and health ... Furthermore, both minors and staff have been made aware of the dangers of Covid-19 and the measures to be taken to prevent it.

The houses have also ensured full care of children and young people. Besides making food kits, medicines and basic necessities available, and in consideration of the closure of schools and confinement, they have taken steps to keep minors busy in a healthy and enjoyable way with school reinforcement activities, readings, educational games and the viewing of courses via national television.

The project carried out in Kara, Togo, and supported by the Salesian Mission Office "Misiones Salesianas" in Madrid, Spain, was similar, with an integral care for minors, through activities for the prevention of infections, healthy nutrition, constant health monitoring, educational and recreational activities. In the Togolese center, there were 66 beneficiaries: 48 boys and 18 girls, assisted by 11 educators.

From both centers, in the Ivory Coast and in Togo, a heartfelt thanks was expressed to the Salesian General Coordination "DON BOSCO SOLIDARITY VS COVID-19" for its commitment and effort in the fight against the coronavirus.

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