The high school drop-out rates among children living in slums are the result of a social, economic and cultural context in which the need to contribute to the family income is the first direct consequence: it is the parents themselves who favour the choice of work over education, perpetuating the cycle of poverty and illiteracy.
Child labour is therefore widespread in the slums and exposes children to exploitation and extremely dangerous conditions. To counter this bleak reality, the DBNJ intervenes to promote education, protection and opportunities for growth among slum children.
In such a context, the Salesians seek all possible options to solve the problems faced by these at-risk minors and initiate education and development initiatives whenever possible.
Among the most recent proposals is one that envisages school support activities designed to ensure that these girls and boys can really learn what is shared with them at school. In practice this consists of two hours every afternoon, in all 10 slums, with a snack and distribution of teaching materials which are accompanied by punctual visits by educators to the schools attended by the children, to monitor their attendance and performance.
Alongside the educational activities are recreational activities (with the organisation of summer camps and oratory activities two Saturdays a month) and psychological support (with workshops on self-esteem, anger management, creative thinking, etc.).
The project also includes health support with the distribution of specific food for malnutrition and anaemia, monthly medical check-ups for adults at risk, and awareness-raising activities on hygiene and health issues.
There are also interventions involving not only minors but the entire slum population, such as the organisation of events for everyone during the Children's and Adolescents' Rights Week, the creation of groups such as a Children's Parliament and an Adolescents Parliament, a Mothers' Committee and a Local Action Committee, as well as the distribution of information material on childcare programmes.
With all these initiatives, the Salesians of Don Bosco Navajeevan try to bring hope to the difficult realities of the slums.
For more information, please visit: www.missionidonbosco.org
