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Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone: Young women who have been exploited receive comprehensive support

Don Bosco Fambul provides educational, training opportunities

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Fambul, located in Freetown, Sierra Leone and one of the country’s leading child-welfare organizations, supports young women who have been victims of the sex trade by providing them with training in hotel, catering, tailoring, or hairdressing disciplines, or formal education. Recently, 35 school pupils and 50 skills training students received financial aid, food and clothing through support from donors including Medicor Foundation, Jugend Eine Welt, and the City of Vienna.

Every beneficiary received a bag of rice to help meet their nutritional needs, a cash contribution to support daily expenses, and a packet of assorted clothing items to enhance their comfort and dignity. This support is crucial in improving the overall well-being of the youth and enabling them to thrive in their respective environments.

Don Bosco Fambul also facilitates the Mobil Project, designed to identify areas where children living on the streets and girls involved in commercial sex work face significant risks. The project’s primary mission is to recruit youth in need into the program, provide them with rehabilitation and support, and reintegrate them into society as empowered individuals. In the 2024-2025 academic year, the Mobil Project proudly supported 55 students in grades ranging from primary and senior secondary school. The students received school bags, learning materials, and financial aid to cover their school fees and other associated expenses.

A Salesian said, “This crucial support ensures that these students can concentrate on their education without the burden of financial challenges. This remarkable achievement would not have been possible without the generous contributions of our incredible donors. Their unwavering support is making a lasting impact, transforming lives and paving the way for a brighter future for these children. We thank them for being a part of this journey.”

Over the last few years, Don Bosco Fambul has provided assistance for nearly 11,000 children and youth suffering violations of their fundamental rights. Through education, Salesians and a large multidisciplinary team of social workers transform the lives of youth to allow them to take control of their own lives. Don Bosco Fambul also offers a 525 Childline toll-free number, available throughout the country, 24 hours a day/7 days a week for youth who suffer any type of violence.