The renowned Freetown, Sierra Leone-based child welfare organisation, Don Bosco Fambul, has greatly increased the number of vulnerable youths it serves, especially girls who have experienced sexual abuse and exploitation. This incredible development has been made possible by a grant that Salesian Missions obtained from the prestigious Flora Family Foundation, a charitable organisation committed to promoting social justice, environmental sustainability, and cultural vibrancy.
Don Bosco Fambul has strengthened its efforts by augmenting its current programmes with vital staffing support, thanks to the kind of funding it received. The organisation has been able to improve its services and outreach due to the infusion of resources, which has allowed it to address the diverse needs of marginalised youths in the area. Don Bosco Fambul has expanded its reach and impact within the community by hiring a Programme Manager, Advocacy Officer, and Communications Officer.
One of the most significant outcomes of this support has been the increased public awareness campaigns that Don Bosco Fambul has carried out, with particular emphasis on child sexual exploitation. The organisation has been successful in educating the public on important issues like sex offences, child rights, and the repercussions of breaking these laws, through campaigns like promoting the Child Line 525 for reporting abuse and crimes against children.
Don Bosco Fambul has been instrumental in ensuring the safety of the community’s most vulnerable children by offering guidance on how to obtain justice in such situations. Don Bosco Fambul demonstrated its dedication to empowering young girls who have experienced hardship, including those who have been sexually abused and coerced into prostitution, during the celebration of its 25th anniversary in 2023. Over 600 girls’ lives have been transformed by the innovative Girls OS+ (Hope Plus) programme, which was started by former Director, Father Jorge Crisafulli.
Located inside a therapeutic centre, this programme provides holistic rehabilitation and support for the physical, psychological, and spiritual healing of young girls involved in prostitution, giving them a haven.
A recipient by the name of Mabel gave her moving account of her journey of metamorphosis while considering the effects of the Girls OS+ programme. Don Bosco Fambul’s initiatives had a profound impact on Mabel’s life, as she was able to achieve financial independence and build a successful career through skill training in hairdressing, education at the Portree Vocational Training Centre, and access to essential resources.
Don Bosco Fambul offers specialised programmes, as well as the services of committed social workers who actively interact with at-risk youths in a variety of contexts, and encourage them to take part in the organization’s life-changing initiatives. Don Bosco Fambul, with its sturdy infrastructure that includes four sizable buildings, a clinic, lodging for social workers and volunteers, a house for the Salesian community, and a chapel, is a ray of hope in West Africa, providing a secure setting for girls to recover from trauma and set out on a path to recovery.
Don Bosco Fambul, which embodies the values of compassion, resilience, and community support, continues to have a significant impact on the lives of those who are most vulnerable, through its unwavering dedication to child welfare and empowerment in Sierra Leone.
