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Salesians in DR Congo Empowering Young Ex-Combatants with Education, Life Skills

Some ex-combatants at the Don Bosco Ngangi Center, located in Goma in DR Congo. Credit: Salesian Missions

Members of the Religious Institute of the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) serving in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are empowering young ex-combatants in the Central African nation with life and vocational skills.

In a Wednesday, September 1 report, SDB officials say the  “Don Bosco Ngangi Center, located in Goma, is working to transform the lives of youth who are at high risk of becoming victims of communal violence.”

“In addition to the life skills and technical and vocational skills training youth receive, Don Bosco Ngangi also provides a suitable environment for forming good Christians and honest, upright citizens,” SDB leadership says in the report published by Mission Newswire, the information service of the Salesians.

SDB members in DRC recount, “Since the beginning of August, 74 young ex-combatants and young girls and women who were collateral victims of community violence have been trained to become plumbers, bricklayers, hairdressers and beauticians.”

“The goal is to reduce violence in the community and give young men a chance at a prosperous future through legitimate means so that they do not join armed groups to earn a living. Young girls and women are given a second chance at life after being victims of violence,” SDB members explain.

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They further recall recent visit of Fondong Julius, from the office of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), to Don Bosco Ngangi Center. 

“The purpose of the visit was to assess the progress of young ex-combatants who are receiving skills training before returning to their villages,” Salesians in DRC say in the report.

In his address to the young ex-combatants who were attending vocational training courses, Mr. Fondong said, “Peace through reconciliation is first and foremost a spiritual matter.”

“This faith-promoting center must help you to return to your inner-self to reconcile with yourself, with your family and with your community. Because when you return to your respective villages, you will be ambassadors of peace and apostles of reconciliation,” he added.

At the end of the three months of training, these students will be citizens, craftsmen of reconciliation, peace and development, he said.

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Addressing the students who have left behind a life of violence, Mr. Fondong said, “You are all still young; you cannot lead a life of arms, armed conflict or violence.”

On his part, the Director of the Don Bosco Ngangi, Fr. Jean-Pierre Muhima, thanked Mr. Fondong not only for acknowledging the merits of SDB members in supervising young people, but also for contributing toward the restoration of social peace in the war-torn Kivu region.

Salesian missionaries have been working in the DRC for more than 100 years ensuring that the most vulnerable children are not forgotten. 

Salesian primary and secondary schools and programs lay the foundation for early learning while Salesian trade, vocational and agricultural programs offer many youth the opportunity for a stable and productive future.

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.