(ANS – Luanda) – On 7 December in Luanda, in the Mota district,  after re-structuring, the Michael Magone Family Home was re-opened. Carried out as part of “The path for life – Strenghtening the network of Social Protection for the most vulnerable and marginalised children and adolescents in Luanda”, the re-structuring programme was jointly financed by the European Union and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

 The work has considerably improved the Home’s ability to welcome the youngsters. Renovation of the sleeping quarters, of the electrics and of the shared areas, and a new water collecting and piping plant,  with the restructuring of the toilets as well as the considerable modernisation and improvement in the sewerage system has greatly increased the quality of life and the hygiene, and indirectly the health of the residents.

In the home there are 23 youngsters who are permanent residents, and on average another 20 who spend the night there so as not to have to sleep on the streets. Young people from International Voluntary Service for Development (VIS) work there. Thanks to the dedication of the teachers and the involvement of the whole community, the youngsters who have only just given up their life on the streets, find in the Home not only a physically safe place where they are protected, but especially an opportunity to build a better future for themselves and for society.

Taking part in the opening ceremony were the Italian Ambassador in Angola, Dr. Giuseppe Mistretta, representatives of the European Union, of UNICEF, of the National Institute for Children and the Superior of the “Mamá Muxima” Vice Province of Angola, Fr Filiberto Rodríguez Martin. At the simple ceremony the youngsters and their teachers took centre stage as they described the history of the Home, its educative-pedagogical aims, and the play and recreational activities they are involved in.
 
Published 09/12/2011