(ANS - Tema) - "You cannot stop the wind with your hands", says an African proverb. But you can hear the wind and interpret the signs of the time,  as the Gospel invites us to do, trying to be merciful like the Father towards those who have fallen into the ruthless network of human trafficking. In this light we can interpret the visit made by Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major, to a centre for child victims of trafficking, on the afternoon of Saturday 6 February.

The Salesian "Child Protection Centre" is located in Tema, near Ashaiman, not far from the capital, Accra. It was started in 2014, following the appeal made by the same Rector Major to the Salesians to dedicate themselves mind, body and soul to the "most needy young people who challenge us with their cries of pain." Since its launch, 153 children and teenagers have passed through this centre. The Rector Major met 26 of them. The rest have been brought back to their homes or placed with foster families who take care of them. All the residents of the centre take part in a regular educational programme.

Theme is currently in full swing also an awareness and information campaign on the risks of illegal migration. The campaign includes interviews with those who survived the journey and are now back in their communities, as well as video and radio campaigns, headlines in newspapers, forums, films and debates in rural areas, etc. The Office of Planning and Development of the Province and the Don Bosco Youth Network, in collaboration with the VIS and Don Bosco Missions in Turin, are reaching thousands of young people, creating awareness of the many forms of fraud, trafficking and exploitation facing those who venture on such voyages, and at the same time giving information about the possibilities of development that exist in Ghana.

The meeting with the young people of the centre was really moving for the Rector Major. Speaking of a little girl that he met in Tema, Fr Á.F. Artime wrote on Facebook: "My heart melted when I came to know that you were saved during a raid, when you were about to be 'used', losing your life (poor thing) to extract your vital organs."

Published 08/02/2016