(ANS – Monrovia) – Last July 27^th, Liberia celebrated the 168^th anniversary of its independence. During the official speech, Ambassador Charles A. Minor highlighted the situation of poverty his Liberian compatriots have to face and which is further worsened by Ebola epidemic. Fr. Nicola Ciarapica declared that the choice of the Salesians is that of rolling up theirs sleeves, especially to be present in areas of formation of the young.

According to Ambassador Minor, many Liberians live on the margins of society, many still suffer from starvation. The cost of living is increasing and families find it difficult to meet their primary needs. We witness, he said, young women who choose to become sex workers both at home and abroad, as a means of earning a living, while joblessness is high.

The Liberian diplomat emphasized that health care and good education remain the most important challenges. A healthy lodging, electricity and drinking water are still lacking. The contagion of lethal Ebola virus (EVD) further worsened and brought to a critical stage the levels of poverty, ignorance and diseases. Basic infrastructures are also totally inadequate.

The choice of the Salesians, says Fr. Nicola Ciarapica, rector and economer of Don Bosco Youth Centre in Monrovia, is that of folding up their sleeves to be present especially in the field of formation of the young, favouring, promoting and sustaining school education and the human, spiritual and moral formation and the development of technical skills, so as to prepare the new generations to face the post Ebola situation in Liberia.

Published 25/08/2015