(ANS – Freetown) – On Friday 27 April, Independence Day in Sierra Leone, the Salesian community from the “Don Bosco Fambul” were received in the Presidential Residence by the President of the Repubblica, the Hon. Ernest Bai Koroma. They received the Presidential Medal Gold in recognition of their role in addressing issues affecting the under-privileged and disadvantaged children.

The ceremony was broadcast live by National Television. During the subsequent Press Conference the Salesian Brother Lothar Wagner said: “This award honours our work and encourages us to strive to make our social-pastoral work even more effective in the future”. He added that this award was particularly directed at the 97 members of staff, volunteers and the Salesians of Don Bosco who work every day for thr young.

“Today, also our premium partners ought to celebrate, too,” emphasised the 38-year Salesian Brother. The success of the work largely depended on the support of the German partners, Don Bosco Mission as well as Don Bosco Mondo, and the Austrian organisation “Jugend Eine Welt”. “Wi na wan Fambul,” said the theologian and social worker in the vernacular. “We are one family”.

During the press conference Brother Lothar Wagner also referred to the verdict of the War Crimes Tribunal against the former war monger Charles Taylor. He called the verdict against Taylor an important step towards man’s reconciliation among each other. Even if the verdict was a milestone in Sierra Leone’s peace process, many victims still wait for justice. It was then, that today’s children were deprived of their future. Still, it is particularly the young people in Sierra Leone who suffer from bitter poverty as a result of the ten-year war. “Gravest human rights violations against children and youths still take place today”. In connection with that he reminded of the many children who are imprisoned without reason and without help.

Brother Lothar denounced the brutal violence against young people in educational institutions like family and school. Child trafficking flourishes and every day abuse of every kind is reported to Don Bosco Fambul via the countrywide and free child phone line. He asked the government to at last pass the law on adoption. Besides, a more active part of the government concerning child protection is desirable. Subsequently, Brother Lothar talked about the many ways of introducing the educational system of Don Bosco Fambul nationwide in Sierra Leone. In doing so, he depicted his dream of a society free of violence: “Our faith and Don Bosco has the strength to change Sierra Leone in a peaceful country which respects and protects child rights”.

Published 02/05/2012