(ANS – Cotonou) –“Foyer Don Bosco”, the Salesian work for the assistance of street kids, runs a “Programme of social protection for children in difficult situations in the areas of Littoral, Ouémé e Alibori”. The initiative has been taken within the context of a European Union programme: “Non-state bodies and local authorities together for Development and Action in the Republic of Benin”.

Three other projects have been chosen as part of the same EU programme. One of these is “Handicap International” for the integration and participation of people with disability in the local community. Another is “Protos” which aims at improving water supply, hygiene and sanitary services in the areas. The third is “Plan Bénin” for the participation of citizens in local development and water services.

The project was launched on Tuesday 8 May, the eve of Europe Day. Present for the occasion were Ms Françoise Collet, Ambassador of the EU in Benin, and Marcel de Souza, Minister for Development and Economic Analysis and Planning. Each of the groups gave a brief presentation of its history and proposed programme, and of the causes it supports, ending with a short dramatization. The children from “Foyer Don Bosco” did a short sketch on the rights of minors, which received warm applause from all present.

The project presented by Foyer Don Bosco is for a four-year plan of cooperation with the EU (March 2013 to February 2017). Its three main goals are as follows:

• To strengthen the collaboration, coordination and teamwork of the state and non-state bodies engaged in the protection of children.
• To create awareness in local authorities, opinion leaders, religious leaders and the general population of the protection of children and the need for a community programme to safeguard their rights.
• To identify children on the margins or at risk, to offer them advice and education, and to rehabilitate them in a process of sustainable development.

Later, all the participants took part in an informal meeting to discuss their respective programmes.

In the afternoon, the celebrations for the launch of the programme continued in the
Zou Nord park of the Dantokpa Market in Cotonou, which is near the Foyer Don Bosco. Unlike the morning ceremony, the afternoon event was devoted exclusively to a presentation of the Salesian project in Benin. There were speeches from various authorities representing the European Union and the Benin Government, and also the Rector of the Salesian work, a Spanish missionary Fr Juan José Gomez.  There were cultural, sporting and recreational activities which delighted the young people present, both the children and young people from the Salesian Centre and the street kids who were camping nearby.

That evening the festivities continued with a concert at the French Cultural Centre.

Published 21/06/2013