By Haja Jeneba Jakitay
In celebration of its 25 years of unwavering commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable children and youth, Don Bosco Fambul, a non-profit organization, inaugurated a newly constructed Therapeutic Center on Saturday, December 9, 2023. The center, located in Baoma Village along the Waterloo-Tombo Highway in the Western Rural District, comprises four expansive buildings, including a clinic, accommodations for volunteers and social workers, a Salesian community residence, and a chapel.
Father Piotr Wonjnarowski, the Director of Don Bosco Fambul, expressed profound gratitude to the dedicated donors, steadfast partners, and committed staff who have played pivotal roles in the organization’s journey. He emphasized that while the facilities are noteworthy, the true measure of success lies in the countless lives transformed by Don Bosco Fambul. Father Piotr Wonjnarowski extended appreciation to the Governments and People of Germany and Spain for their significant contributions to the organization’s development.
Acknowledging the pivotal role played by former Directors and staff since the organization’s inception in 1998, Father Piotr Wonjnarowski underscored the collaborative partnership between the Sierra Leonean Government and Don Bosco Fambul, emphasizing the Government’s commitment to creating a better future for its citizens. He highlighted recent support, including a scholarship for 24 beneficiaries from the Office of the First Lady of Sierra Leone.
Providing insights into the organization’s impact over the past four years (2020-2023), Father Piotr Wonjnarowski shared statistics on the accommodation of 454 girls, assistance to 318 beneficiaries at the childcare center, medical aid to 1,426,000 individuals at Don Bosco Hospital, 400 calls attended to by ChildLine, and legal assistance provided to 1,420 cases.
He concluded by reaffirming their commitment to uplifting vulnerable children and youth, forging a future filled with hope, education, and opportunity. Here’s to a legacy of compassion, resilience, and positive change.
In his statement, the Programs Manager for Caritas Freetown, Ishmael Alfred Charles, congratulated Don Bosco for cerebrating 25 years of dedicated service in the country and also commended them for the inauguration of newly constructed Therapeutic Center.
He said that the work of Don Bosco towards transforming lives and restoring dignity and their commitment and passion is visible especially among the vulnerable.
Ishmael Alfred Charles said that he has met people who had lost hope and thought all is lost back in the days of the conflict and the several disasters the country has witnessed and how the organization has helped in transforming the lives of these young people who needed support saying today these young people are placed in society which according to him underscores the true compassionate actions the work of Don Bosco which can be seen all around.
German Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Amb. Jens Kraus-Masse, congratulated Don Bosco Fambul on its 25th-Anniversary celebration, commending the organization’s dedication to making a positive impact in the country.
In his statement, the Deputy Chief Director at the Ministry of Social Welfare, Francis Kabia, expressed delight in being part of the celebration and emphasized the Ministry’s partnership with Don Bosco in providing social services to vulnerable groups.
He commended Don Bosco’s efforts in addressing pressing societal issues such as drug abuse, violence, and child abuse, highlighting the organization’s therapy center and its role in building a safer society.
Furthermore, Francis Kabia stressed the importance of partnership and collaboration in achieving social welfare goals, emphasizing the need to strengthen the tripartite relationship between the Government, Management and community for the successful rollout of services at the therapy center.
He also encouraged the community to play an active role beyond providing land, and addressed the beneficiaries, urging them to embrace the values and ideals of Don Bosco Fambul to contribute positively to society.
Towards the conclusion of his speech, the Deputy Chief Director emphasized the grooming of local donors to support initiatives, acknowledging the Ministry’s commitment to working with Don Bosco Fambul in successfully implementing the therapy center’s operations.
