Author: DBCPCadmin

The children are the rock on which every nation’s future will be built, they are the greatest asset to be valued and protected. They will someday be the leaders in the different societies and nations where they find themselves. This was what the Africa’s foremost sage and rights activist, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela envisaged that prompted him to express that ‘The true character of a society is revealed in how it treats its children’.

Mandela aristocratically, foresightedly fixed his eyes on the future of the society considering children as the leaders of tomorrow. But it is sad to see how children are often marginalized and abused in our societies, to be precise in Nigeria.

The images of suffering and abused children continue to haunt the conscience of our environment, society and the world at large. Their rights are nowhere to be found and the image of children is viewed as object to be used and exploited. To curb such an ideology in our society, the Don Bosco Child Protection Centre in collaboration with Manos Unidas, Legend Ein Welt and PDO Nigeria organized a workshop on Child Abuse and Child Rights Protection and Policies.

The workshop incorporated other NGO’s like Royal Diamond, Fals Foundation and some members of Our Lady of the Sick Catholic Church Onipetesi. It was really an interacting moment and a learning process. Bosco Home Child Protection Centre believes and hold strongly that every child has a great potential. He is a great future of his generation and should be protected. Flashing back to the first computer lessons I had, I could remember the garbage-in, garbage-out recipe, invariably- whatever investment made in a child today extensively determines the society’s future. Unfortunately, the wellbeing of children particularly in African countries leaves much to be desired. The pertinent question precisely to those in government and religious leaders is, what future is in view, vis-à-vis investment in children in the society outside their own?

“I can only hope that we’ll one day wake up in a better world, where children are no longer abused or mistreated.”

    Fr. Nnkemjinaka Onyenagubor
     “Priest on the Street”

The canonization of St. Artemide Zatti was celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy throughout the Salesian world, as the whole Salesian family was inspired by the life of this humble Brother. 

Even the street children in Lagos, Nigeria, had the opportunity to learn about St. Zatti and celebrate his life. They, together with members of the Oratory, were invited to draw a portrait of the new saint – it took time and effort, as well as a keen sense of observation, to be able to trace out his outline and features. Through this simple exercise, they learnt that they too could imitate St. Artemide by trying to imitate his virtues, especially that of helping one another.

In addition, St. Artemide Zatti lived what St John Bosco said to the first Salesians leaving for America: “Take special care of the sick, the children, the elderly, the poor and you will receive God’s blessing and the respect of those around you.” As the Constitution of the Society of St. Francis de Sales stipulated in Article 6: “The Salesian vocation places us at the heart of the Church and put us entirely at the service of her mission.”

Painting and drawing go hand in hand. They are sorts of art that demonstrates the silence of thought and the music of sight. “Painting and drawing are just another way of keeping a diary.” “If you could say it in words, there would be no reason to paint or draw.” To some persons, the only time they feel alive is when painting and drawing. On the 25^th of October was really a superb experience with the young people on the street and some Oratorian. My encounter with Kola who made it for the first time to our home “Bosco Home” was an impressive one because he adds a flavour to our event by drawing a nice portrait of St. Artemide Zatti. 

The outreach to children still living on the street is part of the programme offered by Bosco Boys Home, as it seeks to establish the first point of contact with the young people. It is led by Fr Linus Onyenagubor SDB who goes out of his way to make contact with these vulnerable children.  Through the weekly interventions accompanied by a group of volunteers, mostly past pupils, Fr Linus together with his community members seeks to gain their trust and so help them even while they are living on the street, and eventually lead them to join Bosco Boys Home.