On the 15th of August 2017, the AFW province which comprises: Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leon conceived the vision to enlarge her scope of youth ministry by tracing their apostolate back to their roots in Don Bosco’s work to include rehabilitation of Street and vulnerable Children in Lagos State in conjunction with the street Children project in Ibadan, Oyo State. We began the process by contacting the state ministry of youth and social development who advised and gave us the guidelines for establishing such projects in Lagos State. Frankly speaking, the situation of the children on the streets of Lagos was similar to that of the Turin of Don Bosco’s time, where many of the rural and urban poor, especially the children flocked to the city of Lagos seeking work and a better life but were subject to exploitation, neglect, poverty and deprivation. As the Salesian Society (founded by Don Bosco, consisting of priests, Rev. Brothers and Sisters, volunteers, benefactors and the past pupils) decided to respond to these needs.
In 2018, we officially applied to the Lagos State ministry of youth and social development to grant approval for the home, in December 17th 2018, we received a 6 months probational approval as it is the case for any Home that is at the initial stage. Rev Fr. Augustine Okeke and Rev Fr. Michael Oguniyi, who initiated the establishment of this institution, spent the first year surveying the area and studying their situations, visiting other institutions and Non-Governmental Organizations, working with these children to learn more about their problem.
On the 30th of July 2019, the Home was given the Final Approval for operation from the Lagos state ministry of youth and social Development after their inspection and were impressed with our work. Don Bosco Child protection centre seek to educate the young children to become responsible citizens and committed individuals. The Home is dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable children and young people at risk by providing education, shelter, emotional support and empowerment to live dignified lives and become productive and contributive citizens of Nigeria.
Don Bosco Home Child Protection Center is a rehabilitation Home for street and vulnerable children and runs rehabilitation programmes whichincludes
STREET OUTREACH AND SENSITIZATION
Feeding and provision of Sanitary items to street children
SHELTER AND REHABILITATION
Personal and Group Counselling
Psychosocial support
Personality Building
Life skills and Emotional Support
Sanitary & medical support
Family and Home tracing
Empowerment and family support
BACK TO SCHOOL
Enrolment in Formal Education
SKILLS ACQUISITION AND EMPOWERMENT
Barbing
Tailoring, Shoe Making & Leatherwork
Academic/Vocational (Skill Acquisitions)
TALENT DEVELOPMENT
Music and Drama
Dance and Choreography
SPORTS AND RECREATION
Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Chess
Table Soccer and more
Beneficiaries
Abused Children
Abandoned Children
Street Children
Trafficked Children
Children in conflict with the law