The Lasallian Mission: Ivory Coast

THE LASALLIAN PRESENCE IN IVORY COAST, WEST AFRICA IS MORE INCLINED TOWARDS THE CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING OF PREFERENTIAL OPTION FOR THE POOR.

THE POVERTY RATE AT THE NATIONAL POVERTY LINE OF IVORY COAST WAS:

39.5%

39%

59%

OF PEOPLE ARE AGED FROM 0 TO 14 YEARS

OF THESE CHILDREN ARE FACED WITH THE CHALLENGES OF POVERTY

BECAUSE THEY ARE LEFT IN THE STREETS, AND ARE FACING DIFFICULTIES IN LIFE, THEIR PARENTS ARE NOT ABLE TO LOVE AND CARE FOR THEM LIKE HOW IT SHOULD BE. THEY ARE LEFT UNLOVED, SCARED, AND HOPELESS. TO SOLVE THIS, BROTHERS FROM CHRISTION SCHOOLS IN AFRICA CREATED PROJECTS EXCLUSIVELY FOR CHILDREN WHO LIVE ON THE STREETS AND HAVE NOWHERE TO CALL HOME AND NO ONE TO CALL A FAMILY.

THE AKWABA STREET CHILDREN CENTER LOCATED IN ABIDJAN, IVORY COAST, IS A HOME FOR CHILDREN WHO ARE IN DIRE NEED OF EMOTIONAL SUPPORT AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT. THIS IS A PLACE WHERE THEY CAN FEEL LOVED AND ACCEPTED. THEY SHARE THEIR STORIES AND RECEIVE HUMAN FORMATION TO TRY AND BUILD A FOUNDATION WHERE THEY CAN LIVE AND DREAM FOR A BETTER LIFE. THERE, THEY ARE A FAMILY AND ARE WILLING TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER.

70

WELCOMES STREET CHILDREN AT A TIME

THE TEAM WORKS WITH

900 CHILDREN EACH YEAR WHEREIN THEY RECEIVE BASIC ASSISTANCE

100

OTHER CHILDREN ARE IN THE PROCESS OF BEING EDUCATED

EVERY FOUR MONTHS, AN AVERAGE OF

14

GIRLS AND BOYS ARE REUNITED WITH THEIR FAMILIES

THE CENTER ALSO WELCOMES SMALL NUMBER OF CHILDREN FROM NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES SUCH AS BURKINA FASO, MALI, AND NIGER

THEY SERVE POOR CHILDREN FROM NEIGHBORHOODS WHO ARE IN GRAVE DANGER OF ENDING UP IN THE STREETS, OR FORCED INTO LABOR