For whom:
Girls from 15 to 22 years old with grave family problems or have been forced to live on the steet, poor or abandoned girls that do not have the possibility to pay for studies.

Goal of the project:
Give the possibility to study and learn an occupation for girls who would otherwise not be able, paying for the registration at the school, the necessary materials for study, the uniforms, transportation by bus, food and health assistance.

Goal of the course of study:
Aid the girls to believe in their own potential and to develop their own abilities, through intellectual and physical means, in a way which gives them an opportunity in the work field. Furthermore, there is the intention to develop in the students a sense of dignity and a professional ethic with the goal of becoming independent workers.

Situation of the country:
The data from the UNICEF report “The conditions of childhood in the world 2004” conferms the grave social crisis that stretches across the entire country, with the infant mortality rate (0-5 years old) at 176 for every 1000 (Out of every 1000 live births, 176 children will not reach their fifth year of life) and the maternal mortality rate is 600 women, from complications from pregnancy or birth, every 100,000 deliveries. Very few children are vaccinated against the gravest illnesses that afflict the country, like tuberculosis, diptheria and tetanus; the number of people who have AIDS is very high. Also, the nutritional state is very alarming: there are numerous babies born underweight and this often creates stunted growth. The number of children that attend primary school is meagre, and the numbers of boys and girls that are able to pursue studies is very small.

The center:
Mission Catholique Ste. Therese – B. P. 18 – Duekoue – Ivory Coast

Person responsible for the project on the premises:
Sr. Sammartino Adele

Group responsible for the project in Italy:
Fondazione Volontariato Giovani e Solidarietà-Onlus
Via Gregorio VII, 133
00165 Roma
Tel. +39.06. 39379861
Fax. +39. 06. 632001
Email: coord.sos@vides.org

Cost:
150 Euro annually to cover the expenses of scholastic fees, uniforms, books, and didactic materials.

Furthermore, an additional 120 Euro annually will also guarantee that the girl receives a complete daily meal for an entire year.