Managed by the Daughters of Charity, the Marillac Center takes in young people abandoned to their fate and wandering the streets of Port Harcourt (Nigeria).

“These children survive by doing all kinds of odd jobs from morning to night with hardly anything to eat. Many are sexually abused or brought to the city by traffickers who promise them a better life.” Sister Joséphine

Despite the Daughters of Charity’s efforts to take in these children, resources are sometimes too limited.

Thanks to your support for the “Children of Courage” project, 24 young people have received food, schooling and medical care at the Marillac Center.

Sister Joséphine witnesses the benefits for these street children:

Inflation is very high in Nigeria at the moment.

As soon as we received the donation sent by The Rosalie Projects, we immediately went to Aba, one of the places where goods are sold in bulk. We were able to purchase school supplies and equipment, soap and shampoo, disinfectant, oil and other items that we had already ordered in Port Harcourt.

We also received material assistance from local donors, individuals and religious groups who brought food and second hand clothes for the children.

The young people we have supported with this project are either living at the Center or still living on the streets. Some have returned to their families, but they remain our responsibility.

We provide them with a balanced diet including vegetables, fish, meat, eggs, milk, beans and sweet potatoes, to keep them strong, active and healthy.

The children who live outside the center come in the morning for breakfast before going to school and return in the afternoon for lunch before going home, as they do not have the security of being able to have lunch every day at home.

It has been difficult to cover some of their needs, such as school supplies. But, thanks to your donations, we were able to provide them with everything they needed to go to school (uniforms, shoes, backpacks, notebooks, pencils, rulers, erasers).

The “Children of Courage” who were sick or injured received medicine and first aid. They are being treated for malaria and dewormed to rid their intestines of any form of pain, which will help them stay free of diseases and tetanus.

Many thanks to our donors for their support.

Our youth, school staff, volunteers and we (five Daughters of Charity) are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love. We all appreciate your kindness on their behalf.

See the children’s joyful thanks here and here.

Sr Josephine Okwori, DC
Source: projets-rosalie.com