(ANS – Le Gosier) – For almost five years now, the Salesian work “Lakou Bosco”, in the French overseas department of Guadeloupe, has accompanied and offered activities to children and their families. For the occasion, the Salesians, educators and volunteers gathered to reflect on their future plans.
As it approaches its five years of activity in the area, “Lakou Bosco” has brought together its community to shape its future solidarity village, designed to be characterized by hospitality, kindness, ecology and mutual aid.
For almost five years, the lay Salesian association “Lakou Bosco”, based in Les Abymes, has been working in favor of young people and families in the neighborhoods of Dugazon, Anquetil, Aloès and surrounding areas. Inspired by the pedagogy of Don Bosco, it focuses on prevention and global accompaniment to strengthen the autonomy of children, adolescents and even parents themselves. At the dawn of a turning point with the construction of its future “Village”, a seminar, animated by the association “The butterfly effect” (The butterfly effect) which works to restore biodiversity in Guadeloupe, brought together volunteers, employees, young people and partners in a hotel in Le Gosier to reflect on the values of the project and its future.
A community united by strong values
The debates launched on the occasion highlighted kindness and openness towards others as pillars of the Salesian presence. The name “Lakou Bosco”, which in Creole evokes a sharing space, reflects this DNA: mutual help, brotherhood, respect. The association’s statute underlines this: “We welcome unconditionally, in spirit themwith solidarity and listening, respecting the dignity of each one. These values guide every action, uniting a large family in which everyone contributes with their talents to the common good.” “Our actions revolve around young people, in their living spaces: family, neighborhood, school and now also digital”, explains Arthur Massiet, the Director. “Lakou Bosco” accompanies young people in their personal and social development, while supporting parents to strengthen their role.
The future village, whose construction is about to begin, will embody these ambitions. Designed to be eco-responsible, it will integrate solar panels, water recovery systems and, thanks to a collaboration with “L’effet Papillon”, an aquaponics basin and a vegetation-covered roof. The association dreams of introducing young people to ecological professions, such as solar cooking or technologies low techwhich use recycled materials for simple and sustainable technologies. These projects also aim to reduce precariousness by lowering the cost of living. “We want our young people to become pioneers of ecology, for a greener planet,” confides Arthur Massiet. At the same time, workshops, scholastic support, internships and cultural or sporting activities promote the emancipation of young people and the autonomy of families.
Digital, a new challenge
Digital, omnipresent among teenagers, is a priority. “Their virtual world is often foreign to us,” observes the Director. “We want to reach them to understand, without judging.” Monitoring is envisaged, as well as accompaniment of families in digital administrative procedures, with the help of social workers. As Don Bosco said: “Love what young people love, so that they love what you love”.
“Lakou Bosco” does not limit itself to accompanying: it aspires to transform neighborhoods into spaces of collective responsibility. Its statute summarizes this momentum: “Lakou Bosco’s commitment is a shared passion, a space for prevention and mutual progress”. With its village, the association now intends to increasingly build a model in which young people, supported by their community, become the protagonists of a more just and sustainable future. A collective dream that takes root in Les Abymes.
Stephanie Tollet
Cast iron: Don Bosco Today (France-Antilles)
