The Salesians of Don Bosco have been active in Namibia since 1998 and work in Rundu, the country's second largest town. The number of street kids and AIDS orphans in Rundu is growing steadily. The country is one of the five in the world hardest hit by HIV/AIDS. Many children search for food on the street and try to satisfy their own basic needs. The Don Bosco Youth Center is located on a two-hectare piece of land, where it takes in disadvantaged children and teenagers from the poorest sections of society. Here the children are not only taught but can also play, receive food, and use washing facilities. Rehabilitation schemes and family social workers help children who still have relatives to return to them. The aim is to reintegrate the children into society. Literacy courses and informal extra lessons are needed to integrate the children back into the state school system.
