Mbanza Kongo – At least 14 scholarship holders from the Frei Giorgio Zulianello childcare centre in Mbanza Kongo, Angola’s northern Zaire province, have been facing difficulties to return to the country.
The students had been sent to South America, Asia and Europe in 2016 to attend there training,
Friar Danilo Grosselle, who is in charge of center, which accommodate the children with special protection needs, said that the difficulties owed to financial problems which prevent them from purchasing the plane tickets.
He explained that of the 14 scholarship holders, nine are in Brazil, one in Argentina, two in Italy and the same number in China, all with degrees completed in different branches of engineering.
The priest expressed concern, above all, about those in China, who risk being expelled from the country or paying a heavy fine for illegal stay in that Asian nation, after expiring their study visas.
The head of the center was speaking to the press on Wednesday on the sidelines of the delivery of a donation to the institution by the governor of Zaire, Adriano Mendes de Carvalho, consisting of food, detergents, toys and wheelchairs.
Managed by the Catholic Church, through the Capuchin priests, the center is supervised by the Provincial Government, through the Social Action, Family and Gender Equality Office.
A universe of 22 elements that includes Capuchin priests, a psychologist, social educators, security guards and cooks provide services at this children's establishment.
