2006 DBYC Seoul's 40 years
austraLasia #2006

'Return to Don Bosco'. Don Bosco Youth Centre Seoul celebrates 40 years.

SEOUL: 13 December 2007 -- Don Bosco Youth Centre at Shin Kil Dong, Seoul, is many things - a youth centre for young workers, a technical 'vocational' school for mechanical trades, a boarding establishment, an oratory. a Mission Office and a Communications Centre.  Fr Henry Bonetti, also vice provincial, has his work cut out guiding all this, and on 8th December, on the 40th anniversary of the vocational school's existence, he drew attention to the real figure behind all this - St John Bosco.
    As Don Bosco did, in preparing boys to contribute to the society they lived in, and to be grateful for what they had received, so does 'Don Bosco Vocational School' in Seoul.  Bro Philip Hwang, school principal, explains that  the 'Return to Don Bosco' is more than something physical but a return to this spirit of Don Bosco.  Many past students came back over these days and for the 40th anniversary, but the wish is that they come back to this spirit in particular.
    The school has seen some 2,500 students graduate over 40 years, many of them finding good jobs in companies. The school was approved by the Ministry of Labour as a Vocational institute in 1970.  It has been twice recognised with the Order of National Service Merit for its achievements.  And now, in preparation for a new scholastic year, the school has built a new 10,000 square metre building which includes accommodation for boarders, an auditorium and a chapel. This will enable the school to take in an additional thirty or so students each year. Currently there are 68 students studying mechanical trades.
    All of this is in function of helping young Korean workers to contribute to society as 'good Christians and honest citizens", and many of them, including from those early years, came back for the anniversary celebrations.  The school accepts by preference those students, between the ages of 16-23, who cannot afford to pursue their studies.  They are offered board and training for one year in subjects such as lathe and assembly machinery, but also other basic subjects - maths, English, Religion, Ethics, offered by means of evening classes.

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