3836(I)_Aspirants Missionary Experience in Araimiri

By Fr. Pankaj, SDB

Port Moresby, PNG - It is so much of happiness to see a places that you have never been too. This is the longest trip for most of us on the vehicle - seven hours from Port Moresby to Kerema. The views on the highway was pleasant and beautiful. Some parts of the roads were dusty and rough, others smooth as the vehicle passed.

In November 2015 the Savio Haus Aspirants and their formators visited the first Salesian presence in Papua New Guinea (1980) that is located in the Gulf province. Don Bosco Araimiri School is a very quiet place near the sea. We really much enjoyed the simplicity of the place, the sea breeze, and the beauty of ocean and surroundings.

Don Bosco Araimiri is situated further north of Kerema town. Traveling down from Kerema (Diocesan center) to Araimiri takes about thirty minutes by out-boat motor. The Salesian school has about 500 students (grade 9-12). It has a nice, quiet and peaceful environment. We travelled down from Don Bosco Araimiri to Herehere, the locals gave a happy and warm welcome as we landed onshore, it made us feel so much at home by their friendliness. The friendly presence of the people allowed us to mingle freely and experience their love, warmth and care.

The three days trip to Don Bosco Araimiri was a first experience for the Aspirants in the decade. It was really beautiful for them to have heard about it and then seen the place by being there. The experience of the Aspirants being with the Salesian Community and seeing their mission work and by involving and by participating in all the activities has invigorated and instilled new and fresh love for their vocation. This experience has largely inspired and filled the aspirants with zeal for the mission.

The whole community of Savio haus Aspirantate thanks the Araimiri community Rector Fr.Clifford Morrias, Parish Priest Fr.Heraldo Bosquez and Fr.Shoji Matthew for their love, care, food and their accommodation.