1575 ITM-East Timor Classes organised for camp children
austraLasia 1575
Classes organised for school children
COMORO, DILI: 6th June 2006 -- More refugees
seek shelter at Don Bosco Comoro as the situation in the city remains
bad despite the presence of foreign troops. At the latest, the
official number taking refuge is over 13,000. But since the
school children amongst them have a lot of spare time on their hands,
Fr Joao Roque Gutteres, the principal of St. Peter's High school just a
block away from the DB Comoro compound, organised classes for primary,
junior (pre-secondary) and senior (secondary) high school. He was
helped by teachers who are also refugees. He extended the
invitation to all students in the camp as well as those living
nearby. More than 300 students from Grade 3 to III Year Senior
High responded to his invitation and attended the first day of
classes. They would normally have been attending various schools
in the city.
Just 3 kilometres away gangs fought almost the whole
day and destroyed some houses, but classes went on. Later in the
morning, Australian troops visited the school, reassuring the
students. Soon afterwards a platoon of Malaysian soldiers with 2
armored-personnel carriers and a truck stationed themselves in the
compound of a nearby Protestant church, making it their camp for the
next few days. Their presence will ensure more security and sense
of security for both teachers and students.
More students are expected to enrol today, as some
did not know of this new initiative.
GLOSSARY
Refugee: being used here as a
shorthand. Technically they are 'internally displaced persons'.
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