austraLasia #2145

New Laotian-SDB agreement highlights effectiveness of Preventive System

VIENTIANNE: 13th May 2008 -- In a surprise development, the Salesians of Don Bosco have now been officially recognised by an organisatiion in the Lao People's Democratic Republic.  On Friday 9th May a small delegation of Salesians went to Vientianne to sign an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with the Lao People's Revolutionary Youth Union.  With this ceremony, at 11.00 am Friday morning last, we can add a new country to the numbers of those where the Salesians are actively helping young people, especially the most disadvantaged.
    The surprise development, though, was really the request by the Lao People's Revolutionary Youth Union for assistance in training their youth!  This request, which has resulted in the signing of the MOU, came about after a 14 year long battle with bureaucracy that had seen many contacts with Laotian authorities, even the mediation of the Apostolic Nuncio in Thailand, and at least the unofficial establishment of a small project managed by past pupils and a Cooperator. Knowing firsthand the work of these past pupils, under the masterful leadership of Salesian Cooperator and past pupil from Thailand, Mr Sanya, the LPRYU leadership indicated, in an urgent meeting called in Vientianne during another meeting attended by Salesian delegates, that they felt the way we trained youth was the right answer for youth who come under the banner of their organisation.
    Fr Tito Pedron, and Fr Charles Velardo, the Provincial Economer, both marvelled at the openness of the leaders of the Laotian organisation, who have offered the Salesians concessions unheard of in Laos.  They offered the chance to choose trainees from the organisation, even if it meant travelling to other inner areas of the country, normally taboo to foreigners. 
    The end result has been the signing, by the Provincial and Laotian authorities, of the MOU concerning " training in technical skills relating to motorbike maintenance, for poor and educationally disadvantaged youth".  It is not a large project, but one important enough to have in black and white, for the first time, the official recognition of the Society. This also offers legality and endorsement to the Don Bosco Training Centre-Vientianne.
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Title: australasia 2145
Subject and key words: EAO Provinces THA MOU signed in Laos
Date (year): 2008
ID: 2000-2099|2145