austraLasia #2359

Laos Government continues to welcome 'Don Bosco'

VIENTIANE: 15th February 2009 -- A little less than a year after the Government of the Laos Peoples Democratic Republic signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Salesians of Don Bosco (9th May 2008), the Government continues to welcome 'Don Bosco' in significant ways.
    Fr Tito Pedron, the Thai-based Salesian responsible for the Don Bosco Training Centre Salesian lay presence in Laos, received an invitation in early February to participate in the first general meeting for all NGOs working in Laos. he was more than pleased to find, on arrival in Vientiane, that space had been provided at the meeting for a display of materials to help the public better understand our work.
    Fr Tito explains that "in the place reserved for us we placed a beautiful Don Bosco sign and pictures of our Founder, along with pictures of our trainees at work".  He noted that in the hall there was a place reserved for Don Bosco and he was invited to sit there.  Amongst the full list of 163 NGOs present in the country, and the 80 who took part in this meeting, he noted, once again 'Don Bosco', plus the full description 'Salesians of Don Bosco'; and this in an avowedly Communist nation, but one where the Communist Youth Association, more formerly known as the Lao Revolutionary Youth Union, is itself responsible for informing the Government of the benefits of a Don Bosco presence. "This is an importance witness for the Church and our Congregation", Fr Tito points out.
    'Don Bosco' is already well set up in their new place and they have a 99 year lease granted to them. They use the location to teach the 42 trainees who are part of the program - essentially technical skills in motorbike maintenance.

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Title: australasia 2359
Subject and key words: EAO Provinces THA - Laos presence
Date (year): 2009
ID: 2000-2099|2359