austraLasia 984
Pakistan: a moving offer from the boys at
Lahore
LAHORE: 6th January 2005 -- News of the Asian Tsunami devastation has
naturally reached all corners of the globe. Lahore is not so distant,
geographically, from affected areas along the South Indian coastline, but they
have had enough troubles of their own in recent years. Nevertheless, the
response from the boys at the Don Bosco Technical School and Youth Centre in
Lahore is typical of generous youth who can put their own troubles aside and
think of others. Fr. Miguel writes from Lahore:
"Last night we had a
long goodnight with the boys. I asked them what our contribution could be for
the victims of the disaster. Prayer was the first initiative of the boys…and
then we agreed to participate in a Relief Fund organized by the diocese
separating part of the money collected from their School Fees on this month. It
will be something symbolic because our own economy is not that good and we
expect many extra expenses with the registration of the School. But D.Bosco
participated in the collections of the Pope because he knew the great value
of these signs in education to generosity for his boys and so do
we. What was more touching was the fact that before going to sleep I had a group
of older boys who came to volunteer in case we could send them to start working
in the rebuilding, with their technical skills. I mentioned to them that we
already offer our place to host orphans and they were very happy. They
immediately estimated we had space, comprising a bit all of us, for about 50
boys."
While aspects of the
boys' desire to help may not be practicable - affected nations are not keen to
send children abroad - there is no doubting their generosity and
sincerity.
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