4016(II)_A small is beautiful

Don Bosco Sumba

May 27, 2016

By Fr Adie Prianto, SDB

Sumba, Indonesia, 27 May 2016 -- The island of Sumba has a special position among the 14.000 islands of the Indonesia archipelago. Being originally a very strong animist religion place, the presence of the Muslims is rather small, but the majority of the population is divided between local protestant and Catholic believers.

Since 2002 Sumba is one of the frontiers of the ITM Vice-province, known basically for formation. However a recent dynamic consolidation drive does become a true Valdocco of the Indonesia Delegation - with a complete setting of formation (aspirants, prenovices and novices), boarding house (for the vocation trainees and secondary school students), substation of the local SVD parish of Tambolaka, daily Oratory and recently opened SMK (secondary school with 26 students).

Due to the strong Catholic presence and many Don Bosco past pupils involved in the education of our trainees and students, you can really breath the Valdocco spirit in this island of Indonesia. Probably this is the best venue for the first stages of initial formation, where you can put in practice the Preventive system of Don Bosco.

Our community is now composed of 7 Salesians under the leadership of Fr. Andre Delimarta (4 Salesian Priests, 1 Salesian Brother and two practical trainees - clerics), 3 novice (first profession hopefully on July 24) and two aspirants (another 5+ are supposed to join us in June).

We ask you to support us with your prayers and everybody is welcome to Sumba - Don Bosco (one hour flight from Denpasar - Bali)!