austraLasia #1760

Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni visits Don Bosco Technical School Sihanoukville

SIHANOUKVILLE: 13th February 2007 -- The King of Cambodia, Norodom Sihamoni, paid a visit to Don Bosco Technical School Sihanoukville and officially opened  the Don Bosco Hotel on the morning of Monday 12th February. It was also the first visit of the King since his coronation  in 2004, to the port city of Sihanoukville which bears the name of his father, His Royal Highness Prince Norodom Sihanouk. It was an honor for the Salesian Family in Cambodia to have had the presence of His Majesty. The king wrote in advance that he wanted to meet the students and teachers of the Don Bosco complex. He arrived at 10 am in the Oh Pram District and children from the schools were lined up along the road to see the King.
    The King came into the Don Bosco school, cut the ribbon to open the Don Bosco Hotel, went inside the technical workshops and received the homage of the community in the school auditorium. He was welcomed with an address by Fr John Visser, the Rector, who explained a little of Don Bosco and the Salesian presence in education and with the poor around the world. He also explained to the King the many benefactors who had helped build up the school and its latest addition, the Hotel School which now completes the physical structures. He thanked the Sihanoukville authorities for donating the by now 8 hectares of land dedicated to the school,  Dutch benefactors from the Sawasdee Foundation (Mr  Cor Van de Zandt and Mr Hector Loontjes),  the Government of the Netherlands  development ministry NCDO department,  and Salesian Mission and Development Offices from Turin and New Rochelle.  A member of the Dutch Embassy was present for the occasion.
    On behalf of the students Fr Visser said: "They (the students) will treasure You Majesty's visit for their entire life". At 11:30 am he left the school in a helicopter. For the students it was a great moment to see their king. They sang Don Bosco's songs to say to the king with joy "thanks for being with us, with the youth of Don Bosco in our school and may the heavens and Don Bosco bless our dear King". His Majesty replied: "I am very happy to stay here, with all of you, students and teachers. Study your best and then more". He also gave some presents to all the educational community. The King' words were few, but his permanent smile, greetings and kind gaze touched all those present.
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