austraLasia #2561

New Boys' Town building in Taiwan marks 150th and also celebrates work of former principal

PINGTUNG, Taiwan: 17th December 2009  -- The Salesians have opened a new five-storey building for Taiwan's Pingtung Boys' Town as part of celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of the Congregation's founding.
    Father Simon Lam, provincial of China province based in Hong Kong, arrived in Kaohsiung diocese to preside over the ceremony on December 13. The event at Pingtung  in southern Taiwan, is part of year long 150th celebrations that will include a commemorative Mass in Taipei on December 18.
    The ceremony had a sad note, coming just five months after former Boys' Town principal Father Francis d'Assisi Wang Chung-ren passed away. Father Wang fell sick from overwork and died of acute liver disease on July 18, aged just 49. Father Lam paid tribute to him, saying he "burned out his life for Boys' Town."  Fr Wang was the first Taiwan-born Salesian.
    Father Francis Wong, who took over from Father Wang, said Boys' Town takes in poor young boys aged 10-18 from broken families or families in crisis. They are usually referred by the government, social groups or kind-hearted people, Father Wong said.
    The Pingtung Boys' Town dates back to 1977 when the Dominicans gave the building to Maryknoll Father Justin McCabe to establish the facility. The Salesian Society took over its management in 1980. Since then it has served more than 2,000 boys.
    With one carer per every six boys, the facility aims to provide the children with a place of love and care while teaching them discipline and community living at the same time. The centre used to accommodate up to more than 70 children but numbers were reduced to 17 after a new welfare law limited accommodation capacity.
    The new building, equipped with dormitory, office and chapel, can accommodate 48 youngsters. The old building will be used as a day activity centre.
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Title: australasia 2561
Subject and key words: EAO Provinces CIN Taiwan Boys Town
Date (year): 2009
ID: 2000-2099|2561