Cambodia: Opening of Don Bosco Centre- Poipet  considered as the best Salesian news of the Year 2004

PHNOM PENH, 28 December 2004 -- “Poipet” is the latest Salesian presence in Northwest Cambodia bordering Thailand. Devastated by war in the 1970’s, the educational system fails to provide the children and youth with the skills and knowledge they need to face the reality of life. As a consequence, the results are illiterate, trafficked children, school drop-outs, and poor and orphaned children. On November 7 2004, however, these children found new hope with the official opening of the Don Bosco Centre- Poipet.

    Attended by the Apostolic Prefect, Mons. Kike Figaredo of the Apostolic Prefecture of Battambang, H.E. Sar Kheng, the Deputy Prime Minister of Cambodia and a host of Church and Government dignitaries, Don Bosco “officially” arrived and will remain with these children to provide education and to help reduce their poverty, restore their human dignity and improve their quality of life.

    The Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Sar Kheng solemnly proclaimed that “Don Bosco has an enormous task in Cambodia! Don Bosco knows how to interest the youth in Cambodia. Don Bosco provides the youth with education and jobs in Cambodia! Don Bosco’s feeding programs and educational funds are unique in Cambodia! And certainly, Don Bosco is a great help for the government of Cambodia!”  Upon hearing these words, the children, youth, staff, confreres, benefactors and all friends of the Salesian Family, cannot but consider the “Opening of Don Bosco Centre-Poipet” to be the best Salesian news  for the year 2004.

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