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4808(III)_What kind of Bosconians for the youth of PNG?

Don Bosco Alumni of PNG dream to host EAO regional congress 2024

August 5, 2018

Port Moresby, PNG, 4 August 2018 -- Last Saturday, August 4 about 50 Bosconians (Don Bosco Alumni) gathered for their annual encounter and formation in DBTS (Don Bosco Technical School) in Gabutu - Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea) together with their Delegate Fr. Angel Sanchez (PGS provincial delegate for the SF) and provincial Fr. Alfred Maravilla. The whole even was animated by the EAO regional councilor on his annual visit in the Viceprovince of Blessed Philip Rinaldi.

In his introduction, PGS Provincial Superior Fr. Alfred compared the present status of the Don Bosco Alumni to the generator, that is not yet fully in consistent motion and needs some oil, maintenance and care. As animating Salesian he challenged all present with the possible hosting of the 2024 EAO Regional Congress of the Bosconians in PNG - Port Moresby, comparing it to the APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) Summit that will be held next November in PNG capital (https://www.apec2018png.org).

After sharing few EAO regional news especially about the Association of DB Alumni and animation about the Salesian Bulletin (2nd issue of PGS was published recently), Fr. Klement introduced to the participants (3 Salesian Cooperators and 50 Bosconians) the theme and dynamic of SDB 28th General Chapter: What kind of Salesians for the Youth of today? And the whole group watched the recent video message of the Rector Major about the GC28 (link).

Then follow the sharing about the adapted question: 'What kind of Bosconians for the young people of PNG?' Split in smaller groups the Alumni shared in very creative and serious way their insights and conviction. First of all they 'translated' this question from their point of view: "What do I have to offer to the young people of PNG? What do you want to see in me? Who is our role model?"

In the final part all came together to grasp the rich sharing of smaller groups in the assembly:

Our role model is Don Bosco, certainly!
Bosconians in PNG need to stand up with a fearless attitude, discipline and listenful heart.
What we learnt from Don Bosco in the school, we need to bring it out - share in the society.
Our impact on the larger community is foremost through life witness, being model for others
It's a very challenging question, to be a model demands from us, as fragile humans who are failing, to be courageous to raise up again and our life like Don Bosco
We are the agents of change in our society

As tradition, the whole afternoon meeting starting with sharing the food and ended after foto session also at the table. At present there are 5 large Don Bosco schools in PNG, but only two of them have a local Unit of Alumni. In the projected path towards 2024 the Bosconians aim at more communication among themselves, helping to start other local Units and is possible also the PNG Federation of Don Bosco Alumni.