HONG KONG:
11 February 2012 -– The Annual Joint
Parent and Teacher Association Gathering was held in Hong Kong
on 11
February 2012. The theme was the Preventive System’s
contribution
towards communication with youth. All the participants shared
how they
communicate with young people and whether their care and love
is
successfully conveyed.
Fr. Simon Lam, Provincial of China Province, highlighted the
fact that
youth are vulnerable but that they possess great
potential. The
Preventive System is also a way of living. Firstly, it aims to
prevent
youth from falling into the traps that will cause them
permanent
damage. "They need a degree of temperance and they need to
know that
God is watching over us all the time. They have a lot of
energy but we
need to help them to utilize this energy by organizing various
activities like picnics, drama and music performances. This is
a very
important element of the Preventive System. Therefore, family
gatherings like outings, hiking and even tea-parties (a
Chinese
favourite) are also important methods for developing
communication,
relationships and companionship".
Secondly, companionship develops relationships. It is not
appropriate
just to reward children with gifts. A more effective way
is to
celebrate with them by dining together or by some other joint
activities. Don Bosco did not talk much but he accompanied
youth.
Therefore, talking is not as effective as companionship in
developing
relationships. We have to tell them that we love them, but
when they
also feel loved and cared for, then they respond to our love
and care
spontaneously.
Finally, religion can help our youth to be more
“three-dimensional”
(including the vertical relationship with God). Apart from the
present
life, there is the issue of eternal life and death. It is our
responsibility to let them know these important topics of
life.
Moreover, religion can make education more complete.
