Udonthani, Thailand – February 2024 - On 24 February 2024, the Advisory Council of the Association of Salesian Cooperators of Thailand, led by Ms. Navaporn Kitsawat, Coordinator, joined the Retreat of the Salesian Cooperators in the northeastern region of Thailand. The retreat, which took place at the Don Bosco Vitthaya school, in the province of Udonthani, was led by Fr Smith Daengamphan, SDB, and 40 people participated. After the retreat, a meeting of the District Advisory Committee took place. There are 192 Salesian Cooperators in Thailand in 13 groups, plus one group in Phnom Penh (Cambodia)and Mrs. Kitsawat is the provincial coordinator. Fr Niphon Sarachit, SDB, is the Salesian Delegate for the ASC and Sister Suphawan Chotiphon for the FMA.
Pakkret, Thailand - February 2024 - The President of the Centre for the Development of Skills for the Blind in Pakkred, Nonthaburi, Fr Charles Velardo, SDB, congratulated the four alumni of the Centre who graduated on 7 February 2024 with their master's degrees. All four are preparing to continue their studies in their respective field to obtain their doctorates as well. The Centre for the Development of Skills for the Blind has been run by the Salesians of Don Bosco since 1978, together with a staff of lay people, and in addition to education and job skills, it offers students various sports activities that foster physical development and self-esteem. Most graduates are able to find work immediately and continue to hone their skills for many years.
Hatyai, Thailand, February 2024 – 53 students from the Don Bosco Saengthong Vitthaya SDb school, and the FMA Thidanukroh school in Songkhla province, together with teachers and parents' representatives, volunteered for the Nature Conservation of the Ton Nga Chang Wildlife Sanctuary National Park. The area that covers the provinces of Songkhla and Satun in southern Thailand is a large forest on the border with Malaysia. It is a forest with abundant wildlife, which serves as a watershed for many streams that flow into the basin of Lake Songkhla, an important source of water for the entire surrounding environment. On 2 February the activities began with listening to a conference on the conservation of natural resources and the role of national park officials, by its Director, Mr. Panapon Chiva Sereechon. Subsequently, students volunteered to help collect garbage and clean up the area around the park, and built a weir to slow down the water at Ton Nga Chang waterfall. These activities have helped students understand the benefits of building dams, which retain water and reduce soil erosion, as well as helping to retain sediments and miscellaneous materials that come down with the water in the stream. This helps increase biological diversity and becomes a habitat for aquatic animals.
(ANS – Kep) – At the end of the celebration of the 'Voices' event in Cambodia, dedicated to offering a platform for confrontation and dialogue to the indigenous peoples of that country, the participating groups issued a joint statement. Here below is the declaration statement.
Bangkok, Thailand – January 2024 – On January 27, Salesians, members of the Salesian Family and many faithful gathered to celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of the foundation of the Don Bosco church in Bangkok. Cardinal Michael Michai Kitbunchu, Archbishop Emeritus of Bangkok, presided over the celebration, along with Fr Anthony Boonlert Paneetatthayasai, Superior of the Province of Thailand (THA). In the afternoon, the Salesian Family Day took place, led by Fr Dominic Savio Suphot Riungam, Provincial Delegate for the Salesian Family. Those present, after watching the video of the Rector Major's Strenna 2024, were divided into groups to share ideas and reflections on the theme of the Day: "the DREAM THAT MAKES YOU DREAM". The afternoon activity ended with the solemn sending of Thai missionary Fr John Boonmee Charoonsakorn, a missionary to Africa. Everyone encouraged the new missionary, offering prayers that he might fulfill his mission of zealously announcing the Good News.
(ANS – Kep) – The Social Communication team of the Cambodia Salesian delegation of the province of Thailand organized a two-day innovative programme “VOICES” at Don Bosco Kep (a technical school and children center at the southeast seacoast of Cambodia), on the 27 and 28 of January with the participation of representatives from 8 indigenous groups.
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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Democratic Republic of Congo – Fr Owoudou on the situation in the eastern parts of the country: “No matter how dark the night may seem, dawn will inevitably come”
(ANS - Goma) - During his latest phase of the Extraordinary Visit to the "Mary Most Holy Assumption" Province of Central Africa (AFC), Fr. Alphonse Owoudou, Councillor for the Africa Madagascar Region, conducted an interview with the magazine "JAMBO VIJANA," representing the youth engaged in the Salesian works of the Province's Eastern Delegation. Addressing the ongoing violence and conflicts in the region, Fr. Owoudou expressed hope, saying: "No matter the length of the night, dawn will inevitably come."
EDITORIAL
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“Speaking with the Heart”: A great Antidote for the Ills of today’s world
‘Revolutionize the world with your kindness, by speaking with your heart’, is the dream that Pope Francis envisions for humanity through his 57th World Communication Day message, that falls on this Ascension Sunday, 21st May 2023. ‘Speak with your heart in truth and charity’, and this is the best antidote that can cure the ills of today’s society.
EVENTS
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Italy – "Labs To Future": the final event of the "Labs To Learn" project in Valdocco
(ANS – Turin) – The final event of the "Labs to Learn" project was held on Tuesday, 5 March 2024, entitled "Labs To Future: The path – The results – The challenges" . The project was selected by the "Con i Bambini" social enterprise within the framework of the Foundation for the Fight against Child Educational Poverty and came into being with the intention of combating early school leaving and preventing educational poverty, increasing the number of young people with difficulties who fulfil their school obligation, access higher education and/or job placement, and opening the way for personal growth according to their inclinations and aspirations.
SPECIAL REPORTS
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Peru – Centenary of the High Altar of the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Lima
(ANS – Lima) – The centenary of the consecration of the high altar in the Crypt of the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Lima was celebrated on 19 March, on the feast of St Joseph and in homage to Fr José Calasanz Marqués, then Provincial of the Salesians in Peru and Bolivia – now recognised as Blessed by the Church – on account of his name.
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
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DREAMS THAT KEEP COMING TRUE!
THE MESSAGE OF THE RECTOR MAJOR, Card. Ángel Fernández Artime, SDB
When reflecting on all this, I feel I have a little authority to say: “Dear Don Bosco, your Dream is still VERY ALIVE.”