Myanmar – Time of blessing despite pandemic: testimony of a Salesian

07 August 2020

(ANS - Anisakan) - “Reflecting upon these past few months, the Covid pandemic, while it brings so many hardships to the lives of many people, it also brings so many blessings to our Salesian and education - pastoral community.” Speaking is Fr Bosco Zeya Aung, Director of the "Nazareth House" in Anisakan, who today tells us how his community, together with the few remaining young people, has been able to transform a problem into an opportunity.

“First of all, because of the lock-down, we Salesians have ample time to share with one another, to know more about each other and to become closer to each other. Before, with so many (160-170) boys with us, we had very little time to chat and laugh. Our meal times were always short but now we take more time to share and enjoy one's another story.

Now we have 23 boys with us and since there are not many, we come to know more about them, we can do the so-called 'personal accompaniment' to them listening to their interesting stories. Many of them come from poor families and a few have some family problems. We can thus offer that 'little word in the ear' that can meet the needs of each individual boy.

Another blessing we received during these days is that we could reach out to 500 poor families, helping them with some dry food ration. We got financial help from ACTS Singapore (https://acts-singapore.com/web/index.php). It was a very touching experience to witness the smiles and joys of the poor people upon receiving help. A thought keeps coming to my mind, as though He who is above keeps talking to me ... 'Hey don't complain anything about your Salesian life, your poverty is nothing compared to theirs'...

During these days, we Salesians take more time for prayers, praying every day for all the children of God who are suffering from Covid-19.

Since the boys are on holidays for a longer period this year, we could do more house maintenance and I would say for us Salesians, as we have less activities, this is a time also to do spiritual maintenance.”

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ANS - “Agenzia iNfo Salesiana” is a on-line almost daily publication, the communication agency of the Salesian Congregation enrolled in the Press Register of the Tibunal of Rome as n 153/2007.

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