Chile – Opening of Don Bosco Colegio Técnico Industrial in Calama: a dream that is still being realized

16 March 2016

(ANS - Calama) - The International Labour Organization has said that the formation and development of human resources illustrates the core values ​​of a society: equality, justice, parity of treatment, non-discrimination, social responsibility and participation of all in the economic and social life. There is no doubt that Don Bosco shared this point of view when he started his work with young people. After more than a year of work, the Minister of Mining Activities, Aurora Williams, and the Provincial of the Salesians in Chile, Fr Alberto Lorenzelli, have officially inaugurated the Colegio Técnico Industrial of Calama.

This new work forms part of the Salesian Educational Network. It was built in the Gustavo Lepaige district, one of the most vulnerable of the city. The opening ceremony was attended by various national and regional authorities, including Esteban Velasquez, Mayor of Calama; Fr Enrique Olivé, Vicar General of Calama, and representatives of mining enterprises CODELCO and El Abra and of the Association of Industrialists of Antofagasta.

"It is a sign of social co-responsibility in the field of education, the first and main task of a society that attaches importance to culture, ethics and values," said the Provincial.

He then said that a Salesian school is an educational environment of high academic level and a generator of opportunities for the most disadvantaged, while promoting coexistence and living together in a family atmosphere. "Together we make up this house, this school, this church and this playground," said Fr Lorenzelli.

The new school was built thanks to the alliance between the Industrial Association of Industrialists of Antofagasta and the Salesian Province. It was financed by the CODELCO and El Abra companies.

The school has 490 students. It offers technical and vocational education for the industrial mining sector. Construction began in February 2015. Education is mixed, free and bilingual and provides specific courses in mining, industrial mechanics and industrial electricity.

The school is an essentially Salesian project, offering young people training for life through technical education to professional level. 

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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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