Don Bosco’s Dream for Laos Becomes True

By Fr. Patrick Maccioni, SDB

       Vientiane, Laos, 13 June 2022 -- In the afternoon of 9 June 2022, in the Headquarters of the Revolutionary Lao Youth Union, the MOU Phase IV between the Salesian Society Foundation of Thailand and the Department For Youth Development of the Lao Youth Union, was officially signed. Fr. John Bosco Dheparat Pitisant signed for the Salesian Society Foundation and Mr. Piya Yathotoo for the Lao Youth Union. On this occasion, Fr Patrizio Maccioni, Director of the Don Bosco Vocational Training Center, and John Paul Vu Van Trung, Economer, participated, as Salesian representatives in the meeting.

       We hope that this signing ceremony of MOU Phase IV will continue to make Don Bosco’s dream for Laos become true.

       The Salesian Congregation of Thailand signed this cooperation with The Lao People's Revolutionary Youth Union in 2008. There had been the signing of the MOU three times, from 2008-2009, from 2010-2014 and from 2016-2021.

       The work of the Salesians in Laos started on 24 May 2004 under the leadership of Fr Tito Pedron. They started by repairing small vehicles. This activity was called "Mitr Samphan". This was managed by 5 young Laotians who were past pupils of Don Bosco Technological College - Bangkok. Later, this work was expanded and became the Don Bosco Vocational Training Center at its present location. The canonical erection of the house was on 17 January 2019. A community was erected with Fr Patrick Maccioni as rector, together with two other confreres, namely, Fr. John Paul Vu Van Trung, and Fr. John Baptist Huy Huang.

       At present, the Center has opened up to various skills, such as electrical, automotive repair, motorcycle repair and welding. In this first school semester of 2022, there are 56 young men. Among these are '38 boarders' with 8 Catholics among them.

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