PDO Nairobi 2018 follow up reflection

Fr. Americo and Br. Jean Paul

By AFE Social Communication

Nairobi, Kenya, 1 May 2018 -- On the last day of the PDO 2018 Nairobi Workshop the assembly of 130 members was happy to welcome Fr. Americo Chaquisse, Regional Councilor for Africa and Madagascar who arrived from Kigali, Rwanda, where he is doing Extraordinary Visitation. He welcomed all members to Africa and he pointed out that something is moving in his Region. He stressed on the need for a new way of management and thanked all for attending the meeting.

"We Salesians do good works but sometimes we exploit our workers who do not have good houses, who have to travel with difficulties. Sometimes we do not realise that a lay person has to work three times more than us to meet the need of his/her work.

It was strongly pointed out that there is need to generate Qualification Projects, Formation Plans and to evaluate those projects. We have to know how to administer our projects but we have to remember that there is also evangelical aspect of all that we are doing. At the end we have to act justly.

Our first target is young people. We have to create a favourable climate in our mission and strive to work as a Family. Sometimes we do not allow the Salesian Family to flourish e.g. with Salesian Cooperators, FMA... Many times we think of volunteers as mere workers and we forget that they want to create a culture of solidarity. There was a clear call to us to look intensely on our Volunteering action.

Are we responding on emergency or are we planning? We should not be satisfied with immediate solution. If a Province does not have a policy we will generate unsustainable works. Selection process of persons we have to work with should be done discreetly. We should not hire only our friends, aunties or brother... In some places this is a Salesian vice. We should not impose ourselves because by doing so we kill the morale of those who have been dedicating and working so hard in our Institutions.

Should our lay staff be subordinate to us Salesians? Situation of subordination is created by superior mentality of a Salesian. It is not healthy for any Salesian institution to centralize power. We have to generate formation plans for Salesians and lay people. We have to think of where we are as Valdocco.

We Salesians need more formation and only when we are formed we will be able to give spiritual formation to lay people. We have to be merciful with people we are dealing with and formation plan is part of this. This entails giving spiritual formation moment like retreats.

We should remember that our lay staff will one day retire after working with us for many years. For this reason there is need accompany then in their retirement. Many of our donors put it clear that we should complete particular project within a specified time. Some of these deadlines are given because there is no assurance that the incoming in charge is going to continue with project. This a bad picture that we portray to those who support us in our mission. We have to learn how to delegate authority. We have to learn how a lay person can command within the confines of authority. We have to revisit the Spirit of Don Bosco of treating others as members of a Family. We have to be convinced that when roles are defined family works better.

Humanitarian Aid: Emergency response: 24 million people are displaced due to various calamities and 200 million dollars is needed every year to support and help these affected people. It is important to be prepared."

In the group discussions different groups came up with some recommendations. Group representatives presented these recommendations to the assembly. Most of these recommendations were directed to Rector Major (and General Council) or to Provincials (and their Councils). In his final remarks Br. Muller Invited all to walk together for the future. He noted that all the invited Speakers were so good and they delivered what was requested. He commented that in Nairobi the participants have initiated a good undertaking and we have to see the way forward. He is surprised how Nairobi was mentioned and appreciated and this gives us, as a Province, an impetus.

"Now we begin a journey to the General Chapter 28 in 2020. We have to focus on young people. We need Salesian for young, who do not work in isolation. We should all be able to work and live with others. The Congregation needs Salesians who are free from other family or personal initiatives; committed Salesians. Salesians have to avoid white color jobs attitude. We have to dirt our hands.

Regional Conferences of the Economers is another idea that should be embraced. Those who are in charge of Youth Ministry will be part of this team because our mission is to the young. Have good and qualified people in our offices, PDOs. Be more awake to the needs of young people in our Oratories, Schools etc. We should scout for talents among our young. He challenged all who attended the meeting to be more participative in preparing for the coming General Chapter. They have chance/responsibility to prepare those who will be going for General Chapter.

Create a World Wide Movement of the Young. Currently, in Cracow, Salesian Games are taking place. This is wonderful initiative. If we support the idea and join this movement we will be doing a lot of good and giving value to our work."

Br. Muller thanked everyone who participated in the meeting. In a special way he thanked Ms Patricia who did a lot of work in organizing the meeting. Fr Carlos, Mr. Fabio and others who are working in his office.

At the end all participants sung a song to Don Bosco and said a Hail Mary. Eucharistic celebration at the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians, Don Bosco Upper Hill, was presided by Fr. Simon Asira, AFE (Sudan, Kenya and Tanzania) Provincial.

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