austraLasia 808
FILIPINO SALESIANS STRENGTHEN PRESENCE TO RURAL YOUTH
SAN JOSE (Philippines): 18th February '04 -- A feature of both Filipino provinces in recent years has been the strengthening of Salesian presence to rural youth who make up some 70% of the national population according to recent statistics. The rural training centre at San Jose has drawn praise and admiration from Salesian Extraordinary Visitor Fr. Vaclav Klement.
The Don Bosco Training Centre at San Jose is quite close to the residence of the Salesian Bishop of the area, Bishop Leo Drona. The small Salesian Community (3 members) plus a dedicated staff of nine past pupils, is responsible for Automotive, General Electrician and Agricultural Mechanic technology. They accept 65 local trainees annually, 17-26 years of age. This includes young men and women who have dropped out of school, some of whom are married already. After graduation there is an opportunity to take part in the Dominic Savio Cooperative venture, to develop self-supportive skills. The Salesians in the community are also involved in the activities of the wider Church - Fr. Favie Faldas, the Rector, is in charge of the Diocesan Youth Ministry Commission. But the evangelising activity of the centre itself is noteworthy. On the Feast of Don Bosco this year, 20 of the trainees received baptism.
There are another five rural training centres of this kind run from one or other of the two Filipino provinces (FIN and FIS): Naga and Legazpi (FIN) and Dumangas, Mati and Borongan (FIS).
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