austraLasia

Don Bosco Youth Center 50 Years publication

Seoul, Korea, 8 December -- After two years of hard work, patient collection of materials, complilation, translation and helped by many Alumni and one special secretary, Br. Marino Bois complete a monumental work of 500 pages '50 Years of Don Bosco Youth Center in Rome'. The book was published last September in 3000 copies (Korean) and recently sent to all EAO provincial centers together with lengthy English and Italian summary.

This book was compiled for all who love the Don Bosco Youth Center in Seoul, Korea. Necessary funds were collected by our Alumni. They had been very generous. With their fund we could pay the expense for publishing as well for the different celebration of the fiftieth anniversary. With the remaining amount we hope to send to our twin DB Technical School in Sudan (El Obeid) two lathes and two computers with the aided design program.

Main parts of this publication were written in English and only later on translated in Korean, we share this English summary of each chapter. Then we indicate the respective pages in the Korean publication. We hope to make happy many well-wishers who love us around the world. We apologize for poor English and lack of professionalism. Thank so much for your understanding!

One meaningful example from the first chapters of this publication: The DNA of DBYC as Vocation Training Center (1960-1963) – First four Salesian Brothers

It took almost 10 years of preparation, from the first Salesian education work in Korea, in Gwangju Salesian High School.

As in every similar Salesian story, the providence passed through many Salesian Brothers prepared in the field of technical education.There were many Salesian Brothers who were sent to Korea in the early days: In 1960 Br. Gastardello Delfino (Italian, sent from Japan. He started, in a wide empty shed by the School Auditorium, a basic carpentry giving the first evening courses to a group of students eager to learn carpentry. He was also an architect and worked for different projects, like the Parish Church of Dorim-dong in Seoul and the Conventual Franciscan Parish Church in Daeyeon-dong, Nam-gu, Busan.

In 1961 arrived Br. Jim Comino from Italy, and started a small section of mechanics teaching the basic skills of torch and arch welding to some aspirants to the Salesian Brother life who were starting their formation as instructors in the mechanic field. In 1962 Br. Jerry Weirich arrived from the United States, prepared in Auto Mechanics, helped in assisting and in teaching English in the school, waiting to open an Auto-Motive shop. In 1963 Br. Marino Bois arrived from Italy and joined Br. Jim Comino in the Technical Formation of some students interest in the Salesian Brother’s Vocation.

In January 1964 Br. Comino went to Japan to purchase a small lathe and milling machine; later, these two machines were brought from Gwangju to Seoul and became the first machines of the Don Bosco Youth Center as Vocation Training – Professional Technical School.

With the passing of time, the preparations increased and the Salesians began to look how to start the Technical School in Seoul, in order to realize the Dream of Don Bosco in Korea.

NB: The publication is still available free of charge in DBYC Seoul, Korea!