By Fr. John Visser, SDB

Poipet, Cambodia, July 30 2016 -- Fr. John Visser celebrated his 83rd birthday on 30 July and 2 August 2016 - being missionary in Cambodia he celebrated his 84th birthday according to local tradition.

Mr. Nguon Oeung interviewed and writes, using Fr John's words:

"I came to Cambodia on 24 May 1992 after having been a missionary in Thailand for 36 years. From the first day of arrival I loved this country especially its youth who were awaiting Don Bosco's assistance . With Bro. Roberto Panetto we became the founding fathers of Don Bosco's charism in Cambodia . Also Brother Roberto had come to Cambodia on the day of Our Lady 24 May 1991. It has been Our Lady who guided and supported the work of Don Bosco in Cambodia and on this day we have more than 10,000 past pupils with beautiful works: Don Bosco Technical School - Phnom Penh; Don Bosco Technical School - Sihanoukville; Don Bosco Hotel School - Sihanoukville; Don Bosco Technical School - Kep City; Don Bosco - Center - Poipet; Don Bosco Elementary and Secondary School - Andaung Chenh; Don Bosco Elementary and Agricultural School - Salabalath - Battambang and of course Don Bosco Children Fund which even to day assists over 4,000 poor children all over Cambodia."

Fr John said that "I had expected to have a silent birthday as I am only in Don Bosco Center - Poipet since January 2016 but forget it." Over 150 past pupils from the various schools came with 2 buses and 14 private cars to Poipet in an 8 hours drive from Phnom Penh to Poipet to celebrate Father John's birthday on Saturday 30 July as they have to work diring the week. It became a great family feast with past puplis, the 400 children of Poipet, confreres and some benefactors. Fr John felt very emotional of this surprise happening. We had an academy in the morning, sport in the afternoon and solemn dinner in the evening. What struck father most- that the past pupils had prepared 84 packets of goodies for 84 poorest children of Poipet. Of course they paid for all expenses and even gave a nice gift to the house. Fr John said that "I love you very much and thank God and Our Lady and Don Bosco for all the beautiful days among you who make up the great family of Don Bosco!"

The president of the National Polytechnic Institute of Cambodia H. E. Bun Phearin wrote in his birthday letter to Father John:

Dearest Father John ,

With students, instructors and civil servants of the National Polytechnic Institude of Cambodia and myself as a Cambodian citizen, I would like to express my profound gratitude to you, Father, for your highest commitment and work few decades for education to unprivileged children and youth in Cambodia.




It is difficult to put in words, how much we are thankful for your insight, wisdom, professional attitude, mentorship and guidance as the main pioneering foundation of education spirits in Cambodia. As a matter of fact , with the policy of cooperation model, the National Polytechnic Institute of Cambodia have been working with Don Bosco Technical School in the aims of human resource enhancement in Cambodia...

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