This article appeared in the Solomon Star, Honiara.
“Don Bosco Henderson” evaluates its presence to be dynamically faithful.
- Fr. Ambrose Pereira sdb
Saint John Bosco founded the Salesians in 1954 who since then run 5000 “DON BOSCO” educational Institutions in 130 countries including in the Solomon Islands for the past few months.
The students of Don Bosco Training Centre, Henderson are about to complete the first of the four modules, that commenced in September 2000 and will conclude in May 2001. Successful candidates will then be admitted to the next module. Automotive Mechanics, Welding and Fabrication, Agriculture, together with Communication Skills, Mathematics, Technical Drawing, Spiritual Guidance and Value Education have been dealt with in this first module.
Don Bosco now welcomed the arrival of Fr. Stephen Fujikawa, Provincial of the Province of Japan and overall responsible for the Salesians in Japan and Solomon Islands. He was accompanied by Fr. Aldo Cipriani sdb Provincial Economer, Fr. Orlando Puppo sdb, Provincial Vicar and Fr. Iida Tetsu sdb, Japanese Salesian Priest and electrical engineer who will join the team in Henderson. Together with the Solomon school staff they will evaluate the present educational and evangelization work and see if they have been true to the charism of the founder: Saint John Bosco. In response to the many requests for application forms plans for further development will also be discussed.
“ It has been a powerful experience for me as I spend my quality time with the young men and accompany them in their process of growth. I was deeply touched when one of them brought me a bunch of cabbage, fruit of his hard work from the plot he worked on with a sincere ‘thank you Father’. I look forward to the day when these young men will be even more responsible persons in the sector of society in which they live in”, states Fr. Luciano Capelli sdb, Director of the project in Solomon Islands. “We are hopeful that these youngsters will in turn, reach out to inspire others youth of their age, now, and their children in the future”.
“Our focus here at Don Bosco’s is on punctuality, dedication and hard work. While every candidate is interested in all that Don Bosco has to offer, be it studies or extra-cultural activities, it calls for commitment and oneness of purpose to reach the completion of the entire programme” comments Fr. Ambrose Pereira sdb. “The youngsters are talented and the capable of much. Education is possible with parents and family members and hence we have visited the homes of every student. We encourage parents and guardians to contribute to the growth of their child through constant dialogue between the staff of the institute. It’s marvelous to see the response and the growth of quite a few candidates”.
Mr. Atu Balekana, the first Don Bosco collaborator in Solomon Islands has his heart with the boys. He is pleased to see the results of the boys and what they are capable of. Former teacher at SICHE, he believes that firmness and kindness are most necessary for the youngsters. “I have joined Don Bosco, following an inspiration of the Lord, who called me to go cast my net out into the deep. I am firmly convinced that Don Bosco must maintain its standard and each one of us must to work hard to achieve his objectives of building good Christians and honest citizens”. He constantly encourages the youngsters to be aware of those who draw them away from their goal and their focus in life. His constant presence in all the activities – study, work, games and music - of the boys is much appreciated.
“I have noticed a gradual change in the candidates over the past few months. They are respectful, helpful and concerned about others”, is what Mr. Waisea Banivalu, in-charge of welding and fabrication has to say. “At times, it could get discouraging and it does challenge me to work even more”.
True to its ideal of forming “Good Christians and Honest Citizens”, the Salesians and staff of Don Bosco are striving to give of their best to work for these out-of-school-youth, who have no possibility of further education. “The process is slow and the road long, but we are planting seeds that will bear fruit in the years ahead” concludes Fr. Luciano Capelli. “We are confident that our youngsters will grow up well and their children will live a much better style of life.
