austraLasia 984
Pakistan: a moving offer from the boys at Lahore
LAHORE: 6th January 2005 -- News of the Asian Tsunami devastation has naturally reached all corners of the globe. Lahore is not so distant, geographically, from affected areas along the South Indian coastline, but they have had enough troubles of their own in recent years. Nevertheless, the response from the boys at the Don Bosco Technical School and Youth Centre in Lahore is typical of generous youth who can put their own troubles aside and think of others. Fr. Miguel writes from Lahore:
"Last night we had a long goodnight with the boys. I asked them what our contribution could be for the victims of the disaster. Prayer was the first initiative of the boys…and then we agreed to participate in a Relief Fund organized by the diocese separating part of the money collected from their School Fees on this month. It will be something symbolic because our own economy is not that good and we expect many extra expenses with the registration of the School. But D.Bosco participated in the collections of the Pope because he knew the great value of these signs in education to generosity for his boys and so do we. What was more touching was the fact that before going to sleep I had a group of older boys who came to volunteer in case we could send them to start working in the rebuilding, with their technical skills. I mentioned to them that we already offer our place to host orphans and they were very happy. They immediately estimated we had space, comprising a bit all of us, for about 50 boys."
While aspects of the boys' desire to help may not be practicable - affected nations are not keen to send children abroad - there is no doubting their generosity and sincerity.
________________________
'austraLasia' is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia-Pacific. It functions also as an agency for ANS, based in Rome. Try also www.bosconet.aust.com and Lexisdb
