austraLasia 1026
Don Bosco Cambodia- Two Celebrations, Two styles - One Misssion
(from our Cambodian correspondent)
SIHANOUKVILLE: 31st January 2005 -- Don Bosco Phnom Penh started with the sports parade and ended with the mass and youth dancing on 29 January. The festive sports activities took place in the school's track and field centre. Four hundred and fifty athletes (Salesians, teachers and students) gathered to vie for the races, relays, jumps and variety of traditional games.
Hon. Chuom Saray, the district officer and Lt. Hang Mony, the district chief of police, presided over the opening ceremony as guests of honor. Their presence gave assistance to a 2005 metre marathon race with about 200 runners. Our athletic Salesian priest, Fr. Luis Oyarzo, was one of the top five finishers. It was just to prove that the Salesians are not only “for” the youth but they are “with” the youth especially in the playground and the chapel. The mass in honor of St. John Bosco was concelebrated with four priests and attended by about 200of the little flock of the Lord. I.Q. contest on the life of Don Bosco and the Salesians in Cambodia and the make-a-slogan contest were the central points of the “Know Don Bosco Better” celebration.
Don Bosco Sihanoukville, on the other hand, started the academy with a mini-liturgical service presided over by Fr. Walter Brigolin, Rector of the school, and ended with some friendly sports games on 31 January.
Forty-two young men and women were also awarded with certificates upon completion of their 12-week skills training course in dressmaking and automotive. These young men and women were supported by the Danish International Development Assistance (Danida Organization). Mr. Etienn Baijot, Project Team Leader, handed the certificates to the graduates. He also thanked Don Bosco for having organized the course excellently for them. Group Singing Contest and Choreography of the song “Don Bosco, Father and Teacher of Youth” was the focal point to present Don Bosco’s mission to the young in youthful language.
The afternoon activities had even more youthful atmosphere with friendly matches between Don Bosco Phnom Penh and Don Bosco Sihanoukville in basketball, football and volleyball. The family and friendly spirit was such that both schools were cheering both teams. Hence, both schools have one mission: to love and honor Don Bosco every 31 of January in a youthful way!
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