The Rector Major visits Daerim-dong community in Seoul (2)

By KOR SC

Seoul, Korea, 13 November 2018 -- Following his interview with reporters, the Rector Major visited Daerim-dong Youth Centre which is known as the Korean Valdocco.

The Salesian society has been operating Daerim-dong Youth Centre in response to a Korean Ministry of Justice request. The Centre protects and treats teenagers. Currently there are 40 teenagers, 4 Salesians and 20 co-workers in the centre.

During Mass, a teenager who learned carpentry at the Centre dedicated a framed wooden image of Jesus to the Rector Major.

Following a cake-cutting ceremony with the teenagers, the Rector Major had ‘Bibimbap’, a Korean traditional food, for dinner. A teacher, Kim Gyu Won, who has spent 26 years in the pottery department sat on the right of the Rector Major during dinner. The Rector Major praised him as “another Salesian, and wonderful one.”

The Chairman of the Students Association of Daerim-dong Youth Centre sat on the Rector Major's left. After concluding his period of protection observation, he remained in the Salesian facility, as he liked it so much there.

After dinner, the Rector Major viewed the wood and pottery craft and wanted to take some of the items with him. So the Centre happily presented him some wood and pottery craft items.

After a brief time of fellowship with the people in the Centre, he encouraged all those at the Centre who live positively, even under a difficult situation.

Then there was the Autumn concert! The annual autumn concert at Daerim-dong Youth Centre was much the richer for the visit of the Rector Major. All teenagers living at the Centre gave their own performances (group sound, dance and a musical). The chorus, music video and dances by co-workers, Cooperators and Friends of Michael Magone,and the SYM were also impressive.

The highlight of the performances was the musical ‘The Letter from Mother’ performed by teenagers living at Daerim-dong Salesian Centre. The teacher in charge of play therapy as well as teenagers, played a part in the musical. Many of the audience, especially parents and the families, shed a tear. The Rector Major and his secretary used interpretation devices due to the language barrier. The performance was so touching that they too were moved to tears.

After the performance, the Rector Major played the guitar at the dinner (and gave a traditional Good Night) which was a total surprise for all the participants. The audience cheered and applauded at the lively Spanish Rumbara. After an emotional and tearful autumn concert at Daerim-dong Centre the Rector Major returned to the Provincial house, completing his first day in Korea.

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