By Fr. Roel Soto, SDB

Dear Salesians of East Asia - Oceania Region

Phnom Penh, Cambodia, November 8, 2015 - We wish to ask our EAO region to assist us, the delegation of Cambodia, with confreres in the coming 10 years as we prepare our vocations in their initial formation. Now we have 5 young Khmer men in different stages of initial formation in Thailand and Cambodia.

We open our invitation to temporary missionary and to missionary ad vitam. For perpetually professed Salesians, priest or Salesian brother, (28-40 years old) 5 years of missionary life and service would be the perfect duration. For practical trainees 2-3 years would be most advisable. Spending time, almost for a year, to learn the Khmer language and culture is a must for better inculturation and efficacy in the mission.

We are moving towards upgrading our institutions along the line of the ASEAN community standards. At the minimum, a college degree holder for perpetually professed would be appropriate to hold key position in the school management or administration before the government. Whereas for a practical trainee a command in the English language is a pre-requisite, which is true to all missionaries, so as to facilitate communication with other nationalities in or outside the community, and even in the study of the Khmer language.

The fields of training offered to students in our vocational & technical schools are the following: printing, mechanical-welding, automotive, electricity, electronic, networking and web design, agro-mechanical, social communication, secretarial and hotel & restaurant skills. Having a background training on the skills above is an advantage in the mission of education and evangelization. Other fields of interest and expertise along the line of education, management, social work, youth ministry and spirituality would be most welcomed.

We welcome anyone who has the intention of dedicating his missionary life and service to the country and Church of Cambodia.

Best regards, in Don Bosco

Fr. Roel Soto, Delegate of Cambodia

NB - At present time there are only 9 confreres working in Cambodia: two of us already with a serious health problems and other two of us just newly arrived practical trainees. Thousands of young people in our seven schools and other social works, many Don Bosco Past pupils are waiting for Don Bosco!