ASIA/CAMBODIA - Salesians open ‘Community Reaching out Salesian Shelter’ to guarantee study and play for 800 lucky street children

Friday, 29 April 2005

Phnom Penh (Fides Service) - In Phnom Penh the Salesian missionaries have just opened a new home for street children called CROSS ‘Community Reaching out Salesian Shelter’ which will guarantee study and play for 800 fortunate children rescued from the streets. The Salesian news bulletin ANS said the blessing of the new home was performed by Fr. Vaclav Klement, Salesian regional counsellor for East Asia-Oceania, on his first visit to Phnom Penh. Meeting the Salesian Fathers, Sisters Daughters of Mary Auxiliatrix and lay missionaries, Fr. Klement said the new Centre is part of the local Church’s precious contribution for the development of the people of Cambodia, young people in particular. .
UNICEF said Cambodia is one of the less developed countries in Asia. It has the highest rate of diffusion of AIDS in the region and growing trafficking of minors. Boys and girls are sold and bought by criminal organisations and forced to work in conditions of semi-slavery, victims of illegal adoption and sexual abuse . In Cambodia 35% of prostitutes are under 17 and 43% are HIV+. Poverty and lack of education are at the roots of this situation. Very often families hand over their children convinced this is a way to guarantee them a better life.
Despite the difficult situation the Church in Cambodia is rich in new young members as well as others preparing to become Catholics. Since 1991 when religious freedom was restored after the dark years of the Khmer Rouge regime - the Catholic community began to grow again and today it has reached the number of 19,000, among a population of 12 million.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 29/4/2005 righe 29 parole 298)


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