AMERICA/MEXICO - Scalabrinians inaugurate an educational center for refugees and migrants in Tijuana

Tijuana (Agenzia Fides) - "In this new space, many families and adults will be able to realize their goals, dreams and life plans. It will be a safe place, in which we will continue a fight that began more than 130 years ago for our congregation: protect the migrant". This is what Father Patrick Murphy, Scalabrinian missionary and director of the Tijuana Migrant House told Fides, speaking about the new area of the Scalabrini Training Center for Migrants (CESFOM) which was inaugurated in recent days.
Promoted in collaboration with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the project aims to help people on the move to achieve their professional, personal and family goals and to promote their social integration. "The Center", explains Father Patrick, "will give access to studies with official recognition which will allow the personal development of each student and will also facilitate their professional integration afterwards". Since 2018, CESFOM has hosted more than 35 free courses that have benefited more than a thousand people. "Thanks to the new structure, - underlines the religious - we will be able to improve our service by reaching more adult migrants, refugees, deportees and displaced persons who arrive in the city". The new building, in fact, is divided into three levels and includes a services and consultation area; two professional laboratories for commercial courses; two large classrooms, as well as a multipurpose classroom and recreational areas. "In addition to the teaching of Spanish, English, computer science and a literacy course - reports Father Murphy - there are also vocational courses in various fields". To facilitate the integration of the new arrivals, mixed groups will be created, made up of recent migrants and refugees and members of the Tijuana community. "This project - the missionary explains - intends to safeguard the right to the well-being of refugees and asylum seekers, benefiting the local population and at the same time promoting integration and peaceful coexistence". Speaking of the situation of migrants on the border with the United States, Father Patrick adds: "in recent weeks the US government has opened its borders to the most vulnerable people, pregnant women, the elderly and children with serious illnesses. This - he concludes - is a very positive and encouraging sign: as Pope Francis says, for Christians the protection of the last is a priority, so we must build bridges of solidarity". (ES) (Agenzia Fides, 22/5/2021)

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