ASIA/CAMBODIA - Lay people play leading role in Catholic education and social services

Phnom Penh (Agenzia Fides) - The role of lay men and women in Catholic education and social services in Cambodia is becoming increasingly important. This emerged from a meeting in Phnom Penh organised by missionaries for lay people who work together as part of the Don Bosco Foundation Children’s Fund launched by the Salesians in 1992.
According to the Salesian news agency ANS, the participants came from Sihanoukville, Kep, Battambang, Poipet and the capital for a few days of formation, discussion and cultural and spiritual reflection and study. The purpose of the meeting was to identify new paths and strategies to render the programme even more dynamic and effective. The Don Bosco Foundation Children’s Fund pays for the education of poor children who would otherwise be denied the opportunity to attend school.
The central theme of the meeting was “Rediscovering the Don Bosco spirit and love for boys and girls”. The Don Bosco Children’s Fund (www.donboscokhmer.org.) operates in 14 provinces and three 3 cities in Cambodia helping 5,000 children, orphans, street children and poor children in rural areas thanks to funds provided by the wider Salesian family. During the meeting with the lay people the missionaries expressed preference for programmes to help children who have difficulty learning.
Education for children and adults is a priority for the Catholic Church in Cambodia and this was confirmed during celebrations for the 450th anniversary of the arrival of the first Catholic missionaries. Cambodia has a population of 14 million of which Catholics are only a small minority 300,000. Catholic Religious and lay people provide education which is highly appreciated and sought after for the high quality of studies as well as the moral and ethical education guaranteed in all Catholic institutes. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 28/2/2007 righe 26 parole 268)