Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vientiane (Fides Service) - Lay people, former Salesian school pupils keep the charisma of Don Bosco alive in Laos with the activities of youth pastoral at Don Bosco Centre run by former Don Bosco school pupil Mr Sanya. Opened three years ago - Ans Salesian news agency reports- Don Bosco Centre has made good progress despite moments of crisis when there was a risk it might have to close down.
Today the Salesian centre in Vientiane with 12 teachers and 24 students, offers technical training and education of high quality and collaborates with 14 mechanical and electrical vehicle producing factories. There is a project to enlarge the technical school to make room for more teachers and pupils. Besides scholastic studies and technical training the pupils take part in religious instruction, community prayers and sports.
The Salesians hope to increase their presence in Laos in order to offer their special charisma to support the local Church's youth pastoral.
The Salesians first came to Laos in 2004 when an evangelising initiative entirely led by Laotian former Don Bosco school pupils with the assistance of the confreres in Bangkok, set out from Thailand towards Cambodia and Laos.
Thanks to these Don Bosco 'old boys' the Salesian Family is united and lively. Expansion in Cambodia and Laos is proof of the Salesian missionary spirit which can rely on the valid activity of teachers and educators. As in the entire Catholic Church in Asia-Oceania, strategic importance is given to schools and training colleges and the majority of consecrated and lay Salesians are involved in the sector of formation. In some areas they run social centres which are vitally important to offer poor young people and opportunity for a better future. Catholics in Laos are about 42,000 in a population of 5.4 million mainly followers of Buddha. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 27/4/2007 righe 26 parole 258)
