Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
(Phnom Penh) - To provide schooling for poor children in danger of growing up unable to even read or write Catholic religious and laity connected with the Salesian Community in Cambodia promote initiatives for basic schooling and professional training.
One initiative launched in Sihanoukville by volunteers of Don Bosco Brother Sun Youth Centre consists of open-air school classes for 100 children of displaced families. These children cannot go to schools so school goes to them is the motto of this Salesian undertaking. The children used to go to school in Mittapheap, where they lived before but now it is too far away.
Don Bosco Brother Sun Youth Centre volunteers give lessons in English and Khmer in the open air, while the Salesians in Sihanoukville are launching a campaign to fund a minimum of structures for this “emergency school”.
According to UNICEF, the conditions of children in Cambodia are particularly difficult. The country has the highest rate of diffusion of AIDS in south east Asia and trafficking of minors is expanding. Boys and girls are traded by criminal organisations for labour in conditions of semi- slavery, illegal adoption and sexual abuse. The root causes include poverty and scarcity of education: some families think if they give them away they will assure their children a better future.
In this context the Salesians strive to give young Cambodians an opportunity for human, cultural and spiritual growth. The first Salesians arrived in Thailand in 1991 with specific mission to help educate poor children, especially orphans according to the charisma of Saint John Bosco, since education is the key to eradicating poverty. Today there are Salesian communities in Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville and Poipet. In 2004-2005 a total number of 925 children 214 of them girls attended Salesian schools or training centres. Special attention is given to street children. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 16/5/2007 righe 27 parole 279)
