KUMGI,
PNG: 25 January 2012 -- The New Year summer holidays
began with a new group of
students coming to Don Bosco Tech, Kumgi, with new brand of
uniforms - of course, blue in colour but this time with
red
stripes!
It was a joy for the Salesians to see six of our neighbours,
among many
others, join the short one week
course in
Basic Computer skills. The doors of Don Bosco Tech were opened
for neighbours and students on holidays to learn Computing
skills.
The course was led by our only Cooperator, Mr. Napoleon
Sanchez,
affectionately known as Mr. Naps, who has been a lay
missionary in PNG
for the past 12 years. Mr. Naps has spent his most
valuable years
of adult life teaching young people Auto Electrical mechanics
and
Computing. Mr. Naps was full of smiles when he heard
that at the
invitation of our Veteran Fr. Angelo Fazzini, some prisoners
from the
Kumgi Correctional Institute Services (CIS) would be coming to
Don
Bosco to learn computing skills.
Five women serving a life sentence, together with their
warden, came
regularly on time for the program. Of the five women, three
have been
with CIS for six years. The other two less than two years.
They were
very enthusiastic about the short program since they have no
access to
the outside world to learn a skill. It was the first time in
their life
that they had touched a computer or fiddled with key board and
mouse.
Though Mr. Naps found it very difficult to make them
understand basic
computer terms, their enthusiasm kept him going. After one
week of
intense learning they learned Microsoft Word, Word Art and
some
keyboard skills.
It was an opportunity for the Salesians, too, to spend
some time
with these young women and learn about their life in prison.
In their
confined setting they have their routine work, prayer and
other
activities in the prison. We found them happy and with peace
of mind.
Naturally they expressed their desire to go home and be with
their
children.
Consider the circumstances that led them to prison - mainly
domestic
violence. Most had suffered at the hands of their husbands and
for want
of care and protection. Many of their husbands are involved in
polygamy. This is a common and major issue in PNG. 'Buying' a
woman
cheaply and then not taking care of her is common
practice.
Marriage stability, faithfulness, marriage preparation are
amongst the
most important topics of discussion for young people at Don
Bosco
during their personality development classes. Most young
people
are happy to learn not only a skill but life values as we
continue to
tell them the story of Jesus.
Thanks to Mr. Naps for sacrificing his holidays and rendering
free
service in empowering these women with a skill!