Flagship of Vietnam-Mongolia Province: Vocation School (Tan Ha)

By Our Own Correspondent

Tan Ha, Vietnam, 18 March 2017 -- Just 25 years ago nobody would guess that a 5 hectar land purchased by the Salesians in the high-land province of Bao Loc (250 km northern from Ho Chi Min City) would produce not only coffee (local speciality) but also 3000 young men and women ready for life.

First Salesian (Fr. Joseph Chinh) arrived to Tan Ha in 1995, first batch graduated Skill Training Center in 2002, high school section was open in 2008 and now the 11 SDB strong community of Blessed Artemide Zatti (Rector Fr. Gioakim Phuong, 2 Salesian Brothers, 2 Practical trainees, 1 deacon and 5 Salesian priests) does care for 400 boys and girls (grade 10-12) who are preparing for their life in 5 different technical sections of the Vocational School.

Among the typical traits of Tan Ha Don Bosco is the close collaboration with the FMA community (12 Sisters and 27 Aspirants), good number of Don Bosco Past Pupils involved as teachers and large Center of 40 Salesian Cooperators belonging to 10 nearby parish communities.

Tan Tien Don Bosco Vocational School operates two boarding houses (215 boys and 58 girls), who are coming from difficult life situation, many drop outs, considering Don Bosco as their 'last chance'. Apart of the technical and academic preparation the students have large opportunity to learn music, exercise sports, be involved in volunteer activities (at present also two German volunteers) and grow in faith thanks to typical Salesian environment of prayer, Good Morning, Afternoon and Good Night Talk.

Although there are many challenges on the way, the 22 years of Salesian 'history' of Tan Ha with 3000 Past Pupils is a witness of Don Bosco spirit reaching out to the young people in need. In their turn they are truly 'saving the Salesians and the whole Salesian family'! Tan Ha is one of the four technical schools operated by the Salesians in Vietnam, while another three more vocational schools are in the pipeline with the support of the civil and ecclesiastical authorities.

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