By Leo Paraha

Gabutu, Port Moresby, PNG, 16 May 2024 -- Don Bosco Technical School commenced its Servanthood and Leadership Training (S.A.L.T) orientation on Friday, 4 May, in Don Bosco Technical School Hall.

S.A.L.T is an annual program of the school designed for graduating students to go out and give service to the community, living a life of service as servant leaders. The program runs for three (3) consecutive Saturdays, with a formation and an evaluation at the end.

The first Saturday was on 4 May as students gave Community Service in the School: Bosco Mountain and Dump area, to Primary Schools: St. Therese Primary and Sevese Morea Primary School, a Clinic: St. Therese Clinic-Hohola, Cheshire Homes and the Parish of Mary Help of Christians Sabama. They continued their service on 11 May.

Mary Help of Christians Sabama Parish Priest, Fr. Ambrose Pereira, SDB, with the parishioners, were delighted to have 43 young, vibrant students from the class of ITC2 Electrical B with the patronage of Mr. Michael Salin and the animating presence of Mr. Leo Paraha, a pastoral team member.

The students were way ahead of time with their patron as they waited patiently for the tools to arrive. Their patron assigned them to different locations around the parish to do their service. From inside the church, the wiping of the chairs, the cutting down of grass at the back of the church, cleaning the flowerbeds to cleaning the drainage, digging the pit for disposal and patching the road for the community. It was an eye opener and a bizarre practice not observed in the community by youths.

More positive reactions from the community members as members affirmed the young men with words of appreciation. A father in the community even collected cash from the community to offer to the boys but was turned down by one of the students who was also living in the community.

The young men even motivated the young boys in the community to help out in cleaning the drainage, removing bottles for sale and pushing the wheelbarrow to carry the soil in the drain. A setback from an individual in the community challenged the students from continuing their service. “It takes a long time for people to understand the need to keep the surrounding clean”, Fr Ambrose told the students.

After the required hours of work Fr. Ambrose Pereira, SDB took the boys for prayer and sharing of experience from the service inside the MHC Church. Mr. Michael then gave instructions on how they should write their experiences down, having in mind that the work they are doing is not just work or hours covered but how they can interact with the community.

Fr. Ambrose, stressed the S.A.L.T, serving the community by being Servant Leaders leading by example in this community and their own communities also. A special snack was served by Margaret, a member of the parish together with Margaret and Barbara and other young people who ensured that the young boys were hydrated and refreshed, during their time at the parish.

The sharing and lunch ended with signing of the booklets by the Patron and Animator. The students were then dismissed.

The last SALT program will be on 18 May. Interested persons are welcome to join the students at the different venues. A special welcome to the Mary Help of Christians parish, Sabama.

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