ULAANBATAAR: 10th October '04 -- The school year began in Mongolia in mid September, and the Don Bosco Industrial Skills Training Centre chose October to graduate its first batch who had sat for National exams. The idea was to 'show off' these 23 graduates to the other students at the Centre, to show them how, with determination and discipline and against all the odds of poverty and missed schooling, it was possible to achieve success.  In additon, seven students gained their Grade 8 certificate, five their Grade 10 certificate. 

    Amongst the main group of graduands were 20 who have completed their course in Industrial Sewing, Woodwork and Automechanics.  Many of these already have jobs; the technical certificate is the 'icing on the cake'.  The aim, of course, is to achieve 100% employment for all graduates.

    The Bishop handed out the certificates from the Government office.  Guest speaker at the graduation ceremony was the Mongolian directress of the Mercedes Benz franchise in Ulaanbataar.  This company is responsible for importing much of the equipment used at the Centre.

    130 present students were on hand to witness the ceremony and to feel that 'if they can do it, so can we'.