TONJ (Sudan): 26th January -- Tonj is south of Wau: to make it easier, just think of Southern Sudan, rebels and 25 years of virtually incessant conflict.  But where does the East Asia-Oceania Region fit into such a picture?  There are at least five members of this Region at work in Africa, several of them in Sudan and in particular, the subject of this article, Fr. John Lee Tae Saek SDB from KOR.

    Fr John is a young medical practitioner, and he now finds himself in Tonj since 2001 alone in that capacity (not alone as a Salesian there, however); he is appealing for help in the form of a surgeon and someone to animate music - he has the band instruments already - in the mission; Fr John is also a musician, you see, but binding up the injuries of an ongoing conflict is occupying all his time.  He would like at least a part-time commitment on the part of both responses to the above plea for help.  But a little more about Fr John and his situation:

    Born 1962 in Korea, John Lee had already completed a medical degree before joining the Salesians.  After his practical training in Korea he studied in Rome and from there, during the summer, went for 2 months to 'help out' in Tonj as a young Salesian volunteer.  It changed his life.  After ordination he asked the Rector Major if he could be sent to Tonj to help the plight of young people there.

    Now he runs a small medical dispensary and is building a field hospital.  The mission incorporates a school (800 students) an Oratory, a parish and mission stations.  There are 4 Salesians there and the Salesian Sisters.

    On a brief return to Korea to put the desperate situation of the people in the Tonj mission, the press dubbed him as 'Korea's Schweitzer' for his medical and musical capacity and for his humanitarian effort.  Fr John has composed any number of songs in Korean and now in English for Tonj youth.

    Fr John has wonderful support from Korea, from friends who have formed a virtual community around him at that distance, but he also needs English speakers in the tasks he has especially asked assistance for (see above).  Perhaps some reader of austraLasia knows someone who knows someone else and can respond?  His email is occasionally attended as access is costly, by satellite, and no long emails or attachments, obviously.  sdbgiolee@insamart.ocinet.net