LAHORE: 26th March 2005 --  The Don Bosco Technical and Youth Centre in Lahore, and indeed the entire, gorwing Salesian Family in Pakistan, has recieved a beautiful Easter gift - the Certificate of Registration of the Technical centre.

    It is not so easy to come by such recognition, and certainly rare for a group who have been so few years in the country, but the certification is a recognition by Government of the value they see in the Salesian 'team' at work in Lahore.  It has to be said, and rightly so, that much is owed to the efforts of the Salesian in charge of the enterprise, the man who laid the foundation stone and guided its development - Fr Hans Dopheide.

    Fr Miguel Angel Ruiz writes to tell us that the path has not always been an easy one.  No fewer than 8 education inspectors have passed through, in general very cooperative, though in instances not even prepared to share a cup of tea with Christians for fear of being labelled 'impure'.

    But papers have been shuffled, contatcs made and much patience displayed all round, the end result being that the Punjab Board of Technical Schools now lists Don Bosco as an affiliate.  This means that the boys can now obtain up to 12 certificates in different skills training areas of Metalwork, Welding, Motor Mechanics, Electricity and AC-Refrigeration.

    Fr Miguel has just two words he wishes to repeat and is happy to spread via austraLasia:  'Thank you'.  This is a thanks to the Salesian Family who have helped in various ways, to Fr Hans who has put so much energy and vision into the project.  It is also a thanks in the name of all the students present and to come who stand to benefit so much.