austraLasia #2998
Female Prisoners learn useful computer skills
KUMGI, PNG: 25 January 2012 -- The New Year summer holidays began with a new group of students coming to Don Bosco Tech, Kumgi, with new brand of uniforms - of course, blue in colour but this time with red stripes!
It was a joy for the Salesians to see six of our neighbours, among many others, join the short one week course in Basic Computer skills. The doors of Don Bosco Tech were opened for neighbours and students on holidays to learn Computing skills.
The course was led by our only Cooperator, Mr. Napoleon Sanchez, affectionately known as Mr. Naps, who has been a lay missionary in PNG for the past 12 years. Mr. Naps has spent his most valuable years of adult life teaching young people Auto Electrical mechanics and Computing. Mr. Naps was full of smiles when he heard that at the invitation of our Veteran Fr. Angelo Fazzini, some prisoners from the Kumgi Correctional Institute Services (CIS) would be coming to Don Bosco to learn computing skills.
Five women serving a life sentence, together with their warden, came regularly on time for the program. Of the five women, three have been with CIS for six years. The other two less than two years. They were very enthusiastic about the short program since they have no access to the outside world to learn a skill. It was the first time in their life that they had touched a computer or fiddled with key board and mouse. Though Mr. Naps found it very difficult to make them understand basic computer terms, their enthusiasm kept him going. After one week of intense learning they learned Microsoft Word, Word Art and some keyboard skills.
It was an opportunity for the Salesians, too, to spend some time with these young women and learn about their life in prison. In their confined setting they have their routine work, prayer and other activities in the prison. We found them happy and with peace of mind. Naturally they expressed their desire to go home and be with their children.
Consider the circumstances that led them to prison - mainly domestic violence. Most had suffered at the hands of their husbands and for want of care and protection. Many of their husbands are involved in polygamy. This is a common and major issue in PNG. 'Buying' a woman cheaply and then not taking care of her is common practice.
Marriage stability, faithfulness, marriage preparation are amongst the most important topics of discussion for young people at Don Bosco during their personality development classes. Most young people are happy to learn not only a skill but life values as we continue to tell them the story of Jesus.
Thanks to Mr. Naps for sacrificing his holidays and rendering free service in empowering these women with a skill!
Female Prisoners learn useful computer skills
by Fr Robinson Parappilly sdb
It was a joy for the Salesians to see six of our neighbours, among many others, join the short one week course in Basic Computer skills. The doors of Don Bosco Tech were opened for neighbours and students on holidays to learn Computing skills.
The course was led by our only Cooperator, Mr. Napoleon Sanchez, affectionately known as Mr. Naps, who has been a lay missionary in PNG for the past 12 years. Mr. Naps has spent his most valuable years of adult life teaching young people Auto Electrical mechanics and Computing. Mr. Naps was full of smiles when he heard that at the invitation of our Veteran Fr. Angelo Fazzini, some prisoners from the Kumgi Correctional Institute Services (CIS) would be coming to Don Bosco to learn computing skills.
Five women serving a life sentence, together with their warden, came regularly on time for the program. Of the five women, three have been with CIS for six years. The other two less than two years. They were very enthusiastic about the short program since they have no access to the outside world to learn a skill. It was the first time in their life that they had touched a computer or fiddled with key board and mouse. Though Mr. Naps found it very difficult to make them understand basic computer terms, their enthusiasm kept him going. After one week of intense learning they learned Microsoft Word, Word Art and some keyboard skills.
It was an opportunity for the Salesians, too, to spend some time with these young women and learn about their life in prison. In their confined setting they have their routine work, prayer and other activities in the prison. We found them happy and with peace of mind. Naturally they expressed their desire to go home and be with their children.
Consider the circumstances that led them to prison - mainly domestic violence. Most had suffered at the hands of their husbands and for want of care and protection. Many of their husbands are involved in polygamy. This is a common and major issue in PNG. 'Buying' a woman cheaply and then not taking care of her is common practice.
Marriage stability, faithfulness, marriage preparation are amongst the most important topics of discussion for young people at Don Bosco during their personality development classes. Most young people are happy to learn not only a skill but life values as we continue to tell them the story of Jesus.
Thanks to Mr. Naps for sacrificing his holidays and rendering free service in empowering these women with a skill!
