By Fr. Ponchit Phoolvithayakij, SDB
Banpong, Thailand, October 30, 2015 - Don Bosco Technical School in Banpong (50 km from Bangkok) was started in 1981. After 35 years of history in the Salesian stronghold of Banpong - two large academic schools (SDB - Sarasit, FMA - Nariwooth), Salesian Aspirantate - Ban Nazareth, Parish of St. Joseph and Don Bosco Technical School.
The community of Don Bosco Banpong these years has been blessed by the increasing numbers of student in spite of the low-interest among the young concerning technical studies. Both day and evening courses are attended by some 600+ students. We hope to help around 200 poor students each year to financially sustain themselves and their families very soon after their graduation. Many of them will also further their study in the evening while working in the morning around the area.
At the center of the large school compound is a dominant statue of Don Bosco. Since long time ago we find in front of Don Bosco statue many offering of flowers and candles - something typical for the Thai culture and traditions.
During this school year 2015-2016 we hope to start a new auto-mechanical workshop building, intending to give more facility to this department which longs for its own permanent area already for more than 10 years.
At present the Banpong DB Technical school community is an ideal Salesian Charism witness composed of two Salesian priests and two Salesian brothers.
Vocational camp at Don Bosco House in Chiang Mai
By Fr. Ronachai, SDB
Chiang Mai, Thailand - On 13-16 October the THA province Youth Ministry Team organised the Salesian vocational camp at Don Bosco House Doi Saket, Chiang Mai.
For the first time in history (since 2002) participated about 117 youth coming from the Northern part of Thailand in this camp. The 4 days program was animated by 25 Salesians, Postulants, and Aspirants. It was our great joy that Bishop of Surrathani (South of Thailand) Joseph Prathan Sridarunsil, SDB came to visit us at the camp and give a talk to all the participants.
The Vocation Camp program did focus on the Catechism and Salesianity, especially on the life of Don Bosco. All the participants enjoyed the time in the camp everyone of them went back full of joy. There are 20 boys who applied to the Chiang Junior Aspirantate next year 2016-2017. At present there are in Chiang Mai 17 Aspirant (grade 7-9). After the move to the North of Thailand (since 2002), majority of our Aspirants are from this region.
