Subject: 'austraLasia' # 366

DON BOSCO ACQUIRES SITE

Ambrose Pereira

HONIARA: 29th June -- Don Bosco has acquired a site for a Technical Training center to help abandoned Solomon Islands youth become good Christians and honest citizens.

Situated near the Henderson Airport and next to the Airport Motel, the acquisition of the site materialized the organization’s strong intention to establish a technical School and Training Centre in the capital. "After several failed attempts, we are very lucky to acquire this piece of land to provide training for the local youth, " said Fr. Luciano Capelli, Rector of the Salesians of Don Bosco in Solomon Islands. John Lee, a private businessman who owns the land had earmarked the site for a super market, hot bread kitchen, butchery and other business activities. "We now thank the Lord, because our request has finally been accepted, but in a different form, " he said.

Fr. Luciano said the land agreement was struck on May 24, the feast day of Mary Help of Christians. He added that Lee has consented to construct the centre’s church building. "If the Lord will give me strength, I’ll do it, " said Lee.

The center will cater for school push-outs, from Ste 6, Form 3 & 5, by providing them with a technical curriculum to prepare them for self employment or industry. "We are simply providing the push-outs with appropriate training which would be useful both in the industry and back in their respective villages," commented Fr. Ambrose Pereira. He said that they hope to begin with agriculture and general skills training for self-employment. Training in automotive, sewing and catering will also be catered for at the center in due time.

Although the actual work on the center is yet to start, trainings have started, according to Don Bosco’s collaborator Atu Balekana. "We are currently providing rehabilitation trainings for the released inmates," stated Atu Balekana. "The automotive and basic welding trainings for the inmates started inside the Rove Prison early this year," he said. So far three inmates have turned up, and Balekana called on the others to come forward to continue their training. "The youth are the future of the nation so it is important that we can on our young people now." "The young people should also think of becoming productive in the family, society and the nation," he said. Balekana said most young people have lost their dignity and vision of who they are and what they can achieve. "We need to show them inner resources and capabilities," he said. As the founder stated, "It is not enough to love the youth, they must feel and experience that they are loved and trusted."