The Lao People's Revolutionary Youth Union
and The Salesian Province of Thailand

By THA SC

Vientiane, Laos, 26 June 2019 -- On the 26th of June 2019, Fr Dheparat Pitisant, the Provincial of Salesian Thailand Province, Fr Patrick Maccioni, the Rector of the Don Bosco Vocational Training Center Vientiane, and Bro Carlo Magno Bacalla joined the mid-way evaluation meeting, as Salesian Representatives, for the joint project between The Lao People's Revolutionary Youth Union and the Salesian Foundation of Thailand, with Mr. Boonta Theppawong, the Deputy Secretary of the Administration of The Lao People's Revolutionary Youth Union, Mr. Biya Yathotu, the Head of the Department of Youth Vocational Development, the representatives of the Provincial Management of Youth [18 provinces], representatives from the Education Department, representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Capital City, representatives of the Institute of Vocational Education, all together 55 representatives.

The meeting was held at the Don Bosco Vocational Training Center - Vientiane, from 09.00 - 16.00 hrs. The purpose of the meeting was to evaluate the Memorandum of Understanding on the management of half of the five-year agreement - 2016 - 2021. The atmosphere of the meeting was filled with friendship and cooperation between the two parties for the benefit of young Laotians. Fr. Dheparat Pitisant said during the meeting that: "the intentions of The Lao People's Revolutionary Youth Union and the Salesian Congregation are in-sync, especially in helping and developing the poor and disadvantaged youth. The Salesians are trying to do everything for the young without prejudice to citizenship and religion. We take care of them like our own children. In order to do this mission well and with quality, we need support and cooperation from all the departments and the government as well.

The Salesian Congregation of Thailand signed this cooperation with The Lao People's Revolutionary Youth Union in 2008. There had been the signing of the MOU two times, from 2008-2009, from 2010-2014; the third signing is now going on.

The work of the Salesians in Laos started on 24 May 2004 under the leadership of Fr Tito Pedron. They started by repairing small vehicles. This activity was called "Mitr Samphan". This was managed by 5 young Laotians who were past pupils of Don Bosco Technological College - Bangkok. Later, this work was expanded and became the Don Bosco Vocational Training Center at its present location. The canonical erection of the house was on 17 January 2019. A community was erected with Fr Patrick Maccioni as rector, together with three other confreres, namely, Bro. Carlomagno Bacalla, Fr. John Paul Vu Van Trung, and Fr. John Baptist Huy Huang.

At present, the Center has opened up to various skills, such as electrician, automotive repair, motorcycle repair and welding. In this first school semester 2019, there are 98 young men. Among these are '60 boarders' with 20 Catholics among them.

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