austraLasia - 4647(II)_Don Bosco Family Spirit transforms our Technical School in Blitar

First decade of the Salesians in Blitar - Family spirit

Blitar, Indonesia, 20 February 2018 -- The largest education institution entrusted to the Indonesia Delegation of the Salesian Congregation in Indonesia is located in Blitar. After almost ten years of our presence the 3-SDB strong community (Rector Fr. Djoko (Benediktus Sunardjoko), Vicar and Principal Fr. Pras (Vincentius Prastowo) and new priest Fr. Venan (Finansius Sidabutar) is animating a large school EPC with 680 students (majority Muslim with 10% of Catholics) and 71 teachers and instructors (majority are Catholics with ).

Two year technical course of Catholic SMK (Secondary Technical school) of St. Joseph is offered in mechanics, motorcycle, IT technology and other trades), with most of the students affected by massive oversea migranting population of their parents (Taiwan, Singapore and Hong Kong are the major destinations). The facilities and equipments of the school are improving (new building was blessed last 2016, Honda sponsored section for motorcycle was open in 2015) and the daily life of the students is lived with joy.

Although there not yet any visible signs (statue of Don Bosco or Salesian inscriptions in the school premise), from the entrance to the school you can feel the Salesian family spirit: five teachers greets the students in the school gate, SDB and teachers are giving their good morning talks, there are regular formation moments both for the teachers and the students, three times a year is celebrated the EPC Eucharist and the counselling center (two Salesian priest and four teachers) are assisting the students in their life journey.

The Way forward is quite clear. We try to strengthen in the future this SDB community at least with one Salesian Brother (to make it complete), the regular and systematic formation of the school leadership (four vice-principals and heads of sections) and foster more explicit Salesian animation of the campus and among the students.

In the context of the Salesian Mission Day 2018 'Whispering the Gospel' - in Asia environment of our technical education - also Blitar St. Joseph Technical school offers a deep insight how we can share the Good News with our brothers and sister of other religions in Don Bosco's Way. It all starts with a family building, with closer personal accompaniment of the educators and the students.

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4647(II)_Don Bosco Family Spirit transforms our Technical School in Blitar