By Mr. Niel Evangelista
GEX Regional Councillor for Asia-Oceania

Port Moresby PNG (but online), 24 August 2020 -- As of Sunday 23 August, the team visits to the Past Pupils of Don Bosco within the EAO region have already reached 50% of the EAO Past Pupils of Don Bosco online encounters. After TLS, FIN, FIS, THA and GIA provinces, this time the Papua New Guinea (PGS viceprovince) Past Pupils with their former provincial (Fr. Alfred Maravilla), their provincial-elect (Fr. Greg Bicomong), provincial delegate for the SF and for the DB Alumni (Fr. Angel Sanchez) and three leaders of DB Past Pupils in Port Moresby - Mr. Narol Sapak, Mr. Leslie Brown and Mr. Moris Godfrey.

In the lively two-hour encounter, the World Delegate Br. Dominic Nam and GEX regional councillor for Asia-Oceania got a good grasp of the Past Pupils overall situation and established a first relationship. After 40 years of Salesian mission in PNG and 25 years in Solomon Islands, there are already many thousands of young men and women who have received a Don Bosco education in both countries, and the enthusiasm and proud sense of belonging of many Bosconians is well known.

However, there are also some challenges that prevent the basic institutional foundation of the local Unions and national Federation of Past Pupils of Don Bosco :

1. The large geographical distance between the seven (7) main Don Bosco educational institutions (PNG: Port Moresby - DBTI and DBTS Gabutu, Kumgi, Araimiri and Rapolo and Solomon Islands: Honiara-Henderson DBTS and Tetere RTC (Rural Training Centre) and the very costly domestic air transportation with no land routes available. Also the launching of the Past Pupils of Don Bosco in the Solomon Islands remains an important task for the near future.
2. Basic technical difficulty of communications between the single Salesian presences and Past Pupils themselves (issue of electricity and internet connectivity)
3. Few Salesians in small communities and lack of knowledge about the Past Pupils Association's structures (how to start the local Union or national Federation)

During the sharing a few clear ways forward emerged for fostering steps in the right direction - starting with building up local units in each of the 7 Salesian educational works, consistent animation work among current Bosconian students regarding the Past Pupils association (annual events, major involvement of the DBTI (Don Bosco Technological Institute) College graduates and Bosconian teachers in each school; focus on some 'catalyst events' (even the dream of hosting the next EAO regional congress emerged as an idea!), consistent animation through well-managed Past Pupil Unions, FB pages, and continued involvement of already established Past Pupils (business platform).

At the conclusion of the successful meeting, the PNG participants expressed their gratitude at the strong feeling of 'belonging to a bigger family' that can be personally felt through the sharing and dialogue with the World Delegate and their GEX Asia-Oceania young and energetic councilor. All agreed that this is only the start of a longer journey together! Viva Don Bosco!

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