Past Pupils Animation Visit in Thailand

By Alberto Sequeira Alves Piedade
Don Bosco Past Pupils World Councilor for Asia-Oceania, GEX

Bangkok, Thailand, 29 August 2017 -- Upon the arrival of GEX Councilor for Asia in Thailand, Alberto Piedade was warmly welcomed at the Provincial House by Fr. Theparat Pitisant, SDB and other conferers. In this visit is also present by the Vice-President of GEX, Mr. Angel Gudiña with the objectives to meet with the past pupils and provide formation on: 1) World Confederation Estatute, 2) Strategic Plan, 3) Business Platform & 4) Introduction to GEX. This meeting has been scheduled to take place on 30 & 31 August at the Provincial House in Hua Mak, Bangkok - Thailand.

On the first day since arrival, the Provincial of THA Province has organized some site visits on 27 August accompanied by Bro. Worawut J. Dominic Savio, SDB to three institutions under the Salesian supervision.

First, St. Dominic School in Bangkok. A school with 2000+ students from Elementary to Secondary level, equipped with advanced facilities, high standards conditions in terms of its educational methodologies of teaching and learning system. This school is led by Fr. Paul Manoon, SDB and the Salesian community.

Second, Don Bosco Technological College which was just the opposite of St. Dominic School in Bangkok. This vocational school was intended for students who cannot afford to pay their school fees, from tribal areas and those youngsters with hearing impair. With the assistance of Fr. Joseph Manachai, SDB and Mr. Wichai Srisura (the Secretary General of Past Pupils of DB in Thailand) - an organized meeting with 20+ students regarding GEX was made possible. Then, a tour around the technical school was provided by Mr. Srisura to exhibit the learning by doing initiative and direct provision to companies and clients services were somehow impressive. These young students really produced high quality products and also up-to-date with this era of globalisation in terms of technology from automative, mechanic, visual arts to printing. He also introduced an interesting cooperation between also Germany-Thai that will bring more advantages and future employment prospects for our youth.

After that we moved to the third site - the 'Pakkred Vocation Center for the Blind'. At the centre, Bro. Joseph Suwan, SDB provided a tour around the facilities and activities (Learning Bell Letter, Typing in Computer, Massaging, Knitting, Planting, Frog & Mushroom Farming). The fact that this center is not only training them but most importantly providing them with moral and emotional support whilst preparing them to be professional masseurs and able to have their own businesses once completed two (2) years training at the center. This center is looking after thosw with vision impaired at the age ranging from 15-40 with various causes of their deficiency.

In overall, the first day experience was a tremendous lesson to learn about the work of Salesian covering the education from very early stage of students to vocational and youth with special needs.

Another interesting discovery about the young past pupils is that there needs effort to re-establish and re-awake the spirit of the young ones despite of the difficulty to have them involved prior to the age of 40s. Nonetheless, another objective of this visit are also to:

• introduce what is GEX?
• where is it going?
• why is it important to have GEX?

Similar presentation on GEX (as well as will be provided in our meeting with the President of Past Pupils in THA Province together with other members of the assciations on these coming two days. Please pray for our mission and more visits to Asia-Oceania region in the coming years.

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