First Salesian Co-educational Boarding Technical School

in Timor Leste

By Fr. Joao Roque Guterres, SDB

Maliana, Timor Leste, 4 April 2018 -- Five years after establishment of the Spain and Timor Leste government project of Maliana Don Bosco, the 4 SDB strong community of Maliana (Rector Fr. Joao Roque Gutteres, Economer Br. Marcal Lopez, Catechist - Fr Nelson Soares and Practical trainee - Cl. Camillo Pereira with two Aspirants) does witness a strong family spirit. All 106 boarding students (70+ boys and 30+ girls) with 15+ lay mission partners (4 of them are Salesian Past Pupils) are making together one busy and joyful family. There are already two groups of 3 year course graduates (60 Past Pupils) and among them also two fresh SDB Aspirants who assist their younger generation in our school today.

Maliana is the third diocese of Timor Leste and our Don Bosco Secondary Technical school is located at 7 km distance from the Maliana district headquarters (Bishop Norberto Amaral). There 20+ diocesan priests, 57 major seminarians and five men religious congregations (SJ, SVD, SDB, OFM and local Congregation of Brothers). Our confreres also animate two ADMA centers (third one is animated by nearby FMA Sisters) and on Sunday are offering in nearby parishes Mass and other sacramental help.

In the history of Salesian charism in East Timor the education life-transforming impact of our boarding school is widely acknowledged by thousands of Fatumaca, Fuiloro or Venilale graduates. But Don Bosco Maliana offers a unique experience of coeducational environment. Constant animating presence of the Salesians and Lay mission partners help an integral growth of our youth. Indeed the boys dormitory looks as the most clean place of the whole school! Indeed the Salesian community shares their prayers and meals with the young people every day and every visitor can sense the joyful family spirit of Maliana Educative and Pastoral community.

Busy daily schedule starts at 5:30 with the Eucharist celebration attended by the students and Salesians. Indeed during the whole day - study, meal, recreation, chores, working and (electrical) workshop practice - the Salesians are always present teaching and assisting. And the good night talk in the school chapel at 9 PM is really the last common moment of each day, like at Valdocco.

The large compound of 6 hectares is not yet fully developed, since this government schools depends on the Education ministry subsidy. However a beautiful school chapel was blessed by Bishop Norbert just last year in October. We pray and hope that more young people of the Western part of Timor Leste would benefit from Don Bosco education in Maliana!

Related articles:

• Australasia 2935: Don Bosco Maliana - Finally we have Don Bosco in our midst (2011 October)
• Australasia 3711 (I) Youth encounter in the Maliana district DB200 (2015 August)

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Bishop Norbert of Maliana with Br. Adriano and Fr. Joaoa Roque