By Fr Parappilly Robinson, SDB

Kumgi, Papua New Guinea, 20 May 2019 -- Four Salesians, 4 Sisters, one Salesian Cooperator and 34 Lay Mission Partners journey with more than 500 youth in the Don Bosco Tech, Kumgi, Kundiawa - Highlands of PNG. Very soon they will be celebrating their Silver Jubilee (25 years) of Salesian presence in this part of PNG. Under the leadership of Fr Robinson Parrappilly (Rector, Principal) over the past few years, DB Kumgi is steadily growing, with the co-educational institutions and their infrastructure with a St John Bosco Shrine and Technical College in initial stages.

As with every large Don Bosco educational institution, also in Kumgi the formation of our lay people as mission partners is of crucial importance. And in PNG it's still more challenging due to the great tension or gap between culture and faith. We can slowly bridge this gap especially with consistent monthly formation of our teachers.

During the short animation visit of the EAO Regional Councillor, the DB Tech mission partners shared their impression on the few videos that bring them closer other Salesian continentes - like the work among the refugees in Africa (Salesian Mission Day 2019), Cagliero Project (Australian missionary volunteer program) and Salesian Youth Movement message from Panama (Rector Major 2019). Our Lay Mission Partners shared their reflections during the formation session:

• To start mission among the refugees is difficult; touched by the Salesian effort to be there, to feel their presence.
• The number of Salesian missionary volunteers is small compared to the number of refugees; there is a huge need.
• Compared to African refugees we don’t’ experience this contagious joy as the Africans do with Don Bosco.
• We have to make any young people feel at home in our school, we have to have heart for them, we have to be present, to be with the students, to be part of them, enjoy the life together; we have to be part of the no-academic activities, our presence will be enjoyed.
• When we complain about what we don’t have, but don’t realize what we have, our gifts.
• If is possible that in Cambodia with few Salesians the lay mission partners can even run a school – we are invited to give our heart for the youth in need here and now.
• Wow! There are 136 countries with Don Bosco, that means that Salesians are accepted in many non-Christian countries, without difference of religion, culture and background, by all!
• And DB always inspires young people, volunteering is not waiting in return for monetary, nice to see the generosity and joy of voluntary service
• Cagliero Project: teachers like us, do we bring joy to the life of young people? We feel that we can not always bring joy. There is joy and happiness. Not just to teaching but bringing joy.

Boarding schools like Don Bosco Tech Kumgi with large dormitories for half of the school population are a wonderful opportunity for a holistic Christian education (here the majority of the Bosconians are non-Catholics, but almost all of them are Christians). Our school with vibrant pastoral animation with involvement of the students (SYM), vocation and missionary group, improving academic standards and presence of young Salesians (practical trainees) among our students makes a difference in the life of the young.

Looking forwards to the 25th anniversary of DB Kumgi we walk with our students and lay mission partners, with our daily patient and effective educative and pastoral presence, contributing to the growth of good Christians and honest citizens of Papua New Guinea. And we pray, hope and work for some Salesian vocation among them!

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