Past pupils in Timor-Leste initiates ecological movement

By Fr. Jolino Vieira, SDB

       Dili, Timor-Leste, 5 February 2022 -- The Don Bosco alumni of Timor-Leste organized different activities in preparation for St. John Bosco’s Feast Day on 31 January. One of the activities was in line with the ecological movement.

       To show solidarity with the Pope’s call for reponse to ecological problems, the Don Bosco past pupils of Timor-Leste organized a tree-planting activity to avoid erosion and build a greener society. This activity was held in Lesibutak, Dili, the capital of Timor-Leste. Other Salesian Family members of Timor-Leste were also actively involved in the activity together with some students from St. Peter, St. Michael and Cristal parish schools, accompanied by their teachers.

       It was interesting to see some influential past pupils in the country attending the activity such as retired General Lere Anan Timur, Mr. Inácio Moreira, Mr. Azevedo Marçal and many others.

       Retired General Timur said in his message, “We are indebted so much to nature. Hence, we must love our mother nature. If there were no jungle during the war our enemies might have killed all our jungle fighters. But through the power of nature, we were able to sustain the war for our independence”. Furthermore, he encouraged and challenged the young people to plant 10 trees for each of them and at least 5 trees for each adult and old people.

       “In this ambience, we will have a greener Timor-Leste and in turn the trees will offer us fresh air for our survival. The trees do have their tears, hence, whenever we cut them, they will shed tears. The trees do cry like human being; so, take care of them.”, he added.

       Mr. Armando Da Costa, the secretary of the past pupils, invited those who were present to actively participate and continue to ecological movement wherever they are. He encouraged all everyone to do everything, including the care for the earth, through love and not constraint as this year’s Strenna emphasizes.

       The community leaders where the trees were planted assured all the Salesian Family members that they will take good care of the plantations in the future. After the activity, the past pupils’ music group animated everyone with their presentations.

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