By J. Mota SDB

       Comoro, Dili, Timor-Leste 02 June 2022 -- In the afternoon of 2 June 2022. the Honourable Ambassador of Switzerland, Mr. Kurt Kunz was welcomed by the TLS Provincial, Fr. Apolinário Neto, SDB on his arrival in the Don Bosco Provincialate accompanied by TLS Economer, Fr. Gui do Carmo da Silva, SDB and all the PEO and PDO staff.

       The Salesian Media Centre Music Band sang two songs to welcome the ambassador. In his welcoming remarks, Fr. Neto, SDB, on behalf of all beneficiaries, thanked the Swiss Government represented by the ambassador, for helping the Don Bosco Mission Foundation in Timor-Leste for the Project of Kaiwá entitled “A SCHOOL FOR EVERYONE! AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOR THE CHILDREN IN KAIWÁ”.

       After this, as guided by Fr. Gui, the ambassador, had a great time tasting espresso coffee in the SMC Cafeteria. After taking some snacks, Fr. Gui led the ambassador to the meeting room accompanied by the Provincial. The meeting was for three persons only, namely Fr. Gui, the Honourable Ambassador, Mr. Kurt Kunz and his assistant. In the meeting, Fr. Gui introduced the background of the cooperation between Don Bosco Foundation Timor-Leste, Fondazione Opera Don Bosco Nel Mondo and the Swiss Government. He also presented the overall project progress report from the start with the Fondazione Opere DB Nel Mondo way back in 2015 up to the actual date as of June 2, 2022 with the recent co-funding with the Swiss Government to establish an elementary school for Kaiwá kids. Representing the beneficiaries, Fr. Eligio Locatelli, SDB and his assistant, Mr. José Manuel raised their voices of appreciation and thanked the Swiss Government. Aside from these, Fr. Gui, as the project coordinator, noted some difficulties and challenges found in the project.

       The Ambassador and his assistant gladly welcomed the report and it has been taken into account for further cooperation. Before leaving the meeting room, Mr. Kurt Kunz presented a simple gift to the project coordinator, Fr. Gui do Carmo da Silva, SDB and they shared a picture taken together. The Fondazione Opere Don Bosco Nel Mondo, Swiss government and Don Bosco Mission Foundation in Timor-Leste are committed to work further for the education of the youth most especially those who are poor and abandoned.

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