It was with great joy that the young students of the Don Bosco Vocational Center in the Palabek refugee camp celebrated the feast day of the “Father and Teacher of Youth” on Monday 31 January 2022. Throughout the day, 250 students from various courses – agriculture, solar energy, construction, motorcycle mechanics, sewing, carpentry, blacksmiths, hairdressers, and motor vehicle driving – enjoyed a typically oratorian atmosphere. Uganda was one of the countries in the world with the longest period of closures in the educational field due to the Covid-19 pandemic: for almost two years all the centers were closed. Finally, the country’s President allowed the reopening of the educational centers. The feast day of the Holy Educator, therefore, was a moment of joy and hope for all those who participated in it. The celebration began with a festive Eucharist, the first since the beginning of the school year. During the festive day several competitions were held that combined usefulness with pleasure: through the games, the students could earn points which in the end translated into cleaning materials, such as toothbrushes, body oil, laundry or body soap, sanitary tampons for girls; or a kilo of sugar or children’s sandals, or candies, drinks, and biscuits. With their thoughts always turned to young people, and to those most in need and poor the Salesians of Palabek celebrated the feast day of their Founder in the best possible way.
(Source : Ans, February 2nd 2022)
