BATTAMBANG: 9 June 2010 -- June 7, 2010 was a day of celebration and thanksgiving at Andaung Chenhh village.  Bishop Kike Figaredo SJ, Apostolic Prefect of Battambang, Cambodia,  came to bless the classrooms in the presence of 250  teachers and students in the morning. 
Andaung Chenh is a village of 700 families where Don Bosco Literacy School is situated. The Salesian presence started out there in 1999 for children of workers in the brick factories and paddy fields. Classes were taught in classrooms under the shade of big trees and a zinc-roofed building. Don Bosco’s concern and commitment for equal opportunities attracted Salesian friends and kind donors from the Netherlands who believe that school is the place for children and not brick factories or paddy fields. They assisted in the construction of a two-storey building of twelve classrooms.
Challenged by the words of the Apostolic Prefect, the teachers met in the afternoon for a 3-hour session to reflect on the rationale of the centre: building a community one person at a time where the child’s journey begins here and now; a journey of excellence.
The centre’s identity statement was also explained by Fr. Leo Ochoa SDB, “We build the Don Bosco Environment, home and family, wat (temple) and playground, where F.I.S.H is lived and shared, or in other words, F for Friendliness, I for Integrity, S for Solidarity and H for Harmony”. The day ended with a family supper of togetherness and cheerfulness.   

 

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