Chiang Mai – Thailand

Seeds of evangelisation

On 4 April 2003 Fr Eleuterio Tapay left for the north of Thailand to begin a foundation in the Diocese of Chiang Mai. Thanks to the support of the Bishop, of the other religious orders and to the solidarity of the Salesian world some centres  were stated and developed for poor youngsters from the local tribes: the first seeds of the missionary passion!

The Salesians fitted in to the local cultural, social and ecclesial world and were open also to people of other faiths.

At Mae Ponn, right in the middle of the forest, they are working with the Sacred Heart Fathers in a centre for hundreds of youngsters coming mainly from the  Kaarian Tribes, who can attend elementary and middle school, share their free time together learn to be self-sufficient, and with catechism lessons be trained in the Christian faith. At Mae Ponn, priests, religious and young lay volunteers help the youngsters with a unique happy and joyful education which teaches them to know their own culture and to become self-sufficient. The girls, for example, learn dress-making to prepare clothes for their own wedding and for the members of their future family and to make things to sell at the market.

The “Don Bosco Farm” in Saankampheng and the Don Bosco Centro in Doi-Saket offer youngsters from Mae Ponn two educational opportunities. Like Thonoh, who having finished middle school, can go to “Don Bosco Farm” in Saankampheng and become qualified in agriculture. Those who want to take up other studies are accepted in the Don Bosco Centre in Doi-Saket, a community where the youngsters living their everyday lives together can go out to attend the state schools. Among these there are also youngsters who are preparing for a life of special consecration.