Mozambique - Gabito and Isabel: stories of love and hope in the Salesian Work
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13 April 2017

(ANS - Maputo) - The evangelizing option of the Salesians in Mozambique, faithful to the charism of Don Bosco, has focused on vocational training, to the point that they have become points of reference for professional reform in the country. A young missionary, Fr Francisco Pescador, recounts his experience through amazing stories of hope and love.

Fr Pescador is a cheerful, simple, optimistic, hardworking Salesian. He arrived in Mozambique in December 2003 and recognizes that "his initial dream was put to the test. Many things have changed in my life and in this city".

"Mozambique continues to be one of the countries with the lowest rate of human development and life expectancy is short. People are hungry and have no access to basic services. This is true of more than half the population," he says.

The Salesians are working with children and youth in education, demonstrating that the preventive system continues to bring hope among the most vulnerable. Gabito and Isabel, now aged 18, are a good example of the work of the Salesians with children and young people.

"Gabito and Isabel are twins. Twelve years ago, they arrived in Mozambique. They asked for a place where they could stay and be cared for. Their father had been dead for some time and they had just lost their mother. They were very small and our orphanage does not accept children so young. They had swollen bellies and infected lungs. Their situation was examined with the educational community. The cook, a Salesian Cooperator, suggested entrusting them to her niece, a past pupil who was very active in the parish. We thought it was preferable that the two siblings remained together and be placed in a family. The family atmosphere of love and attention was the best thing you could offer these children," says Fr Pescador.

Gabriel and Isabel are no longer children. They are young adults who grew up with the support of a family and the Salesian community.

Gabriel has attended professional training courses at the Salesian Institute of Moamba and wants to continue his studies. Isabel is about to finish high school. "Only God knows what will happen in the future. What we do know is that they are happy, they have been brought up in a family environment and have received a human and Christian formation," concluded Fr Pescador.

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