DBTA held a virtual board meeting from 29th July - 30th July 2020. Four board members; Fr. Simon Asira (DBTA Board Chairperson and the Provincial of AFE), Fr. TJ George (DBTA Executive Director), Br. John Njuguna (Deputy Director) and Fr. Fredrick Swai (Board Member) attended the meeting from the DBTA Boardroom in Nairobi.

Other board members; Fr. Alphonse Owoudou (the Regional Councilor for Africa - Madagascar), Fr. Eric Mairura (DBTA Treasurer), Fr. Franck Ametepe (Zonal TVET representative for French zone), Fr. Alfiado Mabui (Zonal TVET representative for Portuguese zone) and Fr. Emmanuel Kanuma (Zonal TVET representative for English zone) participated in this meeting online.

While giving the introductory note, Fr. Alphonse expressed his appreciation for the work done by DBTA, even with the adverse effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. He also expressed his admiration for the way in which DBTA has been able to move forward in collaboration with lay people. This, he said, is in the spirit of GC28 where we form the lay people, then we have joint formation with the lay people and finally allow ourselves to be formed by the lay people.

In his opening remarks, Fr. Simon Asira, the Board Chairperson began by expressing his deep sense of gratitude to all who were instrumental in the formation and initiation of DBTA. He remembered in a very special way the contributions of Fr. Basañes Guillermo and Fr. Americo Chaquisse. He promised Fr. Alphonse full support and collaboration from DBTA in the area of animation of the TVET sector.

The Board Members reflected on a number of pertinent issues including;

• DBTA 2019/2020 report
• Projects and Financial Reports
• Labour Market Survey (LMS) and way forward
• DBTA Vision and priorities
• DBTA sustainability

The climax of this meeting was the blessing of the new office space at Applewood Adams, along Ngong Road in Nairobi. This was led by Fr. Simon Asira who expressed his profound gratitude to the DBTA management team for providing sound leadership. He also encouraged the staff members to continue working hard in supporting the DBTA mission of empowering the marginalized young people in the Africa - Madagascar Region.

In attendance during the ‘office blessing’ were Fr. Camiel Swertvagher and Fr. Francois Dufour from Salesians Formation Centre for Africa and Madagascar (SAFCAM).

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