Miyazaki, Japan - November 2018 - On November 17, the Federation of the Past Pupils of Don Bosco, presided over by Hiroshi Yoshida, Honorary President of the "Osaka Seiko Gakuin Past Pupils Association", and in the presence of Fr Jacob Hamaguchi, Provincial of the Salesian Province of Japan (GIA), held their annual council meeting.
Araçatuba, Brazil - November 2018 - On November 14, Fr Gildásio Mendes, Superior of the Salesian Province of Campo Grande (BCG), opened the assembly and provincial feast in the presence of Salesians, Salesian Family members, lay people and collaborators. During the meeting the Salesians planned the activities of the educational-pastoral sector for 2019, the year in which the Province will celebrate its 125th anniversary, and discussed the main projects of the various sectors of animation. In the afternoon, various Salesians celebrating significant anniversaries of first profession, priestly ordination and arrival as missionaries in Brazil were feted, and the day ended with various musical performances.
Tlazala, Mexico - November 2018 - On November 17-18, adolescents between 12 and 15 years of the various Salesian centers of the South Mexico Province (MEM) took part in the 2018 edition of the "Campo Savio". The event was held under the motto "A proposal to be happy" and was led by Fr Efrén Sánchez Lino, Provincial Delegate for Youth Ministry. A total of 280 people participated, including educators, young animators and teenagers who were able to carry out recreational, study and prayer activities.
Pasay, Philippines - November 2018 - After winning the award for Best Youth Magazine in the years 2004, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2017, the Salesian magazine "World & Life Magazine", published by "World and Life Publications", received the "Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA) - Hall of Fame" award. To collect the award, on the gala evening of the CMMA, was Fr Salvatore Putzu, SDB, director of the magazine, along with several staff members. During the evening, other Salesian publishing products were also awarded: "Family Matters Magazine", by Fr Bernard Nolasco, SDB, and "Don Bosco Press", as the Best Magazine for Families; Best Entertainment Directory at "Barkada" by Glady Ramos and "World and Life Publications"; Best Comics to "The wonderful story of Fatima", by Fr Putzu, Alden Sarmiento, Dondy Daguio and "World and Life Publications"; and a Special Mention to the radio-based assistance and advice program of the Social Communication Commission of the North Philippine Province and "Radyo Inquirer".
Mumbai, India - November 2018 - On the occasion of the Day of the Child, which is celebrated in India on November 14, the "Don Bosco Development Society" (DBDS) organized an event with games, prizes, songs, dances, breakfast and lunch for 450 children from the Mumbai shantytowns, all children of women included in self-help groups benefiting from the "DBDS Slum" project. Fr Rolvin D'Mello, Executive Director of the "DBDS", thanked the authorities present, especially Dr. Suhani Mendonsa and the Past Pupils of Matunga, for offering, respectively, breakfast and lunch.
Malta - November 2018 - The National Federation of Past Pupils and Friends of Don Bosco of Malta held their first international meeting of the "Mentorpower Project" supported by the Erasmus+ program financed by the European Union. This project aims to develop a handbook on how Past Pupils and members of the Salesian Family can offer a service of tutoring and accompaniment to young homeless people or who however lack the support of their family. The project will also formulate a training program with the first group of tutors to be formed in Malta in March 2019. The project's partners come from 5 countries, thanks to the collaboration of Don Bosco's National Past Pupils of Italy, Spain and of Slovakia; the "Osanna Pia Hostel" of Malta and the "Don Bosco Cares" of Ireland. During the meeting the participants shared their experiences and started to explore the structure of the manual and to identify the needs of the volunteers to be formed as tutors.