The teaching and administrative staff of the vocational center and of the other Salesian educational centers in the refugee camp attended the celebration, together with nuns, catechists, youth leaders, leaders of the Christian community, collaborators, and friends of the Salesian work in the refugee camp and members of the Salesian Family.

Uganda was one of the countries in the world with the longest period of closures in the educational field due to the Covid-19 pandemic: for almost two years all the centers were closed. Finally, the country’s President allowed the reopening of the educational centers, but many schools cannot reopen due to lack of resources, or because they have been transformed into houses to rent, or because sadly there are no more teachers available: many teachers and educators, in fact, during all this time, have been forced to look for other professions that would allow them to support their families.

The feast day of the Holy Educator, therefore, was a moment of joy and hope for all those who participated in it, and who are involved in different ways in educational work. The celebration began with a festive and well-curated Eucharist, the first since the beginning of the school year, during which the members of the Salesian community shared their experience of Don Bosco with the young, the reason for their love for the Turin saint, and the uniqueness of their educational style.

The Palabek educational center welcomes and houses many refugees who, due to their situation, have not been able to finish their studies. Many girls became pregnant at a very young age (14-18 years) and in specifically thinking about them and their needs, the Salesians have opened a day center where young mothers can leave their children and attend lessons.

During the festive day, moreover, several competitions and contests were held that combined usefulness with pleasure: through the games, the students could earn points which in the end translated into cleaning materials, such as toothbrushes, body oil, laundry or body soap, and sanitary tampons for girls; or again, a kilo of sugar or children's sandals, accessible with three or four points; or candies, drinks, and biscuits for which one point was enough.

With their thoughts always turned to young people, and to those most in need and poor, such as the boys and girls of Palabek, the Salesians celebrated the feast day of their Founder in the best possible way.

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