My name is François Tonga. I’m 28 years old, and I am a Salesian originally from the Salesian Vice-Province “Mary Immaculate” of Madagascar (MDG). Now, I am a missionary in Albania. I am a member of the 153rd Missionary Expedition (2022), but because of the visa delay, I could not attend the course for new missionaries in September 2022.
There are many Salesian works in Albania, such as parishes, oratories, and schools. Every day from Monday to Friday, especially in the mornings, I, as a trainee, work as a coordinator of grades six through three [junior high] at our school in Tirana. It’s a beautiful school, attended by over 800 children and youth.
As a missionary from Madagascar, my challenge now is to learn the Albanian language and culture well. In a context where the majority are Muslims, and where Christians, especially Catholics, are few, even though I cannot speak directly about Jesus in public, I try to live my Christian and religious Salesian identity with joy. At school, I bear witness to the Salesian figure of Don Bosco through the typically Salesian presence and caring attitude, even with poor ethnic Roma children and youth who come to study at the Salesians. That is what my greatest missionary commitment is today!
My greatest joy as a missionary in Albania is the welcome of the community, especially the Albanian people. I have to say that they help me every day, both the children and young people, and also the parents and the various co-workers. In the Muslim context where I am, religions are not a source of discord or misunderstanding; on the contrary, there exists great and mutual respect.
I am truly happy in Albania and pray daily for the people of Albania, especially for the young people I meet every day.
