The event began with a welcome and address from Fr Marcelo Farfán, Superior of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Province of Ecuador (ECU), who stressed the vocation of the Salesian Polytechnic University and how young people can find a place "to continue dreaming".
To ensure the implementation of key elements within the Global Proposal for Children, Adolescents and Young People (NNAJ, in Spanish), the contribution given by the Salesians was increased by 30%. It is important to remember that this agreement is completed by the participation of 800 young university students, connected through professional internships, projects, university programs and more.
Fr Juan Cárdenas, Rector of the University, sees an opportunity in this agreement to reflect on the social mission of teaching, research and ties with society in general. For young university students, it is a genuine practical workshop in which they must put into practice what they learn in classrooms and laboratories and which, in addition, makes known the work of about 150 university professors from different cities who support these initiatives.
During his address, Fr Cárdenas then valued the work that is supported thanks to the presence of PSE educators, who concretise and give continuity to Don Bosco's dream, not only in the classrooms, but also in the streets, in public spaces and wherever young people are.
These initiatives are "Good News" that give confidence and hope, to continue strengthening the work of the Salesians in Ecuador, also considering the complex context in which the country currently finds itself. "Carrying out this event in January" write the Salesians of Ecuador "motivates us to continue building Don Bosco's dream together with more than 5,000 children, adolescents and young people in vulnerable situations."
As a thank you, the Dance Company of Quito and fifteen-year-old Henry Tendentza from the Don Bosco Educational Farm from the province of Morona-Santiago, participated in the event. Since 2019, Henry has been part of the Salesian Project, where he has found the opportunity to move forward. Currently, Henry is very close to starting his own project of entrepreneurial autonomy in the agro-pastoral sector, thanks to what he has learned at Don Bosco Farm. The young man knows that he has to create his future independently, but he assures us that he wants to continue to count on affection and formation opportunities to continue building himself as a "good Christian and upright citizen".
At the end of the event, Fr Mario Ramos, Director of the Salesian Project in Guayaquil, expressed his thanks on behalf of the Cay Global Proposal. He also said that this agreement was achieved thanks to a process of reflection urged on by the Provincial, to continue the Educative and Pastoral Proposal that the Salesian Project offers to those who live in a situation of high social risk.
In addition to the ECU Provincial and the UPS Rector, Fr Cárdenas, the Vice-Provincial, Fr. Juan Flores, Fr Robert García, Fr Mario Ramos, Fr Esteban Ortiz and Edgar Gordillo, Coordinators of the areas that make up the Salesian Project, also participated in the signing of the agreement.
