Arriving at the Vice-Province house on the afternoon of Tuesday 9 April, Fr Gildasio Mendes met with the Superior of MDG, Fr Innocent Bizimana, and spoke with him about the siutation of Social Communication in the Vice-Province (current situation, projects carried out and in progress...) After an hour of fraternal dialogue, Fr Gildasio Mendes joined the Community in prayer and then in the evening agape.

On the second day, after the celebration of the Eucharist, the Provincial Delegate for Social Communication and Director of "Radio Don Bosco – Madagascar", Fr Eric Franck Randriamiandrininarivo, in the presence of Fr Nirina Charles Rasendramanana, Technical Director of the Radio, presented the station and its programs before a brief meeting between Fr Gildasio Mendes and the Provincial Delegate for Social Communication.

The second part of the morning was dedicated to visiting the tower and the Don Bosco Radio transmitter in the capital of Madagascar, followed by an important visit to the Cathedral of Andohalo, the Shrine of the first Malagasy Blessed, Victoire Rasoamanarivo, and the statue of the Virgin Mary, before returning to the Community for lunch.

In the afternoon, around 3 pm, two short but important visits were made to the Community of the Novitiate in Ambohydratrimo, where the illustrious guest was warmly welcomed, and to the Notre Dame de Clairvaux Centre, where a school and the Salesian pre-novitiate are located. On the occasion, the General Councillor briefly explained to the young novices and pre-novices the meaning of his visit, and the day ended with prayer and evening agape in the presence of Bishop Rosario Vella, Salesian, Bishop of Moramanga.

At around 9 am on the third day of the visit, Fr Gildasio had a special meeting with the staff of Radio Don Bosco, also in the presence of Fr Maciej Makula, of the Social Communication Sector, who arrived on the night of 10 April.

In his talk, Fr Gildasio Mendes spoke to the staff about the importance of radio in the Salesian vision, but he also, and above all, thanked them for their work. After sharing his reflections, the General Councillor left the floor to anyone who had questions or comments to make, thus giving space for a fruitful discussion between all. The meeting was completed by the group photo in front of the Radio Don Bosco building. And immediately after, the General Councillor for Social Communications gave a 5-minute live interview to Radio Don Bosco, where he spoke about the purpose of his visit and the importance of radio today, for the evangelisation and education of young people in the country.

The General Councillor for Social Communication also asked the team to continue promoting the Salesian charismatic identity of Radio Don Bosco, to take care of economic self-sustainability and professionalism and to always remain at the service of the Salesian mission. Fr Gildasio Mendes also underlined the greatness of Radio Don Bosco Madagascar in the Salesian world, recognising its technical quality, the support of the Delegate for Social Communication, the formation of Salesians and lay people, the quality of its programs... He added that this radio has entered the digital system, not to mention that its equipment is almost completely new and digital, and that it is easy to interact with its social networks. In other words, Radio Don Bosco is now a modern radio.

Fr Gildasio Mendes was also impressed by the high percentage of listeners, almost 60% of the Malagasy population. And he therefore stressed the important roles of Radio Don Bosco Madagascar as a means of evangelisation, information and dissemination of community news; as well as a space for the voice of the people and an essential channel for the transmission of Christian values.

Finally, the General Councillor for Social Communications stressed that Radio Don Bosco Madagascar works well because it can count on the collaboration of Salesians and lay people, within a framework of education and professionalism.

Fr Gildasio Mendes concluded his visit on the evening of Thursday 11 April, before continuing his journey to animate other African Salesian places.

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