With the good involvement of all ten participants, during the eight sessions the newly arrived Salesians from 8 countries (Zambia, Malawi, Nigeria, the Philippines, Vietnam, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Congo and Chad) were able to learn about the AFM Vice-Province, its culture, history and the overall intercultural dynamics of daily life and mission. Two of them were sent by the Rector Major, while five Practical Trainees and a new priest were sent to AFM by their respective Superiors from 5 other African Provinces.
They were also able to learn about the Don Bosco Youth Centre in Johannesburg and the LoveMatters programme, currently underway for 80 young people from different Catholic parishes in the province of Gauteng and Lesotho.
Eight Salesians in the AFM Vice-Province were involved as facilitators in the following sessions: Intercultural relations; Motivations at the beginning of a new mission; Interpersonal sharing; Getting to know the cultures of South Africa, Lesotho and eSwatini; watching the film about Mandela "Long Walk to Freedom"; Orientations on arriving in AFM, Knowledge of the 130 years of Salesian history of AFM.
One of the newly arrived missionaries told how this workshop was "very enriching and encouraging" and how it "served to open our eyes to different aspects of the Vice-Province". After this workshop, each new missionary continues to deepen their knowledge of local cultures, history and above all to study the language.
After these two days, the Practical Trainees will continue the workshop, which will focus on Vocational Animation and will be coordinated by Fr Chris Rychcik. The workshop will end with Sunday Animation in four different parishes of the Archdiocese of Johannesburg.
