| RMG – Salesians in Europe: holidays … in West Europe |
| RMG – Salesians in Europe: holidays … in North Europe |
| RMG – Salesians in Europe: holidays… on voluntary service |
It was in Italy naturally that the Salesian style of education began and developed. Following the example of the first Oratory at Valdocco many other forms of activity dedicated to the all-round development of the young have flourished. It is not surprising therefore that also during the summer months thousands of people are engaged in various ways in this mission. The Middle East Province too provides education and relaxation for the young, giving special attention to the multicultural and multireligious context it which it operates.
Some examples:
The Special Circumscription of Piedmont and the Val d’Aosta
In the Province where the Salesian charism was born, this year there are 30 summer camps aimed at children between 8 and 14 and 8 training camps for young people between 15 and 25. Typical of these are holidays in the mountains for children and teenagers, giving them a contact with nature, and vocation camps for the discernment of youngsters between 16 and 25. For older young people the Province is also organising 9 missionary expeditions.
North East Italy
Quite outstanding is the number of those involved in summer activities organised in Triveneto: for 2011 the Salesian Youth Movement has organised about 200 training camps. So widespread and appreciated is the education offered by the Salesian Oratories that these camps, about 200 in number, are based not only in the centres of the Salesians and of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians but also in many cases in those of the diocese. By the end of the summer almost 1,900 young people will have been involved in the formation courses thanks also to the generosity of about 200 educators and other staff.
Italy - Lombardy Emilia
17 oratories, 450 leaders, 3,100 children and youngsters involved during 4-5 months of June and July, are some of the figures connected with the Salesian summer activities of the ILE Province. In addition there is also a preparation programme for leaders at I level (14-16 ) involving 150 youngsters; two vocation camps divided according to age; an expedition to Ethiopia for 30 young people and various camps for volunteers organised in conjunction with the “Friends of Sidamo”: camps engaged in the maintenance and control of parks and open-spaces, repairing roads and wood-collecting camps … and finally 450 taking part in the trip organised by the Province for World Youth Day in Madrid.
Middle East
In almost all the countries in the Province summer youth activities have been organised: in the Holy Land in Bethlehem and Nazareth; in Egypt at Alessandria and in Rod el Farag and Zeitun in Cairo; in Syria at Aleppo, Damascus and Kafroun; in Lebanon at El Houssoun; in Turkey in Istanbul. In some of the Oratories Muslim youngsters are taking part and in others there are refugees: Sudanese in Cairo and Iraquis in Syria and Turkey. Usually there are camps and out of school activities even though this year because of the political situation in Syria and Egypt, these have been reduced. 34 young people, accompanied by 4 Salesians, will be taking part in WYD in Spain joining up with the youngsters from the Salesian Youth Movement of the Lombardy Emilian Province.
Published 26/07/2011
