ANS – Tonj) –Salesians, Salesian Sisters, and the TonjProject Onlus (as it is known) and young volunteers from the Lombard Province have completed the first stage of construction of the hospital in Tonj, South Sudan, that will tend to the poor of the town. This is the third of the large hospitals built under State auspices and a grand dream now made real of being close to the poor and the sick in South Sudan.

The new hospital and volunteers quarters were opened on 26 July in Tonj, at the heart of South Sudan, where Salesians and Sisters along with the TonjProject Onlus, founded by Fr Omar Delasa, a Salesian from Lombardy Emiliana Province (ILE), have been at work for a number of years.

Now after four years the first stage of construction works is complete, comprising a maternity and surgical ward and a residence for medical and administration staff who serve the community at Tonj each year. Years of conflict and tension have deeply affected the population. This great effort has been possible thanks to the generosity of many people and the work of so many volunteers.

“Our pockets are empty but our hearts are full of joy”, were Fr Delasa's words. He presided at the opening ceremony together with Fr Paul Antimi, the Economer for the South Sudan Delegation, and Fr John Peter, the Rector of the community. It was no coincidence that the date chosen for the opening was July 26, the Feast of St Anne, patroness of nurses and obstetricians. Also significant was the name given to the hospital, named after Fr John Lee Tae-seok, Salesian missionary and doctor who gave his life for the poor and the sick of Tonj, and Bishop Cesare Mazzolari, who was bishop of Rumbek in South Sudan for many years.

The Salesians in Tonj will guarantee that everything functions well: the hospital, primary and secondary classes, clinic, leprosariums and oratories. They set up activities for children, older youth in Don Bosco's spirit. The TonjProject Onlus Association, which came into being in 2007, brings dozens of young students to South Sudan each year. They come from the CNOS-FAP Sesto San Giovanni institute, and are joined by other volunteers from Lombardy.

The hospital will begin operation in the coming weeks and it is expected that the fully completed building will be opened in 2015

Published 01/08/2014