(ANS – Fort Liberté) – On Sunday 4 March several events were celebrated at the Salesian centre in Fort Liberté, in the north western area of Haiti: the opening of the new section of the school of nursing; the presentation of certificates to the III cycle of students at the school of nursing; the presentation of the nurses cap to the second year nursing students; the commemoration of the 75 years of the presence of the Salesians in Haiti and 10 years in Fort Liberté, which was damaged in the earthquake of January 2010.

The day began with Sunday Mass in the St Joseph-s Cathedral in Fort Liberté, at which Archbishop  Louis Kebreau SDB Metropolitan Archbishop of Cap-Haitien presided and the Superior of the Vice Province of Haiti Fr Sylvain Ducange concelebrated with about  a dozen other priests, and which was attended by hundreds of children and young people from the Don Bosco  Polytechnical Centre.

In his homily, the Archbishop urged the young people to appreciate the value of their lives, giving up the vanities of the world. Referring to the readings of the day the II Sunday of Lent, about the Transfiguration, he emphasised the closeness of God in the mystery of the Trinity and of love.

He advised the young people not to exchange the beautiful things received from God for useless things, but to demonstrate the beauty and clarity of God  though their lives and behaviour. He also said that youth was the main capital that Haiti possessed and the best contribution is can receive is education so as not to go to waste  but remain close to God and struggle every day to become “good Christians and  upright citizens.”

After the Mass there was the award ceremony and the blessing of the new buildings of the school of nursing. These include four class rooms,  a library, a work room, a staff room and others for administration.

The building was funded by  the “Voluntarios Salesianos” organisation (VOLS) and by Diocesan Caritas of Barcelona.

The Salesian centre in Fort Liberté offers a variety of courses: an elementary school, a technical school, a vocational training centre,  teachers- training course  and finally a school of nursing much appreciated in the country.

Published 14/03/2012