ASIA/THAILAND - Salesian missionary wins state award for Training School for the Blind

Bangkok (Agenzia Fides) - The original missionary experience in Thailand of Salesian Father Carlo Velardo, who runs Pakkred Home and Training School for the Blind has been recognised with this year's Outstanding Person in the Field of Disability award assigned by Legislative Assembly “for creativity and perseverance".
The School, situated in Pakkred, north east of Bangkok, is one of various Salesian mission centres in Thailand where there are 90 Salesians, 70 local men, who run 5 large schools and 3 professional training centres (see Fides 19/5/2006).
Pakkred Home and training School for Blind was opened in 1978. The young men are trained in physiotherapy and massage at which blind people are especially good.
The boys study braille, computer skills, morals, physiology, traditional Thai massage techniques. The School has been praised by the Ministries of Labour and Healthcare for the quality of the training and technique of massage in reflexology, rehabilitation and treatment of muscle-skeleton apparatus and the percentage of insertion in the world of work (90%) of the boys.
Fr. Carlo says the School promotes a positive attitude towards the Catholic Church in Thailand: where it is seen as a valid presence of witness of spiritual values and social service, human promotion and dialogue. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 24/1/2008 righe 28 parole