Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Sihanoukville (Agenzia Fides) - Cambodia looks with attention and appreciation at Catholic institutes of education, the King himself recently presided the opening of a new Catholic school. A new Don Bosco Hotel School in Sihanoukville was inaugurated by King Norodom Sihamoni on 12 February. The local newspaper Cambodia Daily, underlined that since his coronation this was the monarch’s first visit to the city port of Sihanoukville named after his father Norodom Sihanouk.
The King praised and thanked the Salesians for their work to help and professionally train young people in difficulty. Addressing the school pupils he said: “Study heard, have respect for school principles, have respect for your teachers who are here to help you acquire knowledge and techniques to enable you to further the development of our country”. The new school is sponsored by the Don Bosco Foundation an international Catholic organisation that provides schooling and technical training for disadvantaged youths in 128 countries said Father John Visser, Cambodia’s director for the Foundation.
The new Don Bosco Hotel School opened on 5 February to 50 students hoping to learn the hospitality trade, said Brother Roberto Panetto, the school director. They join the 300 students already receiving training in mechanics, electronics, and secretarial work at the Don Bosco Technical School to which the hotel school is attached. The new hotel school will function as a school and a hotel so that the students have first hand experience of dealing with guests. Students receive free schooling, room and board at the technical school.
The Salesian family in Cambodia felt deeply honoured by visit of the King who asked to meet the pupils and teachers. The King was welcomed with grateful and enthusiastic singing by the pupils proud to be Don Bosco boys. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 15/2/2007 righe 24 parole 247)
