慈幼會士在埃及:學校、慶禮院、郊外

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【慈幼通訊社 2017 10 11 埃及開羅訊】 ─ 高質職業學校及慶禮院,深受穆斯林在內的青年歡迎;難民及極度貧困者,也能享用相應的服務──這些都是在埃及的慈幼會士,他們在亞歷山大港及首都開羅之間的地區,較為突出的事業。

慈幼會士在埃及的事業已逾百年歷史,讓他們引以為傲。慈幼會亞歷山大港會院於1896年,即121年前,由鮑思高繼承人盧華神父創立,為移民當地的意大利人提供教育。今天,亞歷山大港的「鮑思高」學校,每天為約900名學童服務;學校提供的教育,下至小學,上至職業訓練,並獲意大利對外事務部承認,資助學校部份經費。

這所會院獨特之處,在於幾乎所有學生都是穆斯林青年,學生及家長都認同鮑思高及其教育法,是對他們的一大恩賜。當學生下午離開後,會院的庭院及操場,也不會人去樓空,鴉雀無聲,因為操場上充滿了日間慶禮院孩童的歡樂,生氣勃勃,他們與策勵者都是穆斯林。

慈幼會在開羅的事業,也有相似的特質:有一所獲意大利當局認可的優秀職業學校,來自全國各地的800名學生前來就讀。當沒有課堂的時候,庭院也一樣佈滿青年,這是年青基督徒的時間,讓他們不單在社交方面,也在基督信仰方面成長,因為基督徒在當地是少數,經常遭邊緣化。可以看到的事實,就是整個基督徒鄰里都是源自堆積區和廢物堆,他們靠著收集廢物,及售賣回收物資為生。

埃及第三個慈幼會中心,位於開羅周邊地區Zaitun。慈幼會在當地的事業已有三十年歷史,設有慶禮院、青年中心,現在還設立了堂區,他們牧民的對象,為蘇丹難民和街童。

蘇丹人之中,已領洗的為數不少,所有兒童都學習要理。主日彌撒不會少於兩小時,當中有生動的歌舞,伴隨著傳統鼓樂。那裡的街童為埃及人,教育團隊關顧的有七十人。

鮑思高福傳組織」網頁,載有進一步的相關資訊。

Schools, oratories, outskirts: Salesian presence in Egypt

(ANS EgyptCairo, 11 October 2017) – High-quality vocational schools, oratories also appreciated by young Muslims, and services to refugees and the needy in a context of great poverty: these are the salient features of the Salesian presence in Egypt, between Alexandria and the capital, Cairo.

The Salesians boast more than a hundred years of presence in Egypt. In Alexandria, the Salesian House was founded by Fr Rua, the Successor of Don Bosco, 121 years ago, in 1896, to provide education to the many Italians migrants who lived there. Today, the “Don Bosco” school in Alexandria is daily attended by about 900 pupils; on offer, from elementary to vocational training, the institute is recognized, and partially funded, by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The peculiar element of this home is that it is attended almost exclusively by young Muslims who recognize, with their parents, that Don Bosco and his educational system are a great gift for them, too. The courtyards and playgrounds of the Salesian House, when the students leave in the afternoon, do not remain silent and empty for long; to bring life and happiness to the playgrounds are the children of the day oratory; the animators are, too, also all Muslims.

The Salesian presence in Cairo has similar features: there is an excellent vocational school, also recognized by the Italian State, and it is attended by nearly 800 students from across the country. Also in Cairo, when there are no lessons, the courtyards are filled with teens – this time, for young Christians so they they, too, may be allowed to grow not only in social life but also in the Christian faith in a country wherein they are a minority, and often marginalized. Indicative is the fact that a whole Christian neighborhood rises on a landfill and waste area; the population survives by collecting waste and reselling recyclable materials.

Egypt’s third Salesian center is in Cairo’s peripheral district of Zaitun. The Salesians have been present there for about 30 years with an oratory, a youth center, and now a parish, and their ministry is directed to Sudanese refugees and street children.

Among the Sudanese, baptisms are numerous, and catechism is followed by all the children. Sunday Mass lasts no less than two hours, and are animated by songs and dances accompanied by traditional drums. The street children here are Egyptians and the educational team follows about seventy.

Further information at the “Don Bosco Missions” website.