【慈幼通訊社 ─ 2014 年 09 月 09 日羅馬慈幼總部訊】 ─ 九月八日，塞拉里昂自由城慈幼會團體，為伊波拉疫症中失去雙親的孤兒，成立新的收容中心。當天下午，晚禱即將開始時，總會長范達民神父透過Skype，與院長Jose Andrade Ubaldino神父，以及該團體中各成員溝通，對他們這項措施作出鼓勵和支持。

對話開始時，范達民神父先向會士、平信徒合作者及團體中的小孩問好，傳達聖母誕辰瞻禮的祝願。

接著，他向那些從事解決伊波拉疫症問題的人士，表達他本人以及整個修會的關懷；這關懷決不是出於對他們英勇行為的好奇或讚賞，而是出於他們在當地展現了「修會的面貌與功能」。

總會長將聯同總院的會士，繼續在經濟上支持在前線應對伊波拉危機的慈幼會士，同時會透過祈禱，在精神上支援他們繼續協助生活在這困境中的青年及有需要的人。「你們所做的，就是鮑思高神父要做的，感謝你們臨在當地，協助有需要的青年人。」

最後，范達民神父作出以下的建議：在他們日以繼夜照料他人，尤其是青年人的同時，他們也應好好照料自己，因為其他人需要他們更妥善的服務。

總會長在總結時說：「再次感謝你們在當地作鮑思高神父的工作，我非要擁抱你們每一位不可。」接著在范神父給予降福前，自由城團體詠唱一首頌讚鮑思高的歌。

"You are doing what Don Bosco himself would have done"

(ANS - RMG –Roma, 09 September 2014) – Yesterday, September 8, the Salesian community in Freetown, Sierra Leone, opened a new reception centre for children orphaned by the Ebola virus. In the late afternoon, just before the recitation of Vespers, the Rector Major Fr Ángel Fernández Artime communicated via Skype with the rector, Fr Jose Andrade Ubaldino, and the various members of the community to encourage and support them in this initiative.

During the conversation, Fr Fernández Artime greeted first the confreres, the lay collaborators and the children of the community, conveying the good wishes for the Feast of the Nativity of Mary.

He went on to express his closeness and that of the entire congregation to those who are committed to addressing the problems caused by the Ebola virus; a closeness that is not prompted only by curiosity or admiration towards those who carry out heroic deeds, but is motivated by the fact that they represent "the face and hands of the congregation" in that area.

The Rector Major, together with the confreres in the General House, continues to support the Salesians in the forefront dealing with the Ebola emergency, economically, but also through prayers and moral support, as they continue to help the young and the needy people in this difficult condition. "You are doing what Don Bosco himself would have done, thank you for being there and helping the young people in need."

Finally, Fr Fernández Artime recommended that, as they tirelessly take care of others, especially the young, they also ought to take care of themselves, because their well-being depends on a better service.

"Thanks again for doing the work of Don Bosco in that place, a hug to each of you," concluded the Rector Major, immediately before giving the blessing and the song in honour of Don Bosco, sung by the community of Freetown.