Welcome to SDB Chingola web page! Recent postsWELCOMING MASS FOR FR JOSEPH SAINTS ALOYSIUS VERSIGLIA AND CALLISTUS CARAVARIO25 February 2021“…He said to them, “Go throughout the whole world and preach the gospel to all people” (Mark 16:15) . Monsignor Versiglia, who at the age of 12 had been sent to study at the Salesians’ in Turin in 1873, actually had the grace to meet Don Bosco, who once said to him: “Come and visit me, I have something to tell you”. “…Bishop, you will see me in China,” Fr Callistus told Bishop Versiglia in Turin in 1922 as he came to see and spoke to the missions, to the Brothers.”. This is the mission started by our Lord Jesus Christ, to proclaim the Word of Salvation to all the nations. Fr Callistus and Versiglia died with Jesus for their faith in China, in the mission of proclaiming the good news. Inspired by Don Bosco, it was a great day at Don Bosco Technical Secondary School as they were welcoming the new missionary Father, Fr Joseph SDB from India. Teachers, Students, Cooperators, Past Pupils, and the entire Salesian Community gathered together for Fr Joseph’s welcoming Mass to Chingola Community, on 24th February, 2021. In his introductory remarks before Mass, the Rector of the Community Fr Leszek SDB, said that he with the whole community were very happy to have Fr Joseph in the midst of the centre. The Don Bosco hall was filled with tears of great joy as they were welcoming Fr Joseph SDB. In his preaching, Fr Joseph SDB, gave a message of hope and faith in our mission as Fr Callistus and Fr Aloysius did in China, although, the political situation was very tense especially for Christians and, foreign missionaries. They bore witness to Christ before the world, and now in the ever-present Church, Christ in turn pays honour to them before His father, with strength to fight, to proclaim the Gospel and defend human dignity up to death.... Read more...THE FIRST SENDOFF (GRADUATION) 202013 December 2020Be patient, then, brothers and sisters until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains (James 5:7) Don Bosco Secondary School in Chingola which begun with only thirty Grade 8 pupils in 2016, has produced its first fruits. Complementing the words of Jesus, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit (John 12:24)”. This was shown in its completion of twenty-five young people who completed their Grade 12 at Don Bosco Secondary School in Chingola. It has been a long term of advent (waiting) with a lot of struggles to reach this stage, but the graces of God seem sufficient. The Salesian, Fr Leszek who is the Rector of the community, and the Principal of the school, Brother Joseph Nyondo, were very happy to see the result of their hardwork, which begun in 2016. The school has fully grown now, going up to Grade 12 with not less than 417 pupils. The ceremony begun with celebration of the Holy Eucharist in the morning, presided by Fr Leszek SDB. In his remarks during the ceremony, Fr Leszek SDB, the Rector of the Salesian community in Chingola, congratulated the students for their cooperation and hard work. He also gave a word of gratitude to the parents for choosing Don Bosco Secondary School for their chidren. He encouraged the graduating pupils to continue working hard as they were now going out of secondary school, to be good citizens of the nation. “This is just the beginning of many graduations, continue to work hard as you still have a few days of examinations. If all of you pass with 9 points or better, I promise to give to all of you scholarships, “ The Principal of the school Brother Joseph Nyondo had the following to say: “The past five years has not been easy, especially this year with the global outbreak of the Corona Virus. Inspite of this, the school performed very well during the first Grade 9 Examinations of 2017. This particular class has been performing well in all its examinations whether at national or district level respectively. The Shool Board is very optimistic that the first Grade 12 results will not be disappointing. One of the teachers stated that due to the good performance of the students shown in the past years, the GCE Certificate results should be excellent.” The graduation ceremony was attended by the parents of the students, friends, all the students from Grades 8 to 12, School Staff of Don Bosco Secondary School, the Salesian Community, the Salesian Family, and different invited guests. The graduands together with their teachers, looked glamorous as they paraded in their graduation tassel caps, gowns and sashes. In her speech, the Head Girl gave a word gratitude to their parents, the Institution and Academic Staff for the support given to them from the time they joined the school as young learners. “We have leant a lot of things apart from academics, we will remember to use the Preventive System of Education of Don Bosco in all of our lives. Education is the matter of the heart.” She encouraged her fellow pupils remaining in the school to continue working hard as before, then we will be putting Don Bosco Secondary School on the map. The event was an opportunity to celebrate the individual achievements of the learners at the end of the school career at Don Bosco Secondary School. All learners received their Certificates of Achievement. Outstanding students were awarded for exceptional achievement in different fields and not only in Academia. It was a wonderful experience for all stakeholders.... Read more...THE GIFT OF PRIESTHOOD: FATHER’S JOHN AND JOSEPH SDB28 September 2020Priesthood is a gift given by Christ to a few for the good of the many. The priests’ mission is to serve Christ, the teacher, priest and shepherd, by whose ministry the Church is built and grows into the People of God and is empowered for its mission. So it is that each priest is consecrated to preach the Gospel, shepherd God’s people, and celebrate the sacred liturgy, especially the Eucharist. He will initiate people into the church through Baptism, forgive sins in the name of Christ and the Church, comfort the sick with holy oil, all while offering prayers of praise, thanks and petition to God for the Church and the world. On the 23rd of September, 2020, the Salesians of Don Bosco, teachers, staff members, students both from Don Bosco Technical College and Secondary School, gathered together for the Solemn celebration of the first Mass for Fr. John and Fr.Joseph, who were both ordained by Bishop Rodrigo Mejia SJ in Nairobi, Kenya on the 27th of June, 2020. They were ordained in Kenya and not in our ZMB Province due to the restrictions of Covid 19. In his remarks during the introduction of newly ordained priests, the Rector of Chingola Community (St. Callisto Calavario Community) Fr. Leszek Aksamit sdb described the event as ‘the’ gift from God. Their mortals, seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and He will give you everything you need.” (Lk 12;31) “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God.” (Ps 143;31) Fr. John and Fr. Joseph respectively indicates their complete trust and dependence on God. Celebrating Mass of the Feast of Saint Padre Pio, which started exactly at 10:30hrs, inside Don Bosco Youth Centre Hall, Fr. Joseph in his introductory rite, encouraged the students, teachers and Fathers inclusively, to follow the good example of Saint Padre Pio. He added that Christian life is not an easy life but a life of suffering as Padre Pio did. In his Homily, Fr. Joseph encouraged all the people who had gathered, that they have to be good Christians and honest citizens by their actions. The event also marked the reopening of both Don Bosco Secondary School and Don Bosco Colllege. The students were very happy to come back to school after a long period of time of due to Covi19 pandemic. The school hall was filled with great joy due to the gift of newly ordained priests, and the joy of coming back to school after a long break. Don Bosco Secondary School pupils together with their teachers helped the people to pray twice by their fantastic singing during the celebration of the Liturgy. The newly ordained priests were accompanied by Father Leszeck and Father Waldemar respectively. After the final blessings, the community had photos taken in the hall with the students and pupils, and classes continued as per normal programme.... Read more...RESHAPING AND SYSTEM STRENGTHENING WORKSHOP FOR MANAGEMENT BOARD 2018-22 STRATEGIC PLAN ORIENTATION REVIEW23 August 2020View Fullscreen... Read more...BLESSING OF THE CONSTRUCTION SITE FOR THE LABORATORIES AND STAFF ROOM BLOCK AT DON BOSCO TECHNICAL SECONDARY SCHOOL – CHINGOLA23 August 2020On the 18th of August, 2020, the Salesians of Don Bosco, teachers, staff members, students and pupils from Don Bosco Technical College and Secondary School respectively, gathered together for the Solemn Blessing of the construction site for the last classroom block, to complete an ideal structure of our Technical Secondary School. This block will contain Science Laboratories, School Library, and Staff Room/Administration facilities. The blessing was officiated by His Lordship, The Rt, Reverend Bishop Clement Mulenga SDB, the Bishop of Kabwe Diocese-Zambia. The Bishop had came for a cordial visit to the Salesian Community. Although it was a short event, the Blessing carried a lot of meaning to the people gathered. Towards the end of the Blessing, the Principal of the School, Br. Joseph Nyondo SDB, gave a vote of thanks to every one present and more especially to those who involved themselves in praying for the Benefactors and Donors during the Novena to St. John Bosco. Moreover, the Salesian Community together with Don Bosco Technical Secondary School Management recognized and appreciated the help from Beit Trust Organization, for accepting the application of our project. We thank God and ask him to continue blessing all the Donors and Benefactors, who have contributed towards our different projects by making the dream of educating the young people, in the footsteps of our Father and founder, St. Don Bosco, into reality.... Read more...BLESSING OF THE NEW CLASSROOM BLOCKS AND SEMINAR ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND COVID – 1916 August 2020On the morning of 10th August, 2020, the Salesians of Don Bosco, together with the students of Don Bosco technical College and secondary school pupils, gathered for the solemn blessing of the newly built classroom blocks at Don Bosco Secondary School. The event was officiated by Rev.Fr. Christopher Rychcik SDB, the Provincial Superior of ZMB – Vice Province of Mary Help of Christians. The Salesian community of Chingola carries out its educative and evangelizing mission through the mediation of basic institutional structures; namely: Don Bosco Technical College/Secondary School and the Youth Center. These become the channels through which the totality of the Salesian mission of serving the young people is realized. The afore – mentioned occasion was also a moment of communal gratitude to God the Father for His unfailing providence and Love towards both the Salesians and the young people whom they are called to serve. Don Bosco reminds us that whatever is acquired or received towards the growth of our Salesian work is essentially for the greater glory of God. The blessing of the newly built secondary school facilities was later followed by a short seminar in the afternoon. The Seminar was initially geared towards creating awareness in two important matters; the dangers of substance abuse and the need to take precautions against the deadly Corona Virus. This educative gathering was well attended by the young people of Don Bosco Technical College/Secondary School and all the respective members of staff. The Provincial Superior, Fr. Christopher Rychcik, graced the occasion. The first speaker gave a detailed elaboration of the meaning of substance abuse and highlighted examples of the commonly abused substances. She also endeavored to show that substance abuse is not only linked to various health crises, but is also undeniably linked to acts of sexual immorality. The latter may lead one to contract life – threatening sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s). Thereafter; Fr. Christopher Rychcik reminded the audience that the Corona Virus Pandemic is a real situation globally and that none is exempted from being infected if proper care and health guidelines are ignored. He made an example of the attitude assumed by Don Bosco when the city of Turin was attacked by an outbreak of Cholera in the 19th century. Don Bosco exhorted the boys above all else, to keep themselves in the grace of the Lord at all times. Similarly, the Provincial emphasized the need for each and everyone in attendance to strengthen their closeness to God and thus, experience sure protection during the course of the Covid -19. He also noted the urgency of observing all the instructions and precautions provided by the scientists and regular health institutions in the fight against the pandemic. To this effect, each of those who were present for this timely assembly received a personal, non-disposable mask to be regularly used for self-protection against the Corona Virus. The day was concluded with a meal and joy characterized the atmosphere. Thanks for the financial support given by the Polish Episcopal Conference for the help rendered to combat the epidemic of Covid -19.... Read more...SUPPORT FOR STREET CHILDREN CONTINUES AT DON BOSCO10 August 2020“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me.” On the 8th of August, 2020, in the presence of the provincial superior of the ZMB Vice Province of the Salesians of Don Bosco, Fr. Christopher Rychcik. The community spent the day with the children from the streets. The day was characterized by some faith lessons, games, hygiene (personal clean up) and lunch. The highpoint of the day was the presentation of gifts by Fr. Christopher Rychcik to the young boys and girls. The gifts were made possible through the kind support and sponsorship of the Polish Episcopal Conference. The gifts included : bags of mealie meal (Zambia’s staple food) and some face masks for Covid 19 prevention. Each child received an individual humper. The mission that is taking place at Don Bosco Chingola is not unlike other Salesian presences, it is the same outpouring of the heart of Don Bosco, the great educator and evangeliser of the young after the heart of Jesus the Good Shepherd. Indeed, the predilection and preference is for the poorest. It is a cliché to claim that the reality of street children is persistent. It is a fruit of varying seeds; socio-economic hardships, abuse, broken families and peer pressure. And even though prevention is better than cure, those young people already on the streets need opportunities for self-improvement and human development. It is to this challenge that the Salesians of Don Bosco have endeavoured to hastily respond. The ministry to the young at risk is accomplished principally through God’s grace and procedurally in 2 major steps Educative Encounters between the children on the street and the Salesian family.Formation programs the children are given opportunities to participate in programs that build up their human and spiritual qualities. Nevertheless, it is not all roses at Don Bosco since some of the young people have challenges adapting to a schedule of prayer, study, work and play. They are vehemently tempted to return to the ‘street life’. With faith, the Salesians and collaborators walk side by side with them. They apply the preventive system in educating and evangelising these little lovely ‘rascals’. We pray for our benefactors , especially the Episcopal Conference of Poland who made this day possible through their generous support.... Read more...STRATEGIC PLAN REVIEW WORKSHOP MEETING HELD AT SAMFRED GARDEN HOTEL ON 6TH JULY, 20208 July 2020Each institution has its vision, mission, values, objectives and goals for its existence. All these elements are set and planned in the strategic plan. The strategic plan is a process which involves different stages in its management. The purpose of strategic planning is to set overall goals for a certain business or organization and to develop a plan to achieve them. However, the strategic plan involves a continuous process of planning, monitoring, analyzing and assessing everything that is necessary for an organization to meet its vision, mission, values, goals and objectives.Therefore, it is important for the institution to make sure that after setting and planning how to achieve the goals, the Management Board is required to monitor the implementation of the Strategic Plan to make it successful. It is for this reason that our institution Centre conducted the Strategic Plan Workshop at Samfred Garden In Chingola on 6th July, 2020. This workshop was conducted in order to analyze the implementation of the Strategic Plan which was set for five years from 2018 to 2023, and, to identify some of the strengths and weaknesses, and, to clarify some of the changes and opportunities for the development of our Centre. During this workshop, all the members of staff from teaching and non teaching were invited. In addition, the members of the Salesian Community were all present. The total number of participants present during this workshop were Forty-Five (45). The meeting was lively and involving in a sense that almost every Head of Department Teacher (HOD) had an opportunity to present a single part of the strategic plan. The workshop started at 09:30hrs in the morning with a lunch break and ended in the late afternoon. In addition, one of the remarkable concluding remarks that moved almost everyone present in the workshop was the words of one of the HOD Teachers namely: Mr Chiyaka, who pointed out that “everyone should play his/her role and not look down at others because of their responsibilities. Everyone should not be left behind but work hand in hand as co-workers aiming at the same objectives, mission and values.”... Read more...THE RE-OPENING OF OUR SCHOOL FOR EXAMINATION CLASSES ONLY3 June 2020On 19th March, 2020, Zambian government decided to close the schools and other social gatherings across the country due to the corona virus pandemic. This meant a lot to our Salesian centre and to the Salesians in particular. The closure of the social gatherings and schools affected our identity as Salesians because something essential was deprived from us namely; the presence of young people in our center to whom our mission is directed toward. In addition, following the words of Don Bosco; ‘that you are young is enough to make me love you very much,’ this love is an expression of pastoral charity and gives meaning to our whole life. The longing of being with, among and for the young people around us came into realization when the government through the ministry of General Education gave the directive to reopen primary and secondary schools for examination classes only across the county on the 1st June, 2020. Despite that only those in examination classes started coming to the school, the returning of some of the young people and their presence in our center, gave a lot of meaning to us. For this reason, the day was marked as special and moving experience. Consequently, to express our gratitude to God and for his protection, we reopened the school by starting with prayer service which was animated by the Rector of the Salesian community Rev. Fr. Leszek Aksamit Sdb. Putting in mind that the school was reopened during the time of COVID-19 pandemic, it entailed strict adherence to the stipulated preventive measures to ensure safety for our young people and educators around them. Therefore, after the service, the Principal of the school Br. Nyondo Joseph Sdb welcomed the pupils and the educators and afterwards there was an orientation. Indeed, it was a very touching experience to see the presence of the young people in our Centre making a difference in a new normal situation.... Read more...INTER-HOUSES ATHLETICS COMPETITION2 March 2020This article gives an account on the Athletics and Chess Competition which took place in Chingola at Don Bosco Youth Centre on Friday 28th February, 2020. It was an amazing and fabulous day to see the young people from Don Bosco Technical Secondary School actualizing the words of Don Bosco which say: ‘play, dance, jump, run, sing; do whatever you want but sin not.’ They actualized this saying through Inter-House Athletics and Chess Competitions. It was a happy day for the pupils, teachers and Salesians belonging to this school. During this event, the Guest of Honour was the Rector of Chingola Community, Rev. Fr. Leszek Aksamit Sdb. The competition was among the four (4) different houses from Senior and Junior Secondary School. The Houses are as follows:~ Da costa (orange in color), St. Francis de Sales (red), Cafasso (sky blue) and Mary help of Christians (dark blue). The competition was inclusive because they were in categories; under 13, which was for Junior Secondary and under 17 which was for the Senior Secondary School. In all the categories, there was a race for girls and for boys. Although the event was delayed in starting due to rain, nevertheless, the event was successful. The competitions started in the mid-morning with track events: 5000m, 3000m and 1500m in which Mary Help of Christians House dominated in both Senior and Junior Secondary. Later on, Cafasso House started dominating in the 800m, 400m 200m, 100m races and the 4 X 100m relay races. Apart from the races, there were also other competitions such as Chess, Javelin, Shot Put, to mention but a few. It was gigantic to see other pupils who were not taking part in any activity cheering for their friends. During the event, everyone participated and you could see the Salesian atmosphere between the Educators and the Learners. The presence of the entire members of the Salesian community (including Salesian Aspirants) spiced the event with Salesian presence which is one of the essential elements in Salesian Preventive System of Education. Despite having other duties, the Rector also came and interacted with various young people. During and after the races, the pupils were given some refreshments and snacks. The programme ended with cleaning up of the surroundings and announcement of the results by the Sports Teacher. The following are the results: First Position was taken by Cafasso house, followed by Mary help of Christians in second position. Da Costa House was in third position and St. Francis de Sales house was in fourth position. Cafasso House was crowned winner of the 2020 Inter-House Athletics and were given a trophy. Mary help of Christians House was also given a trophy for being in second position. In the Chess competition, St. Francis de Sales House came out first, followed by Da Costa House then St. Cafasso House in third position. Mary Help of Christians House came outr fourth in Chess. The Sports Master thanked the pupils for their cooperation and good behavior during the event and he also thanked the Guest of Honour, teachers, Salesian Aspirants and all who took part in the event. The event ended with a prayer. Surely it was a happy and memorable day.... Read more...
Welcome to SDB Chingola web page!
Welcome to SDB Chingola web page!
