Pilgrims with Indigenous Cambodian young people: “Anchored in Hope beyond the frontiers of the Salesian Mission”

Every year, Fr. “Samnang” Albeiro Rodas, SDB, pays a visit to the northern hill provinces of Cambodia to promote the Don Bosco projects, including the technical school and the Don Bosco Brother Sun Scholarship program among rural and Indigenous children and youth. This year, inspired by the Strenna 2025, Anchored in Hope, Pilgrims with Young People and the Jubilee Pilgrims of Hope of Pope Francis, a small representation of Don Bosco Kep travels 1,500 km around Cambodia to visit Indigenous villages, where the Brother Sun Program supports the studies and well being of 270 children in different provinces. We publish today the first part of this missionary journey and story.

 The child members of the Don Bosco Brother Sun Program received between November and December 2024 their academic kits and uniforms to start the new academic year, thanks to the good heart of the benefactors of Sawasdee Foundation. The purpose of the journey was to assess the impact of the action to guarantee that 270 Cambodian children from rural and Indigenous villages stay at school and open the ways for a more holistic formation, including the care for the environment and for the ancestral traditions.

 Fr. Samnang, together with teacher Ngil Vy and three Indigenous students of Don Bosco Kep, two Jarai and a Kuy, visited the provinces of Mondulkiri, Ratanakiri, Preah Vihear, Oddar Meanchey and Kampong Thom, where they met representatives of the Catholic Church, other Christian denominations, the Salesian Family, families of children and young people and a high school. They could witness the situation of many Cambodian rural families, thriving in the middle of a fragile economy, the problem of Internet addiction in many male teenagers, increasing the problem of school abandonment and the degradation of the environment. At the same time, the hopes of communities for a better life, especially supporting their own children, dreaming of a better future through education and the care for the ancient traditions and spiritualities of their communities.

 With this journey, following the example of Saint John Bosco and Mother Mazarello, inspired by the Salesian Preventive System, we mark the commitment to be pilgrims with the young, especially the Cambodian rural and Indigenous children, youth, their families and communities, while anchored in Hope.

 The small Don Bosco Kep delegation arrived at Kaev Sela in the south of Mondulkiri Province on 7th January to visit Fr. Juan Solorzano, member of the Yarumal Missionaries from Colombia, an association of priests serving churches with few clerics in many countries. Fr. Juan has been linked to the Bonun people for nearly 30 years, learning their languages, traditions and spiritualities. The Catholic Church in Mondulkiri belongs to the Kampong Cham Prefecture led by the Cambodian Mgr. Pierre Suon Hangly, including all the provinces of the northeast of Cambodia. Currently, there is the construction of a new church in the Kaev Sela Commune under the patronage of Saint Joseph.

 Fr. Juan explained his apostolate in the region in union with the priests and religious sisters of the Prefecture. The Church is always open to the attention and service of the Indigenous peoples, providing attention such as assistance for health, some education initiatives and the accompaniment in the Faith. The Bunong People are very active in their community dynamics, protecting their own language and traditions.

 We spent the night at the house of Fr. Juan in Kaev Sela, using our hammocks and tents in a hilly area that was not too cold after all, but with a wonderful night of stars. In a humble bonfire, we talked about our hopes as teachers, pastors and young people, especially committed to protect the traditions and to contribute to a better world. After the great hospitality of Fr. Juan and his team in Kaev Sela, we left early in the morning to Sen Monorom, the provincial capital of Mondulkiri, where we visited the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, FMA, Sister Dory Helena Ramirez and Sr. Liza, and other members of the Salesian Family. Fr. Samnang Albeiro Rodas celebrated the Holy Mass at the house of the sisters in a beautiful hilly zone of Sen Monorom, with the intentions of a missionary initiative of the Salesian sisters among the Bunong People. Currently, the sisters are taking care of some local children with lessons and care. “Let us ask the Most High to open the ways for the Salesian mission for the good of our dear children and youth of this region, especially the Indigenous communities,” said Fr. Samnang during the homily at the humble chapel of the sisters. He also reminded that more than 40% of Catholic faithful in the world are Indigenous peoples, while 70% of Asian Catholics are made of Indigenous faithful.

 The journey went on to the Provinces of Ratanakiri, Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey, offering further insights into indigenous peoples and the environment, which will be reported on in the next publication.

Source: ANS