Thu, 09 September 2010

DON BOSCO PAST PUPILS OF KENYA

We! Past pupils of Don Bosco come once again after a considerable disappearance from  the pages of the Salesian Family magazine. This time with our number one resolution as we are in 2010, is that never again shall we be left behind in placing an article in the Family magazine.

WHO IS A DON BOSCO PAST PUPIL?
A Don Bosco Past Pupil is that person, male or female, who has come into contact with the spirit and educational style of St. John Bosco, commonly known as Don Bosco. This could be as a result of :
Education received in the School of Don Bosco, Contact with the parish, oratory or youth centre run by the Salesian of Don Bosco.
The education thus received forged bonds of filial loyalty, of gratitude, of readiness to witness the values of the system, of capacity of service and communion of sharing in spirit of family.
The past pupil is inspired by gratitude to participate, albeit at different levels and degrees, in the Salesian mission through the world, assuming responsibilities consonant with his status for collaboration and for accomplishment of the Salesian educative project.

MISSION
The Christian past pupils accept the promises of baptism and confirmation and the living of them reflects the typical spirituality of Don Bosco which is expressed in an apostolic lifestyle inspired by the awareness of being a disciple of Christ.

To this end:
He will encourage those activities for his development, which people of noble vision and good will engage in for worldwide group in respect for human dignity and family life.
He will strive to foster an updated economical spirit amongst Christians and openness to dialogue with other religions.
Past pupils of other religions also participate in the ideals of Don Bosco; share in the educational, cultural, spiritual and social values of his system cherishing them as common patrimony of the human family. They become dispensers of these gifts in their spheres of life and work, and will confirm them as their religious beliefs and culture prompt.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE NATIONAL FEDERATION
By early 1990s Kenya had four vocational training centres namely: Embu, Makuyu, Siakago and Boys’ Town; one secondary school in Embu, and a primary school in Korr. The past pupils associations began in these institutions at various times.

In May, 1992, a meeting of Past pupils was held in Rome as the first confederal assembly of the Association of past pupils of Don Bosco, world wide. There were 80 delegates from 30 countries attending the meeting, representing  9 Million past pupils scattered all over the world. From Kenya, three representatives attended the meeting; Mr. Lawrence Maina from Embu, Mr. Joseph Gakaya from Boys Town and Mr. Peter Kimani from Makuyu.
The Kenya National Federation of Don Bosco Past pupils was launched on 12th December 1992 under the leadership of Fr. Joe Prabhu. The units which participated then were Embu, Makuyu and Nairobi. The National Council comprising of the Chairmen of the local units met twice a year in the months of April and November respectively.

OBJECTIVES
Create self employment for the members and to the other youths who have completed their respective trades.
To animate the past pupils to become self reliant after training instead of being dependent on the Salesian family.
To have a recognition at the national level.

MEMBERSHIP
By 1995, the movement was active in Embu, Makuyu and Karen. Embu had 1500 registered members; Makuyu has 549 and Karen 849. Besides the past pupils units of the Salesian sisters too participated in the National meetings.
The association is composed of all members from all Salesian houses namely:
Don Bosco Boys’ Town
Don Bosco Kuwinda
Don Bosco Upper hill
Don Bosco Makuyu
Don Bosco Embu
Don Bosco Kakuma
Don Bosco YES
Don Bosco Korr  e.t.c

The association is steered by the National Office whose role is to monitor the progress and the management of the local institutions.
The office has eight (8) elected officials and currently they are as follows:

Salesian National Delegate -
Fr. Abel  Njeru Thathi sdb
National Chairperson -
Mr. Lawrence Njeru Maina.
National Vice Chairperson -
Mr. Stephen Chomba.
National Secretary  -
Mr. Charles Odhiambo Lang’o
National Vice Secretary -
Mr. Kevin Nyamora.
National Treasurer -
Mr. Jeremiah Kinyua
National Executive Member (1) -
Ms.  Marianne Bakhita
National Executive Member (2) - Peter Wangucu

FUTURE PLANS FOR THE ASSOCIATION.
We realized that the movement of Don Bosco past pupils in Kenya can still be enhanced and reorganized into a vast and powerful movement to the benefit of many without necessarily having to start from the scratch.

For the time being we suggest the following:
Establishing and equipping a physical office in a central place for the purpose of coordinating the activities of the Movement at National Level.
Reorganizing the existing Documents of the Movement in such an office for easy access of all registered and active members
Putting into place the Constitution of the National Federation and making sure that all interested members register themselves.
Putting into place a strategy that enables interested and active past pupils to meet often according to their professions
 Re-evaluation of all the projects that were in operation in the movement, establish communication with all the pioneering Salesian Delegates and past officials of the movement in Kenya in order to go back to our roots.
Put into place a working policy document that will govern the activities of the movement, backed by the constitutions, to ensure that projects do not stall in the future with the change of persons and leadership.
Design formation Programs of past Pupils which will take care of both spiritual and material needs of the past Pupils in Kenya
May the year 2010, mark the beginning of a Tidal Wave of love, happiness and bright futures to all. Those who need someone special, may they find that true love, to those who need money, may your finances overflow, those who need caring, may you find a good heart, those who need friends, may you meet lovely people, and those who need life, may you find GOD…!

 Mr. Charles Odhiambo Lang’o
 (National Secretary past pupils-Kenya)