SILVER JUBILEE DON BOSCO EMBU
Don Bosco Technical Secondary School, Embu
Dear readers of Salesian Family Bulletin,
I feel very much privileged to be addressing you through this Bulletin.
This year is a very significant year for us in that we are marking very important events in the life of Don Bosco, Embu.
This year we are celebrating
a) The Silver Jubilee (25 years) of the creation of this learning institution that houses both the Don Bosco Technical Secondary School and The Don Bosco Youth Polytechnic
b) We are also celebrating the Golden Jubilee (50 years) of the religious profession of Rev Bro Umberto Rizzetto, i.e. 50 years since Brother Umberto offered himself to God as a Salesian with a firm desire to serve the young people anywhere in the world.
c) The Silver Jubilee (25 years) of the dedicated service of Brother Umberto Rizzetto to this Don Bosco Embu Community.
I am sure that you are joining me in my thanksgiving to God for having granted us this singular opportunity of being the ones to mark these very important moments in the life of our beloved Don Bosco.
What then is this Don Bosco Embu?
A little examination of the history will assist us in clarifying what Don Bosco Embu is and of course what it stands for. Below is a very brief examination of the history of our presence here.
The Origins
The history of the Salesian presence in Kenya started through the direct initiative of Rt. Rev. Silas Njiru, who was the bishop of Meru diocese (Embu was part of the Diocese of Meru until its creation in June 1986). Bishop Silas had personally requested the Rector Major (title for the superior general of the Salesian congregation) to send the Salesians in his diocese.
In 1980 the first group of the Salesians, Fr. Dario Superina and Br. Stephano arrived in Kenya from Italy being sent by the Central Province of Italy with its headquarters in Turin, Italy. These were personally received from the airport by Bishop Silas who had made all the arrangements to have them take up an already existing Siakago parish that was being run by the Consolata Fathers. Fr Dario and Bro Stephano were then joined by Frs Felice Molino, Mario Robustalini and Vincent Donati with the view of establishing a school for the education of young people in the diocese.
The Salesian presence at this Don Bosco Embu began in 1983. The first two pioneers to begin the clearing and construction work in this place were Fr. Felice Molino and Fr. Mario Robustalini. To demonstrate his eagerness to have the Salesians work in his diocese, Bishop Silas gave a 6 acre plot of land to them. This land was a family land that belonged to one of his brothers who also was willing enough to give assistance to his brother in the person of the bishop. The Salesian residence, the secondary classrooms, the church and the hall and part of the playgrounds and a section of the workshops are sitting on this property given by the bishop. Later, other plots were then purchased by the congregation in order to increase the acreage.
In 1984, Fr. Abate Luigi, Bro. Alphonse and Bro. Umberto arrived to strengthen the community here. Construction of the secondary and technical school slowly began. The major constructions were complete by 1985. The first batch of STD VIII students was taken in and from there they joined the Form I the following year, 1986.
Slowly the Salesians began to acquire more land to promote the agricultural sector. Today the entire school is situated on a 100 acre plot that houses the entire polytechnic, secondary, boarding and the playgrounds and the construction of the farm was started in 1988.
Below is a list of the superiors (rectors) of this community:
1983 – 86 Fr. Felice Molino
1986 – 90 Fr. Vincent Donati
1990 – 92 Fr. Dario Superina
1993 – 97 Fr. Sergio Pierbattisti
1997 – 03 Fr. Luigi Gariglio
2003 – 06 Fr. Glenford Lowe
2006 - Fr. Simon Asira Lipuku
The following were the Principals of the Polytechnic:
1986 – 1987 Fr. Felice Molino
1987 - 1991 Fr. Giambatista Uboldi
1991 – 1994 Fr. Luca Maschio
1994 - 1996 Bro. Girogio Conte
1996 - 2008 Bro. Dominic Allasia
2008 - Fr Isaac Maina Kirigwi
The following were headmasters in the secondary school:
1985 - 86 Fr. Felice Molino
1986 - 93 Fr. Vincent Donati
1993 – 97 Fr. Sergio Pierbattisti
1997 – 02 Fr. V.J. Mathew
2002 – 02 Fr. Paul Wojcik
2003 - 03 Fr. Hubert Pinto
2003 - 2006 Fr. Glennford Lowe
2006 – 2008 Fr. Emilius Salema
2008 - Fr Oscar Rutechura
Complexity of the Institution
Don Bosco Embu is a complex institution with multiple works: The secondary School, the Polytechnic school, the satellite centre at Kangeta, the big agricultural farm, the Sunday Oratory, the pastoral services to the Don Bosco Mazzarello centre, the Rwika Technical school, Ngenge mixed secondary school and the aspirantate that caters for young men who would like to join the Salesian congregation as priests or brothers.
The Don Bosco Polytechnic at Kangeta was started in 1992 - 93. It caters for students who do not manage to get an admission at the main centre and yet would like to study in Don Bosco.
Don Bosco Embu boasts of being the first community to house the first novice from Eastern Africa 1987 – 1988. It also served as a pre-novitiate with three batches of pre-novices undergoing their studies and preparation here.
Success Stories
In the course of the 25 years of its existence, the Don Bosco Technical Secondary School has contributed immensely to the pastoral and educative needs of many youngsters. Over 2200 students have passed out of this institution. Many of these young people are occupying very influential positions in our country thanks to its academic performance in the national examinations (KCSE)
Our students from the technical wing of our institution have also made it through our institution. While a number of them are working in manufacturing companies in the country a great majority are engaged in self employment projects.
‘Sentire Cum Ecclesia’
Don Bosco also feels part and parcel of the local church of Embu diocese. Significant moments when she proved to be part of the local church were
- Actively participating in the ordination and consecration of the first bishop of the diocese, now John Cardinal Njue. The school band gave a lively resonance to the singing and ululations to welcome the diocese and the new bishop.
- The housing of the first bishop of our diocese. Due to the limited infrastructure the diocese did not have sufficient facility. The community welcomed the proposal of having the bishop use one of the houses for his residence. The bishop stayed with us for four years until the present residence was completed.
- Hosting the ordination and consecration of the second bishop of the diocese, Rt. Rev. Anthony Muheria on January 10 2004. The ceremony took place on our grounds. We also had the fortune of welcoming His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Kenya.
- Active participation in the ordination and consecration of the third bishop, Rt. Rev. Paul Kariuki. We are happy to note that the Public Address System man manned by Fr Isaac Maina, sdb while the main organist for the day was our seminarian George Kulwa sdb
- We have also tried to demonstrate our active presence in the local church through our attendance in meetings and other formative moments. Clearly Don Bosco reminded his Salesians that they needed to feel one with the church because we are nothing else but the church herself.
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