Johannesburg (South Africa). On 27 October 2023, the FMA Past Pupil Association of Laura Vicuña Primary School of Our Lady of Peace Province (AFM) was inaugurated at the Don Bosco Educational Projects in Ennerdale, Johannesburg, South Africa.
On the inaugural day, there were 46 Past Pupils from Fine Town and Ennerdale, aged between 14 and 39, from the 2005-2022 school years. Sister Thérèse Pietersen, Provincial Secretary and former Director of the School for 12 years, was present with some FMA from the Provincial House of Boksburg. Blessed Laura Vicuña Community hosted the event, which was also attended by some former teachers.
Laura Vicuña Primary School was opened in 2002 in Fine Town by the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians of Ennerdale, Blessed Laura Vicuña Community. Around 250 children from first to seventh grade attend the school, mostly from informal settlements in the area where families struggle to survive. In fact, approximately two thirds of the families immigrated from neighboring countries.
The FMA mission is to promote the dignity of disadvantaged young people, educating them, to permit them to escape poverty. The FMA seek to create a pleasant and serene environment, where young people can experience joy, peace, and hope, and learn to develop their own interiority, to understand and care for others. They receive breakfast and lunch every day. In 2011, Laura Vicuña Primary School moved to Ennerdale, to Don Bosco Educational Projects (DBEP).
The Animator, Sister Lidia Castro, began the encounter with prayer. Talking about “The beginning of the Past Pupils with Don Bosco”, she reminded the young Past Pupils that they are part of the Salesian Family. Afterwards, each person introduced themselves, explaining what they are currently doing. Some of them are still in school and studying, others are working, but there is still a small group who are not employed. The young people had a fruitful sharing in groups on how they plan to give back what they have received from their School.
Sister Thérèse encouraged them to continue giving back what they have learned. Most of them are engaged in volunteering in various forms. She, the former teachers, and the former pupils were very happy to see each other again after a long time. The meeting ended with a discourse by Sister Lidia and a final prayer.
It was a historic event, a day of joy, which marks the beginning of the journey of the FMA Past Pupil Association in Ennerdale, Johannesburg.
Well done Sr. Lidia, it was very good of you to start the Association, but especially good for the participation. God bless the work.