WHAT’S UP AFW!A newsletter for the Salesians in Anglophone West Africa

SPECIAL EDITION FOR THE PROVINCIAL SYM FORUM 2015

It was on Friday September 4, 2015 at 3:00 A.M, that we boarded the buses from Liberia to Ghana. On board included young people, priests, religious and few elderly people to ensure our safety. Immediately, our director ordered the journey to begin after a word of prayer. That cold dazzling night, we drove and dragged through the wandering forests of the Liberian nation, enjoying the beautiful music of the birds and crickets as they whispered through the night. The journey was characterized by lot of challenges faced by the young people. Some of these include: checkpoints, bad road conditions, damaged car tires, cold nights which were unfavorable to the health of some young people, cultural diversity, foreign languages which influenced communication

PATRICK JOHNSON

especially in the boarders of Ivory Coast, lack of proper diets etc. All these contributed to the vast experience of the youth. Some of them could adopt by leaving their comfort zone, but still others couldn’t. As young people, most of us have a pretty established comfort zone. Consistent prayers to our Lord Jesus Christ, our Lady, and St. John Bosco also masked the journey. When we arrived at the border, we entered another vehicle which took us into the city where we took the vehicle to Ghana boarder. We passed through the meadows of the Ivorian forest and slept on board. It took us about 12 hours to reach in the principal city of Abidjan where the young people were

THE LIBERIAN JOURNAL

greatly overwhelmed with raptured joy to see a huge city, with beautiful buildings, paved roads, nice bridges, sky strippers. We drove another 8 hours to reach the boarder of Ivory Coast and Ghana.

As we arrived, we were escorted into the immigration office to sign our passports and grant us legal entry. We spent few hours there and picked up at 9:00 that night. Because of the distance from the Ghana border to the main city of Accra, we had to pass another night on board. Early that morning, we arrived in Accra at about 4:00 A.M. Upon our arrival, the young people became ever more astonished and couldn’t believe their eyes. Someone whispered saying, “I hope we didn’t

Abuja community was the first to arrive as they took a night bus on Monday and due to some breakdown of their vehicle they arrived around 11am to Lagos . They came with two youths and their youth director in the person on Fr Peace . It wasn’t really a surprise as Ijebu Ode community arrived second in Lagos because it is the closest community. Only youths were available for the trip.Ibadan community arrived third with three youths and their youth direct, Bro Paulo.Onitsha community arrived fourth with six youths and their youth director Fr Nick.Akure community arrived fifth with eight youths including two youths from koko community and the Nigeria Youth Ministry delegate in the person of Fr Stephen.Ondo community arrived sixth with five youths and their youth director, Bro Bayo.

AMUSAN CHRISTIANA

Lagos community did well in organizing the accommodation and feeding of their guests.All were welcomed as they ate a delicious dinner of Rice, stew and chicken. Rehearsals were done for the cultural presentation after which all went to bed.

Departure from LagosThe wake up time for Wednesday 9th of September was 4am as all had their bath and prepared for the journey ahead.The ABC bus left its park at exactly 7:28am. Excitement was written on the faces of the passengers.The 12hours journey started through the busy road of Festac and on to Seme border at 10:30am

THE ROAD TO ASHAIMAN

which was record time! After only 30 minutes of clearing Nigerian Immigration we moved into the Benin- Republic. After about 45 minutes journey from Seme border we arrived the ABC terminal at Cotonuo to pick up few other passengers.At 1:48pm, we arrived at the Togo border where we were checked and passed. It was indeed interesting to note the huge number of bikes (Okadas) plying the roads, men and women alike. Most people bought food and other beautiful materials; they also took the opportunity to change their Naira into Ghana Cedes at this border. At the point of leaving from here, we discovered that majority of the Ondo youth and their director were missing. It took the intervention of Fr. Niyi for them not to be left behind by the ABC crew.Another thing of note was the long beautiful blue beaches that lined up the coast of the West African route. You could see people relaxing and unwinding from the hustle and bustle of life.We arrived Aflao border at 4:30pm. All our

luggage were checked thoroughly and marked before we could pass

through. From Aflao to Don Bosco Centre, Ashaiman was another 3 hours

journey. We got to the centre at 7:40pm and the welcoming was warm as we were

ushered in with pomp and pageantry, local drums blaring away as we participated in the

Ghanaian cultural rite of welcoming guests.The evening started with registration and

accommodation which was followed by supper and the welcoming began with orientation and

presentation from an international cultural group.The good night was said by the Provincial, Fr

Jorge Crisafulli and lights out was at 10:48pm Ghana time. We had to adjust our watches

because Nigeria is an hour ahead.

Abuja community was the first to arrive as they took a night bus on Monday and due to some breakdown of their vehicle they arrived around 11am to Lagos . They came with two youths and their youth director in the person on Fr Peace . It wasn’t really a surprise as Ijebu Ode community arrived second in Lagos because it is the closest community. Only youths were available for the trip.Ibadan community arrived third with three youths and their youth direct, Bro Paulo.Onitsha community arrived fourth with six youths and their youth director Fr Nick.Akure community arrived fifth with eight youths including two youths from koko community and the Nigeria Youth Ministry delegate in the person of Fr Stephen.Ondo community arrived sixth with five youths and their youth director, Bro Bayo. Lagos community did well in organizing the accommodation and feeding of their guests.All were welcomed as they ate a delicious dinner of Rice, stew and chicken. Rehearsals were done for the cultural presentation after which all went to bed. The wake up time for Wednesday 9th of September was 4am

ILODIGWE EMMANUEL

THE FUND RAISING GAMES

as all had their bath and prepared for the journey ahead.The ABC bus left its park at exactly 7:28am. Excitement was written on the faces of the passengers.The 12hours journey started through the busy road of Festac and on to Seme border at 10:30am which was record time! After only 30 minutes of clearing Nigerian Immigration we moved into the Benin- Republic. After about 45 minutes journey from Seme border we arrived the ABC terminal at Cotonuo to pick up few other passengers.At 1:48pm, we arrived at the Togo border where we were checked and passed. It was indeed interesting to note the huge number of bikes (Okadas) plying the roads, men and women alike. Most people bought food and other beautiful materials; they also took the opportunity to change their Naira into Ghana Cedes at

this border. At the point of leaving from here, we discovered that majority of the

Ondo youth and their director were missing. It took the intervention of Fr. Niyi for them not to

be left behind by the ABC crew.Another thing of note was the long beautiful blue beaches

that lined up the coast of the West African route. You could see people relaxing and unwinding from the hustle and bustle of life.We arrived Aflao border at 4:30pm. All our luggage were checked thoroughly and marked before we could pass through. From Aflao to Don Bosco Centre, Ashaiman was another 3 hours journey. We got to the centre at 7:40pm and the welcoming was warm as we were ushered in with pomp and pageantry, local drums blaring away as we participated in the Ghanaian cultural rite of welcoming guests.The evening started with registration and accommodation which was followed by supper and the welcoming began with orientation and presentation from an international cultural group.

The good night was said by the Provincial, Fr Jorge Crisafulli and lights out was at 10:48pm Ghana time.

We had to adjust our watches because Nigeria is an hour ahead.

ARRIVALWednesday, 9th September

WHAT U MISSEDPROVINCIAL SYM FORUM 2015

On the 9th of September was the arrival of participants from

the various countries; Nigeria, Liberia and Ghana (Sunyani community

and delegates from various dioceses of Ghana). However, team Liberia had already

arrival in Ghana but had been to Sunyani to witness a program organized by the Salesians.

Sunyani community arrived with the Liberians first followed by delegates invited from the dioceses in Ghana.

The Nigerian contingent arrived later.N:B Because of the Ebola pandemic and other

constraints, the initial four hundred participants that were expected was reduced to three

hundred and twenty participants that eventually took part.

On the 9th of September was the arrival of participants from

the various countries; Nigeria, Liberia and Ghana (Sunyani community

and delegates from various dioceses of Ghana). However, team Liberia had already

arrival in Ghana but had been to Sunyani to witness a program organized by the Salesians.

Sunyani community arrived with the Liberians first followed by delegates invited from the dioceses in Ghana.

The Nigerian contingent arrived later.N:B Because of the Ebola pandemic and other

constraints, the initial four hundred participants that were expected was reduced to three

hundred and twenty participants that eventually took part.

The following day, participants were immediately immersed in forum activities starting with moments of prayer (morning and evening) seminars group works and games. A seminar was held on the theme “Like Don Bosco with the Young, for the Young” by Fr. Raphael Airobormam from Liberia. Entertainment dubbed “Talent share” rounded up the evening’s activities.

DAY #2Thursday, 10Th september

DAY #3Friday, 11th september

On the 11th September, being the second day, the

participants received a powerful session on the gospels and relationship

(how to find your soulmate…..). There was time for question and answers. Games as usual

followed right after lunch.The evening program included the way of the cross

and cultural night where all the participating countries displayed their cultural talents. It

was climaxed with “Good night “by Br Bayo the youth coordinator of Ondo

community, Nigeria.

On the 11th September, being the second day, the

participants received a powerful session on the gospels and relationship

(how to find your soulmate…..). There was time for question and answers. Games as usual

followed right after lunch.The evening program included the way of the cross

and cultural night where all the participating countries displayed their cultural talents. It

was climaxed with “Good night “by Br Bayo the youth coordinator of Ondo

community, Nigeria.

DAY #4Saturday, 12th september

On Saturday 12th September participants were taken through counselling, confession etc. right after their breakfast. The day was characterized by series of games dubbed “Olympic games” which included football, volleyball, basketball and athletics. The games were organised in both male and female categories.Main event in the evening was “Marian Night”, candle procession, and avenue was given where people shared testimonies.Fr. Robertson SDB, closed the day with a “good night message”

DAY #5Sunday, 13th september

The forum climaxed on Sunday with two main

events: a march to St. John Bosco Parish, Golf City where Mass

was organised.The participants embarked on

evangelisation as part of the morning activity.In the evening, SYM party was organised to round up the forum activities with red carpet and

mingling of participants.

Monday saw the departure of the participants to their various

destinations and countries.