Dhaka: Samuel Program, a vocational course for tribal kids
by Nozrul Islam
Structured in nine days, each on a different topic, the course helps young men and women discover their vocation, whether it is marriage, the consecrated life or politics. It involves many activities, from group wall journals to theatre and field trips.
Dhaka (AsiaNews) – Dialogue, activities and sharing are the main bases of the Samuel Program, a little vocational undertaking designed for 17-year-old high school Catholic Tribals graduates. Launched in 2007, it is now in its fourth year. It is offered as an alternative to other ‘come and see’ courses proposed by Catholic schools and dioceses in Bangladesh to help young people find their religious vocation. According to its creators, the other programs are based on the principle of selection and exclusion, which push away those who do not have a clear religious vocation. At the Samuel Program instead, young people are helped to discover and live their vocation in a positive manner, whatever it may be: marriage, priesthood, religious life, politics or else.
To underscore their difference from other courses, the Samuel Program has no member from a single institution. The staff is made of seven people from various institutes and congregations: two PIME priests, a diocesan priest, a Maria Bambina nun, another from the Order of Oblate Sisters of St Aloysius Gonzaga and a sister from a local congregation (Prayer of Peace).
The Samuel Program is a nine-day undertaking, each on a particular topic, spread over a year. From morning until late afternoon, participants take part in mixed activities like group wall journals or plays on a given topic.
On the first day, individual vocations are examined as each participant describes his experience. This is followed by the so-called exposure, a field trip to and meeting with some Church group or organisation.
Towards the end of the program, one day is devoted to married life and another to consecrated life.
At the end of the nine days, participants must commit in writing what they want to do, cognizant that each one of us is loved b God and is called to work with the Lord within the Church.
In addition to the possibility of reflecting upon their life, the program offers young people a chance to relate to adults who think about and are devoted to their care.
In Bangladesh, adults and young people live in separate worlds. Adults teach and give commands, but do not share. The Samuel Program’s sharing-based approach makes participation an important educational experience.
This year, 38 young people received the attendance certificate that goes to all those who take part in at least seven of the program’s nine days. Since its inception, it has had an average of 60 participants per meeting with a maximum of 89.
To underscore their difference from other courses, the Samuel Program has no member from a single institution. The staff is made of seven people from various institutes and congregations: two PIME priests, a diocesan priest, a Maria Bambina nun, another from the Order of Oblate Sisters of St Aloysius Gonzaga and a sister from a local congregation (Prayer of Peace).
The Samuel Program is a nine-day undertaking, each on a particular topic, spread over a year. From morning until late afternoon, participants take part in mixed activities like group wall journals or plays on a given topic.
On the first day, individual vocations are examined as each participant describes his experience. This is followed by the so-called exposure, a field trip to and meeting with some Church group or organisation.
Towards the end of the program, one day is devoted to married life and another to consecrated life.
At the end of the nine days, participants must commit in writing what they want to do, cognizant that each one of us is loved b God and is called to work with the Lord within the Church.
In addition to the possibility of reflecting upon their life, the program offers young people a chance to relate to adults who think about and are devoted to their care.
In Bangladesh, adults and young people live in separate worlds. Adults teach and give commands, but do not share. The Samuel Program’s sharing-based approach makes participation an important educational experience.
This year, 38 young people received the attendance certificate that goes to all those who take part in at least seven of the program’s nine days. Since its inception, it has had an average of 60 participants per meeting with a maximum of 89.
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