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    Tangaza Vision
    (Tangaza University College/A Journal of Socio-religious Concern, 1996-12) Tangaza University College
    Once there was a farming town that could be reached by a narrow road with a bad curve on it. There were frequent accidents on the road, especially on the curve and the preacher would preach to the people of the town to make sure that they were Good Samaritans. And so they would pick the people up on the road for this was a religious and charitable work. One day someone suggested that they buy an ambulance to get the accident victims to the town hospital more quickly. The preacher preached and the people gave for this was after all a religious and charitable work. Then one day, an elder suggested that the town should authorize building a wider road and taking out the dangerous curve on the road. Now it happened that the mayor had a farm right at the curve on the road, and he was against taking out the curve. Someone asked the preacher to say a word to the mayor and the congregation the following Sunday about it. But the preacher and most of the people figured that they had better stay out of politics; so the next Sunday, the preacher preached on the Good Sa­maritan Gospel and encouraged the people to continue their fine work of picking up the acci­dent victims, which they did. Here in Africa we have a lot ofvictimazation due to "bad curves" in aour political, economi­ cal, religious and cultural systems. The Good Samaritan Gospel loses its cutting edge when it is preached to make people nice to victims of their sins and death-serving systems. It becomes a tool for maintaining the status quo politicaly, economically and socialy. Solidarity with the victims of oppression, injustice, and sexism is more than being nice to them through short-term chari­table works. It entails walking with them more than just one step. Making pledges for more funds for the poor and those economically disadvan­taged in the slums, in our streets and those who frequent our gates is a positive gesture highly appreciated. Crucial questions however remain unanswered: As future pedagogists, gurus, social de­velopment and pastoral agents, can we assiduously remain silent about root causes of poverty, environ­mental degradation and vio­lence in our cities? Is there a link between faith and devel­opment? These and many more questions lead us to search for new ways of being in solidarity with the vic­tims of oppression and the poor. The experience with the poor and victims of our systems becomes the kairos for us to see critically the links be­tween our faith and socio- economic and politico issues such as: Urbanization, Environment, poli­tics, Economics, Development, etc. We believe reflections on such issues will shape the new para­digms of mission and relevant ways of sharing our faith through prophetic and vibrant witness of service. The new understanding of mission and the way of sharing our faith that God-is-among­ us 'Emmanuel' makes the celebration of Christ­mas even more meaningful to all. Happy birth­day Jesus and happy Christmas to you all'
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    Street Boys Rehabilitation Centres Of Don Bosco Boys
    (Tangaza University College, 1998-09) Shinato, Haile Gebre
    We cannot deny the social problems that are prevalent today everywhere in the world, whether they are in the northern hemisphere or the southern part. One such problem in our continent is the increasing number of street children. Children are confronted by the situation that are beyond their strength that lead them to street life. Some of the causes to their situation are: hunger, diseases, poverty, war, harsh weather conditions and displacement. In Kenya only there are about 60 thousands of street children roaming streets. At the same time there are 260 governmental and non-governmental organisations involving themselves with different objectives, in an attempt to address this problem. There are organisations that are showing their mercy by helping these children, NGOs and church organisations. Many of Catholic church activities have entered into the struggle against crisis of street children. They are involving themselves in rehabilitation programs or by giving food and clothes. Salesians are among the good Samaritans who give possible means (structure) to the street children to improve their lives and help to form the future of these children The Salesians of Don Bosco are a religious Institute in the Roman Catholic Church catering for the education of the youth, especially the poor and abandoned. They came to East Africa that is, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda in 1980. They identified as a social problem, thousands of children struggling for survival. The children were forced to leave their homes and their dear ones due to one reason or the other. The spirit of Don Bosco could not close the door and eyes to this social need. Since Salesians are allocated to the youth through their charism their close contacts and loving hearts have been invested in the life of hundred of children. This paper reflects on the street children rehabilitation centres of Bosco Boys that are run by Salesians sheltered under the umbrella of Catholic Church of Kenya. My concern in this essay is more about the background of Bosco Boys, the objectives, the activities of the project and the strategies of project including my recommendation.