John Paul II Boys Town, Rawalpindi

One 29th and 30th of August a workshop for the teachers of Boys Town, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, was conducted by Br. Paul Bhatti. The themes of the workshops were Children's Rights and Brothers and Lay working for the same mission. Teachers took a keen interest in both workshops and had extensive discussions on the topics. Br. Paul invited the teachers to love the children, and give them respect, which is their right. In the light of children's rights document, teachers were able to see some rights which were directly or indirectly violated in our school and in many schools in the country. Having understood how it could affect the future of our children the group was determined to take necessary steps to see that our children are loved and loved equally.

The teachers were also presented the Marist pedagogy from the book, “In the footsteps of Marcellin Champagnat”. Teachers were touched and inspired with the Marist way of evangelizing and educating the young who are under their care.

On the second day workshop was conducted in lines with the document “Gathered around the same table” We found that Marist Community comprising of Lay people and the Marist Brothers go on a journey with one goal, of making Jesus known and loved by children and the youth. It was an enriching experience of working together and building mutual trust between us, Brothers and laypeople. The fruits of the work done will be harvested in time to come.