Don Bosco Kep, a technical school focused on educating rural and indigenous youth, was honored with the Environmentally Friendly Operator 2024 award by the Royal Ministry of Environment this week in Phnom Penh.
The award ceremony was led by Environment Minister Eang Sophalleth and recognized several public and private organizations from across the 25 provinces of Cambodia.
Among the recipients from Kep Province were Don Bosco Kep, Knai Bang Chatt, and Try Palace Resorts, all noted for their significant contributions to environmental protection in the region.
During the ceremony, Minister Sophalleth underscored the critical importance of integrating education with environmental stewardship to foster sustainable societies.
“The participation of Cambodian children cultivates ‘beauty’ and ‘green shoots’ in their young minds, setting the foundation for future generations to inherit a mindset that values sustainability, cleanliness, and environmental consciousness,” he said.
Since 2011, Don Bosco Kep has incorporated environmental education into its curriculum, operating under the motto “Don Bosco Hatrans, education and environment for the young.”
The school’s initiatives, such as participating in local government programs like mangrove forest preservation and the Clean Kep project, have established its campus as a model of sustainability and environmental consciousness in Kep Province.
Fr. Albeiro Rodas, the director of Don Bosco Kep, echoed the sentiment of global environmental responsibility, referencing Pope Francis’s advocacy for concrete environmental actions.
“Pope Francis urges us to adopt measures that reduce carbon emissions, enhance sustainable practices, support vulnerable communities, and promote education on environmental issues as part of global cooperation efforts,” said Fr. Rodas.
He emphasized the Pope’s perspective on the relationship with nature: “If we approach nature without awe and wonder, our relationship with the world becomes one of exploitation. A respectful and caring attitude arises naturally when we feel a deep connection with the environment.”
According to its website, Don Bosco Kep, an initiative of the Don Bosco Foundation of Cambodia International (DBFC-OI), operates as a non-profit and non-governmental organization.
As part of the charitable efforts under the Salesian Order of Don Bosco, it focuses on empowering Cambodian youth, including those from rural and indigenous communities, individuals with physical challenges, and young workers.
Don Bosco Kep provides vocational training and an associate degree in collaboration with the Royal Ministry of Labour. This collaboration aims to prepare these young individuals for the workforce, enhancing their quality of life as well as that of their families and communities.