Life in Argentina is difficult, says Fr Randriamalalatiana Harinala Romel, sdb because the hours and the way of learning, the people and the way of life, the culture and society are changing. Challenges facing missionaries, it must be surpassed. Fr Romel shares his life experiences with us.
In January 2019, new people, a new life, a new place, and a new way of life waited for me here in the Argentine. Other than Uruguay, it was a peaceful and familiar place that had to be abandoned due to the renovation of the nursing home. Designing a check card was a problem for the first time. A one-month visa failed to handle all the paperwork. July (cedula)
Education - Another World
Change is challenging. The duration of the school year is ten months. It began in March and ends in December. Many first-year courses in Uruguay were not approved in Argentina due to differences in lessons, although the courses were the same.
The differences in the methods and requirements of the teachers are also problematic. Many of these will require two books, before the exam, and the third book will be marked. The end is not, the thing is. In addition to the discrimination of some teachers during the examination. School hours are usually quiet from 4 pm to 10 pm Monday through Friday as the school is closed in the morning. It's really tiring.
Despite all this, it is nice to have contact with students who are mostly religious. The same goes for some teachers.
Recommendations for young people
Young people spend most of their time on the weekends. It starts with children and young people in the oratorio at the Notre Dame de la Vallée or in the “explorador de Don Bosco (scuba diary) starting at 3 o'clock on Saturday afternoon. We play with 07 children up to 14 years in the oratorio. There are no educators in this community yet so the Salesian is participating in the campaign. Instead, in the explorador of Don Bosco participate in councils and supervision of children and youth ages 07 to 19, up to 250.
From 5 pm to 9 pm, even beyond this time sometimes, charismatic youths are called to office. Discussions or worships of the Holy Sacrament with these will take place.
Pastoral work continues on Sunday with the help of the council at the Notre Dame de la Vallée Church. In addition to the sacred Eucharist celebrated in the morning, there is also a catechism and teaching in the Oratorio in the afternoon from 4 pm to 8 pm.
Family life
There are 24 members in the studio studying theology. One Trainer and 4 at each level. Humor creates conflict because of the difference in personality and mindset and must be careful of the comments in order to avoid conflict. However, I have always tried to express the Malagasy mentality, says Fr Romel, who is encouraging himself facing these various issues.
Translated by Ramiarimalala Masoandrosoa Armancia Victoria
