When Ronel S. Mason, a humble 22-year-old from Hinigaran, Negros Occidental, joined the CFC ANCOP Community-Based Training Program in March 2023, in Gargato, Hinigaran, he had no idea how dramatically his life would change. Born into modest means and raised far from major economic hubs, Ronel once struggled with a lack of confidence and limited direction. But everything shifted when he joined the technical training offered by Don Bosco TVET Center – Balamban, Inc. (DBTVETCBI).
Ronel trained in Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW NC II) and Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW NC II). While the technical skills he learned were vital, it was the Salesian formation that made the deepest impact. “I kept praying and learning,” he says. “Don Bosco became my second family. They didn’t just teach me how to weld—they taught me how to live.”
After completing his training, Ronel was hired by a major shipbuilding company in Balamban, where he worked for nearly two years. This valuable experience gave him the maturity and technical competence he needed to move to the next level. Today, Ronel is a Plate Fitter Fabricator at Drydocks World Dubai, a respected international marine and offshore engineering company. His confidence now matches his skill—built on a foundation of discipline, faith, and hard work.
Ronel’s journey is a living testament to the Vision and Mission of Don Bosco TVET Center – Balamban, Inc. Guided by its commitment to form globally competitive, morally upright, and socially responsible youth, the Center empowered Ronel—once a quiet student from rural Hinigaran—to become a skilled and values-driven worker now employed on the global stage. True to its mission of providing quality technical education and holistic formation anchored on the Preventive System of Don Bosco, the Center nurtured not just Ronel’s hands but his heart and mind. Through spiritual guidance, life coaching, and hands-on training, DBTVETCBI equipped him to break the cycle of poverty, live out Christian values, and embrace his role as a responsible breadwinner. His success in Dubai is not just personal—it is the fulfillment of a greater mission: transforming the marginalized youth into nation-builders and faith-anchored professionals.
He shares, “My instructors and the Salesian community helped shape my mindset and skills. They gave me advice, connected me to God, and taught me the most valuable lesson: always keep trying and make good decisions.”
Although transitioning to international work was challenging—especially in communicating with people from diverse cultures—Ronel credits his time at Don Bosco and his first job in Balamban for equipping him with both technical competence and emotional resilience.
“I feel happy and full of appreciation,” he says. “Don Bosco trained me not just for work but for life. Now I can manage my time, support my family, and pursue my goals.”
To young people considering technical training, Ronel offers this advice:
“Keep doing good, trust in God, and never stop praying.”
He leaves a heartfelt message to all those who made his journey possible:
“To all Salesians, all the instructors, and staff of Don Bosco TVET Center – thank you very much. You helped me learn so much—things I never imagined I would learn. You are a blessing in my life.”
Ronel’s success story, powered by CFC ANCOP Global Foundation (CAGFI) and DBTVETCBI, is a beacon of hope for thousands of youth like him—proof that with faith, formation, and opportunity, even the most humble beginnings can lead to extraordinary destinies.