On May 9 and 10, 2025, we were honored to welcome a very special guest — Catholic Salesian priest Fr. Albeiro Rodas. Originally from Colombia, Fr. Albeiro has spent the past 26 years in Cambodia as a missionary and director of the interreligious Don Bosco missions in Kep. His peace-building, environmental, and poverty-alleviation efforts for marginalized children, particularly from indigenous minority tribes, have earned worldwide recognition. Since 2023, we have had the privilege of collaborating with him through the engaged academic initiative, the Slovakia–Cambodia Club of Friendship.
At the Bioclimatic Park in Rajec, we were warmly welcomed by Catholic priest Fr. Marek Mucha and founder and farmer Ladislav Židek. They introduced us to sustainable and natural farming methods that support rich biodiversity. We bonded with the park’s llamas and Cameroonian goats, toured their fruit and vineyard cultivations, and enjoyed the beautiful surroundings of the Slovak countryside. The park is also dedicated to preserving spiritual and lasting values of justice and peace. Together, we reflected on the legacy of Catholic Salesian priest Anton Srholec in his memorial hermitage and honored those unjustly persecuted at their monument.
Mr. Židek concluded our visit by offering us spelt coffee and gingerbread cookies. The time spent together was a profound blessing. Thanks to our intercultural and interfaith friendship, we not only experienced but actively co-created a glimpse of Heaven on Earth. Fr. Albeiro is already looking forward to his next visit to Slovakia, where he hopes to visit our Evangelical Bilingual High School in person.
Special thanks to Mária Dominika Vanková for organizing the visit, writing the post, and providing the photos.
You can read more about the Slovakia–Cambodia Club of Friendship in the upcoming article for Today’s American Catholic.
A Community of Friendship by Mária Dominika Vanková
Greetings from Don Bosco, Kep Province, Kingdom of Cambodia, Southeast Asia.
After the long journey from Europe to Asia, I arrived safely. It was a wonderful time of meeting people and places, all with wonderful inspiration and love. Among the long line of experience, my short visit to the beautiful and green country of Slovakia has been of great insights.
Thank you for your kind welcome. During my moments of meditation, walking through those mountains, visiting the gardens and projects, I could feel that connection. Thanks for the dedication you have in your own projects that are something beyond mere compromises, but real commitments of love and hope.
We keep in this connection, working in our yards for the peace of the world, for the protection of Creation and for the common good of the Love of the Creator for all nations.
From this corner of Asia, to the beautiful land of Slovakia, a blessing and love,
Fr Albeiro Rodas, SDB, Don Bosco Kep.