NEWS
A joint meeting bringing together Economers, Directors of Province Development Offices, and Directors of Mission Offices of South Asia was held from November 30 to December 3. This collaboration marked a significant step in strategic organizational planning and mission initiatives. The discussions centered around two essential documents issued by the General Councillor for Missions and the Economer General in Rome: Guidelines and Orientations for the Mission Office and Province Development Office (PDO) as Research & Development Office of the Province: Integrating Mastery & Mystery. These guidelines align mission-driven projects with innovative research and development efforts, fostering impactful and sustainable operations across the provinces.
The United Nations founded the Child-Friendly Cities Initiatives (CFCI) in 1996 to respond to the challenges of realizing children's rights in an increasingly urbanized and decentralized world. The Salesians of Don Bosco adopted this initiative with the project name Strengthening Social Participation and Promotion of Children's Rights. The project is carried out in collaboration with Don Bosco Project Development Offices in the Salesian Provinces of Dimapur (AIDA) and Shillong (BIDS), while the Don Bosco National Forum for the Young at Risk (YaR) provided technical support.
The Sisters of Maria Auxiliatrix (SMA), known for their extensive socio-economic, educational, and health services for the underprivileged in Tamil Nadu and other states, have taken a significant step forward with launching their Project Development Office (PDO). The inauguration of the PDO at their Generalate in Madhavaram, Chennai, marks a pivotal moment in the Congregation's mission to expand its outreach and deepen its impact.
Don Bosco BREADS' Employment and Skill Training (DB BEST) Academy in Lingarajapuram, Bangalore, celebrated 25 batches of 1616 successfully trained youth on November 22. On this momentous milestone in their journey of empowerment, Hon. Minister for Energy and MLA of Sarvagnanagar Shri K J George, along with Extra Ordinary Visitor Father Fabio Attard, Father Jose Thomas Koyickal, Provincial, Mr. Sriranga Bhandarkar – Director, Global Head of Confirmations and Settlements- Deutsche Bank, Father Shalbin Kalancherry, Vice Provincial, Father Joy Nedumparambil, Economer, Father George PS, Executive Director BREADS, and Don Bosco BEST Academy partners felicitated the youth.
Once the dust settles, reality kicks in! The aftermath of the July landslides in Wayanad, Kerala, adds untold miseries to the script. Seeing their plight, BREADS Bangalore, in collaboration with Don Bosco College Sulthan Bathery, provided basic household articles and essential commodities to over 70 survivors of the landslides that hit Mundakkai and Chooralmala on November 5 as part of # We4You.
To inspire young minds about the importance of water conservation and educate them on sustainable practices for efficient water use, the Salesian Province of Tiruchy (INT), through Cauveri, the Province's Planning and Development Office, organized an Exposure Visit and Talent Expo for the Water Conservation Club members on October 15 at Don Bosco Thanjavur and Sengipatti Agri-farm.
On the way to Jambagi village in Bidar, North Karnataka, for their field visit, the Don Bosco Centre for Social Action and Movement team chanced upon an accident in Kandgoal involving three individuals from Soraly village. The victims had been informed that the ambulance would take an hour to reach the spot. Understanding the urgency, the medical team quickly provided first aid to the injured and transported them to the Brims Hospital in Bidar for additional treatment.
As Kerala state celebrated its state festival of harvest, prosperity, harmony and unity, Onam, Don Bosco College, Sulthan Bathery, and the Development Office of the Salesian Bangalore Province BREADS Bangalore hosted a get-together on September 11 for the people affected by the recent devastating landslides in Wayanad. Around 200 landslide survivors participated in the ‘Njangalum Ningalodopam’ (We are With You as You Move Forward) Onam celebrations.
Massive landslides wreaked havoc in the Wayanad district of Kerala leaving at least 84 people, including children dead and leaving several families missing. According to reports, the Mundakkai town was completely swept away by the landslide. Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha villages were the other areas hit and cut off by the landslides.
A successful capacity-building programme was conducted on August 6, at Don Bosco, Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, specifically for tutors associated with the BEST (Building Effective Solutions Together) and DREAM (Dedicating Resources to Educating and Mentoring towards Combating Child Labour) projects.
Bosco Seva Kendra (BSK), Don Bosco Provincial House, Hyderabad, 24 April 2022: On the 30th Pearl Anniversary of the Salesian Province of St Joseph, Hyderabad, Bosco Seva Kendra (BSK), the Planning and Development of the Province, released the BOLD (Better Opportunities for Learning and Development) report which is a study and evaluation of all the communities done from August 2021 to January 2022 and it is a strategic planning process for Six years (2022-2028). It was released by Father Thathireddy Vijaya Bhaskar, sdb and Father Medabalimi Balaswamy, sdb in the presence of Father Bellamkonda Sudhakar, sdb the executive director of BSK. Through BOLD, BSK evaluated five categories, namely, 1. Schools & Colleges, 2. Technical Schools, 3. Parishes, 4. Youth Services and 5. Young at Risk.