DON BOSCO – ATHANAVUR, YELLAGIRI
Don Bosco Centre Fr. Francis Guezou, the Founder-Director of Don Bosco Centre in Yellagiri Hills, started a small boarding for the tribal children in 1962, with the help of the Sisters of St. Charles Borromeo and 3 lay collaborators. Today, the Centre comprises the following: a boarding for the tribal children (Don Bosco Boarding), a boarding for the boys of leprosy parents (Ennagam), the Bosco Institute of Computing Services (BICS InfoTech), a hostel each for boys and girls studying at BICS, the Past Pupils Federation and a sub-station of Jolarpet Parish.
1. Boarding for the tribal children (Don Bosco Boarding) Many of the 150 boarding boys are from the14 villages of Yellagiri Hills, while others are from the remote villages of Jawadhi Hills. Most of the boys study at St. Charles Higher Secondary School (Tamil Medium) from Class I to Class XII, while a few of them frequent the Government School. They are provided with food, shelter and other basic facilities. Their studies are being followed up. They have some prayer together on Sundays. Group activities and competitions are regularly conducted. Life-coping skills are also imparted. They are trained to be responsible, time-conscious, self-disciplined, all in a family atmosphere. During the holidays, camps are organized to train them in special skills. Once they finish their X and XII standard, they are given career guidance so as to make right choices in life. Most of them are also given scholarships. A full-time Salesian is needed to follow up the students, while better toilet and bathing facilities, a separate dormitory and study hall are also required.
2. Boarding for the boys of leprosy patients (Ennagam) A special boarding for 40 children of leprosy patients was started in which they are brought up in a family atmosphere, while studying in the St. Charles School. For the rest, all the services provided at Don Bosco Boarding are also being provided here.
3. Educational Scholarships Financial assistance is provided to more than 100 students mainly from the hills to continue their higher studies in various colleges. Many of them are doing very well and are well employed in Government as well as in private companies. Thanks to this scheme, many boys and girls who were unable to leave the hills for higher studies due to poverty, are now enabled to pursue higher education. In the long run, this will bring up the economy of Yellagiri Hills, while at the same time resulting in 100% literacy.
4. Bosco Institute of Information Technology (BIIT) In 1998, the Bosco Institute of Computing Services (BICS InfoTech) was initiated to help poor youngsters from various parishes of Tamil Nadu acquire proficiency in computing skills and seek employment in the software industry. BICS InfoTech has eventually evolved into Bosco Institute of Information Technology (BIIT), Bosco Information Technology Services (Bosco ITS), and Arivagam (Knowledge Resource Centre). This year there are 155 specially selected students (100 boys and 55 girls) in BIIT. The selection process is very strict. The candidates have to write an entrance exam, go through an interview, and if selected, their family will be visited by the selection team. Only those students who are economically backward and intellectually bright are finally admitted into the institute. The fees are very low. All the students who study at BIIT at the end of their training, are assured of a good job (100% placement). Most of them have leadership qualities, take leadership positions in their companies and are quite helpful in their parishes and communities. Those who pass out, are asked to financially help another student to study. Thus, a contribution is made to the Institute, which is put into the account called “BICS Federation”, which is very effective in helping other poor students in their academic studies and when they are faced with problems.
5. Bosco Information Technology Services (Bosco ITS) The students who complete their studies at BIIT, pass on to BOSCO ITS for their industrial practice and exposure, and get hands on training in real time projects. This is one of the most important services of BOSCO ITS. Eighty-one students from rural areas are thus empowered, ably assisted by 73 staff members (apprentices and trainees included), most of whom have just completed the BOSCO ITS courses. The staff members also look after production. BOSCO ITS consists of many departments such as Software, Hardware, Multimedia and Electronic Data Processing (EDP). While giving “hands on” training to the trainees, it also undertakes professional services, whereby projects are carried out, bringing in required revenue to sustain this work. From December 2005 Bosco ITS has acquired self-sufficiency. The trainees and staff earn a respectable salary.
6. Hostels for students of BICS InfoTech In addition, there are two hostels for the students of BICS InfoTech, Papa Duhayon Hostel for men in the campus (160 students and trainees + 11 staff) and Arokia Annai Hostel for girls (118 students and trainees + 27 staff) just outside. Spiritual animation is provided with daily mass in the morning and night prayer, and group activities are conducted.
7. Arivagam (Knowledge Resource Centre) Arivagam, initiated in 2005, is the latest addition to Don Bosco Center, Yellagiri Hills. It is a modern library with a conventional stack room and reference section. Apart from these, there is a well-equipped conference room and digital library. Students can browse the internet, learn some specialized skills on their own and test themselves against standardized tests. A number of short term courses are being arranged for religious men and women and for corporate bodies. In a couple of years this centre will be able to generate its own funds, maintain itself and provide quality service.
Past students of BICS InfoTech are spread across the country. BICS InfoTech Educational Trust has charted a plan to set up a Federation for all staff, trainees, apprentices and students to contribute towards the mission of BICS InfoTech. Started in 2003, BICS Federation aims at sharing of expertise, providing support services, enhancing institutional relations-influences and building a knowledge society. Meetings were conducted in Bangalore and Chennai to convey this idea and seek support to establish a network.
9. Sub-station of Jolarpet Parish Yellagiri Hills, with 33 Catholic families, is a sub-station of Jolarpet Parish. A confrere of the community is also in charge of the sub-station activities, which are carried out in understanding with the Parish Priest of Jolarpet Parish. Regular Sunday Mass is celebrated for the people, while the hostel students and boarders have a separate mass. Houses are visited and Easter blessing is imparted. An annual retreat is organized and pious associations like the Legion of Mary have been formed. Catechism classes too are organized every Sunday for 57 children (47 boys and 10 girls).
Don Bosco Centre
YELLAGIRI HILLS - 635 855
Vellore Dist.
