1. DON BOSCO BOYS’ HOME
There are 114 boys this year in the Don Bosco Boys’ Home, of which 70 are from different parishes of north Tamil Nadu. The main priority is given to poor Catholic orphans or semi-orphans. They have free boarding and lodging and are looked after well. Some deserving boys are helped by the CFCA and by the House for their studies and stationery expenses. Their faith formation, academic studies, field work in the farm, games and other extra curricular activities are followed up by the Confreres in general and by the two Assistants in particular. The boys are very responsive to the care and attention of the superiors. They are quite happy and also sing and pray well. Since a week, a volunteer from Germany, Ms. Maike, is also staying in the community and helping out in the boarding and in the School.
2. DON BOSCO HIGH SCHOOL
In the school, co-education was started from this year, from Stds. VI to X. There are 323 boys and 35 girls in the School, among whom, 74 are Catholics, mostly boarders. The rest are from the nearby villages. In the last academic year, the School secured 99% pass in the Std. X Government Exams. Nearly 320 students are enrolled in the mid-day meal scheme. Daily Catechism and Moral Science classes, good morning talks, regular spiritual animation, competitions, groups, cultural and social awareness seminars, etc., are some of the features that are offered to the students. There are 10 teaching staff, 8 of whom are Catholics. The Province supports the School as regards the teachers’ salary, which has been marginally raised this year. The School has a laboratory for Physics, Chemistry and Biology and a library, which however has to be improved. As yet, the School does not have a computer lab.
3. SIARD (Sagayathottam Institute of Agriculture and Rural Development)
In the Diploma College, there are 50 students in the first year, and 44 in the second year. Most of them are also from poor families. They have spot interviews by industrial companies at the end of the second year, and are well placed with a job immediately after their studies. This year, 5 girls were also admitted to the hostel, as per the demands of the Government and with the approval of the Provincial Council. Two Sisters are also studying here. The Principal is also the Warden of the hostel, ably assisted by 2 staff members. The College also offers a two and four wheeler driving licence course for the SIARD students, as well as to give special training to boys, occasionally sent by Vazhikaatti.
4. FARM
In the past year, several improvements have been made to the farm, thanks to the hard work and initiative of the Rector. Four new bore wells were dug in the farm for irrigation, and 4 new motors were purchased. Rose, jasmine, and kanagambaram plants were planted to increase the income, while savuku, for long term firewood trees, has been planted in 6 acres of land. Fruit trees like mango, guava, gooseberry, pomegranate and lime were also planted, while sugarcane has been further extended in another 10 acres. The bushes in the coconut grove were cleared for tapioca and 7000 banana trees were planted as an inter-crop cultivation in 5 acres. Paddy, groundnuts, and ragi, are also grown as seasonal crops. Vegetables are cultivated for use of the community. Nearly 100 goats have been bought for rearing. Faulty electrical wirings have been repaired and white-washing of the farm has also been done. Nevertheless, this house which was once noted for its farm produce, has now declined considerably due to a number of factors: insufficient finance to run the farm, lack of sufficient water, very few committed labourers and difficulty in finding workers for farming, the low price of farm products in the market and no alternative income yielding crops planned for the farm. There is no proper fencing for the farm, which results in thefts and other problems. There are about 34 workers employed regularly and seasonally in the farm. Their wages have also been marginally increased, but need to be increased further.
5. NIGHT STUDY CENTRES
There are 5 CFCA-sponsored night study centres in the nearby villages looked after by selected SIARD hostel students: Uriyur (2 Centers), Vellamodu, Sagayathottam and Sivapuram. Nearly 109 boys and 143 girls attend these night study centres regularly, assisted by 5 teachers and 2 Sisters.
6. CHAPLAINCY
Weekly Mass is celebrated in the SMA Convent on Saturdays and other special days. Assistance to the local parish and in the sub-station, Uriyur, is also given on request. Spiritual animation for religious communities and other nearby parishes is done, when requested. The Salesians take part in the various diocesan meetings whenever possible.
lawry_varam@yahoo.com.au
Don Bosco Boys’ Home
Sagayathottam B.O
TAKKOLAM - 631 151,
Vellore Dt.
Cell – 94432 05015
.png)
