DON BOSCO BEATITUDES, VYASARPADI - CHENNAI
Beatitudes Centre, begun by Fr. Orpheus Mantovani, in 1965, has grown into a huge complex with several sectors, all animated by the Salesian community with the collaboration of other women religious congregations.
DON BOSCO PRIMARY and HIGH SCHOOL
The target group of the school is the students from nearby slums and the children of leprosy patients. Most of them belong to a low income group. The present strength in the High School is 710, of which 200 are Catholics, and in the Primary School, 1282 of which 253 Catholics. Most of the teaching and non-teaching staff is Catholic. The objective of the school is to provide a sound Christian education while promoting human development, leadership qualities and moral integrity among the students. Every morning, yoga asanas are conducted to help students to focus their minds on God. Once a month, inter-faith prayer is also held. Good morning talks, regular spiritual animation, competitions, groups and movements, cultural and social awareness seminars, vocational guidance, etc., are some of the essential features that are offered to the students.
SAVIO and NIRMALA HOMES for SPECIAL CHILDREN
Presently, there are 57 boys in the Savio Senior Boys’ Home looked after by the Salesian community. Several of these boys are children of leprosy patients or from very poor families of the age group is 11 – 15 years. In the Savio Junior Boys’ Home there are 62 boys between 5 – 10 years. Two lay people look after them. There are 66 girls in the Nirmala Home between 5 – 18 years. The Salesian Sisters look after them with the help of two lay people. Children, in these boardings are divided into different groups having a Saint as a patron. Games, work, and competitions are carried out in groups. All of them have daily mass, morning & evening prayer and daily rosary. Once a month, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the monthly recollection and the First Friday adoration in the parish are offered them. Every Thursday, a special children’s Mass is held. Responsibilities and leadership training are imparted to various students. The Rector is overall in-charge of both the boardings.
DON BOSCO YOUTH CENTRE
At present there are 212 members, all boys and young men, of whom only 25 are Catholics. The DBYC’s goal is to work towards the integral growth of the youth of the area and to motivate them to a dignified life by instilling in them Christian and moral values through various programmes in the youth centre. The members are divided into 5 groups: Sub-Juniors, Juniors, Inters, Seniors and Super-Seniors. They take part in various recreational activities, such as: Football, Gymnastics, Boxing, Music, Carroms and Table Tennis. Other groups, like Cultural, Spiritual and Social Service also function well. Group meetings, leadership and animation programmes are conducted regularly. Vocational guidance is also offered to them.
ARUDAL ANNAI PARISH - Our Lady of Consolation
There are 1,137 families in the main parish centre and in the 4 sub-stations. Holy Mass is celebrated daily in the parish and twice a week in different sub-stations. Catechism classes are organized regularly on Sundays and special masses for children and youth are also celebrated. Seminarians from Becchi, Poonamallee, Salesian clerics and some volunteers help out with the Catechism classes, besides the FMA and SMA Sisters. Being a Salesian parish, care is taken to inculcate both Marian and Don Bosco devotions. Special retreats are held every year, during Advent and Lent for all the people. Particular attention and care is given to youth (both boys and girls) by means of retreats, seminars and other animation programmes. The associations in the parish are: Legion of Mary, Altar Servers Association, Parish Youth Group and Vincent de Paul Society. There are 38 Anbiams in the parish, the leaders of which form the parish council, which is active and meets regularly.
ANAT FARM
From June 2006, the farm is looked after by a lay person, under the direction of the Administrator. There are a few workers to look after the dairy farm, maintenance and other day to day activities. Cultivation of crops without a proper compound wall is not profitable, for which a compound wall is a necessity and is being looked into. Plans are underway to increase the rearing of sheep and birds. The present orchard of mango trees is giving a good yield, and more of such trees as well as other fruit trees will be planted. For the present, the Geetha Memorial Clinic run by the SMA Sisters, and which has served the local people since 1985, remains closed.
RUA (Rural Urban Aged) DAY CARE CENTRE
The RUA Day Care Centre provides shelter and day care for the destitute elderly. In recent years however, the number of elderly people frequenting this centre has come down considerably. Today, there are only about 21 elderly people who benefit from the day care given by the SMA Sisters with their collaborators.
POPE JOHN’S GARDEN
This is an ideal home for leprosy patients from different parts of the State looked after by a community of St. Charles Borromeo Sisters (SCBs). The economic, social, educational and cultural backgrounds of the 135 inmates differ. All their medical, social, spiritual needs are taken care of. As part of the rehabilitation, the inmates look after the coconut and mango groves, weave mats, thatched-leaves, make bandages, customized micro-cellular rubber shoes, candles, carpentry items, besides cooking, cleaning and other activities. The children of these patients are also brought up, educated and helped to settle down. There is also the MEMISA Clinic, named after the benefactor’s daughter, which specializes in skin and general ailments, serving the general public in and around Chennai.
ST. THOMAS HOME FOR THE DESTITUTE AGED
The aim of the home is to shelter and care for the destitute aged, who cannot look after themselves and who have no one to look after them. They are given a home to spend their last years and die peacefully. At present there are 88 beds, with separate accommodation for men and women. Admission is given without distinction of caste and creed. Today the home has 71 inmates (27 men and 44 women), among which, 37 Catholics. 10 staff members and 4 SMA Sisters look after the day-to-running of the Home. The inmates are given physical, spiritual and medical care with residential facilities.
ST. CAMILLUS HEALTH CARE CENTRE
The main objective of this Centre is to offer free medical treatment for minor illnesses, educate the patients on health and hygiene care, and make the necessary referrals when they are seriously ill. On an average about 3477 adults and 2138 children benefit annually from this health care centre run by the SMA Sisters.
DON BOSCO REHABILITATION TRAINING INSTITUTE (DBRTI)
Both boys and girls are admitted to DBRTI. Priority is given to teach Christian values and religious tolerance, together with technical instruction. The trainees are helped to gain self-confidence and develop their personality to face life confidently. Carpentry, and welding for boys, both formal (3 years) and non-formal (1 year) programmes are offered to 20 boys. Tailoring & embroidery and power machine courses are offered to 47 girls. A commercial Government certified institute of typing is also attached. About 80 young people benefit from the typing institute.
WOMEN AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (SELF-HELP GROUPS)
Vyasarpadi is situated in the populous northern part of Chennai city with the distinction of having 30 slums in the area. To help women earn a decent livelihood, 232 Self-Help groups with more than 3,490 members have been set up. These Self-Help Groups aim at the empowerment of women for achieving dignity, self-reliance and leadership through awareness, animation, income generation programmes and education to imbibe moral, human and religious values.
beatitudes@donboscochennai.org
Don Bosco Beatitudes,
Vyasarpady
CHENNAI - 600 039
+91-44-25514287 the landline
+91-9444013024 the administrator's mobile
