MINISTRIES

Sonada, March 16, 2025:  The brothers from Salesian College Sonada organized a full day work camp on 16 March, 05 at Sri Satya Sai Academy, Primary School, Upper Cedar. The camp was an expression of ‘works of mercy’ which Christians are exhorted to engage in  during the season of Lent.

Upper Cedar, is one of the vibrant youth centers of Salesian College Sonada. It has a population  500 families, hailing from different faiths.  The people, in general, are very welcoming and open to the weekly outreach programmes rendered by the brothers. The main work for the day was to demolish the old school building and level the ground to create space for extracurricular activities. The existing primary school has a strength of  40 students, ranging from nursery to class four, with seven teachers.

Upon reaching the school, Mr. Pranay Sarki, the Headmaster, welcomed warmly the work force of 26 brothers, including some of the Claretians. He gave a short instruction before the work began. The headmaster and three more teachers joined the workforce to demolish the old building.

By the end of the day the target of the work camp was achieved. The Headmaster had only words of appreciation for the brothers. He said,  “This is the happiest day for me personally, for the school and for the our village. We will benefit greatly from the hard work and the sacrifice rendered by the brothers. Thank you for your support.” Ms. Sayari Rai, one of the teachers, described day as, “A day where I know that some people are still ready to support us, help us in our task to develop a bright future for our children of this locality. Thank you to Salesian College Sonada and to all the brothers.”

As the camp wounded up, Br. Jacob Rai SDB, the leader of the work camp, expressed their gratitude to the residents of the village for allowing them to extend a helping hand to them.  As a final message he said, “We can do much good in society if we are ready to give a helping when someone is in need”

Kolkata, January 24:  In a bid to enhance the quality of education and community service in rural areas, DBDOC (Don Bosco Development Office, Kolkata) hosted a three-day residential training program at Nitika Don Bosco from January 20th to 22nd, 2025.

Twenty-four educators and community workers from five rural centers participated in the program, which aimed to equip them with the tools and knowledge necessary to effectively serve children and communities.

The training program covered key concepts of counseling, child psychology, database management, and effective documentation techniques. Participants also received guidance on the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) project and the ASER survey.

The program concluded with a feedback session, certification ceremony, and a recreational outing, fostering collaboration and camaraderie among participants.

This transformative initiative has empowered educators and community workers with the knowledge and tools required to better serve children and communities, ensuring efficient reporting and database management.

The National Service Scheme (NSS) Unit of Salesian College, Sonada in collaboration with Past Pupils’ association successfully organized a comprehensive health camp on October 25, 2024. The event included a blood donation drive, free eye check-up, and general health check-up.

A team of dedicated medical professionals, including General Physicians, Gynecologists, Eye Specialists, and Neurologists were present to provide expert medical consultation. The camp was open to both the college community and the neighbouring Gorabari village.  Some 111 people from the neighbourhood benefitted from the health camp and 43 generous persons donated blood. The blood donation drive witnessed enthusiastic participation from Salesians, students, faculty, and local residents. Volunteers who donated blood were awarded certificates of appreciation. Additionally, essential medications were provided to those who availed the medical consultation. 

According to the organizing team, such camps play a vital role in raising health awareness in rural areas. On behalf of the organizers, Assistant Professor and NSS Programme Officer Mr. Manish Sharma said, "We organized this programme as a significant step toward social service. Our goal is to foster a sense of social responsibility among students and to provide health-related services to the local community." Mr. Sharma emphasized that similar initiatives contribute to positive social change and announced that other social activities would be organized in the days to come. 

It was very encouraging to note the number of students from the college who came forward to donate blood.  After donating blood, Thupden Tamang, a student of the College shared, “The feeling which I had after donating blood was really satisfying and amazing because my blood can save someone else’s life.  I hope to contribute to the society not only by donating blood but also in other ways”. 

The organizers expressed their gratitude to the doctors who generously put their medical knowledge at the service of socially deprived rural people and particularly to Siliguri Terai Lions Blood Centre who made their expertise available for the blood donation campaign. 

Johny Nedungatt SDB

Sonada, 28th July 2024 - In a significant stride towards women empowerment, the Youth Center Department of Salesian College, Sonada organized a one-day workshop focusing on health and hygiene within families. The event, held on the college campus, drew participation from 100 women across various villages around Sonada.

The day's proceedings began with a Holy Eucharist for the Catholic participants, celebrated by Fr. George Thirumalachalil. This spiritual start was followed by a brief inaugural ceremony where Fr. Johny Nedungatt, the Rector, extended a warm welcome to the resource person, Sr. Anjana Rai FMA, her assistant, and all the attendees. To ensure accessibility, transportation was provided to all participants, facilitating their arrival at the venue.

Fr. Clement Lakra, the youth animator and chief organizer, meticulously arranged the day's logistics, with support from several college brothers. He introduced Sr. Anjana Rai FMA from the Auxilium community in Mirik, who spearheaded the workshop sessions.

Sr. Anjana commenced by emphasizing essential aspects of a healthy lifestyle and introduced various medicinal herbs useful in times of need. Her practical approach and in-depth knowledge captivated the participants, providing them with valuable insights.

After a communal lunch, the afternoon session focused on addressing rudimentary medical concerns and practical remedies. Participants actively engaged in discussions, sharing their experiences and feedback. The workshop concluded with Br. Kushal Kami delivering a heartfelt vote of thanks, acknowledging Sr. Anjana's resourcefulness and dedication to making the program a success.

Ms. Hemma Gurung, summarizing the day's impact, remarked, "The day was effective and wonderful. Thanks to the organizers for attending to the needs of the common people."

The workshop stands as a testament to Salesian College's commitment to empowering women and addressing community health issues through education and practical support.

Cl. Octopaul Marbaniang SDB

Kolkata, June 21 – Don Bosco centers in Joypur, Barapahari, Nitika, Malbasey, Krishnagar, and Samthar enthusiastically celebrated International Yoga Day, emphasizing the profound physical and spiritual benefits of yoga. The event commenced with invigorating warm-up exercises, setting the stage for students to showcase a variety of asanas. Faculty, staff, and children received comprehensive guidance on achieving body-mind harmony, reinforcing the significance of yoga in daily life.

In a world dominated by fast-paced, technology-driven lifestyles, these centers highlighted yoga's crucial role in enhancing children's concentration and physical fitness. By fostering a culture of wellness and unity, Don Bosco centers are instilling the importance of holistic education and the pursuit of inner balance among their students. The day's activities were a testament to the centers' commitment to promoting well-being and nurturing a healthy lifestyle.

The enthusiastic celebration at Don Bosco centers underscored the importance of prioritizing well-being through yoga. Participants left inspired to integrate yoga into their routines, experiencing the ancient practice's lifelong benefits for health and inner peace. The event not only showcased the physical and mental advantages of yoga but also encouraged a communal spirit of wellness and unity, reflecting the centers' dedication to holistic development.

Mrs. Shatabdi Roy, Program Coordinator

DB Development office, Kolkata

Kolkata, 20 June: The atmosphere was vibrant at Nitika Don Bosco today as 32 enthusiastic students celebrated their achievements at the conclusion of a month-long summer camp. The camp, organized in collaboration with the Social Communication Commission, saw 12 dance students and 20 spoken English students being awarded certificates by Mr. Andrea from Italy.

The ceremony took place in the presence of the evening tuition students, adding to the festive spirit of the event. Ms. Sweta Singha, the dedicated dance teacher, and Ms. Elisha, the spoken English teacher, were commended for their unwavering commitment and excellent instruction throughout the summer holidays.

Br. Lawrence Mondal, Director of DB SERVE (Evening Tuition Centre), was also acknowledged for his pivotal role in overseeing the appointment of the teachers and ensuring the successful completion of the courses. The event highlighted the importance of such educational initiatives and the positive impact they have on students' development.