Jan-Mar-15

Vol: 1 - Issue: 1

Director’s Desk Dear Friends of YaR network and Child MISS Partners, It gives me great pleasure in presenting the Hub newsletter for the first quarter of this calendar Year. The nodes in Chennai Hub have started climbing the mountains with new vigor and enthusiasm. The appreciation of Performance Awards received by the Hub and Nodes (Anbagam & Don Bosco Anbu Illam, Chennai) within short time of their existence is a concrete proof for it. The documentation in the Hub and Nodes has reached new heights. The credit goes to all the node directors and Coordinators for their commitment in the mission. At this juncture I would like to appreciate and thank Fr. Joe Prabu in a very special way for his hard work and Commitment in making this dream a reality. Through his efforts we could compete with the established structures in documenting the cases and in the preparation of statistical Reports. I am sure the flags of Chennai Hub will further fly high with the support of everyone involved in this mission. Let us work together for the development and betterment of children in need of care and protection.

Fr. Johnson Bashyam HUB DIRECTOR-CHENNAI

PSYCHO SOCIAL SUPPORT FOR THE YOUNG AT RISK The National Forum for the Young at Risk and the Young at Risk Commission – Province of Chennai organized a National Seminar, on the 5th & 6th of February 2015 on the topic “Psycho Social Support For the Young at Risk”. The seminar was attended by 170 Participants covering nationally and various NGO’s who cater to the needs of the child. The Seminar was inaugurated on the 5th February 2015, by Mrs.Nirmala (Retd. Managing Director TANSI) IAS. The inauguration began with a Prayer Dance by the children of Pope Johns Garden. After which the respected dignitaries were called onto the dais – Mrs. Nirmala IAS, Fr. Deva Joe ( Vice- Provincial Province of Chennai), Fr.Koshy (Executive Secretary YaR – National Office), Fr. Maria Charles (PCSA – DBYAR Delegate) and Fr.Johnson Bashyam (YaR Commission Co-coordinator Chennai Province). The dignitaries were then requested to light the lamp as sign of the presence of god amongst us. The respective dignitaries were then garlanded; Fr.Johnson Bashyam welcomed the gathering and the Chief Guest of the day. Followed by which the Vice – Provincial Fr. Deva addressed the gathering and welcomed the participants on behalf of the Provincial. The Chief Guest of the day Mrs. Nirmala IAS then addressed the gathering, in which she conveyed the need for support for the children at Risk and raised many a question. The inaugural program concluded with a mime performed by the students of MSW, who are placed in Don Bosco Anbu Illam for their concurrent field work. The mime conveyed the different situations a girl child is vulnerable to and how help can be given. The session of the seminars began and discussed about the major topics on “Psycho Social Support for Young At risk and other topics. It was an Interactive sessions, all the candidates participated actively and raised many queries in front of the panel desk. Followed by this the conclusion of the seminar took place. The Chief Guest for the conclusion was Mr. Raja Srinivas (DSP, CB CID Crime Branch) . The event began with a prayer dance by the girls from Saranalaya. After which Fr.Johnson Bashyam introduced our guest of honor along with the Vice – Provincial (Fr.Deva Joe) who was also present at the occasion. Mr. Raja Srinivas then spoke at large about the various activities that the police are indulging to mainstream the children into the society. This was followed by the distribution of prizes by the Child MISS team for the active participation of Nodes and Hubs.

Golden Jubilee Year Reach-out by Pope John’s Garden We raise our hearts in thanksgiving to God and our Blessed Mother as we commemorate the Golden Jubilee Year of Pope John’s Garden which stands as a monument for the mission towards the most disadvantaged in the society by the Salesians in India. We gratefully remember the founder Rev. Fr. Orpheus Mantovani SDB, the Apostle of the Poor in Chennai province, who created a dignified living space in the society for the patients with leprosy. Thousands of patients with leprosy have enjoyed the dignity of human life as a gift given by God after entering into this Garden of Eden, in spite of their physical and psychological dehumanizing condition. Rev. Fr. Francis Schlooz SDB who dedicated his entire life for the patients with leprosy continued the mission for these poorest of the poor by fighting for the Rights of these people and at the same time providing all the supports for their welfare. Rev. Fr. Tarcisius Rathinasamy SDB followed his Gurus in caring for this particular category of persons. Today, Pope John’s Garden treads the same path in its services to these patients by expanding its services with more specific interventions. Reconstructive Surgery

In 2014 we introduced a new service known as Reconstructive surgery Corrective surgery and made arrangements for the nursing facilities for those patients who needed it. It has been a timely intervention as the need is more for the increasing number of patients with leprosy in Tamil Nadu. There are many new cases of leprosy in many parts of Tamil Nadu who need to be taken care at the earlier stages before the deformities take place. Thus we had identified 43 patients last year and we rectified their deformities (Hands, Feet and Eyes) and helped them to get into the main-stream society without any stigma and discrimination. Every year we target to reach out to minimum of 50 patients of this category and help them with livelihood enhancement programmes to have a serene existence in the society. Ulcer Care Unit

In 2015, we are introducing another service for this category of patients by starting the Special Ulcer Care Unit for the patients. As the government hospitals have reduced their services to this category of patients due various reasons, the number of patients with Chronic Ulcers and Septic Ulcers are on the increase. These patients need special care and nursing facilities for many months and at present very few centres in Tamil Nadu are providing these facilities. With this need in mind, we have introduced this service to this category of patients, and started admitting these patients in Pope John’s Garden and expand our reach out to the entire Tamil Nadu. From January to March we provided services to 17 patients from various parts of Tamil Nadu. Our mission will continue to reach out to these most disadvantaged in the society because we strongly believe in the motto of the founder who said, “The best form of prayer is the service to the sick persons”.

RALLY ON ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION - MARIALAYA Participants

- 150 children

Date: 22 /01/2015

The world’s climate is changing, and the changes will have an enormous impact on our planet’s people, ecosystems, cities, and energy use. Destruction of forests, burning of fossil fuels and environmental pollution are the main reasons behind the “greenhouse effect” that is currently influencing the climate. The speed and intensity of these changes are too high for there to be any cause that could explain them, other than human activity. Considering all these factors CMCJ children marched rally through Kalyanapuram area to highlight global concerns to stop the deleterious effects of climate change. The rally has been campaigned, among other issues for curbs on harmful carbon emissions which contribute to global warming. The children carried placards and called out slogans to restrict plastic usage, planting trees to save environment, limiting the usage of electricity and water, reduce emissions, so the temperature change could be modest. The chanting slogans drawn the attention of public and encouraged them to be responsible towards environment protection. Children also ensured to carry out their responsibility towards environment at home, school and society.

GOLDEN JUBILEE CELEBRATION-BEATITUDES On January 29.2015, we had a grand celebration of the Golden Jubilee of Don Bosco Beatitudes, Which was started by Fr. Orfeo Mantovani the Italian Missionary, in the year 1965. At 04.30pm, a Photo Exhibition of Rev. Fr. Mantovani, was inaugurated Rev. Fr. Jayapalan Raphael, the Provincial. This was followed by the Holy Mass, Which was presided over by Fr. Provincial himself and concelebrated by more than 30 priests, most of whom had worked here earlier. After the holy Mass, there was a Cultural Programme. During the cultural programme, we screened a video film of 25 minutes duration, showing the history of this place and all the 13 various activities that are going on here at present. The cultural programme included dances, Songs and other items by the various sectors of this centre. All the items were performed by the inmates of this centre. It was an enjoyable evening for all present.

Present during the cultural Programme, were Rev. Maria Arokiam Kanaga, the Ret Regional Superior for South Asian Salasian Provinces, and our own Provincial Rev. Fr. Jalapalan Raphael. During the cultural programme, we honored and thanked 15 Italian Benefactors of this centre. They were garlanded and gifts were given to them. We also thanked those Salesians who had worked at this centre and were honored with mementos and gifts. We honored also two Government officials, namely Ms. Revathy, the District Social Welfare Officer, and Ms. Glory District Social Defence Officer.It was a grand celebration, appreciated by one and all We have one more good news to give you. At present we have only a High School here, up to Class X. we have decided to raise it up to the Higher Secondary level, adding Classes XI & XII, which will complete their pre- university studies, since it is much better for the students to complete their studies here itself, rather than seek admission in another school. This decision of ours was much appreciated by the students and parents.

CASE STUDY – DON BOSCO ANBU ILLAM, CHENNAI Santosh, 15 (name changed) has been at Bosco Illam from the year 2005, he was stranded on the platform of the central railway station when one of our staff rescued him, he was 4 years old at that time. He claimed that while he got down changing trains while travelling with his mother he was stranded. Till date he does not know where he is from and has been given care and protection at our Anbu Illam. He is one of the boys to whom the juniors and sub-juniors look up to, Santosh is very ambitious he outshines in all the activities that he does. He is a topper in his class and competes with his classmates to achieve that place. He has an eye for music and displays that talent by playing the musical instruments that are available to him at our home. Off late he has been showing an interest in playing the piano, during his spare time he goes to the music room and practices. Through this journey of his he claims that even in his own he doubts he would have been looked after well and says that he thanks God for this place that he has given him.

“Challenges are what make life interesting and Overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.” Joshua J. Marine

STATISTICAL REPORT OF CHENNAI HUB

No . Of Children Contacted Month Male Female Jan 32 12 Feb 34 20 March 36 43 Grand Total

Total 44 54 79 177

Age Wise Report Age Male Female 0-5 10 7 06-10 Yrs 18 17 11-14 Yrs 46 21 15-18 Yrs 25 22 18 & above 3 8 Grand Total

Total 17 35 67 47 11 177

Contact Point Wise Report Contact Point Male Female Total Beach 6 0 6 Church 0 1 1 Hospital 36 42 78 Hostel 1 1 2 Public Places 0 1 1 Railway Station 12 7 19 Slum 8 18 26 Temple 0 1 1 Work Places 26 Data Not Known 13 Grand Total

3 1

29 14 177

Status of the Child Status Male Female Total In contact 52 60 112 Institutionalized 33 6 39 Restored 17 9 26 Grand Total 177

Religion Wise Report Religion Male Female Hindu 93 64 Muslim 4 5 Christian 5 6 Grand Total

State Wise Report States Male Female Andra Pradesh 2 1 Jharkhand 1 1 Maharashtra 1 1 Puduchery 1 1 Rajasthan 1 1 Tamil Nadu 93 62 Uttar Pradesh 1 0 Data Not Known 2 8 Grand Total

Total 157 9 11 177

Total 3 2 2 2 2 155 1 10 177

The table depicts the type of family to which the children belong. The highest being 52 Males and 47 Females are from Nuclear Family and the lowest being 3 Males are from Step Family.

The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet. Aristotle Read more at CONTACT US http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_education.html#AC4kFKqUt8uH83uU.99

NATIONAL OFFICE

REGIONAL OFFICE

Don Bosco YaR Forum India

Don Bosco Anbu Illam

Palam Gaon (Near Jaat Chaupal)

No.25. Kulandai Street Park Town,

New Delhi 110045 INDIA

Chennai – 600003

Office Tel: + 91-11-25081014

Tel: -044-25352101

FOR FURTHER REFERENCE

Visit us: www.childmiss.net