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Touching Lives for Better Future

One Smile MillionaireMany a times we try to be rich on earth and not rich in heaven, which determines our relationship with God. I learnt the true value of a smile and compassion one cold winter evening. As we sat down for family prayer, the vegetable vendor called out from outside our house. My immediate reaction was that of irritation at the disturbance and interruption in our prayer because my sister had to attend to her to make the daily purchase of greens. I could hear her coughing incessantly throughout their transaction.

A felt a sudden stirring deep in my soul where I could picture a bolt poor teenager going about difficult chores despite ill-health. Realisation struck that I was praying to God, when God was giving me an opportunity to serve Him! I took a break from prayer and stepped out. She greeted me warmly with a smile belying the chill she must have been feeling with hardly any woolens on her to keep her warm. I felt in a way guilty of being privileged enough to have the warmth and comfort of sitting indoors wearing warm clothes. I asked her to wait while I made her a cup of tea and gave her a woolen shawl to keep her warm. Filled with gratitude she thanked me profusely whereas I should be the one thanking her for being an instrument that made me realise that it is in being compassionate towards our neighbor that we truly serve God. Our faith must bear fruit in good action to the needy and poor.

True happiness is a gift of God, given to those who know how to give. Let us show little gestures of love and bring Smiles worth Millions!

Fr. P. Arul Das sdbExecutive Director

Don Bosco Ongole came alive with the presence of 88 youth from different districts of Andhra Pradesh to attend the DBTECH program. The DBTECH program was started on the 20th of July, 2015. Youth are being trained in three domains namely Electrical, Hospitality and Sales & Marketing.

Almost all of the students are coming into contact with the Salesians for the first time. All the trainees were taken up

AUGUST - 2015 PAGES - 4e-NEWS LETTER

From the Director's Desk...

by the educative p r e s e n c e , t h e a tmosphere o f family spirit and the commitment of the Salesians and the staff at the center. The whole program began with a weeklong o r i e n t a t i o n program conducted for the trainees. This enabled them to understand the purpose of the training and to choose the domain which really interests them. The trainees are really motivated to give their best and to get a good placement in the future. And most of all to get their rightful place in society. We wish them all the best!

Don Bosco, Ongole Comes Alive

Training and Orientation program was conducted for DB Tech Trainers at Don Bosco Skill Mission, Bangalore between 20-23 July, 2015. Trainers working under corporate projects viz., Accenture, Schnieder participated.

The significance of realizing the DB Tech's vision “Skilling India by 2022” was focused upon. It is important to ensure every young person was adequately skilled to contribute to the growth and development of India as a force to reckon with.

HR and M&E persons elaborated on the methods and need to maintain regular records and documents as it would be the backbone of the program. M&E is basically a feedback mechanism for all the stake holders. HR policies of the Organization were also explained in detail to avoid any confusion in this regard.

The method of training was participative, with a lot of group activities, role play, team games making the learning process fun and easy to handle.

Training of DB Tech Trainers

DHISHA team conducted three programs during July, 2015. A Career Guidance program in for 105 students in ZillaParishad High School, Parigi on 17-18 Jul, 2015.

Job Orientation Program for 32 youth at DBHRDC, Gagillapuram of R R District, Telangana on 13 July, 2015 and 63 parish youth on 23 July at Seetharampuram, Udaigiri Mandal, Nellore District of Andhra Pradesh.

On 13 July, 2015 DB Tech Vizag gave a w a y c o u r s e c o m p l e t i o n certificates to 32 y o u n g p e o p l e who finished their 3-month course in Retail Sales. It also marked the welcome of 33 more – 26 girls and 7 boys to venture into the booming retail sector.

The candidates being young and excited wherever there are two or three there is a lot of fun and entertainment. It is also a sign of enthusiasm to learn something new and a lot of hope for the future.

The trainees of the third batch expressed their joy by saying “being a part of D.B Tech is a great pleasure for all of us. It has provided an opportunity to grow better. Hereafter, we would like see our better future with the help of D.B Tech.”

We wish them all the best!

More Youth join RETAIL SALES

Showing the way forward…

A 3-day Skill Upgradation Training was organized at BIRD, Guntur for the staff of MACS across the twin states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. For two days, 29-30 June, 42 staff members were given hand-on training on use of Microsoft Word and Excel for the documentation and recording of day-to-day transactions. Prof.Prasad from JKC College, Guntur was the chief resource person. On the last day, 01 Jul, they were introduced to Powerpoint presentations, the use of internet for sharing and communication – through emails. Post lunch former Director, Fr. Thomas Santiagu addressed the gathering, urging them to continue to work with commitment and support Fr.P Arul Das, the new Director. All members assured of continued dedication to work for the common goal - welfare of the disadvantaged women.

Skill Upgradation of MACS' Staff

Members of RajeevnagarChildren's Parliament had four meetings during the month of July, 2015. Several issues related to the hygiene and safety of the school were addressed. The Health minister brought the issue that the daily garbage pick up truck has not been regular, raising a stench and mess around the premises of the Community Hall where they conduct weekly Parliament Sittings and also daily Tuition classes. The issue was taken up for direct action and the members decided that they would take the responsibility of clearing the garbage themselves.

After the clean up they observed several empty liquor bottles in the premises. They cleared them up, and took the matter to the e lders in the community for re-dressal.

The matter was taken up and the elders issued strict warning to the offending parties. Problem was thus brought under control.

Kudos to the children who are taking up rational decisions where they can, they are addressing the issue on their own and referring

to elders where their involvement is required.

G Papayamma, R/o. Siddharthnagar, Ambajipeta of East Godavari is a member of Swalambana (meaning Self Reliance) MACS since 2012.

“I joined MACS three years ago. Within eight months of joining, I got a loan of Rs.5000/-. This gave me lot of energy. I started a business of trading in textiles and garments. I continued to be regular with not only savings but also loan repayment. With subsequent loans, I further developed my business by involving my husband also. He takes the merchandise on his motorcycle and goes selling from street to street.

“I have two children. My son has joined ITI course and my daughter is doing her engineering course. This is my greatest profit. I am able to educate my children, ensuring their future is bright.

“I thank Swalambana MACS and wish they continue to support us in future also.”

As part of 'Operation Muskan' in Warangal dist r ict , DBNJ has been tracing missing chi ldren and chi ld labour within the City and distr ict areas. Operation Muskan is a c o n t i n u a t i o n o f Operation Smile that was instrumental in releasing thousands of children from child labour. The main aim of the program is to prevent

child trafficking and rescue children from persons who tried to e n g a g e t h e m i n begging, sexual trade and other antisocial activities. Don Bosco Navajeevan in active co l laborat ion wi th C h i l d W e l f a r e

Committee (CWC) and Childline 1098, rescued 10 children under the age of 15 years. These children have been produced before child welfare committee for a l t e r n a t i v e c a r e arrangement for their safety and welfare.

Children walk the talk...

DBNJ Warangal in Operation Muskan 'Swalambana' MACS lives upto to its name

BOSCO SEVA KENDRA(Development office of the Salesian Province of Hyderabad)

Don Bosco Nagar Post, Himayatsagar Road, Bandlaguda Jagir, Hyderabad - 500 086, Telangana, INDIA.Director: 94400 53219 | Email: bskhyd1993@gmail.com | Website: www.boscosevakendra.org

A staff meeting was held with Provincial Fr. R. Balaraju and Director Fr.P. Arul Das to review the roles and responsibilities of BSK's team. Fr. Y. Kalyan was also introduced to the team as the new Asst. Director of BSK.

The meeting started with a prayer by the Provincial invoking blessings of the Almighty on all our works and undertakings.

Coordinators of different programs being implemented by BSK attended the meeting and shared details of their respective roles, responsibi l i t ies a n d t h e i r achievements to date.

The meeting was a time for sharing e a c h o t h e r ' s experiences on the field to enable smoother co-ordination and co-operation among the BSK team members.

Tribute to Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

Students and management team of DB Tech Kurnool found a unique way to pay tribute to the late Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam. A blood donation camp was organized in collaboration with

Indian Red Cross Society and the city's Blood Bank. Each trainee and trainer who

was found fit donated blood to help those in need.

The camp, held on 28 J u l y , 2 0 1 5 w a s inaugurated by Fr. Tom C h o w a r a n , R e c t o r,

Kurnool and attended by Dr.Mumtaz, Director of Kurnool Blood Bank. 25 members donated blood on the day.

Hon'ble PM of India, Narendra Modi announced that 01 to 07 July would be observed as Digital Week. The initiative is aimed at empowering citizens with use of Information Technology.

DB Tech Institutes in Vizag, Sabbavaram and Bandlaguda organized special Digital India sessions for the trainees of BPO and Retail Marketing on the use of computers and IT in different walks of life.

DIGITAL INDIA WEEK

Skilling IndiaDB Tech

Fr. P. Arul Das, SDBDBTech Director, Hyderabad

Mr. K. SridharDBTech Co-ordinator, Cell: 9000481123

For More Details Contact:

BSK Staff Meeting