History
The Salesians started working at Tunga Bhadra Dam in 1982. By 1985, a plot of land was identified closer to the town of Hospet. The Society was registered in 1986 and a residence was constructed for the local community. The non-formal technical school was started in 1989 with the help of a funding by MISEREOR and was completed in 1992. In 1996, the Karnataka Open School was launched and in 1998 the Accredited Vocational programme. Development further took the Hospet Salesian society to the neighbourhood community -a separate department – DB-CSA (Centre for Social Action) functioning with its community based programmes.
Activities
1. Don Bosco Professional Academy : The project provides training and education to the young people especially those who have dropped out of the school education. The activities are :
a. Non Formal Vocational Training – Four modules (Helper, Basic, Certified & Professional) of Training in 8 Vocational Trades are imparted to young who were out of school. Considering the need of the youngster to earn at the earliest, the possibility of taking the training by module is provided.
b. Complimentary Academic Education – Literacy, Class VII, SSLC, KOS Secondary Education are the options given to the youngsters to qualify themselves adequately academically together with the trade.
c. National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) Through Accredited Vocational Programme of 10 courses in seven trades the young people can register for the government examination in the trade of their training. This enables them to get the basic qualification with skills in trade than with academic subjects.
d. Production cum Training Centre and on the job training placements helps them to gain experience in the job and earn while they learn. These make the candidates professional in the trades they have opted for.
2. Boarding : To provide access to the rural youth boarding facility is organized. There are about 70 young people who are able to have training in various trades due to the facility. This also provides them with opportunities for self-development and growth as individuals and good leaders.
3. Don Bosco – Centre for Social Action (DB-CSA) : The centre for social action is the social arm of the project addressing the issues of the neighbourhood in an organized and articulated manner. The activities in this section include :
a. Youth Groups organised keeping in mind the specific situation of the area. These groups are actively involved in the social issues of the neighbourhood especially promoting education and school enrolment.
b. Child Labour Rehabilitation Programme. This activity is aimed at motivating the young workers and school dropouts get back to school as far as possible, to impart education in an informal manner, and provide facilities to relive their childhood. Over 80 school dropout children are helped to get back to mainstream schools every year.
c. Dropout Prevention Programme- Considering the educational scenario in and around Hospet and the phenomenon of school dropout in the area we organize remedial classes, tuition and supervised study in the evening in different areas and organise programmes for a number of schools combined to enhance the educational environment.
d. DPEP – NFE Programme – we are invited to be a member in the DIC (District implementation committee) DRG (District Resource Group) and at the Block level to be part of the DPEP (District Primary Education Program) and NFE (Non Formal Education) Programmes of the state government.
e. Animation and training programs for student groups: We impart animation and training to students groups in leadership, personality development, study methodology, social awareness and analysis, career guidance, field experience and social exposure.
f. Women Sangha and self help Groups – Women hold the key role in the education of their children and if organised could be the grass root organisation for social change. For this we took up the task of organising women into self-help Groups, in which savings and common problem solving becomes the bonding nerves. We have already 60 groups with an average membership of 15 each. The savings of the group are internally used for their own economic developmental activities.
g. Hostel for Girls: The women and child welfare department has entrusted us with the management of a hostel for girls studying in schools and colleges from remote villages and is identified to be below poverty line (BPL)
Address
Don Bosco
Jambunatha Road
Hospet, Bellary – 583 201
Karnataka
Phone : (08394) 26.51.61
: (08394) 26.60.61
: (08394) 26.52.07
Email : donbosco11@sancharnet.in