ALOYSIAN BOYS HOME, a home for the delinquent children

Kotekar, MANGALORE

The Aloysian Boys' Home was started in 1981 as an outreach program of St Aloyius College,and as a memorial to its Centenary. Cchildren from various backgrounds are admitted: The first being those whom the police pick up as runaways, or remanded to custody for petty crimes, or children of criminals who have beeen jailed, or those who have no home of their own. Secondly, children who have no homes of their own, abandoned by parents, or orphaned by their death. We do notmake any disinction after they become members of Aloysian Boys home. All the kids are treated as Aloysians ! We have 120 of them- between ages 7-18.

The immediate aim of the Home is to give these boys shelter, food, care and education. The ultimate aim is to give them human diginity by personal care and love; and make them social assets from social liabilities. What is distinctive about Aloysian Boys' Home is its homely, happy atmosphere. The children are fortunate to have Sisters of Charity to look after them. Sr. Augustine was the superintendent for over 16 years,and she bid adieu to ABH on Sept. 20, 1996. Sr.Albert is the new Superintendent. An able team of 7 Sisters and House Mothers assists Sr. Albert in the day to day administration of ABH. Rev. Dr. Leo D'souza, s.j., the former Principal and Rector of St Aloysius College is the Director.

HOW IT WORKS

For their basic education the children go to local schools. Most children begin their schooling only after they come to us. Hence most of them are over aged for their classes. They mix with other students . This helps in effective socialization. Most of our boys have been doing very well both in curricular and co-curricular activities & inter-school competitions.

A lot of care is taken to prepare them to face their future. They learn farming, looking after the cows, rabbits, pigs and fowls. They grow vegetables and tend a coconut garden.

The academic studies will be followed by technical training at St Aloysius Technical Training Institute in one of the trades: tailoring, carpentry, plumbing , welding, electrician. After the completion of the course the boys are capable of holding a job and stand on their own feet. Some of them do College education.

WHAT IT HAS ACHIEVED

The transformation that has taken place in these children has to be seen to be believed. You have only to walk into the ABH and you will be greeted by 120 smiling, lively faces. There is joy, and above all, a sense of freedom that is only available in the happy atmosphere of a home- a home where they feel loved, cherished and wanted; a home where they sing and dance and play; a home where they grow up into happy citizens.

The homely togetherness is fostered not only at games and work, but also in prayer.The children know that they owe everything to God and in their own simple way they pray for all their benefactors and for all those who help them.

The Boy's Home, which began in an old cottage has grown rapidly in a short span. Besides the old cottage, which has received a facelift, there are cottages which have been put up. This has been possible due to the timely help from IBO ( International Builder's Order ). Fr. Angelo Marcandella, the Director of the Italian Branch of IBO, who visited ABH was very much impressed by the work, and came forward to help us to organise ABH into a model Rehabilitation Centre.

The IBO is a NGO involved in social welfare projects in different parts of the world. The project is multi-faceted. It's aim is to provide accomodation to the inmates of ABH in cottages. Nine cottages have come up,each capable of housing eight to twelve children of different age groups. Each cottage is under the care of a House Mother. The purpose is to provide the children a home atmosphere.

An important aspect of the Project is the providing of facilities for training in various skills: in trades like plumbing and welding, tailoring and carpentry, as also animal husbandry and horticulture.

The Project also envisages various other supporting facilities like the Infirmary ( health Centre ), a Research Centre, and a Community Centre with multi purpose hall that will be open also to the people of the neighbourhood. In addition, the Project includes a Half-Way Home to accomodate those who have completed their studies and have found employment outside but are yet to establish their own homes.

WHERE YOU CAN COME IN...

One of our continuous and happy responsibilites is the feeding , clothing and education of these children..and preparing them for life. Given the present day prices, the total expenses on each child comes to Rs. 1000 per month, which makes around Rs. 12,00,000 per year for all the children . The help we get from the Government towards this is very meagre. We need quite a lot of help from our well wishers and benefactors. These chilren need your help. In case you are planning to contribute your mite towards the building of these human persons,please send mail to: