The Founders

The founding members of Don Bosco Navjeevan Society are a group of three fathers from Kerela including Fr. Joseph Chittatukalam, Fr. Joy Jacob and Fr. Sebastian Jose.

About the organisation

Don Bosco Navjeevan Society was set up in the year 2001 with an objective to cater to the poor and needy from the slums in the city of Chandigarh. It is part of the Don Bosco Global Network spread across 139 countries, running educational institutions, vocational and technical training centers and community empowerment projects, providing various services to the young people around the globe. The organization draws inspiration from Don Bosco, a widely acclaimed educationist of the 19th Century.
The focus of Don Bosco Navjeevan Society is to reach out to more and more needy children and youth in the Streets, slums and villages, improve the quality of life of the unfortunate ones, empower the women in the slums and villages through Mahila Mandals and Self Help Groups and life skill programmes.

Some Other Activities at Don Bosco Navjeevan Society

Balwadi Classes
“Catch them young” is the slogan of the Balwadi school of Education for children aged between three and a half to five years. The idea behind this scheme is to build a strong foundation in the little ones, to develop interest in reading and writing and enable their admission into a proper school.

Remedial Classes: The children do not fare well in regular classes. They have difficulty in following the class and cannot afford private tuitions. The children are encouraged to come to community centers where they are given tuition classes.
Mahila Mandals (Self Help Groups)
Women are encouraged to engage in community based action programmes, take up women related issues, and fight against social evils like domestic violence, alcoholism, dowry atrocities and female foeticide.
Vocational Training: Vocational training is being provided in the areas of sewing, computers, cosmetology, housekeeping and driving, etc.
Health Programmes: Don Bosco Navjeevan Society has taken up medical care, de-addiction and family counselling activities under the health programme.
Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan: One of the latest ventures is Don Bosco Navjeevan’s collaboration with the Education Department – Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan.

Stories of Hope

Anita Saklani, 20 is pursuing her graduation from Punjab University and aims to be a fashion designer. Anita could not realise her dreams due to financial constraints at her family, her own lack of confidence added more towards it. After completing Smile Twin e-Learning Programme, she feels she has improved her communication skills and has gained knowledge on computers. She says she can now speak English without hesitating and feeling nervous. Anita now works as an office assistant with a law firm.

Sandeep Rani is 22 years of age and belongs to Kansal District in Mohali (Punjab). She completed her graduation from Punjab University. Before joining the Smile Twin e-Learning Programme her communication skills were poor, she had no knowledge about computers, retail and marketing sector. Sandeep Rani has 8 members in her family and her father earns Rs. 8000/- per month. After completing the course from STeP, she got a job in a private school and is now able to contribute to her family’s income.