Equipping youths with the tools to succeed
Church-run institute teaches entrepreneurship
Young women embroidering during training at the Don Bosco Self-Employment Research Institute
- CM Paul, Kolkata
- India
- December 14, 2011
As government security forces searched the Jungalmahal district for Maoist leader Kishanji and his comrades, young Kamal (not his real name) was busy with more peaceful pursuits.
He was putting the finishing touches on a home he built in the Maoist-controlled West Midnapore village.
Kamal studies civil engineering in Mirpara, in Howrah district, as part of a program aimed at providing opportunities for unemployed and marginalized youths who had achieved low marks on national examinations.
“I was indeed lucky to get the opportunity to study civil engineering, says Kamal, who graduated from Don Bosco Self-Employment Research Institute.
The classes are sponsored by the Church-led Vocational Training Institute. Kamal says he learned about the program from a friend who had completed an electrician's course and who now works in the field.
“I was in deed lucky to get the opportunity to study Civil Engineering,” says Kamal, student at Don Bosco Self Employment Research Institute (DB SERI) at Mirpara near Liluah.
The training has paid off for Kamal, who has since been recruited by a company and earns 9,500 rupees (US$177) per month, as well as a food allowance, accommodation and other perks.
“I will be able to send money home to support the education of my younger sister,” he said.
Fr Alfred Paul, dean of studies at the Institute, says Kamal has come a long way.
“[His] success story is remarkable. Among 40 students in his batch, Kamal was the worst. His knowledge of English was absolutely zero; his application to study and discipline [was] nil.”
But Kamal bucked the odds and after three tough years of study, under the guidance of priests and mentors, he speaks fluent English and has excelled in all other academic and social areas.
Over the last three years, the institute has trained some 4,000 students from 17 districts in Bengal, with West Midnapore in Jungalmahal topping the list with 502 graduates.
Br TV Mathew, founder of the Institute, says it has been a strenuous fight to create new opportunities for unemployed youths.
“As more than 85 percent of children drop out of schools, the Don Bosco Society took up this noble program to equip … boys and girls with income-generating skills leading to self-employment.”
The institute began in 1978 on hired premises and with 14 students. It later moved to its current location in Mirpara in 1990 and now trains students in 14 vocational trades.
About 500 boys and girls between the ages of 16 and 25 are enrolled at the institute, which provides accommodation for out-of-town students in three hostels.
A long-time consultant to the government of West Bengal in vocational training, and to the government of India for self-employment, Br Mathew has also initiated non-traditional income generating trades to train women in setting up small enterprises and to be financially self-supportive.
He was putting the finishing touches on a home he built in the Maoist-controlled West Midnapore village.
Kamal studies civil engineering in Mirpara, in Howrah district, as part of a program aimed at providing opportunities for unemployed and marginalized youths who had achieved low marks on national examinations.
“I was indeed lucky to get the opportunity to study civil engineering, says Kamal, who graduated from Don Bosco Self-Employment Research Institute.
The classes are sponsored by the Church-led Vocational Training Institute. Kamal says he learned about the program from a friend who had completed an electrician's course and who now works in the field.
“I was in deed lucky to get the opportunity to study Civil Engineering,” says Kamal, student at Don Bosco Self Employment Research Institute (DB SERI) at Mirpara near Liluah.
The training has paid off for Kamal, who has since been recruited by a company and earns 9,500 rupees (US$177) per month, as well as a food allowance, accommodation and other perks.
“I will be able to send money home to support the education of my younger sister,” he said.
Fr Alfred Paul, dean of studies at the Institute, says Kamal has come a long way.
“[His] success story is remarkable. Among 40 students in his batch, Kamal was the worst. His knowledge of English was absolutely zero; his application to study and discipline [was] nil.”
But Kamal bucked the odds and after three tough years of study, under the guidance of priests and mentors, he speaks fluent English and has excelled in all other academic and social areas.
Over the last three years, the institute has trained some 4,000 students from 17 districts in Bengal, with West Midnapore in Jungalmahal topping the list with 502 graduates.
Br TV Mathew, founder of the Institute, says it has been a strenuous fight to create new opportunities for unemployed youths.
“As more than 85 percent of children drop out of schools, the Don Bosco Society took up this noble program to equip … boys and girls with income-generating skills leading to self-employment.”
The institute began in 1978 on hired premises and with 14 students. It later moved to its current location in Mirpara in 1990 and now trains students in 14 vocational trades.
About 500 boys and girls between the ages of 16 and 25 are enrolled at the institute, which provides accommodation for out-of-town students in three hostels.
A long-time consultant to the government of West Bengal in vocational training, and to the government of India for self-employment, Br Mathew has also initiated non-traditional income generating trades to train women in setting up small enterprises and to be financially self-supportive.
