VISAKHAPATNAM – DBNJ – SALESIAN PROVINCE OF ST JOSEPH, HYDERABAD

HISTORY

Don Bosco Nava Jeevan Bala Bhavan, Visakhapatnam came into existence in May 1999 as a result of the effort of BIRDY (Bosco Institute of Research and Development for Youth), Hyderabad under the stewardship of Rev. Fr. Joe Arimpoor sdb, to reach out to the Young at Risk in various parts of the State of Andhra Pradesh in the path of Don Bosco, the Father and founder of the Salesian Congegation . In the beginning stages it was supervised by BIRDY Staff and the children were catered to in a rented house in South Jail Road very close to Visakhapatnam Railway Station. Later on the Salesians from St. John’s Semianry Kondadaba like Rev. Fr. Noel Maddhichetty and Fr. Tathiereddy Visjayabahasakar took up the Direction of the Centre. Only in the year 2005 did two Salesians Rev. Fr. Venna William Kiran Hunt and Fr. Jose Parokaran began to reside in Visakhapatnam City in a Flat in Jyothi Encalve to give a new impetus to the work for the street children. They were able to generate goodwill for the work for the marginalized youth from the general public and Ecclesiastical Authorities. While giving special focus to the street children they were able to survey the Fishing Harbour Area and to start a bridge school for the school dropouts and a Non-Formal Vocational Training Centre for the unemployed youth at Paindorapet with the Help of the Diocesan Social Service Centre and CRS (Catholic Relief Services). In May 2006 Fr. Thomas Thottiyil was appointed as the New Director of Don Bosco Nava Jeevan Bal Bhavan. Fr. Guntaka Marianna joined the Salesian Presence as a student of B.Ed., in June 2006. In the year 2006 apart from starting a Home for the Orphan Tribal children of Visakhapatnam District at Devipuram in Sabbavaram on the 20 acre coconut Farm bought earlier by the Provice the Salesians were also able to build a new wing with help from SAIL (Steel Authority of Indai, Ltd.) and buy a new Shelter for the children at Sivalayam Street on Bowdara Road.