(ANS – Makati City) – It is a halfway home for youth in conflict with the law, poor and needy migrant youth whose ages range from 17-24. It is located inside the compound of St. John Bosco Parish in Makati City - METRO MANILA. The Filipino word “Pugad” means a “NEST”. It is an acronym which means PARISH URCHINS GATHERED AT DON BOSCO.
By Fr. David Buenaventura
These young men come from all over the country. They are victims of the recent typhoons which struck the country or young people who were recommended by religious organizations, civic and lay organizations, and even government organizations who are dealing with youth at risk and poor and needy youth.
While these young men are the least attractive to sponsors and benefactors with social advocacy for the welfare of the young, they are the ones who are most in need of support and assistance because they are easy victims of organized crime in the cities like drug trafficking, human trafficking, sexual exploitation and child labour or they are at risk of being used as young combatants.
Don Bosco Pugad seeks to uplift the lives of these young people by empowering them through a holistic formation that would take care of their physical and social education, and their moral and spiritual needs. The programme includes:
Though this holistic programme the young are empowered to rise from their poverty and become dignified productive agents of change in their families and local communities. As of today, many have graduated from Don Bosco Pugad Centre and they are now part of our Don Bosco Pugad alumni Association.
Published 16/07/2015