(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:

• Catholic Spiritual Formation; Values formation (Honesty, Loyalty, Sense of Justice and Hard work); Catechism; Liturgy; Bible Study;
• Educational Programmes for Young Adult people: College Scholarships; Seminary Vocations; Seminar/Workshops; Tesda accredited Technical Skills Training in Electrical, Welding, Machining and Fitting, aircon-refrigeration, automotive and Computer Technology; Water Refill Management, Baking, Cooking, Service Crewing, Aircon-Refrigeration, Automotive Mobile Service. Poultry and Vegetable Gardening
• Professional Programme: Don Bosco Pugad Centre will open its own Baking, Culinary and Agricultural School within four years. It is envisioned that Pugad Migrant graduates themselves will be managing the schools and likewise teaching in the schools.
• Sport Activities, Excursions, Educational Field Trips, and Social Activity Programmes.

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