(ANS – Yercaud) – BOSCO (Bosco Organisation for Social Concern and Operation), New Delhi was accorded the “Pascual Chavez Award” for Innovative Ministry for the year 2013. The decision was announced on 28 May 2014, during the General Assembly of the Salesian Provincial Conference of South Asia (SPCSA), at Yercaud in Tiruchy Province (INT).

BOSCO is a refugee assistance programme operating in the Indian Capital New Delhi, and is part of the Social ministry of the Province of New Delhi (INN). The award which consists of a citation and a monetary token of appreciation was handed over to Fr. Jose Mathew, Director of BOSCO and Fr. Michael Peedikayil, the Provincial of New Delhi, by Fr. Maria Arokiam Kanaga, the Regional Councillor. 

The Pascual Chavez Award for Innovative Ministry was instituted in 2012 by the Provincial Conference of South Asia to highlight ministries of the South Asian Region which are  effective expressions of the Salesian charism in today's world. Last year the award was given to Don Bosco Prison Ministry, Berhampore, of Kolkata Province.

BOSCO focuses on assisting and serving the large number of refugees who flock to the Indian capital. It serves approximately 22,000 refugees and asylum seekers in Delhi through its 14 centres spread across New Delhi city. BOSCO has been working in partnership with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, in providing access to health, education, community empowerment/self-reliance, psycho-social and other support to refugees  in Delhi for the past ten years.

The services BOSCO provides to the refugees range from Education and Vocational Training, to job placement and Psychosocial Support, and Income generation activities.

True to the Salesian spirit, BOSCO reaches out to young people among the refugees through Youth Clubs. BOSCO has started eleven youth clubs in the community, and these clubs serve to conduct awareness programmes and campaigns on issues such as Sexual and gender based violence, Education, HIV/AIDS etc. Currently there are about 1000 young refugees associated with BOSCO Youth Clubs.

BOSCO has a dedicated team of 230 staff, half of whom are refugees themselves who find joy and pride in working for the cause of these most vulnerable people.

Fr. Jose Mathew, the Director of BOSCO, highlighted the aim of the Organization which is to empower refugees to rebuild their lives by identifying their potential and building their own capacity. He said, "Every refugee hopes and dreams of a peaceful war-free world. We admire their strength and courage as they face new challenges and start life afresh trying to heal from the pain and trauma of losing their dear ones back home in conflict."  

Published 05/06/2014