(ANS – Amsterdam) – Accompanied by two volunteers, Charlotte and Willem, and Fr John Adaikala SDB, 13 Dutch young people from DB-SAMEN (Salesian Missions of the Netherlands) are currently involved in a five-week journey through India to find out about the many different projects run by the Salesians for street children. The group arrived in Mumbai on 7 July.

Don Bosco SAMEN is a Salesian formation initiative open to all Dutch young people. During the summer DB-SAMEN sends volunteers to various Salesian projects in India, Africa and South America. After five months of preparation, spent in group work and study of Don Bosco’s educational methods, the young people have this year visited various parts of India to get to know about projects for street children.

On 7 July, the young people landed in Mumbai, on the north west coast of India. Accompanied by a social worker, Ms Gracy, they went to the shanty town of Daaravi, the largest in Asia, walking through the narrow lanes of this challenging area. They then visited some projects catering for street children and school drop-outs before setting off on a 30 hour train journey to see further Salesian work.

When they reached the state of Tamil Nadu, the group split into two parts, one going to Chennai and the other to Salem. In both places the young people were able to see the activities organised by Salesians for street children: hostels, study centres, places for technical training and centres in marginal areas. They stayed there for 10 days, helping with the work and entertaining the children. In the midst of these practical activities the groups gathered for four days to evaluate what had been achieved.

Other enriching moments of the trip to India were meeting the young people at ‘Don Bosco Boys’ in Pondicherry, the visit to Mamallapuram, and taking part in the games and activities organised for children who had dropped out from school.

For the final few days, with the two groups together again, the young people are based in Bangalore, visiting Salesian works in the city but also evaluating what they observed during the five week journey. This will help them always to remember what they have seen and to pass on the message to young people they will meet in the future. On 14 August, the eve of Independence Day in India, the group will return to Holland.

Published 8/8/2011