INDIA: Salesians build 34 houses for people impacted by fires in Narkeldanga
Project also provided essential household items
INDIA
(MissionNewswire) The Don Bosco Development Society, the social service arm of the Salesian Province of Kolkata in India, has built 34 permanent houses in Narkeldanga, after a February fire destroyed the homes of families who lived near the Sealdah railway station. The homes mark the end of months of displacement, offering residents a secure dwelling and significant step toward a better quality of life.
“This is not just a house, it’s giving us our dignity back,” said one of the people impacted.
The project, led by Father Mathew George, former assistant professor at Salesian College Sonada and Siliguri, also provided essential household items.
This is not the only housing project Salesians have undertaken in the region. To date, the Don Bosco Development Society has built 564 low-cost houses along Kolkata’s canals, supporting hundreds of families who are marginalized.
In May, the Don Bosco Development Society celebrated a major milestone of 500 homes built for people living in Kapali Bagan, located in the Tangra area of Kolkata. Kapali Bagan is home to numerous families living precariously along a major drainage canal. Residents often reside under makeshift shelters of plastic sheets and bamboo poles on the canal banks. The area is also close to dumping grounds, where many locals earn their livelihood by scavenging for recyclable materials.
Established in 1997, Don Bosco Development Society is committed to uplifting underprivileged communities by tackling poverty, ignorance and malnutrition. This low-cost housing initiative provides a dignified living space for families residing in the challenging conditions of Kapali Bagan.
Salesian programs across India are primarily focused on education. Salesian primary and secondary education in the country helps youth prepare for later technical, vocational or university study. Other programs help to support poor youth and their families by meeting the basic needs of shelter, proper nutrition and medical care.
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Sources:
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ANS – India – Salesians Rebuild Homes for Fire Victims in Kolkata
Salesian Missions – India
World Bank – India
