Nearly 2,500 students take classes at the Don Bosco Center

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Center for Learning, located in Kurla, Mumbai, India, launched a new canteen in August. The canteen was blessed and inaugurated by Father Gildasio Mendes, Salesian general councilor for social communication. The canteen provides a relaxing atmosphere for students to connect with their peers in between classes. It was designed like a café with food and drinks available.

Nearly 2,500 students take classes at the Don Bosco Center. Given the competitive nature of their academic pursuits, students needed a place to unwind, re-energize and connect with each other. The canteen also serves as a place where students can showcase their artistic talents in singing and music. In addition, students can exhibit videos of their sports, cultural activities, and academic activities of each of the school’s departments.

Ecological sustainability was a factor in construction. The canteen includes recycled and repurposed elements in its design and décor. Father McEnroe Lopes, who conceptualized this project, said that every Don Bosco institute is a home for youth that nurtures them to grow into good human beings. At the inaugural event, he thanked a number of people who worked behind the scenes to make the canteen a reality.

The students are enjoying the space already. One student said, “I find this place very calm, relaxing and student friendly.” Another added, “This café is indeed a very special space. I have not seen anything like this in other colleges.” A third student noted, “I came to this college because I knew that Salesian fathers will always give the best to their students. This state-of-the-art café is just one small example that they are very interested in our wellbeing.”

Access to professional training and workforce development services, like what is offered at the Don Bosco Center, is highly valued in India. The country, which is home to 1.34 billion people (18 percent of the world’s population), will have overtaken China as the world’s most populous country by 2024, according to the World Economic Forum. While India has the world’s largest youth population, it has yet to capitalize on this, leaving some 30 percent of this population without employment, education or training.

###

Sources:

ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS)

ANS – India – Blessing of Students’ Café at DBCL Kurla

Don Bosco Center for Learning

Salesian Missions – India

World Bank – India