INDIA: Run brings awareness to drug abuse, violence
Don Bosco School celebrates 60th anniversary
INDIA
(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco School, located in Irinjalakuda, Kerala, India, recently celebrated its 60th anniversary with a 5K run, which was held on April 1. The event had the theme “Run against drug abuse, run to stop violence against women.” Dr. R. Bindu, minister for higher education in Kerala, helped start the run. The event wrapped with a Zumba dance for all those who attended.
Nearly 1,000 participants, ranging from ages 2-71, took part in the event while all wearing white shirts. The route passed through the town of Irinjalakuda and finished at the Don Bosco school grounds.
“This event was an opportunity to both celebrate the school and highlight important issues youth are facing today,” said Father Timothy Ploch, interim director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “While Salesians provide education, they know youth are dealing with much more that often needs to be addressed before they can focus on their studies. Events like this highlight topics that are often difficult to talk about but need awareness around so hard discussions can begin among youth and the adults who care about them.”
Salesian programs in India are primarily focused on education. Salesian primary and secondary education 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.
India has the world’s fourth largest economy but more than 22% of the country lives in poverty. About 31% of the world’s multidimensionally poor children live in India, according to a report by the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative.
India’s youth face a lack of educational opportunities due to issues of caste, class and gender. Almost 44% of the workforce is illiterate and less than 10% of the working-age population has completed a secondary education. In addition, many secondary school graduates do not have the knowledge and skills to compete in today’s changing job market.
###
Sources:
Photo courtesy of Don Bosco South Asia
Don Bosco South Asia – Don Bosco School Organises 5K RUN
Salesian Missions – India
World Bank – India
