The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Salesians to educate, empower and transform

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Wednesday, Feb 04, 2009
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Salesians to educate, empower and transform

Staff Reporter

75,000 children to be covered in a scholarship programme
Underprivileged youth will also be assisted in finding jobs

CHENNAI: “We believe in the youth. They don’t represent the future, but are the face of the present. If they are not given the right opportunity, they may become a social problem instead of human resources,” Fr. Pascual Chávez, Rector Major, Salesians of Don Bosco, said here on Tuesday.

Addressing presspersons in connection with the 75 years’ presence of Salesians in the Chennai province, he said their activities were not aimed at proselitism, but at empowering youth.

Speaking of the challenges facing the youth today, Fr. Chávez said: “Lack of trust in themselves, a pessimistic attitude to life and the generation gap that exists between them and older persons are major challenges they encounter. We need to give them hope and reassure them,” he said.

Commending the work of Salesians in India, he said he would make regular visits [from Rome] to follow up on the social projects taken up by them.

Slogan

“We want to collaborate with the government and society to make life better for the poor, young and those deprived of their basic human rights.”

Outlining the social projects, Stanislaus Swamikannu, Provincial, Salesian Province of Chennai, said the slogan of the Salesians during the platinum jubilee was ‘To educate, empower and transform.’

As part of the celebration, nearly 75,000 children will be covered in a scholarship programme titled ‘Educare.’

As many as 7,500 trees will be planted.

Vocational training in different fields, aimed at encouraging the entrepreneurial spirit in the youth, will be provided.

Underprivileged youth will also be assisted in finding jobs.

A series of programmes, including cultural shows, a football match, inauguration of a newly-built stadium and a programme for street children have been scheduled over the next few days, as part of the platinum jubilee.

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