Mention of Bangalore, and the first thing that comes to one’s mind are the I.T industries, the beautiful gardens, skyscrapers, over bridges, stadiums, pubs…well…the city with a population of over lakhs is well on its way to a metropolitan city.

The fast paced growth of the city has more consequences than meets the eye. For example, would you believe that an average of ---children land up on the streets of Bangalore everyday? Well…That makes many children on the streets of Bangalore every year. Today the city has end number of children living on the streets.

Once on the streets, these children are exposed to every kind of exploitation and danger. In fact many of them end up as child laborers and bonded laborers, working in hazardous and inhuman situations. Exposed to drugs, alcoholism and sex, several of them turn out to be anti-socials and pawns in the hands of bigger criminals.

This alarming scenario prompted the Salesians of Don Bosco, a Christian religious society committed to the service of poor and marginalized youth and children, to venture into the service of these unfortunate children. Thus began in 1980, the non-governmental organization-Bangalore Oniyavara Seva Kootta-acronymed BOSCO.

‘Bosco Makkala Ashraya’ the child rescue booths set up by BOSCO at the railway station, bus stand and other prominent pockets of the city are rescuing thousands of children every year. Today BOSCO has six centers in Bangalore city all of which cater to the rescue and rehabilitation of street children. These centers offer counseling, vocational training, education, recreational facilities, night shelters, first aid and above all the presence of caring and committed staff with whom the children can interact.

Bosco Yuvodaya is the main administrative office of BOSCO project and Fr. K.D Varghese, the executive director along with his core-team co-ordinates this project.

From Bosco Yuvodaya, children are counseled and sent to Bosco Mane, another center where the children enjoy care, affection, concern, and friendship. Those children who can be placed home are gradually directed to their families while others undergo non-formal education and vocational training. The training they receive in carpentry, welding, tailoring, two-wheeler repairing, book binding and screen printing along with the immense other opportunities help these unfortunate children, not only to get back their childhood, but also to stand on their own in the future.

While Bosco Mane caters to children up to the age of 15, the older boys are sheltered and followed up in yet another BOSCO center named BOSCO Yuvodaya. Through effective job placement, room placement and further follow up BOSCO yuvodaya ensures that the rescue act is complete.

Bosco Nilaya at K.R Market and Bosco Nivas at Shivaji Nagar are other major BOSCO centers in Bangalore catering to poor and exploited children.

Bosco has some startling statistics on home placement of children. In fact in the last one year alone Bosco has seen to the happy re-union of over 2400 children with their families.

BOSCO yuvodaya is open 24 hours for the registration of information on missing children. Besides BOSCO is associated with the ministry of social justice and empowerment, Govt. of India, offering child line service to the children in distress.

The year 2005 is special to BOSCO as this great humanitarian project completes 25 silver years. 25 years of selfless service, 25 years of unflinching commitment to the marginalized and suppressed. In the last 25 years BOSCO has effectively helped over 200 thousand children.

BOSCO has won the state government’s award for the best non-governmental organization in Karnataka more than ones. The admiring supporters of Bosco project include icons such as Vishwanathan Anand, Nanditha Das…

If you have never been to BOSCO, this silver jubilee year is probably the best time to visit any of the BOSCO centers. Perhaps one such visit can change your whole perspective on life.

Join us… Hand in hand let us make this world a better place.

Contact BOSCO on
+91-080-22253392 - BOSCO Yuvodaya
+91-080-26524138 - BOSCO Mane
+91-080-23359485 - BOSCO Yuvakendra