SILVER JUBILEE OF DON BOSCO BOYS’ TOWN

14th November 2009 was an auspicious day in the history of Don Bosco Boys’ Town.
The community celebrated 25 years of dedicated service to the poor youth of Nairobi, Kenya.

Don Bosco Boys’ Town is built on a six acre plot of land donated by the late Maurice Cardinal Otunga a saintly bishop whose sole preoccupation was service.

The land was given to the Salesians of Don Bosco in 1984 and the intention of the late Cardinal was that the Salesians set up project of technical training for the youth from the slums around Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. The location chosen for the above was Karen, an affluent area in the outskirts of Nairobi to make the rich of the area aware of the plight of the poor and the needy.

The Provincial delegate for East Africa Fr. Tony D’Souza at that time, appointed the late Fr. Sean Mc Ferran an Irish Salesian with several years of missionary experience in India and late Bro. Cherian Palathumkal another highly experienced salesian brother in technical schools, as the pioneers of this project. The target of the project was (and is still) to train the boys from financially weak background, mainly from the slums of Nairobi. The pioneers worked hard to get the needed fund from agencies such as Cebemo, Comide, JDW, European Union, Adenauer Foundation, Misereor and individual benefactors. Finally the foundation stone was blessed by the late Cardinal Otunga on 31st January 1985 and officially opened by Cardinal Otunga himself on 31st January 1989. During the years of construction the students were housed in a tin-sheet shed where they were given training in technical skills.

When Fr. Mc Ferran left for Ireland in 1987, Fr. Tony D’ Souza became the director. During his time the number of trainees and trades increased. Close to 4000 young men have received training in trades such as Carpentry, Masonry, Plumbing, Electrical, Tailoring, Turning, Fitting, Welding and Motor Vehicle Mechanics and other allied trades.
Speaking on the occasion, Rev. Fr. P.L. Joseph SDB (the Provincial of Eastern Africa) who presided over the Holy Eucharist stressed the importance of gratitude and later on to the gathering he spoke about the coincidence of this silver jubilee with the 150th anniversary of the founding of the congregation. He said that Don Bosco would be happy to see how Don Bosco Boys’ Town is helping young people like what he did in Turin in 19th century.
On the occasion of the jubilee, the silver jubilee edition of the magazine which was designed by Fr. K.D. Tom, the principal of Boys’ Town was released. A video documentary on how Don Bosco Boys’ Town grew from its humble beginning to the present state prepared by Fr. Sebastian Koladiyil SDB, the Social communication delegate of AFE too was released on the occasion.

On the same day certificates were given to 96 students who had completed their training in the different trades. For the first time there was a student for art and design to receive the certificate of merit. Mr. Augustine Njeru, a former member of parliament was the guest of honour for the day. Mr. Njeru spoke about the four movements which made a mark on Kenyan society. He placed Don Bosco Boys Town along with the Scout Movement (started by Sir. Beden Powel and who is buried in Kenya), Starehe Boys, founded by Mr. Griffins, who started giving secondary education to the bright boys from the financially weak background and Undugu Society, founded by the late Fr. Arnold Grol for rehabilitating the street children of Kenya. Mr. Raila Odinga, the Prime Minister of Kenya sent a message of congratulation and urged the Salesians to give more importance to entrepreneurial and business skills in the curriculum. Fr. Babu Augustine SDB, the director of Don Bosco Boys’ Town welcomed the guests as well as expressed gratitude of the Salesians to all the funding agencies and individual benefactors. While thanking the salesians who worked there he mentioned the contribution of the pioneers, all the Provincials and the Rectors Major: Rev. Fr. Vigano, Rev. Fr. Vecchi and Rev. Fr. Pascual Chavez for their concern and support. Rev. Fr. Chavez too had sent his message and in it he urged the Salesians to work unconditionally and unselfishly for the young people like Don Bosco.

Several people who are associated with Don Bosco Boys’ Town sent their messages of congratulation and offered their apologies for their unavailability. Fr. Tony D’ Souza, one of the key persons at the early stage of this project could not make it as he had some other important commitment till 13th November. However he sent a message for the school magazine and assured of his spiritual presence. Fr. I. Raj from Mozambique too sent his best wishes and expressed his apology as he sustained an injury which kept him to his bed. He spoke about his nostalgic feeling for Boys’ Town where he worked for seven years. It was during his time that the girls too began to receive training at Boys’ Town. However, all the other former directors, Fr. Hubert Pinto, Fr. Devasia Manathara and Fr. John Marciniak were present. Fr. Abel Njeru, Fr. Simon Asira, Bro. Georgio Conte, Fr. Santey K., Fr. P.D. George, Fr. George Kocholickal, Fr. Simon Nellikunnel, Fr. Peter Mutinga and Bro. Evans Onyiego who worked there in the past were present for the celebration. Fr. Paul Luseno SDB a former student of Boys’ Town too concelebrated at the Holy Eucharist.

Close to 2500 people were fed at the end of a well prepared entertainment. Fr. K.D. Tom was the coordinator of the jubilee celebration. In the last two months the community worked hard to make this day a memorable one. It was wonderful to see boys and girls competing to volunteer for work late into the night. A special word of Thanks was expressed by the director Fr. Babu to all the neighbouring communities for the great support. The Two longest-serving staff Mr. Girardo Mukoko and Mr. Peter Wanjohi were felicitated and awarded during the occasion.

Today Don Bosco Boys’ Town is known as Don Bosco Town with presence of girls.