Welcome to Don Bosco Anbu Illam

My name is C M Suresh Babu. Years ago, I was a street boy wandering the streets of Coimbatore. In my early life, my father, deeply influenced by astrology, considered me a bearer of bad luck for our family's well-being. This belief led to my neglect and mistreatment at home. Eventually, feeling unwanted and unvalued, I ran away from my own family, enduring nights on footpaths and struggling to survive without food or shelter. Those were challenging times, testing my resilience every minute. I resorted to scavenging and took on various odd jobs just to get by. Unfortunately, influenced by new acquaintances, I fell into drug use, unaware of its impact on my behavior and life. It wasn't until my teenage years that I found refuge at Don Bosco Anbu Illam—a sanctuary that offered me a second chance at life. At Anbu Illam, I received education and opportunities that helped me turn my life around. Grateful for the support I received, I eventually became a staff member myself. My role evolved into caring for children who, like me before, faced abandonment and despair on the streets. I engaged with the community, forming alliances with auto drivers, vendors, and railway workers to rescue vulnerable children from perilous situations. Today, I continue my mission, reaching out to slum areas, ensuring children have access to education and guidance through evening tuition programs. My 25-year journey with Anbu Illam has not only shaped my identity but has also allowed me to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others. I am proud to be part of the Don Bosco Anbu Illam family, grateful to its management, staff, and children for giving me the chance to serve and give back.

Rajkumar's Background Rajkumar emerged from a family grappling with adversity. His father worked diligently as a cook at Salem Anbu Illam, while his mother supported the family by selling food on the streets. With an elder sister and a younger brother, Rajkumar's upbringing was modest yet filled with aspirations for a brighter future. His foundational education took place at Salem Anbu Illam, where his determination to pursue higher studies began to take root. Educational Pursuit Driven by his ambition, Rajkumar's father facilitated sponsorship and arranged for him to continue his studies at Don Bosco Anbu Illam in Coimbatore. Transitioning to an engineering course at JCT College of Engineering and Technology, Rajkumar encountered initial challenges due to his Tamil-medium educational background. Despite these obstacles, with the unwavering guidance and support from Anbu Illam's mentors, he persevered and successfully completed his degree. Early Career Challenges Post-graduation, Rajkumar confronted financial constraints at home. He initially secured a position as a sales executive at a lifestyle showroom, earning Rs. 7500 monthly. Recognizing the need for greater earnings to support his family, he moved to a textile company, where his diligence and commitment earned him a promotion to sales manager for a new branch by 2020. Career Turning Point In a significant turning point in 2020, Father Ryan, then-director of Anbu Illam, introduced Rajkumar to Mr. Prasanna of the MAD Group, launching a new venture in bread production. Appointed as store in-charge, Rajkumar swiftly demonstrated his managerial acumen, leading the company to a remarkable sales increase from 2 lakhs to 8.5 lakhs within a year. His dedication and strategic leadership saw him rise to the position of branch manager, now earning Rs. 45000 monthly. Impact and Gratitude Rajkumar's journey from shelter to success not only transformed his own life but also enabled him to uplift others from similar backgrounds. He actively recruited and empowered several former shelter home residents who had completed their education, providing them with opportunities for professional growth and stability. His achievements stand as a testament to the transformative power of support and determination, with deep gratitude extended to Father Ryan and the Anbu Illam staff for their unwavering belief in his potential.

The brothers, Ananda Kumaresan and Anand Kumar, aged 7 and 5 respectively, were rescued by Childline and provided shelter at Don Bosco Anbu Illam. Family Background: Originally from Tuticorin, settled in Gandhi ma nagar, Coimbatore, their lives were marked by tragedy when their father, receiving instruction from a fortune teller, decided to offer his wife as a sacrifice for a better life. In the process he and his friend raped her before burning her. Subsequently, their father was imprisoned, leaving the children abandoned and under the care of relatives. Ananda Kumaresan used to be beaten up by his uncle would come home drunk every day, so he went to work in a cycle shop. Intervention by Don Bosco Staff: An outreach worker from Don Bosco Anbu Illam noticed Ananda Kumaresan working at the cycle shop and began a conversation with him at a very young age. Building trust, the worker learned of the child's interest in education and promised assistance. With police help, Ananda Kumaresan was taken to Childline, expressing a desire for his younger brother to join him. Efforts were made to locate their uncle's home, successfully bringing both brothers to Anbu Illam, where they received shelter. Lessons learnt: Even today he helps out the children or anyone in need. He goes all out to help the person. Educational and Professional Journey: In 2000, they were enrolled in school with support from Anbu Illam, and both successfully completed their 10th standard education. During their early years in the anbu illam, despite the presence of the fathers and the brothers, the motherly presence of Ms Sheela VDB, a staff and collaborator in the mission was a very big help in the life of these boys. The anbu illam staff were also instrumental in playing supporting part in the upbringing of the boys, for instance once a month as boys they were taken to visit their father in prison. He remembers the words of Sr Ethel, a religious nun who helped him meet his father in prison, “he is in prison, but he is the only relationship you have”. Kumaresan is always appreciative of the extra opportunities given to them in the anbu illam, (band, electrical & electronics, plumbing). Ananda Kumaresan pursued training in Mechanic (Motor Vehicle) at Don Bosco Industrial Training Center in Madurai, graduating in 2011. Anand Kumar completed his 12th standard education and enrolled at DB Cad Chennai to earn a Diploma in Video Audio Editing. Their dad who was released from prison, was of no big help to them The two of them stayed in the after care, in the anbu illam. Both went to work for meagre wages and started their career. They were helped by our well-wishers in securing good jobs. While staying in the after care, they started saving small amounts of money to be used in the future. After few years of stay they rented a room near to the anbu illam and stayed there with a few friends. They were followed up by the fathers and the brothers used to visit the anbu illam at regular intervals. They began to enjoy the freedom and the challenges that came along with it. They got in touch with their relatives and were happy to mingle with their uncles and aunties, cousins in particular. Lessons learnt: Their socialising has led them to dependent on these friends who they treat as family. Current Status of the boys: They purchased a land with their own savings and today Anandha kumaresan has a car of his own. It was merely the loan given by some well-wishers and relatives. Anand takes care of a small start-up and helps his owner in building the start-up and innovating new ideas for the same. He is married and a lot of relatives and friends attended the wedding. The comment of his relatives, “you (anbu illam) have brought up these children well in life”.

Radha Krishnan's Background Radha Krishnan hails from a tribal family, facing the challenges of being a semi-orphan. His mother, employed under Mahatma Gandhi's 100 days work scheme, sought assistance from Don Bosco for her son's higher secondary education. Previously housed by other NGOs, Radha Krishnan found his way to Anbu Illam at the age of 15. He has a younger brother, and despite the hardships, Radha Krishnan harbored a steadfast ambition to become a doctor. Education Journey and Challenges Following his completion of 12th standard, Radha Krishnan aimed for the NEET exam in 2020, aspiring to fulfill his dream. However, his initial attempt did not yield the expected results. Determined to succeed, he received specialized coaching and support from Anbu Illam, enabling him to improve his score significantly in the 2021 NEET exam, achieving a commendable 406 marks. Achieving Success Radha Krishnan's hard work paid off when he secured placement in a medical college, paving the way for him to pursue his ambition of becoming a doctor. His dedication, supported by the guidance and assistance from Anbu Illam, transformed his aspirations into tangible achievements. Future Aspirations As Radha Krishnan continues his journey in medical school, we extend our heartfelt wishes for his continued success and fulfillment of his goal to become a doctor. His story stands as a testament to resilience and determination, overcoming challenges and reaching for a brighter future.

My name is Sathya Moorthy, and my journey with Don Bosco began in the year 2006. Raised by my grandparents after the departure of my father and the loss of my mother when I was young, life threw its challenges at me early on. Seeking refuge with my uncle in Coimbatore, I soon found myself unwelcome, and I made the difficult decision to leave. It was then that fate led me to the doorstep of Childline 1098, where I found not just shelter, but a new family at Don Bosco Anbu Illam. Under the guidance of Director John Darman and Administrator Fr. Ryan, I pursued my education, completing my 10th standard and then venturing into ITI for two years. But the thirst for knowledge and a desire to achieve more led me to pursue higher secondary education. With the support of Fr. Santhan, I successfully completed my 11th and 12th standards, scoring commendably. Encouraged by Fr. Ryan, I went on to pursue a degree in B.Com CA from a college in Dindigul. After a year of work, I found myself drawn to the field of social work, inspired by my experiences at Anbu Illam. With the help of Father, I pursued and completed my MSW at Bharathiar University. My journey then took me to the Childline project at Don Bosco Anbu Illam, and later to employment at Brookfields Mall during the challenging times of the Covid pandemic. However, my passion for social work persisted, leading me to PSG Hospital, where I dedicated myself to serving others for over a year. It was during this time that I built strong relationships with foreign volunteers, maintaining connections even after they left India. Through the generosity and support of one such foreign volunteer, I was offered an internship opportunity at a school in Germany. Don Bosco Anbu Illam paved the way for this incredible opportunity, nurturing and educating me every step of the way. I am forever grateful to the directors, management, and staff of Don Bosco Anbu Illam for their unwavering support and guidance. As I find myself now in France, embarking on this internship, I am reminded of the profound impact Don Bosco Anbu Illam has had on my life. I carry with me the lessons learned and the values instilled, and I remain in touch with my roots, always welcomed with open arms whenever I visit. To the foreign volunteers, especially Lara, who facilitated this journey to France, I am deeply thankful. It is through the kindness and opportunities provided by individuals like you that dreams are realized and futures are shaped.

FamilyBackground: Kannan hails from Dharmapuri district. Both his parents are HIV positive, and he has two siblings. His elder sister is married, and his younger sister resides in NMCT home. Growing up, Kannan studied up to the 10th standard while supporting his bedridden father, who suffered a stroke due to alcoholism. With his mother unable to work, the family faced significant economic hardship. Despite these challenges, Kannan was determined to continue his education. Life at Don Bosco Anbu Illam: During a visit to his sister in Coimbatore, officials from NMCT recognized Kannan's situation and referred him to Don Bosco Anbu Illam in 2013. He was provided shelter and enrolled in the 11th standard at Sidhapudhur Government School. Kannan completed his higher secondary education and pursued a Bachelor's degree in Commerce with Computer Applications (B.Com CCA) at Jeyandra Saraswathy College, finishing in 2018-2019. He furthered his education with a postgraduate degree in 2019-2020. Driven by his passion for accountancy, Kannan attempted several bank exams but faced setbacks. However, he was offered an opportunity to work as an accountant at Anbu Illam. The management believed this role would provide him valuable experience in his field of interest and prepare him for future positions in accounting. Current Endeavors: Now 22 years old, Kannan continues to serve as an Accountant at Don Bosco Anbu Illam in Coimbatore. His journey from adversity to achievement stands as a testament to his perseverance and the support he received from Don Bosco Anbu Illam.