"A Tale of Resilience: From Tragedy to Triumph"

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”.