A DREAM taking shape—Don Bosco Sadan (Rehabilitation Centre for Boys)

Don Bosco Sadan, Rehabilitation Centre for Boys at Monvila, Thiruvananthapuram was officially inaugurated by Shri. Antony Raju (Hon. Minister for Road Transport, Govt of Kerala) on 26 November 2022. The centre, envisioned by the Bangalore Rural Educational and Development Society (BREADS) as part of its Drug Rehabilitation Education and Mentoring (DREAM) initiative, is part of a dream to provide children and youth in Kerala, a Way to Sobriety and Health. In an effort to plug a stark gap in available services, Don Bosco Sadan will provide residential rehabilitation and de-addiction services for children below 18 years. Its offered services include inpatient and outpatient treatment, free food and accommodation, various formats of counselling – individual, group & family, life skills training and recreation. BREADS acknowledges and appreciates the contributions of its donor partners, especially local partner Federal Bank; and other Don Bosco institutions, in making Don Bosco Sadan a reality.

The inauguration ceremony was graced by Fr. Jose Koyickal SDB (Provincial, Sacred Heart Province, Bangalore), Smt. Syamaladevi PP (Honourable Member, Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights), Shri. Kuriakose Conil (Senior Vice President and Zonal Head, Federal Bank, Ernakulam), Shri. Sreekumar SP (Film Actor), Adv. Shaniba Begum (Chairperson, Child Welfare Committee, Thiruvananthapuram), and other eminent guests.

BREADS also released its Annual Report 2021-2022 on the occasion. Shri. Antony Raju released the report and presented the first copy to Fr. Jose Koyickal SDB.

After the inaugural programme, a workshop on the ‘Increasing Substance Abuse among Children, Drugs & Addictions —Impact on Children and Family,’ was led by Shri. Gopakumar (Joint Excise Commissioner, Thiruvananthapuram), and Dr. Anilkumar T V (Head, Department of Psychiatry, Govt. Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram). Various stakeholders from the ten districts of Kerala, where the DREAM programme is being implemented, participated in the workshop.