Laying of the foundation stone

Fr Jose Thomas Koyickal sdb blessed and laid the foundation stone for the new building of Don Bosco Veedu, Thiruvananthapuram.

Blessing of the foundation stone of Don Bosco Veedu, Thiruvananthapuram by Fr. Jose Thomas Koyickal, Provincial, Fr. Rubin Mathew (Director – BREADS) Frs. Jiji Kalavanal, Saji Elambasseril, Sebastian Kalambaden, Philip Parekattil and the contractor Mr Viveesh (Vettoor Constructions) are seen in the photo.

20th September 2022 will be marked as a red letter day in the history of Don Bosco Veedu, Thiruvananthapuram, as Rev Fr Jose Thomas Koyickal sdb blessed and laid the foundation stone for the new building. It was a very simple function attended by Fr. Rubin Panthakkal, Director of BREADS, Bangalore, Salesians of Don Bosco Veedu, Don Bosco Movila, the staff and children of Don Bosco Nivas, the cooperators, representatives of the Sahaya Matha Parish, and the neighbours. Fr. Jiji Kalavanal (Rector) welcomed everyone gathered for the function. The founding members of Don Bosco Veedu society and all the  Salesians who had worked at Don Bosco Veedu were gratefully remembered.

Fr. Jose Koyickal’s short message during the blessing reminded us that Christ is the cornerstone “….Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together….” Fr. Provincial thanked the generosity of our donors and JuWe, Switzerland, who is making this project possible. Finally, he prayed and entrusted the construction to the heavenly patronage of   Mary Help of Christians, St. John Bosco and St. Joseph.

The ceremony concluded with a simple tea party at Sahaya Matha Church, Manacaud.

Don Bosco’s work for street children in Trivandrum began in May 1991. The Don Bosco Veedu, as it is called, caters mainly to the welfare of the underprivileged children, youth and women and those on the periphery of Society, impacting meaningful changes in their lives. Don Bosco Veedu is the pioneer in Childline, Kerala. The centre currently runs eight programmes reaching out to the most deserving in and around Trivandrum. The new centre will have various offices, short-term skilling, resource centre, boarding facilities, training centre and residence for the Salesians.