Don Bosco Anbu Illam Coimbatore
Don Bosco Anbu Illam Coimbatore
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The spark was lit. Coimbatore Don Bosco Anbu Illam (DBAI) began its first-ever programme for the rehabilitation of street children, focusing on rag pickers and offering them night shelter for safety from anti-social elements. It was the city’s first initiative of its kind.
A home was found. DBAI transformed into a secured shelter for street children, offering non-formal education for young boys and connecting older youth to job opportunities through a partnership with the Coimbatore Corporation.
DBAI also reached out to prominent slums of the city through its four slum based centers where both formal and non-formal education is given. A number of other street children are contacted in order to provide them also non-formal education. DBAI also has a training centre leased out by the Coimbatore Municipal Corporation, where street children are trained in various skills and personality development.
DBAI started extending its work for the abandoned children on the streets. A survey on street children in Coimbatore City was made along with the help of college students and found out that more than 25,000 children are left alone on the streets abandoned by their parents. This survey led the organization to start its street contact in prominent spots of the city. Through street contact, many Children were contacted and given shelter at DBAI.
The Child Line 1098 project is entrusted by the Ministry of Women and Child Development to DBAI.
The first contact center at Ukkadam bus stand was established to strengthen street presence. Many self-help groups were started, offering training in tailoring, jute & rexine bag making, hand-loom weaving, and more.
Caring Communities Groups (CCG) were formed in the city. These groups consist of people with compassion for protecting vulnerable children — auto drivers, parents, youth, and children — working together for the deserving and at-risk.
Coimbatore Corporation allotted space for setting up a Contact Centre at Gandhipuram, allowing DBAI to be even more present on the streets.
A Child Line booth was installed at Coimbatore Railway Station’s First Platform to trace children at risk. It was inaugurated by Coimbatore Collector Dr. Umanath IAS.
Another Child Line booth was installed at Singanallur. With these contact points, DBAI’s street presence was strengthened, ensuring constant vigilance for children in any form of risk or abuse.
DBAI established a Computer Education Centre for school dropouts sponsored by Bosch India Foundation, offering job-oriented technical training such as Photoshop, Microsoft Office, and Corel Draw. Two batches of students were certified in 2013. An “After Care System” was also introduced to support adolescents with accommodation and food, enabling them to pursue higher education while working part-time.
Eco Clubs were formed in the shelter home and four community-based organizations to create environmental awareness among children. A participatory action research (PAR) project was also launched to transform DBAI’s centres in Coimbatore and Tirupur into Child Friendly Centres where children actively engage in problem-solving and decision-making.
Responding to a surge in Child Line calls about child sexual abuse, child marriage, and begging children, a Contact Center was established in Pollachi with the support of Pollachi Municipality. The center was inaugurated by Mr. V. Krishnakumar, Chairman of Pollachi Municipality, strengthening DBAI’s rescue operations in the region.
A prevention programme was launched to protect children from substance abuse, with the aim of increasing safeguards and engaging caring communities in preventing the street presence of any substance-abusing child, including those attending school.
“Walk Along” was designed and facilitated by a multidisciplinary team to skill students in practical specializations for job placement, empowering them to become confident social workers and enriching the quality of professional social work practice.
This project provides a safe living environment, infrastructure, clean water, sanitation, hygiene, education, and economic opportunities for migrants in Coimbatore District through direct intervention, advocacy, and government collaboration.
Vazhikaatti offers career guidance, job placement services, job information networks, and sensitization programmes to help young people find suitable employment opportunities.
A dedicated new building was constructed for Childline and the Reception Unit project, enhancing DBAI’s infrastructure for responding to children in need.
Approved by the Azim Premji Foundation for three years, this project provides structured after-school learning support for children in need.
Supported by the Social Defense Department, this one-year initiative focuses on career counseling and skill-building for young job seekers.
Approved by Bosch, this project focuses on shelter, education, healthcare, and recreational activities for vulnerable children, fostering their holistic development.