DON BOSCO ANBU ILLAM OF HISTORY
In 1979, Fr. M.C. Anthony, a priest at St. Mary’s Co-cathedral, began engaging street children and youth in Parrys through activities and providing them with snacks, Later, due to inconveniences they activities were stopped. That same year, Fr. Joe Fernandez conducted a study on Ragpickers titled “The World of Paper Pickers,” which paved the way for more comprehensive initiatives for these children.
The official launch of the project occurred on May 24, 1985, under Fr. John Peter Sathyaraj, SDB, Provincial, INM who appointed Fr. Vincent Xavier Mariyapragasam, SDB as the first director of Don Bosco Anbu Illam (DBAI), setting the stage for its pioneering efforts. The organization initially focused on rescuing and rehabilitating working children including head load workers, ragpickers, garbage collectors and street children, primarily in the Kothawal Chavadi Market and Parry bus terminus.
The first shelter home was established in Park Town, followed by a second one in Royapuram, where children received rehabilitation and skill training in auto driving and provided auto for vulnerable families.