The beginnings of Don Bosco Youth Centre, Khonsa may be traced back to Februrary 2000, when Fr. Pulinthanthumalayil Cyriac (PC) was appointed to Catholic Church Borduria as assistant parish priest by Fr. Varghese Palathingal, the Provincial, with the specific request of doing something for the youth of the parish. Since Khonsa was a district Headquarters, Fr. Cyriac proposed that a Youth Centre be begun in Khonsa so that a wider group of youth can be reached out to. Khonsa then had a degree College (Tirap Degreee College), a Government Higher Secondary School, two high schools and a number of primary and middle schools.

 

Don Bosco Youth Centre at Khonsa was inaugurated by Shri Prashant Goyal IAS, the then D.C. of Khonsa on 15 August 2000 in a rented building which was a hotel (Chum chum hotel). The Youth centre began by offering services like Leadership Programmes in schools, teachers training programmes, coaching classes for Classes 9,10,11 and 12. In October 2000, the computer centre was inaugurated. As the centre progressed, the whole first floor was rented out for the youth centre. The Chum chum hotel had two floors below the road level. The staff stayed in one of the rented rooms in the basement. Fr. Cyriac stayed at Borduria Parish.

 

Soon a “Teen’s Corner” was begun at the encouragement of Mousum Bharali a past pupil and supplier of newspapers for Khonsa. Teen’s corner offered newspapers, stationery for students, greeting cards, gift items, coffee, snacks etc. The idea was to make youth centre a happy hang out for youth.

 

Activities like annual book fairs, Annual Rural Sports festival, computer literacy programmes etc began to be organized. Teachers training Programmes were organized in all the circle head quarters, students’ leadership and awareness programmes in all secondary and big schools and some villages too. In January 2001 Don Bosco Literacy centre was started for non-school going children between the age of 6-14. Those who finished the course could join others schools with the help of the TC from DBYC.

 

Fr. Poonthuruthel James was appointed as assistant director of youth centre in July 2001. He was instrumental in beginning the IGNOU study centre and was the co-rdiantor of the youth centre. Initially Bachelors prgrammes, Bachelors preparatory programme, CIC etc were begun. Later on Master’s programmes were also started.

 

As the Youth centre expanded its activities the previously rented floor and terrace was purchased from Mr. Wangman for a sum of Rs. 11 lacs (eleven lacs) in 2002. Full payments were made only in 2003. Constructions started in 2004 August and by May 2005 the new floor was ready. However, with the completion of the Youth Centre a whole set of problems too began to plague the Youth Centreespecially regarding the agreement with Mr. Wangman regarding the Youth Centre Building. Negotiations are on to purchase the entire youth centre building.

 

 

About 50 youth in the age group of 13-20 attend the youth centre daily. The youth who attend the youth centre come for various activities and programme such as tuition classes, music practices, dance practices, computer classes, typing, reading, library consultation, career guidance, counselling, woodcraft, etc. Don Bosco Literacy centre has over 150 students.

Don Bosco Youth Centre

P.B. 1, Khonsa – 786 630

Itanagar – 791 111

ARUNACHAL PRADESH

 

 

(03786) 222605 / 222563