Don Bosco Youth Village, Keeranur, witnessed a meaningful celebration of hope and opportunity on 19 July 2026 with the organization of a Triple Programme aimed at empowering rural youth through education. The event brought together SHG members, students, parents, benefactors, and well-wishers to celebrate three significant initiatives: Higher Education Scholarships, Educational Support for Children of SHG Widows, and Awards for Academic Excellence.
Supporting Higher Education
Education has always been a priority of the Don Bosco Self-Help Group movement. Every year, 100 students pursuing higher education receive an interest-free educational loan of ₹20,000. Mothers repay the loan in 10 to 12 monthly instalments. Once repaid, the same amount is extended again to the same student in the subsequent academic year, allowing them to receive continuous interest-free educational support until they successfully complete their higher education.
The programme is sustained through the generous support of Mr. Kulandai Francis, Founder and President of IVDP, Krishnagiri, whose one-time contribution of ₹8 lakhs continues to support 40 students annually. The Salesian Province of Trichy, through the Dr. Hauber Scholarship Scheme, extends similar support to 50 students every year, making higher education accessible to deserving youth from economically disadvantaged families.
Standing with Children of SHG Widows
One of the most moving realities of the SHG movement is that nearly one-third of its 1,300 members are widows. Recognizing the additional burden they carry in educating their children, Don Bosco Youth Village introduced a special educational support programme for their families.
This year, 100 children of SHG widow members received assistance worth ₹2,000 each, comprising ₹1,000 worth of educational materials and nutritional supplements, along with ₹1,000 in cash to meet essential educational expenses such as school fees, uniforms, notebooks, and other academic needs. This initiative, introduced last year, continues to grow and thanks to the generous support of benefactors..
Honouring Academic Excellence
The programme also celebrated the achievements of students who excelled in their public examinations. A total of 13 students who secured above 90% marks in the 10th and 12th Standard Public Examinations were honoured with a Cash Award of ₹5,000 each.
Last year, the initiative began by recognizing five outstanding students with a one-gram gold coin. Building on its success, this year’s introduction of a cash award not only rewards academic excellence but also encourages many more students to pursue higher goals with confidence and determination. The increase from five awardees last year to thirteen this year reflects the growing educational aspirations among the children of SHG families.
The Triple Programme was a vibrant expression of Don Bosco’s unwavering commitment to empowering rural youth through education. By supporting higher education, standing beside children from vulnerable families, and celebrating academic excellence, Don Bosco Youth Village continues to transform lives through its family-centred approach to youth ministry. The event reaffirmed the conviction that when families are strengthened, young people are empowered to build a future filled with dignity, opportunity, and hope.
