About Us
The Bosco Mangaal was founded by Rev. Fr. M.C. George Menamparmapil, sdb who has the vast experience of dealing with youths when he was International Chaplain of MIJARC for 8 years, four years (1998 – 2002) in the national animation team of the Salesians of Don Bosco for India – DBYA-India, responsible for the animation of all groups and movements run by Salesians in India – including the scouts and guides - co-ordination of all Salesian work for the ‘Young at Risk’ – street children, slum children, drug addicts, HIV-infected, school drop-outs, tribals, dalits, orphans, the handicapped etc. He started the services of Bosco Mangaal in October, 2002 with one Intensive course (Leapfrog course) centre at Laipham Khunou and one Literacy Centre at Paomai Colony. He felt the need that the poorest of the poor children in Manipur and they should be provided educational facilities by providing a bridge to the formal school. He also opened a Youth Centre in the campus of Don Bosco Chingmeirong with a hope to help the young people in and around Imphal with facilities of library, small gym, indoor & outdoor games facilities. Fr. M.C. George with his tireless effort and innovative ideas motivated the teachers in Literacy Centre and Intensive Course. No wonder, the first intensive course brought success that one student from the centre stood 17th Position in Matric Examination, 2008. It was not the only surprising news but many of the students got high marks in other examination and when they went to the regular school, they became the rank holders. In 2004, the number of literacy centres increased and services were also expanded to Formation of Self Help Groups Amongst Urban Poor with a hope that parents should be able to earn to send their children to regular schools. Through awareness campaigns 11 SHGs were formed for the first time and the numbers of groups increased to 65 groups within two and half years. Seeing the need of the health among the poor people in Manipur and also in the risk of getting HIV, in 2004 itself, he expanded the services to Prevention of Drug Abuse & HIV Infection among the Youths in Imphal. The three projects went on successfully through integrated approach. The service of Prevention activities was able to reach many numbers of schools, clubs and general people as well. Counselling Services in schools was the first of its kind in Manipur providing a space for the students in High & Higher Secondary Schools. It was provided to 25 schools. One new youth centre was opened in collaboration with one local club in Lamphel. The youth centre is being shifted from place to place till today. A mini library, mini gym, counseling services to the youths, indoor and outdoor games facilities are being provided in the youth centres. In 2005, Primary Schools Teachers Training was added to the services of Bosco Mangaal. 13 schools have been adopted since then. The teachers have been given training for creating environment of joyful learning among the primary students. The schools have been given regular follow up that the teachers are able to make out their mistakes and learn to improve themselves through regular follow up. They are given suggestion for improvement. Then Bosco Mangaal added the services of Youth & Peace Programmes also in 2005. Within this programme, many activities have been conducted especially for the young people in and around Imphal. Fr. M.C. George then started a very innovative idea of mobile library also. The library moves from place to place with more than 50 books in plastic marketting bags. It helps many children in literacy centres, intensive course centres, schools where counseling services are given, schools adopted under Primary School Teachers Training etc etc. In 2006, Community Schools were established in the rural areas of Manipur where many adolescents have been given non- formal education. There are many other services like Educational Support to the poorest of the poor children in Manipur and Children living with & Affected by HIV, Vocational Support to the young people, Income Generation Activities for the Women living with & Affected by HIV, Life Skills Education Programme for the youths, students and teachers etc.
Today, the Bosco Mangaal has a wide range of services to reach out the young people in general, poor children who do not get the opportunity to attend schools, children living with & affected by HIV and the people living with & affected by HIV. The staffs are sent to capacity building trainings at different places of India so as to enable them to deal with the activities or programmes implemented. The Bosco Mangaal, started with only two staff now reaches to more than 50 regular staff and many numbers of field staff. The staffs are the members of different communities in Manipur
The vision of Bosco Mangaal is A YOUTH FRIENDLY MANIPUR. To move towards this vision, the team of Bosco Mangaal is tirelessly giving support to the people in need. Many Local and outside Donors have come out and are supporting the team. With the encouragement and support the team gets from all sectors of society, the services are offered to the people in need. The team is very much thankful to the donors and the beneficiaries. The sign of joining hands and its importance is shown in the logo of the organization. The burning light in the logo symbolizes the light spread by the action caused by joining hands. The joining hands in the logo symbolize the unity among ourselves. The team needs support from all sides so that we shall be able to reach the people in need.
