The Don Bosco Development Society (DBDOC), the social service arm of the Salesian Province of Calcutta, has reached a significant milestone: It has handed over the keys to its 500th low-cost house for slum dwellers in Kapali Bagan, Tangra, Kolkata.
In a heartwarming ceremony held on April 5th, Archbishop Thomas D’Souza of Calcutta blessed and presented the keys to a deserving family, marking the culmination of six years of dedicated effort by DBDOC. The event also inaugurated 40 more newly constructed homes, bringing the total to 500.
Established in 1997, DBDOC is committed to uplifting underprivileged communities by tackling poverty, ignorance, and malnutrition. This low-cost housing initiative aims to provide a dignified living space for families residing in the challenging conditions of the Kapali Bagan slum.
Kapali Bagan, located in the Tangra area of Kolkata, is home to numerous families living precariously along a major drainage canal. Residents often reside under makeshift shelters of plastic sheets and bamboo poles on the canal banks. The area is also characterized by its proximity to dumping grounds, where many locals earn their livelihood by scavenging for recyclable materials.
The low-cost housing scheme was initiated by Fr. Mathew George, former Assistant Professor at Salesian College Sonada and Siliguri, during his tenure as Secretary of the Kolkata Provincial. Recognizing the dire need for safe and stable housing, the Don Bosco Development Society embarked on this mission six years ago.
News written by: Fr C. M. Paul SDB Courtesy: BIS
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