Forming the young to a sustainable future

Since 1999, Don Bosco Boys’ Town has catered poor and abandoned youth. They have fed, clothed, sheltered, healed and educated hundreds of street children over the years. Today, Boys’ Town Davao is a home filled with so much healing, caring and teaching focusing on the boys overall growth to face realities in life.

This Institution started as a project of Dr. Lourdes “Unding” Solis who is very much concerned with the number of boys roaming around the streets of Davao City and it is being supported by Mrs. Soledad Duterte and other concerned friends. As the years passed by, it became a foundation for orphans and street children.

Ar Ar, 19 years old, has been staying in Boys’ Town Davao for three years already. His aunt (who worked in Don Bosco Mati) sent him to Boys Town Davao because they were victims of Typhoon Pablo which have wrecked houses and ravaged a wide area of Lahi Palma Gil in Caraga Oriental where they were actually residing four years ago.

There were many things that he had learned along with his stay in Boys’ Town Davao. It has been a huge help for his studies as well as in his expenses, food and shelter.

“Gusto nako mamahimong usa ka seaman,” Ar Ar said, coming from a poor family of 7 children “para makatabang ko sa akong pamilya.”

His mother is a housekeeper and his father is a farmer. “Lipay ko kay naa ko diri sa Boys Town,” Ar Ar explained that he has always been grateful of his experiences in the facility for three years now. For him it is a home of love, care and happiness because everything was provided to him and to the rest of the young people. Soon, after Boys’ Town Davao, Ar Ar plans to continue his studies and pursue his dreams.

In over 43 years, Boys’ Town Davao has never failed to provide the basic needs of the youth. They have gone beyond from being just a provider because they have also engaged the young individuals to academic, sports, arts and religious trainings. Part of their academic teaching has something to do with the excellence in their practice and perseverance in studying. Sports deals with developing the physical, social and emotional health of the young ones by indulging themselves to certain sports like basketball, volleyball and swimming. Art showcases the skills and abilities of every young people in painting, rondalla and dance hip-hop. Religious training molds the youth to a daily prepare, formation of their values and daily catechism.

Fr. Ruben Fernandez who is the new president of Boys’ Town expressed his gratitude knowing that their students before are now successful and professionals. “Naa’y uban nga naa sa task force davao, engineer ug naa napu’y pari.” Fr. Ruben added.

Just before 2015 came to an end, Boys’ Town Davao celebrated their Christmas party and left a remarkable happiness on the young people’s faces. It was a kind of happiness that none of them will ever forget. The Boys’ Town is now preparing for the feast day of Don Bosco this coming 31st of January, 2016 wherein there will be a mass, talks about Don Bosco and socialization. Don Bosco was an Italian Roman Catholic Priest of the Latin Church who dedicated his life to the betterment and education of street children, juvenile delinquents and other disadvantaged youth.

Despite of the challenges that the Institution faces in terms of support, they have still devoted their time to prepare the young individuals to education, as well as their physical, social, mental and spiritual development. It has always been a home and assistance for them. They aim to improve their quality of life and encourage them to take charge as well.

Boys’ Town Davao builds life real worth for the youth that are less fortunate. They provide a maturely youthful stage rather than being in so much hurry for life. Boys were molded and equipped on the different aspects in life. All throughout the journey, Boys’ Town Davao will continue to provide education, formation, protection and rehabilitation for young male individuals ages 9-21 who are abandoned, neglected, abused and those who are economically poor. (Irven John Valenzuela | Renzy Julls Quirog)