About Us > History
Area, Population and Socio-economic Situation
Kuarmunda, Don Bosco is situated at Kuarmunda, in the district head quarter of Sundergarh, in the state of Odisha. The language of the place is Oriya, Hindi, English, Kuruk, Sadri, Munda, Kharia and Kissan. Ecclesiastically it comes under Rourkela diocese. It is a tribal dominated region. The diocese head quarter is 18 km away at Hamirpur, Rourkela, Sundergarh District of Odisha.
The main occupation of the people is agriculture. However, the entire area is rich with minerals. But the people of the locality do not profit out of it as the industry and mine owners are either multinational corporates or from other Indian states. Most of the people who are educated move out of their villages for a better future. Those left in the villages are those who cannot get better education or cannot leave their land and property. Moreover tribals and Christians in the villages lack business skills.
Starting of the Centre
Way back in 1986, the Salesians of Don Bosco, then undivided province of Kolkatta, during the tenure of Fr. Sebastian Alencheril as provincial superior, at the repeated request of Rt. Rev. Alphonse Bilung, the local ordinary of the diocese of Rourkela, scouted the area for the possibility of starting the mission. Fr. K J John a newly ordained priest was commissioned to locate the possible site for the mission. For the next two years he was stationed at Catholic Church, Jhurmur, a diocesan parish to monitor his venture for the spot of the future Salesian mission. In his second year of endeavour in search for the appropriate location Fr. M D George was appointed to join him.
It was at the initiative of Rt. Rev. Alphonse Bilung, the local ordinary of the place that the present site was negotiated with the kind mediation of the local MLA Mr. Remis Kerketta. The Salesians moved at the new place in 1988. It is 20 acres of property in all. Since then the planning and building the mission has been in progress. The Society is involved in multifarious educational and pastoral activities within the campus and in its jurisdiction. They are: 1. Vocational Training Institute 2. Pastoral Ministry, 3. Schools – Odiya and English Medium, 4. Hostel
1. Vocational Training Institute (ITC)
It was in 1990 that a project was applied for the vocational training centre and with God’s grace was blessed and inaugurated on 23rd April 1995 by Rt. Rev. Bp. Alphones Bilung and there were present Miss Frida Topno, Hon. Member of Parliament, Sri. Dilip Ray, Hon. Minister of Industries (Odisha), Fr. Thomas Polackal, the Salesian provincial and Sr. Joseline Pauvat HC, the provincial of Holy Cross. The first batch of non formal training commenced in 1995. The second phase of VTI was completed in 2000.
There are five ITI courses offered with 1-2 years duration: Fitter, turner, welder, machinist and COPA (Computer). The trainees are offered 8 NIOS (National Institute of Open Schooling) courses of 6-12 months duration: secretarial practice, dress making, computer - CCA, welding, electrical technician, stenography, typing and computer - CDTP. There are 299 students (233 boys and 66 girls) registered for the course. Great majority of the students are tribals.
2. Pastoral Ministry
The society takes care of spiritual needs of the faithful under its jurisdiction. The centre is named after Mary Help of Christians. The Church was blessed and inaugurated on 29th October 2000, by His Lordship Rt. Rev. Alphonse Bilung. It was on this historical event that he declared it as a Shrine of Mary Help of Christians. Since then there has been an effort to promote it as a pilgrimage centre, a place of prayer and reflection. The centre takes care of about 1300 families. There are 33 villages and 8 sub-centres with village chapels. To help in the pastoral ministries the centre has associations like Catholic sabha, mahila sangh, yuva sangh, crus veer and charismatic group. Each group assembles once a month for its periodical meetings.
3. Schools
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a. Odiya Medium School
When the Salesians took over the school in 1988 there was a primary school till third standard managed by just one teacher. Today there are three school buildings – for primary, middle and high school. There are 1880 students (1071 boys and 809 girls). There are 260 students in nursery, 330 in primary, 530 in middle and 760 in high school. There are 20 teachers (10 men and 10 women).
It is a partially recognized school by the government but unaided. The school provides concessions to the needy children. The centre aims to impart holistic education to the students. It caters to Physical, Intellectual emotional and spiritual development of the students by organising various events in the school.
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b. English medium school
To impart quality education to our tribal children and to give them an exposure of English, the society took a daring step to start an English Medium school for the people of the place. 16th August 2012 was a memorable day in the chronicle of the Kuarmunda Don Bosco Society. It was a suitable date as it coincided with the birth day of our father and founder St. Don Bosco. Fr. Jyotish Kindo shouldered the responsibility to start and nurture the English medium school. His Lordship Rt. Rev. Alphonce Bilung inaugurated and blessed the classrooms. In his message he said, “when the Salesians began the mission it was my desire to see an English medium school at kuarmunda, and today that dream has become a reality.” He was extremely appreciative and indebted to the Salesians for their passionate apostolate. There are eight classrooms, 125 students and eight teachers and a helper for the moment.
4. Boys’ Hostel
Kuarmunda, Don Bosco has two hostels – one for Oriya medium students and the other for the VTI students. There are 350 boys of the Oriya medium School who come from distant places as well as from in and around of Kuarmunda. However, the preference is given to the boys of the locality who come from remote villages. From VTI there are 35 boys in the hostel. They are properly looked after and their physical and spiritual needs are taken care of. The hostel boys have the facility of playing games. Competitions on general studies, games, singing, general knowledge and religion are organized on suitable occasions. They are also given tuition after the school hours.
Don Bosco Kuarmunda had its tinny beginning in 1988 today it has grown to a multifarious activity institution
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