Ms Silvia Cromm, Head of the Project Department and Ms Claudia Moll Project Officer from JDW, Bonn, Germany paid a visit to our province from March 2, 2008 to March 9, 2008. Fr Bellamkonda Sudhakar, the director of BSK, received them at Chennai and accompanied them on their visit to some of the projects and activities financed by the JDW, Bonn, Germany. All along their visit to the different places, the visitors were treated to a realistic picture of the situation, be it the bridge schools at Bangarupalem (Nellore district) or tailoring and maggam training centres of Ongole or the various activities undertaken on behalf of the child labourers and centres of our street children’s work in Vijayawada and Secunderabad. At Musunuru, also in Nellore district, they witnessed the ‘Children’s Parliament’ in action and were delighted at this novel means of nurturing talent and forming leaders.  

The education initiatives undertaken by the Province, especially in the rural and non-structural settings were well appreciated by both the ladies. Like in other places, children at St Michael’s, Guntur and Mangalagiri entertained the guests with their colourful and lively programmes. At Ravulapalem, they had a first hand experience of the functioning of the Mutually Aided Cooperative Societies (MACS) and learnt more of the human rights issues, during their interaction with the coordinators and those directly involved. At Peddaboddepalli, the tribal villagers accompanied the guests all through the village, singing and dancing and continued even till their departure from the village! 

Though they squeezed in some time in their busy schedule to visit the Ramoji film city and the Lumbini Park in the city of Hyderabad, what they cherished most was their interaction with the children and people of the various places they visited. Though names and places proved to be real tongue-twisters for them, the representatives of JDW, left (on March 9, 2008) with a great sense of satisfaction and joy at seeing the good being done in the name of Don Bosco.  

The final impressions of Silvia Cromm sum up their experience well: “In all the projects we visited we found a great sense of enthusiasm combined with experience and strategic planning. I was particularly impressed, because in all projects (Schools, bridge schools, vocational training centres, self-help groups etc.,) a strong approach of empowerment and a clear orientation towards human rights. I will be happy to continue our cooperation with Bosco Seva Kendra because I am convinced that this work of Don Bosco will bring about a change for the poor and marginalized in A.P.