From Faith to Action: SSG Brothers Discover Shelter, Education, And Service at Shishu Mandir

In a meaningful step toward hands-on social engagement, the first-year students of theology involved with the SSG paid a transformative visit to Shishu Mandir, a beacon of child welfare in the city. The outing, organized to bridge classroom learning with real-world service, offered the students profound insights into the organization’s vital work and its deep ties to Salesian principles. Guided by Mr. Anand, a dedicated figure at Shishu Mandir whose own journey is steeped in Salesian formation, the students received a comprehensive briefing on the center’s origins, milestones, and ongoing initiatives. Mr. Anand shared how Shishu Mandir emerged from a vision to support vulnerable children, evolving over the years into a robust network providing shelter, education, and rehabilitation. He highlighted key achievements, such as successfully reintegrating hundreds of children into loving families and communities, while outlining current programs focused on nutrition, skill-building, and emotional support for orphans and at-risk youth. What resonated deeply with the students was Mr. Anand’s personal testimony on how his Salesian education and formation—rooted in the charism of St. John Bosco’s commitment to youth—shaped his path. “The Salesian emphasis on preventive care and holistic development gave me the tools to turn compassion into action,” he remarked, emphasizing how these values continue to drive Shishu Mandir’s mission. The visit culminated in an eye-opening tour of the adoption center, where students witnessed firsthand the delicate, life-changing processes involved. Observing interactions between caregivers and children, they gained a tangible understanding of the joys and challenges in fostering permanent homes for those in need. One student reflected, “This experience has ignited a fire in us to integrate theology with active service, just as Don Bosco envisioned.” This initiative underscores the Salesian commitment to forming young leaders who embody faith in action. As the Social Service Guild expands its outreach, such visits promise to inspire a new generation of theology students to champion the marginalized.