History of Boys town YMCA-Branches and facilities
The independence struggle in India saw the increase in poverty and population, which resulted in the increase of children abandoned and lost families, gave rise to innumerable orphans and destitute children. In order to rehabilitate these street children, the YMCA started the ‘Street Boys Club’. The main objective was to make the destitute children’s responsible citizens by providing opportunities for mental, physical, and spiritual growth and empower with education and vocational guidance to make them self-reliant.
Genesis
The street boys club started at YMCA Esplanade as a night school was the precursor to the ‘Home for the Homeless’ established at Old Fort Hut in 1947 under the leadership of Mr. G. Solomon, Mr. Lawrence C. Burr. Fraternal Secretary of USA, and Mr.V.G. Williams. At the close of the war due to the creditable services rendered to the war victims the Government permitted the acquirement of a Building at Fort. On 1st May 1947 the Home for the Homeless was born. Thanks to the commendable services of YMCA leaders saw the opening of many new facilities for the children, which included starting of Vocational courses such as Carpentry, rattan, tailoring, and an elementary school, which us later upgraded as upper primary school. The home, which started with! 5 inmates increased to150.
To accommodate the growing need of the Boys town activities 25 acres of land was acquired at Kottivakkam in1960. With the aid of a small government grant 4 cottages were built and the New Boys Town came into existence. A fresh awakening in the development of Boys town was witnessed with the building of a school, carpentry section, rattan training, welding workshop, multipurpose hall and chapel. A noteworthy feature was the opening of the multipurpose hall by Mr.R.Venkataraman, former President of India.
Golden Jubilee
2000 saw the completion of 50 years of meritorious service of the Boys Town in serving the upliftment of the underprivileged and downtrodden community. In commemoration of that event the modern Multipurpose Hall was built under the leadership of the Late General Secretary Dr.G.Ebinesan. During the years, thousands of destitute children have been rehabilitated and fostered to lead an independent secured livelihood. Many eminent personalities have been associated with the YMCA and expressed glowing tributes to the significant contribution made by YMCA in the humanitarian services rendered to the community, some of the dignitaries include Shri. Rajagopal Chari, Governor-General of India, Mr. R. Venkatraman, Ex-President of India, Shri. Kamarajar, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Sir. Atlee, Primeminister of UK, many more heads of States and union ministers.
The Transformation
The modest beginning which started as a night school for pavement dwellers and rag pickers in 1945 saw the functioning of a destitute home and elementary school with 15 children and 3 three teachers at the Old Fort Hut, was upgraded to an upper primary school with150 children in1958, Today the school has over 2000 children and 50 teachers and is upgraded as Higher secondary school.
The Primary School that was started at Kottivakkam with abou20 student and 2 teachers today proudly boasts of about 2500 children on rolls and 50 staffs. It truly testifies the saying of Jesus Christ’ be diligent in small thing I shall give you possession over mighty things”. The YMCA has diligently upheld the spiritual values of Christian doctrines as fundamental basis to all its endeavors, and so we witness the fruits of the sincere labour and dedication in the pioneering services offered in rehabilitating the community.
Yes, we have grown in number, but we have to miles in achieving our dreams to offer quality Education. Yes, we have accomplished in achieving a big task, but the YMCA is relentless in its pursuit to achieve the bigger dream that is to alleviate the quality of Service that deprives children for want of enough resources.
Boys Town Destitute Home
“No one is incapable of being taught, that no one can do without education, and it is the fundamental birthright of a child to be loved and to be educated”
The Madras YMCA has been involved in rendering service to the community towardsdevelopment since 1890 and has entered into many special fi elds like educating the ruralpoor children, marginalized farmers children, counseling students, youth and womendevelopment, through various projects in and around Madras (Chennai).
Aim and Objectives
The overall aim of the project is to provide opportunities for the poor orphaned anddestitute boys to have good facilities for the development of their life as a whole.
Objectives
1.To provide comfortable accommodation and care and counseling for the poor orphanedand destitute boys at the YMCA Boys Home.
2.To off er the children with special opportunities for education in schools and provideadditional support so that they excel in studies.
3.To meet the physical needs of the boys such as food, dress materials, beddings etc.,
4.To provide facilities for the boys to develop a healthy physique and encourage them toget trained and participate in state level sports competitions.
5.To provide recreation facilities for the boys such as indoor and out door games,pleasure trips and exposure visits.
Successful Outcomes
Services of the YMCA Boy’s Town are well recognized by the community asmany of our inmates have settled well in life with good education, good moraleand good standard of living. The time and the years they have spent at theYMCA Home have molded them into successful citizens. They have alsodeveloped a sense of personal and community responsibility to uphold this service and have the pleasure of celebrating special occasions such asChristmas and their birthdays at our Boy’s Town. Murugan, a full orphan boycompleted his education up to X standard in our Boys’ Town and is currentlyworking in Doordhrshan (Government Television) as senior technical Engineer.With his pocket money, he is used to sponsoring a day meal for our orphanage.Peter completed Hotel management and is currently working in 5 stars HotelITC Chola as chef. Magesh how lived in our home with his brother andcompleted X standard in April 2014 and has scored 470 out of 500 marks. He ispursuing his studies to fulfi ll his vision of becoming a Computer Engineer.
Administration & Co-ordination
The General Secretary of the YMCA Madras will be the Chief Executive of this project.There will be a Secretary in charge of the YMCA Boys Town. Under the guidance ofthe Secretary, the Warden of the home takes care of the day today affairs. He isresponsible for maintaining the boys with utmost care and discipline. He acts as aliaison between the home and the school for the boys. There will be a tutor who isresponsible for the education of the boys. There will be two cooks to prepare food forthe inmates. The care taker would provide drinking water for the boys and takescare of cleanliness and personal hygiene. The watchman or security guards thehome during day and night.
Conclusion
Children are the treasures of a Nation and it is believed that education is astrong power to change the world. As YMCA we feel solidarity with the poor andless privileged orphans and destitute boys and we want to continue and sustainthe good work initiated by our fore fathers in caring for these poor boys. It is aresponsibility entrusted upon us to love, care and provides opportunity for themto develop a healthy personality and to experience life without frustration and odd patterns of behaviour. We strongly believe that this special effort taken bythe YMCA will be a tiny spark to light the darkened lives of poor orphanedchildren.
