Technical Centre

DEMOGRAPHY

Kandy, the present capital of the central province of Sri Lanka, is located 112 km from Colombo and the city has historical and religious significance. Due to the presence of the Sri Dalada Maligawa (temple the tooth) the city is a sacred place to the Buddhists.

At present, (according statistics of 2021) Kandy district shows a population of 1,501,000 (1.5 million). The analysis by religion (2019 figures) shows Buddhists 72.92%, Muslims 13.99%, Hindus 10.46%, Roman Catholics 1.81% and others. The fact is that the population is growing rapidly, and the population density is on the rise.

Kandy can be identified as an agricultural region rather than as an industrial area. Like the whole of Sri Lanka, in Kandy too even the educated youth find it difficult in securing a job. The great majority are unable to secure employment due lack of education/training. Consequently, most of the youth are frustrated and are pushed to the periphery. As a result, they end up transforming themselves into anti-social elements. This is where the Salesians “fit in” and their mission is envisaged as the hope of the deprived youth.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF DBK

The Institute was established in 1976 at St. Anthony’s College Katugastota and later, it was shifted to the premises in 1978. Since then, it served as an aspirantate till the end of 1985. In 1986, it was canonically erected to house students of philosophy and oratory. But that too was short-lived. Later the house was developed as the Don Bosco Boys’ home and evolved into and expanded to include the Don Bosco Technical Centre which commenced its operations in 1991. From 1992 to 1996 the structure also served as the formation house for five students of Theology who were frequenting the National Seminary. Even though on and off the house served as the study house for young Salesians the technical centre functioned simultaneously.  Ever since this Centre has provided educational and vocational training facilities to the poor and abandoned youth: Among them, there are also school dropouts, estate children, abused children and youth in the neighbourhood, border villages and from the war-torn areas of the North and East.

The Centre also offers these youth, moral teaching, technical training and computer education to prepare them for gainful employment so that they will be absorbed into the mainstream of social, economic, and political life and become useful citizens. The core Curriculum of the Centre is Electrical, Carpentry, Bakery and International cookery, Front Office, Housekeeping, Computer and English. Many other courses are planned. At present there are also four young Salesians who are doing their theological studies at the National Seminary.

VISION

The transformation of poor youth

MISSION

Our Mission is directed to serve deprived young people. This is realized through the expansion of the Salesian Family by forming leaders out of the poorest of the poor and marginalized youth through an integral formation to continue the work of Don Bosco in and through the Salesian congregation.

SCOPE

• Pastoral and Social Centre for young people to rediscover self-worth and mature into Christian adulthood.
• Learning to be useful citizens through technical formation and employment.
• To provide boarding and lodging facilities to impart an all-around formation.
• To attract and motivate youth to join the Salesian Congregation by becoming a priest or a lay brother.
• To form a strong past pupils unit that would reinforce the Salesian Family.
• To influence the non-Christian youth with the spirit of Don Bosco to become active members of Salesian collaborators.
• To build up an army of youth for youth leaders.