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 St. Joseph's Boys' Village Genguvarpatti
Periakulam Taluk,
Theni District 625 203
Tamil Nadu
India
Phone: (4543) 22.366
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 Location
St. Joseph's Boys' Village is in the foothills of the Palani Mountains, in a beautiful agricultural area about 40 miles from the temple city of Madurai - Batlagundu Periakulam Road.
Brief History
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The village of destitute, parent less and abandoned boys was started in 1974 by De La Salle Brothers. The boys belong to the age group of 5 to 15 years and are looked after and educated gratuitously by the Brothers. In 1976 a Day Care Centre for "under fives" was established within the campus. These poor children are provided food and preschool education. |
Hostel Programme in a Village Atmosphere
At present there are 100 boys. They are sent to nearby schools for education. They are given freedom to grow and learn in the community.
The Brothers maintain a village style in the construction of buildings, in simplicity, in smallness, etc. They rely on mixed farming, cottage industries and donations for its sustenance.
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The boys are divided into "Family Groups" each consisting of about 10 children. The farm workers and the staff with their families live together with the boys to obtain as much integration as possible in order to achieve a fuller family life. |
An elected Council together with the Brother in charge and the teachers look after the day to day administration of the Boys' Village. Each boy has a Savings Bank account to enable him to build up resources which will stand in good stead when he leaves to start his life outside.
A small clinic staffed by a qualified nurse provides medical care to the boys. Serious cases are taken to Batlagundu Hospital.
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The boys are helped in their homework and studies in the morning and evening. They are also educated to acquire good values, hygiene and cleanliness, health attitudes, social concern, etc. Through the work they do the boys learn the rudiments of farming, dairy, poultry keeping, sericulture, rabbitry, mushroom cultivation, etc. Some of them take interest in cottage industries like making soap, candles and phenol. |
Outreach Programmes
St. Joseph's Boys' Village has selected 20 nearby villages for the socioeconomic development of the people. The activities taken up, with financial help from donor agencies and government, are the following: Balwadi (Day Care Centres for under fives), tuition for poor students, non-formal education for school drop outs, health education, dairy, vocational training in tailoring and type writing, small savings, housing schemes, fodder cultivation, agriculture, etc. |
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