A beautiful, modern, and well-equipped Social Work Coordination Centre for the state of Kerala and Skill Training Centre, DB Veedu, was opened in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, on 26 January. A project of BREADS (Bangalore Rural Educational and Development Society) with financial assistance from JuWe, Switzerland, was inaugurated by the Provincial of the Salesians of Bangalore, Dr. Fr. Jose Koyickal, and blessed by Most Rev. Thomas Netto, Archbishop of Trivandrum.

Aimed at discussing the challenges and opportunities for rural development in Northeast India, the Department of Economics at Don Bosco College Itanagar organized a two-day national seminar on "Challenges and Opportunities for Socio-Economic Development in Rural Areas of Northeast India." The seminar, which took place on February 7-8, was supported by ICSSR-NERC and Federal Bank.

In its mission to empower children and communities to understand and uphold human rights, the Bangalore Rural Educational and Development Society [BREADS] Bangalore, the Development Office of the Salesian Province of Bangalore, with teachers from Don Bosco schools of Karnataka conducted various activities and competitions on International Human Rights Day, December 10. The teachers representing Don Bosco English and Kannada Medium Schools in Chitradurga, Devadurga, Gulbarga, Prakashpalaya, and Mithra School in Bangalore took the lead in organizing poster-making, drawing, and elocution competitions, alongside awareness sessions and oath-taking ceremonies all designed to instill knowledge about human rights among students.

A joint meeting bringing together Economers, Directors of Province Development Offices, and Directors of Mission Offices of South Asia was held from November 30 to December 3. This collaboration marked a significant step in strategic organizational planning and mission initiatives. The discussions centered around two essential documents issued by the General Councillor for Missions and the Economer General in Rome: Guidelines and Orientations for the Mission Office and Province Development Office (PDO) as Research & Development Office of the Province: Integrating Mastery & Mystery. These guidelines align mission-driven projects with innovative research and development efforts, fostering impactful and sustainable operations across the provinces.

The United Nations founded the Child-Friendly Cities Initiatives (CFCI) in 1996 to respond to the challenges of realizing children's rights in an increasingly urbanized and decentralized world. The Salesians of Don Bosco adopted this initiative with the project name Strengthening Social Participation and Promotion of Children's Rights. The project is carried out in collaboration with Don Bosco Project Development Offices in the Salesian Provinces of Dimapur (AIDA) and Shillong (BIDS), while the Don Bosco National Forum for the Young at Risk (YaR) provided technical support.

The Sisters of Maria Auxiliatrix (SMA), known for their extensive socio-economic, educational, and health services for the underprivileged in Tamil Nadu and other states, have taken a significant step forward with launching their Project Development Office (PDO). The inauguration of the PDO at their Generalate in Madhavaram, Chennai, marks a pivotal moment in the Congregation's mission to expand its outreach and deepen its impact.

Don Bosco BREADS' Employment and Skill Training (DB BEST) Academy in Lingarajapuram, Bangalore, celebrated 25 batches of 1616 successfully trained youth on November 22. On this momentous milestone in their journey of empowerment, Hon. Minister for Energy and MLA of Sarvagnanagar Shri K J George, along with Extra Ordinary Visitor Father Fabio Attard, Father Jose Thomas Koyickal, Provincial, Mr. Sriranga Bhandarkar – Director, Global Head of Confirmations and Settlements- Deutsche Bank, Father Shalbin Kalancherry, Vice Provincial, Father Joy Nedumparambil, Economer, Father George PS, Executive Director BREADS, and Don Bosco BEST Academy partners felicitated the youth.

Once the dust settles, reality kicks in! The aftermath of the July landslides in Wayanad, Kerala, adds untold miseries to the script. Seeing their plight, BREADS Bangalore, in collaboration with Don Bosco College Sulthan Bathery, provided basic household articles and essential commodities to over 70 survivors of the landslides that hit Mundakkai and Chooralmala on November 5 as part of # We4You. 

To inspire young minds about the importance of water conservation and educate them on sustainable practices for efficient water use, the Salesian Province of Tiruchy (INT), through Cauveri, the Province's Planning and Development Office, organized an Exposure Visit and Talent Expo for the Water Conservation Club members on October 15 at Don Bosco Thanjavur and Sengipatti Agri-farm.

On the way to Jambagi village in Bidar, North Karnataka, for their field visit, the Don Bosco Centre for Social Action and Movement team chanced upon an accident in Kandgoal involving three individuals from Soraly village. The victims had been informed that the ambulance would take an hour to reach the spot. Understanding the urgency, the medical team quickly provided first aid to the injured and transported them to the Brims Hospital in Bidar for additional treatment.

As Kerala state celebrated its state festival of harvest, prosperity, harmony and unity, Onam, Don Bosco College, Sulthan Bathery, and the Development Office of the Salesian Bangalore Province BREADS Bangalore hosted a get-together on September 11 for the people affected by the recent devastating landslides in Wayanad. Around 200 landslide survivors participated in the ‘Njangalum Ningalodopam’ (We are With You as You Move Forward) Onam celebrations. 

To equip students with the skills and knowledge essential for success in the modern job market, Don Bosco Arts and Science College and SIGA Polytechnic College, Chennai, launched the IBM Skills Build Programme on September 15. The programme was hosted for the third consecutive year.

A successful capacity-building programme was conducted on August 6, at Don Bosco, Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, specifically for tutors associated with the BEST (Building Effective Solutions Together) and DREAM (Dedicating Resources to Educating and Mentoring towards Combating Child Labour) projects.

Bangalore Rural Educational and Development Society (BREADS) Bangalore organised a two-day staff training on May 20 and 21, 2022, for the members of the DREAM (Drug Rehabilitation Education and Mentoring) programme at Don Bosco Provincial House, Bangalore.