Historical Perspective
The Salesians set foot in Kereng in 1987. The Archbishop of Ranchi, (Now Cardinal), Telesphore P. Toppo invited the Salesians to take up the mission of Kereng and make it a “Parish with a Diffrence.” Fr. Doulous D’lima was sent to the place in 1987 to take stock of the situation. At that time, there was a tin roofed village Church and a primary school up to Class V. In May 1988, the Salesians officially took up the centre and Fr. V.P. Jose joined Fr. Doulous as incharge and Parish Priest. In 1992, residence for the Salesians was built. In the same year, Sisters of St. Charles Borromeo, came to Kereng and opened hostel for girls and a much needed dispensary for the health care. They now actively collaborate with Salesians to make Kereng “a parish with a difference.”
Service
School
True to the Salesian way of modus operandi, the first priority was given to education and in a span of three years; the Salesians turned the erstwhile mud house of Primary school into a pucca building. It was blessed in 1991. Presently, the primary school has grown; coaching classes are given up to Class 10. There are over 720 tribal children studying there. Ever since the Salesians took up the school, the standard of education has improved greatly.
Parish
The last one to be built was a place for prayer and worship. The newly built parish Church dedicated to St. Joseph was blessed on 14th December, 1997 by Rt. Rev. Michael Minj, Bishop of Gumla in the presence of Fr. K.A. Joseph, the Provincial, a large number of Salesians, priests, religious and about 5000 Christians. Kereng has 7 villages, with approximately 360 Catholic families.
Hostel
The Salesians opened a hostel for boys in 2000, as many of the children found it difficult to attend school coming from their villages. The sisters of St. Charles Borromeo run a hostel for girls.
Development Programmes
The Don Bosco Centre owes much to the dynamic leadership of Fr. V.P. Jose who saw to the integral development of the centre. It was through his initiative that Child Fund India came to Kereng. With the help of Child Fund India a great deal of developmental work is beng done in the 7 villages belonging to Kereng parish as well as in the villages of neighbouring parishes. Some of the development activities include :
Health Care & Sanitation
Basic Education Programme in 50 villages
Aanganbadi Schools in 72 villages
Children’s Club
Youth Club
Awareness Programme on Child Labour, Malarian, Aids etc.
Movement against “Adolescent Girls Trafficking”
NREGA Awareness Programme
Livelihood Economic Empowerment
Soil Conservation and Fertility maintenance
Scientific Agricultural Method
Water Harvesting / Check Dams/ Digging of Wells
Kichen Garden, Small Orchid
Tuition Centers & Remedial Classes
Computer Literacy Programmes
Drop Out Coaching Centres
Career Guidance
Life Coping Skills
Diocese of Gumla
(1987) – St. Joseph 2014
Parish, Hostel, School, Social Outreach
Address
Don Bosco Centre
Kereng, Chainpur P.O.
Gumla Dt.,
JHARKHAND 835 206
Contact
+91 9006488591 / 7838664776 P Minj Isidore
+91 94 70 13 64 43 P Ekka Pratap
+91 94 31 57 8101 P Justin Thankachan
Email:
brjustinsdb@gmail.com P Justin Thankachan
isidoreminj2122@gmail.com P Minj Isidore
pratapekka13@gmail.com P Ekka Pratap
Salesian Staff
P Minj Isidore Rector (2018), PP
P Ekka Pratap Kumar Pr & Admin
P Peedathattel Thankachan Justin VR, APP, Hostel
Community Activity