Elephants, Tigers & Monkeys, Oh my! Please help Fr. Anand Maria build a fence
Our dear friend, Fr. Anand, needs our help with an incredible new endeavor. In 2024, the Salesian Order selected Fr. Anand to undertake a significant new endeavor - the reimagining and revitalization of the Order's Don Bossco Ajjanahalli facility in a remote location about 2 hours outside of Bangalore in the middle of the forest.
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The original fence that protected the property has crumbled and is ineffective in preventing wild animals from the forest from freely wandering through the campus.
Fr. Anand neads our financial help to build a solid compound wall around the 9 acre facility.
Our Cause
Help Father Anand​​
​Surrounded on three sides by reserve forest and rocky mountain the Ajjanahalli Campus also has a small farm on one side. Don Bosco wants to convert this campus into a Holistic Wellness retreat for youth and adults and to establish a training and animation center which will inspire people of all walks of life through holistic experiences that integrate faith, fun, and fellowship with a deep connection to the environment.
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Father Anand​'s Story
In 2019, Fr. Anand worked with us at St. Joseph Basilica and St. Bonaventure for about three months over his summer break from his doctoral studies in Rome and again in December. During this time, we were all blessed with the opportunity of getting to know and love him as an energetic and compassionate, dedicated servant of God.
Upon his return to India, after conclusion of his studies, Fr. Anand was assigned to the Kristu Jyoti College in Bangalore, India, where in addition to teaching and management responsibilities, he oversaw the college kitchen to ensure excellence in the quality and quantity of meals prepared for the priests and seminarians.
In a move to better utilized his particular set of gifts and broad experience, in 2024 the Salesian Order selected to undertake a significant new endeavor
DON bosco ajjanahalli Campus story
The re-imaging and revitalization of the Order’s Don Bosco Ajjanahalli facility in a remote location about two hours outside of Bangalore, will take place in the middle of the Siddedevarabeta State Forest – a real forest!
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Surrounded on three sides by a reserved forest and rocky mountains, the facility also has a small farm on one side. Bosco Ajjanahalli was originally established as a residence for about 150 to 200 at-risk children from troubled homes. Bosco Ajjanahalli provided counseling, education, and vocational training for these children.
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Fr. Anand’s new role as Rector of Bosco Ajjanahalli is to convert this facility into a Holistic Wellness retreat for youth and adults, and to establish a training and animation center which will benefit children, youth, teachers, animators and families. The hope is to inspire and empower people of all walks of life through holistic experiences that integrate faith, fun, fellowship and a deep connection to the environment, following the visionary legacy of Don Bosco.