THE PIONEERFR. FRANCIS GUEZOU SDB IN SOUTH-INDIA LIFE AND ACTIVITIES OF

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CONTENT

Prologue: Words of Fr Guezou His Early Life Kochi Mission: Making of a Pioneer Yellagiri Mission: The Pioneers Home Activities of Fr Guezou in South-India 1. Community Building 3. Health Care 2. Street Children and Youth Work 4. Education and Formation Association of Friends of Fr. Guezou Epilogue

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PROLOGUE

I am Fr. Francis GUZOU at Yellagiri Hills! The people of the place call me, Malai Samiyar (Mountain hermit) because a great part of my life has been spent on the Hill. In fact I am here since the 1st January 1962. I am a farmers son, born at Yvias, in Britanny, France; brought up and educated at Plehedel. My secondary studies, I did with Salesian Fathers, Coatandeau. My vocation to be a missionary in India was manifested early. At the age of four, I fell very sick. And the doctor had told that I would not pass the night. But my mother leaning over my bed, asked me, What Francis you want to go to heaven already? And I said, No, I must first go to India. So much so, the people called me after that the little Indian. Under the guidance of Msgr. Louis Mathias, a Salesian then archbishop of the diocese of Madras-Mylapore (India), I came to India in the year 1952 and continued my final year of theological studies at Mawlai, Shillong (North India). I was ordained priest on the 1st August 53 at Tirupattur (Tamil Nadu, South India). Inspired by the teaching of Jesus, I chose from the Gospel of St John, that all people be one as my motto on the ordination day.

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HIS EARLY LIFE The twentieth century awakened the western world with new and amazing scientific inventions. And the World War I changed the face of European continent forever. It was a jolt to the peace guaranteed society. Millions of people lost their homes, families and lives. At the end of the First World War, people faced a new phenomenon: the economic depression. There were widespread joblessness, inflation, and social unrest across the countries and continents. In this scenario, Joachim Guezou, a decorated veteran of World War I, chose the simplicity of a farm life with his spouse Josephine at Yvias, in the region of Britanny, France. To this humble and devout family, their youngest son Francis Guezou was born on 7th of April 1924 at Yvias. He was their third and last son. Fr. Mansard, a Salesian, brought Francis to spend a weekend in their College at Coatandeau. The spirit of the community captured the young mind and he joined the college later. Msgr. Louis Mathias who met Francis for the first time, prophesized that Francis would be with him one day. Francis passed with success in the school examination of Officers of Marine, Marchande at Paimpal and he was destined to enter the Naval School. After much prayer and reflection, he decided rather to enter the Salesian Novitiate. During his novitiate, the Second World War broke out and spread across Europe and spilled-out to the rest of the world. Francis initiation into religious life was set in this period of strife. On 24th September 1940, he made his first religious procession in the Society of St Francis de Sales as a Salesian of Don Bosco. In 1946, Bro. Francis was sent to teach in the Technical School at Caen. His presence and influence among the youth was very much appreciated by his Superiors. During the years of his theological studies, his mind was focused on India. Supported by Msgr. Mathias, Bro. Francis received the approval from his Superior General to go to India. His parents too consented to his intention.

Page 5 of 22 His father accompanied him to bid farewell to Francis Guezou. It was an emotional departure. Within a year, his father was seriously injured and passed to eternity. Bro. Guezou had great admiration for his parents and followed dearly the advice of his father. Bro. Guezou sailed to India and reached Chennai in the year 1952. After his meeting with Msgr. Louis Mathias, at Madras, he proceeded to Mawlai, Shillong for the completion of his theological studies. Bro. Guezou was a neophyte to English. Moreover, he did not know the local language of Khasi or Nepalese. Yet, he efficiently organized the oratories, and animated the youth groups. His professors in the seminary admired his way of being distinct. At Sacred Heart College, there was a rule that one should always go in a group of three persons. When a staff member saw Bro. Francis going alone he asked him: Where are the other two? Why Bro. Guezou wonderingly replied, I came from France alone (without any harm). Now why should I have two to accompany me? Bro. Guezou was ordained 1953 at Tirupattur in Tamil long cherished dream was beginning of a different life as priest on August 01, Nadu, India. And so, his fulfilled. It opened the the missionary life.

After his ordination, Fr Guezou was posted in a hill station, Yercaud (Tamil Nadu) as administrator, prefect, liturgical animator and assistant to the novice master Fr. Egidius Sola. Once again, without knowing the local language he effectively handled the oratories of 600 boys in Yercaud. The novices experienced Fr. Guezou as a patient, hardworking, available and challenging personality in the classrooms, playgrounds and places of prayer. As he was not fluent in English, to the amusement of novices he told them to be recollected and prayerful when they come to the communion railway. Apparently, he was confused with communion rails. After the three years of his initiation into the pastoral life, Fr. Archimedes Pianazzi the then provincial chose, Fr. Guezou to be the pioneer of the Salesian apostolate in Kerala. This was obviously a tentative mission and Fr Guezou was completely inadequate in terms of language and culture. Return to Top

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KOCHI MISSION: Making of a Pioneer Ship at harbor is safe. But, what use will it be if the ship doesnt venture far into the ocean? Such was the dilemma of Fr. Guezou. He opted his life for India. Why should he be in a secured life in Yercaud? His request was deliberated and decision was made which led to the following dialogue between Fr. Pianazzi (Salesian Provincial) and Fr Guezou: Fr Fr Fr Fr Fr Fr Fr Fr Fr Pianazzi: Guezou: Pianazzi: Guezou: Pianazzi: Guezou: Pianazzi: Guezou: Pianazzi: We are going to start something at Cochin (Kerala). Who will go over there? You! But I have no experience! I do not know the language! Neither I! I do not know that State! Neither do I! What have I to do there? I do not know any thing! You shall see there!

A total stranger to local culture and without knowing the language Fr. Guezou proceeded to Vaduthala with Bro. Varghese. Vaduthala was a place in Cochin where a Franciscan was stoned earlier when he was sent there. Happily on the day of their arrival, it was raining! And so no one was there to throw stones at them. The chapel, gifted by the diocese was dilapidated and rained within, in the night. Lack of sleep, with no money for meals, the first day was bleak. An observing local leader, a Communist, came to their help and offered meal and put up a place of shelter. The People of Vaduthala were too hostile. In the mornings, Fr. Guezou would find a horde of human hair attached to the beam outside his hut. It seems, it was to cast evil upon on him! He had to face the hostile neighborhood and warring local thugs for days. The mission work of Fr. Guezou started with such eventful days. He began to realize Jesus prayer, May all be one as a paramount theme for his work in Vaduthala. And so he gathered the people, irrespective of party, religion or ideology. He sowed the seeds of goodwill by doing good to them. For the poor of Vaduthala, it was a humiliation to live in the huts where others lived in comfortable buildings. Father Guezou formed a committee to get the collaboration of the local people for descent shelter making. He worked and improved the dwellings of the poor. By this time, people affectionately called him Guezou Achan. Even the communists, who kept away, began to frequent the Church and the oratories. Fr. Guezou started a youth center in Vaduthala: a place of activities for sports and cultural events. People of all type of profession took part in the activities of the center. A technical school was also created that housed a workshop and carpentry. It offered the youth of Vaduthala an opportunity for training and living.

Page 7 of 22 A home for street children - a first of its kind at that time - was started with grand public inauguration. Two days later there were no children! All ran away! A sixty of them! However, with the miracle of resolute patience, the street children, begun to realize their home of love in Sneha Bhavan. The dormitories were rudiment; children slept on planks. The initial months were adventurous. Incidents of two boys strangling a third one in the presence of the Bishop; three sending the fourth one into the backwaters at the early wee hours Things were awful and needed constant care. Yet, Fr. Guezou understood the tactic of affection there. That is to accept children as they are and letting them know that he truly loved them. He never imposed them to be other than what they are. The children were prudently introduced to schooling and reunion with their families. When they are matured, the grownups were helped to settle in life too. Sneha Bhavan was formally recognized by the government as an institute for training, character formation and rehabilitation in 1974. The early sowers were thankful to God for their first harvest. The cultural troupe of Venalla was established by the support of Fr. Guezou. This institution helps the Kerala youth to discover and grow their potential for their bright future. Venalla is now a center for talent formation of gifted youth in Kerala; its neighborhood reverberates with various classical arts. When all is well, once again the pioneering sprit clamored within for challenges and risks in Fr Guezou. Vaduthala already gave a taste of pioneering. And, Fr. Guezou wanted a place for authentic living. After seven years of sojourn in Cochin, he was nominated as vicar of Perambur, in Tamil Nadu. The Farewell at Cochin was almost abrupt. As Father Guezou boarded the moving train, the young ones climbed on the rails and cried out goodbye! Many cried! They are parting from their Achan (Father). Although he left Vaduthala physically, Fr. Guezou was very much involved in the works there. His missionary ventures extended to the other parts of Kerala as well. True concern never ends. Fr. Guezou kept coming back to Kerala to assist his people. And the people of Vaduthala keep up the story of Guezou Achan to this day. On his silver jubilee celebration of priestly ordination and Golden Jubilee celebration of his religious profession, people gave rousing welcome. Of course, true gratitude persists ceaselessly. Return to Top

Page 8 of 22 YELLAGIRI MISSION: The Pioneers Home Perambur, a parish in Madras (now Chennai) was functioning like any of the parishes in Europe. Any one could be happy there. Fr. Guezou due to his missionary lifestyle found it odd to be there. Obviously, the organized pastoral life was not meant for the pioneer. Following two, perhaps three months of unrelenting request by Fr. Guezou, Mgr. Mathias expressed his decision: I wish heartily a Christian presence on Yellagiri. And so, Fr. Guezou was once again being commissioned to an unknown place. He was prepared for that, this time. After a short stay at Koviloor, Father decided to go for the hill, without knowing where he would shelter himself. On 31st December 1961, he set out to the hill on foot with some men who helped to transport a table and chair. At dusk the men left for the plain. And the pioneer was in the forest, alone in the night. Not knowing where to go, he had to spend his night under the table! The dawn of 1962 and the life of Yellagiri greeted the homeless with the realization of dangers from panthers. Hearing this, he begun frantically searching for a shelter. After six months of itinerant dwelling among the tribal people, he bought a piece of plot and pitched his hut; of course amidst, snakes and wild animals. The hut was in the place where the convent of the sisters of St. Charles is now established. Poisonous snakes infested the bushes near by. One early morning Father Guezou had a nose-to-nose encounter with a panther inside his hut, equally terrified at each others presence! Since then, he took the habit of shutting the door with a cord. A communal outfit called Hindu Mahasabha was very active on the hill. Their members lived in fear that Father would convert all the villagers. These people had an agenda to establish the Yellagiri Hills as their sacred place. And so, they turned the villagers against Fr. Guezou and harassed him in so many ways to chase him away. During this time Fr. Guezou was going through a kind of ostracized feeling. No electricity, no water supply, the prohibition of food by the locals, unvisited by confreres all made the lonely experience stark, coupled with night of terror and depression. For a year it was extremely difficult, he remained without knowing what to do. The moments of solitude were terrible. Fear shadowed him during the nightfall. The nagging awareness that a wild animal or an ill-willed person could attempt his life in sleep was still worse. As human as he was, his spirit gave way and he contemplated quitting the hill. To Bangalore he went, where Mgr. Mathias was on his visit and narrated all the adventures and made him know of his intension. Splendid! Msgr. Louis Mathias cried aloud, formidable! What a magnificent way of starting a mission - if some one dies

Page 9 of 22 there as a martyr! The Archbishop reminded that the blood of martyrs was the seed of Christianity. Father Guezou saw his destiny. He returned to the hill and the spiritual struggle raged within, while the hill people waged their war against him. Earlier, in 1953, Lyon Duhayon an international magnate from Roubaix, France took up the case of Fr. Guezou and his mission to the Vincent de Paul conference. Since then, he had been coordinating the regular shipment of food, clothing and money to Fr. Guezous mission. Association of Friends of Fr. Guezou was born around this time. In 1959, Fr. Guezou met Duhayon in France. A deep and lasting friendship was born between them. At the end of 1964, widespread draught in India caused the price of rice to be tripled. Hence, the common food was in scarce. The death was on the lookout for the starved people, specially the young and the old. The peasants scratched the ground in hope to find some roots. Or to forget their hunger chewed the beetle leaves. Seeing the appalling scarcity of food, Fr. Guezou sent an SOS to his friend Duhayon, requesting him to come to India. Duhayon came, saw and couldnt believe what he had seen: the starvation and poverty of the people of Tamil Nadu. This was his first of numerous visits (35 and more) to India. He became the backbone of Fr. Guezous mission. Duhayon stands as an excellent example for Christs teaching: When one has not given everything, one have not given anything. He always came up with bold sacrifices and resourceful ideas. His generosity never failed the mission till the end of his life. Good friends keep promises. Fr. Guezou invited the sisters of St Charles to start a school in Jolarpet and then at Yellagiri Hills. This was the beginning of the sisters of St Charles presence in Jolarpet. And from 1969 onwards, the sisters made their residence on the Hills. Fr. Guezou was no longer alone in his missionary ventures. Chapel, the center of Fr. Guezous life was built and dedicated in 1971. It had the beautiful paintings of Salvation History by Sr. Geneveau. It reminds us of his inner strength and closeness to God. Every morning he would be there at dawn for his encounter with God. He was the servant of God for men. The practice of Bonded labor is one of modern slavery in India. It was rife in and around Yellagiri Hills. The unsuspecting children and adults were caught into its generations of cyclic poverty and cunning exploitation of moneylenders. Fr. Guezou was instrumental in the fight against the practice of bonded labor. The lawsuits caused flurry of political actions and legal wrangling. After the negotiated settlement, the young ones were freed from the bond of labor. And for the first time men

Page 10 of 22 and women came to know of their human rights to work and freedom of living. The fallouts were death-threats, since Fr. Guezou had disturbed some very much. His love for the patients of leprosy is manifested in many ways. He provided basic medical care, food, clothing and shelter. The children of these unfortunate families bore the stigma of their parents in their life. Fr Guezou took their children to his care in Ennagam (My Nest) at Yellagiri Hills, since 1990 onwards. Fr. Guezou was all in all. He, the water diviner had excelled as a land terracing and land reclamation engineer, as well as a farm instructor. The Hill witnessed all that. He dug wells, helped to construct schools, dispensaries, boarding houses, and institutions. Personally, he helped to bring quality of life for many young people. An arrow does not belong to the bow. Fr. Guezou never kept record of what he had done. We find no statistics of his operations and no tags to the contribution he made to various people in their developmental works. Don Bosco Center at Yellagiri Hills was the hub of his mission. It is the climax of missionary labor and lonely struggle for him. Over the years, it evolved as an architect of destiny to the under-privileged rural youth. The farmer-turned-builder, Fr. Guezou was invited to celebrate his Twenty-five years of service to Christ at Vadathuala, Cochin (Kerala). People rose to welcome their hero with a pompous procession and of course, recounted his selfless apostolate there. Salesians begun to reckon Yellagiri Hills with admiration of the steadfast toil by Fr. Guezou and sacrifices of Duhayon. Eventually in the year 1993, it became a place that accommodates the would-be Salesians. Once again Fr. Guezou is at home with the powerhouse of his community. The Salesians of Tamil Nadu commemorated the Fifty years of his commitment to Christ at Tirupattur along with his priest companions.

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Activities of Fr. Guezou in South IndiaReport as on December 08, 2005

Fr. Francis Guezou began his missionary life in 1952, the year he came to India. After his studies he was ordained a priest in 1953. He was initiated into ministerial life at Yercaud a hill station in Tamil Nadu (a South Indian state) till 1956. He then was asked to pioneer the Salesian presence in Kerala, the neighboring state of Tamil Nadu. It is here that he began a shelter home (Sneha Bhavan) a first of its kind in India for the young-atrisk. Later on, the Sneha Bhavan concept was widely applied and now stands as hallmark of Salesian commitment to the youth today.

After a short stint at Chennai he set his foot on Yellagiri Hills, which became his home away home in the year 1962. Since then he has been residing at Yellagiri Hills and has made it, his mission hub. His operational areas are spread over in three southern most states of India, namely, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karantaka. He helped to construct houses, establishing street children homes, digging wells, some dispensaries, medical aid to the leper patients and poor, draught relief program, Tsunami Rehabilitation works, infrastructure development for numerous schools and technical institutions scattered over Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Finally he made his unique contribution in founding the BICS InfoTech - a maiden Digital venture of Salesians in providing substantial and quality education to the underprivileged rural youths. In the following pages you will find highlights of Fr Guezous presence in the numerous services rendered in South India with the support of Duhayon and friends of Fr. Guezou in France. His pastoral and humanitarian services to the deserving people of the opted regions are grouped under four categories of Education & Formation, Health Care, Street Children & Youth Work and Community Building.

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I. COMMUNITY BUILDING STATE: KERALA

BUILDING HOUSES

Vaduthala Fr Guezou bought land, constructed little houses and replaced the poor who lived in huts, in the newly constructed houses. Witnesses say that he himself went on top of the houses to thatch the roofs. Pavoor Assistance to the hill tribes: Fr Guezou with his Salesian companions fenced forty acres of land given by the Government for the hill tribes. Solar Power water heating and electricity generation is also done for Pavoor people.

Solar Power Systems

STATE: KARNATAKA

Social Service CenterBangalore The Social Service Center building in the slums has been erected with the help rendered by Fr Guezou.

STATE: TAMIL NADU

Boat Making for the Youth

Kuthenkuzhy Boating making project for the training of Tsunami affected youngsters Jolarpet

Building Houses and Digging of WellsFr Guezou continued his ministry of sheltering the poor in new homes here in Jolarpet. Twenty-five houses were built for the very poor families. Also, in and around Jolarpet and Yellagiri Hills, he assisted in digging of wells for the villagers during the drought situation.

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Tsunami Relief Work atRehabilitation

work carried out at the five centers Ennore Mahabalipuram Pondicherry Cuddalore Karaikal

Evening Study Centers and Crche for ChildrenYellagiri Hills Crche for the small children of the working families were organized in two villages of Yellagiri hills. About 100 children are taken care of in these crches. In every village of Yellagiri Hills, evening study is conducted for the school-going children. About 600 children come for the study centers.

Scout Camp CenterYellagiri Hills A campsite has been chosen at the foot of a small hill on the Yellagiri Hills. This Scout Camp Center, can accommodate over hundred students at a time. Various developmental programs are conducted for the youth who come for the camp.

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II. STREET CHILDREN & YOUTH WORK STATE: KERALA

Youth Center

Vaduthala Fr Guezou with Fr Varghese founded Don Bosco Youth Center along that plays its pivotal role in activities of sports and culture: cinema, theatre, dance, music, library, and conferences. The medical professionals, students, workers, military personnel take part in the activities of this center. The center can accommodate two thousand people.

Besides cultural activities, the Center also houses an ITI (Industrial Training Institute). The youngsters learn not only a life-carrier but also good education and formation, which the employers appreciate very much. The ITI has achieved its financial self-sufficiency and investment autonomy.

Street Children Home atPallurthy Sneha Bhavan is a first of its kind in India begun by Fr Guezou that shelters the street children. It officially became an institution in 1974. Sneha Bhavan shelters the children who ran away from their home and lives on streets. This home accommodates 150 to 200 children at a time. The primary aim of the Sneha Bhavan is to rehabilitate children and reinsert them back into their family and be accepted by their family members. So far, 5800 children have been rehabilitated through this institution. Working Boys Home through this home the Salesian fathers settle the boys who have no family or could not be accepted by the family, in life. The fathers assist in arranging of the marriage and also houses are built for the new couples. Since, the inmates enter in and depart from the shelter

Page 15 of 22 home in different periods, the number of the inmates vary. STATE: KARNATAKA

Street Children Home atBangalore Fr Guezou helped in procuring the land and construction of three different buildings that serves as shelter home for the street children of Bangalore.

STATE: TAMIL NADU

Street Children Home AtChennai - Anbu Illam Three centers for the Street children (called anbu Illam in Tamil, meaning Loving Home) are established with the help and contribution of Fr Guezou. Coimbatore - Anbu Illam Technical School and Shelter home for the run-a-way boys are put up with the help of Fr Guezou. Salem - Anbu Illam Shelter home for the run-a-way boys bears the name of Fr Guezou as one who contributed in founding of the home. Tirupur In Triupur, the children who are engaged in work are housed and looked after. The house has been built with the help of Fr Guezou.

Juvenile HomesEntire State of Tamil Nadu Juvenile Homes all over the state of Tamil Nadu has been entrusted to the Salesians; camps are being conducted for these young criminals at Yellagiri Hills, which are supported by Fr. Guezou. Note: All our Street children homes are networked, so that any child going away from any one of the homes can be tracked throughout India. Return to Top

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III. HEALTH CARE STATE: TAMIL NADU

Support for Indian Medical AssociationTirupattur

Health clinics at

The following are the places wherein St Charles Sisters run dispensaries, which are funded by Fr Guezou: Tirupattur Jolarpet Yellagiri Hills (two dispensaries) and Vilathikulam Bargur

Care for Leprosy Patients atFr Guezou initiated the medical assistance to the leper patients to whom he has special concern. Salesian Fathers carry the work of Fr Guezou in helping the Government run home for the leprosy patients. The beneficiaries also include those patients who live in a village outside the government run home in Bargur. Their children are brought to Yellagiri Hills to peruse their studies.

Dharmapuri Here too the leper patients are looked after and their children are brought to Yellagiri Hills for their studies (in Anbagam and Ennagam). Note: We also help many poor people to get proper medical treatment in good hospitals, which otherwise they cannot afford to avail of.

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IV. EDUCATION & FORMATION Once Fr Guezou situated himself in the mission field at Yellagiri Hills, he went about in Southernmost India (i.e. Tamil Nadu and Kerala) in helping to establish infrastructures for various education-related institutions for the youth. The following are places/towns/cities wherein his support has ensured the sustainable educational activities:

STATE: KERALA

Infrastructure Development atVaduthala Don Bosco English Higher Secondary School (1200 students) Don Bosco Malayalam Primary School (250 students) Open School The first school in India for the Street Children, now this idea has caught up in the whole country. The exact number cannot be said, as they are always on the move. Don Bosco School for those who want to carry on their studies. Here too the number cannot be said. The Boarding at Vennalla houses the artistically gifted children and a cultural Academy. Over eighty-tohundred children learn music and dance here. The house also accommodates a Printing School for eighty students.

Pallurthy

Vennalla

Pudupalli (Kottayam) A Secondary School for about thousand students; there is a plan to start an English Medium School for the children of plantation workers, because they too will get a chance to study like other children and find good jobs. Pavoor The activities here are focused on tribal people. We have a Don Bosco School here with three hundred students.

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STATE: TAMIL NADU

Infrastructure Development atAlangulam, Sivakasi Don Bosco High School (600 children) Don Bosco Boarding, which could house 100 children Jolarpet Don Bosco Primary School (750 students) Don Bosco High School (650 students) Don Bosco Boarding for the boys (60 students) Boarding at St. Charles Convent (40 girls) Two workshops, carpentry and lathe buildings to teach skills and work for the youth Don Bosco College of Education and Research, Teachers Training Institute for rural young men and women. (220 youth benefit every year) the Technical School, wherein a Music School is being and the students join the defense as band players; upgrading for the Technical School in the year 2005; and Center attached to the Don Bosco Higher Secondary

Karaikal

Katpadi-Vellore A hall for conducted Machinery Computer School. Lalgudi

Don Bosco School

Madurai-Pudur Yanamalai School - Don Bosco Middle School for children of the bonded-laborers (440 children). Yanamalai School Compound wall, toilets and fencing of the vacant land in the year 2005 Pallithammam Don Bosco Higher Secondary School Pavunjur Polur Primary School (400 children) Elementary School (400 students) Don Bosco Higher Secondary School (1200 students)

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Sagayathottam Don Bosco High School (420 students) SIARD An Agricultural Technical School (120 students)

Tirupattur Sacred Heart Colleges Library building A new hostel for Sacred Heart College Computer section of Sacred Heart College (for at least 500 students) Don Bosco Matriculation Higher Secondary School and Hostel Don Bosco Center - built for the School Drop-outs and Balwadi (i.e. nursery school) MSW (Master of Social Work) building for those who are doing their Social Work studies in Sacred Heart College Indian Medical Association (IMA) building for Tirupattur circle A building for Dominic Savio Orphanage in Higher Secondary School

Tirupattur-Annandapatti Government Middle School building Tirupattur-Ashok Nagar Government Middle School building Tirupattur-Pussanikka Vattam Government Middle School building Tirupur Technical School for textile, motor winding and videography

Tiruvannamalai-Alikondapattu Middle School building (250 children) Villathikulam Don Bosco Boarding house Computer Center at Vilathikulam parish compound Computer Center and Tailoring Institute (St Charles) Yellagiri Hills Idaya Deepam, the Salesian Novitiate for the formation of young Salesians, who are willing to serve the people

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Procurement of Land for School building atDharmapuri Dindugal Land for the construction of Don Bosco is bought and the school with 450 students is functioning at present Land for the future construction of a School has been procured.

Total Involvement in the Education of Children and Youth atYellagiri Hills BICS InfoTech, (350 students and trainees) Papa Duhayon Hostel and Arokiya Annai Hostel for the young men and women of the BICS InfoTech Scholarship: the University fees and hostel fees of 105 students are being paid every month at present. This work has been going on for the past twenty-years. Don Bosco Boarding (for 120 tribal students) Anbagam and Ennagam: forty boys and twenty-one girls of leper patients are given accommodation for education and growth. St. Charles English Matriculation School (250 children) St. Charles Higher Secondary School (900 children) St. Charles Tamil Primary School (600 children) A building for three classrooms in Government Primary School, Athanavoor (for 70 students)

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Association of Friends of Fr Guezou Friends of Father Guezou is an association providing humanitarian service to the South India. The Friends came into being in 1952, when Father Guezou and Leyon Duhayon contacted each other for the first time to collaborate in their mission of South India. It has representatives and members all over the world. Duhayon covered whole of France for 40 years of his life to introduce and promote the developmental activities of Fr. Guezou in India. The Friends of Father Guezou continue the same in assisting the church activities in South India. The members regularly conduct seminars and conferences in schools and various other associations. The Association now has the support of about 5000 members across the countries; and most of them are French. It has no office on its own and all the official works are done informally through the volunteers. OBJECTIVE AND REALIZATION The association began by Leon Duhayon has the objective of supporting Fr. Guezou in his developmental activities in three states of India; namely, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka. It has contributed in the Churchs efforts for: Education and formation of Youth, Rural development in south India; Relief to the starved, disabled, and lepers; Construction of Schools, Clinics and water facilities SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM Offering Education opportunity for the child not only prepares him/her for the future but also renders hope to his/her family. Hence, The association concerns not only the growth of the children but also their familys decent lifestyle with formative and educational principles. The objective behind sponsorship program is to help the child to grow to be self-reliant and to inculcate in him/her a sound moral and spiritual values as well as a sense of fellowship and equality as per the Gospel. Stanislas Ernoult 19 allee de la Cornemuse 59650 Villeneuve dAscq 03.20.67.00.21 Marie-Annick Abcarios 74 rue du Bournard 92700 COLOMBES 01.47.85.63.57 stanislas.ernoult@worldonline.fr www.guezou.org Secretary: Laurence Dehaene Active Volunteers Rmy Kauffmann (92-Neuilly), Stphane Robilliard (31-Toulouse), Railcar Souchard (83-Cavalaire), Anne Pittet (Geneva), Mrs Radiguet (91-Verrires the bush) Return to Top

Page 22 of 22 EPILOGUE Did Father Guezou become a De Nobli, a Beschi, a Bede Griffith, or Fr. Livenes of Jharkhand Adivasi? No, he simply remained a Malai Samiyar (Mountain Hermit). He is definitely a missionary. It is seen in the lives of people whom he served. The cultural transition in him might have changed his inner self. He became precise in communication. Through Fr. Guezou, God might have opened a new way of being missionary in this post-modern era. Charity is not only giving. Fr. Guezou was good at building people for God. For Fr. Guezou, the Salesian-ness that bloomed at Kochi didnt happen in Yellagiri very easily. It came a little late and after a long battle against the vagueness in his missionary endeavor. He never appears before the camera alone. And, he is at his best self when the young people are around him. That is where the Salesian in him happens. As a Salesian he is for the young, he lives with the young and he is young. In Don Bosco Center, there is the awareness of freedom. Yet, punctuality is encouraged and kept scrupulously. The mark of cleanliness echoes the Salesian presence in the surroundings. Sense of cheerfulness is infectious in the environment created by Fr. Guezou. The serenity and the peacefulness at Don Bosco Center is the fruit of his toil. He shies away from any form of self-importance. He is not at ease when praises are showered on him or receives undue attentions. With Duhabyons support along with other Friends in France who showed deep love for the Fr Guezous Mission, Number of schools were opened Houses for children and the sick built Laborers became aware of their human rights Wells were dug, and lands reclaimed, and edifices erected Young people were given new life... Fr. GUZOU could support the Salesian Mission in South India substantially. But letting the people have a smile and to sustain that smile was a difficult mission indeed. As a gardener, he ploughed well, planted and watered by the kindness of many selfless givers in France and he knows that only God gives the growth. He sees that it is happening already. Yellagiri changed him and will change the destiny of people who will dwell here. Because, Gods work is at hand here, on this hill its a Gods mountain of grace. End of Document Return to Top