Loyola Yomiuri School, Bijapur

Loyola Yomiuri School, Bijapur, accommodates about 850 children of the 50,000 slum dwellers who form about one-sixth of the population of Bijapur.^[2] The Karnataka Province of the Society of Jesus runs the primary school and junior college along with an industrial training school.

History

The Karnataka Jesuits took charge of St. Anne’s parish of Bijapur in 1991. The parish had no permanent local Catholics but included 24 Catholic families who had come for employment, along with students from other states. Ministry began among the numerous slum dwellers, with supplemental education, including English, and evangelizing. Christian base communities were formed in the neighborhoods. Groups of religious sisters joined the mission. A social action center was formed with a full-service outreach.

In 2007 Loyola Yomiuri School was opened and situated within the slum. The main building was made possible by a group of Japanese donors.^[3] A junior college and industrial training institute were added.^[4] An extension school, Loyola CBSE School in Sindagi, was begun in 2013 and is adding one class a year.^[5]

Students from Loyola Yomiuri School are active in the Catholic Young Student Movement (YCS/YSM), attending YCS/YSM conferences.^{[6] [7] [8]} Bijapur Girls is a project that since 2011 has taught computer skills to girls studying at Loyola Yomiuri High School and junior college in Bijapur and living in Navachetana hostel for girls where the computer course takes place.^[9] Foreign volunteers assist in the schools.^[10] Foreign sponsors are found for some of the school children,^[11][12] and foreign aid agencies have adopted the school and mission.^[13][14]

References