Judy Winslow ALIRAJPUR, SEPTEMBER 13, 2008: The District Collector of Alirajpur has asked Don Bosco Academy (DBA) to come forward and help the district in the field of education. As the first Collector of the new District of Alirajpur, Mr. Chandra Shekhar Borkar brings a fresh outlook and zeal to help the people he serves. He has asked several NGOs working in the district to assist him. He is especially interested in education and has traveled the district visiting each government school. He found that education in these schools is not up to the expected standards and has formed a committee including other government officials, i.e., hostel wardens, education officers and the DBA Principal to implement his new programmes. He has entrusted six government hostels to the DBA teachers and students – the goal being to teach basic English in 12 two-hour sessions to these hostel students. This challenge has been taken up by some of the DBA teachers and Std XI students. They are contributing their time every Saturday and so far have completed 3 sessions. Although this is a huge goal, the DBA teachers and students are happy with the progress and they feel they are heading in the right direction. We are truly proud of the giving nature of our school staff and students who continually reach out to help others in the community. Besides this programme, DBA is also reaching out to serve other neighbours through basic English lessons given to help Hindi speaking teachers in our area. Several of these teachers came to the Principal requesting classes which are now being held 5 nights a week. They are apt students, learn quickly and are as happy with their progress as DBA is in helping them. The youth in our rural areas have clearly understood the value of learning English and especially of having the skills to communicate in this language. The slogan going around is Angreji Sikhe Aur Aage Badhe!