By Wilfred Pereira for BIS Mumbai

On February 24, 2026, the Don Bosco Province (INB) convened its Community Audit 2025 under the Mission Poverty Eradication (MPE) initiative, reaffirming its commitment to addressing extreme poverty in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly the global goal of ending extreme poverty by 2030.

The meeting was preceded and animated by Fr Tony Pellissery of the Central MPE Team. Province team of 12 Salesians and 2 lay staff members from various work sectors participated in the consultation, reflecting strong institutional ownership and collaborative leadership.

The gathering marked an important strategic shift — from viewing poverty alleviation as a time-bound project to embracing it as a mission-driven commitment embedded in the Province’s identity. Participants emphasized that poverty eradication must remain a long-term pastoral priority, sustained beyond funding cycles and administrative transitions.

Strong Participation and Outreach

33 communities across the Province responded to the Community Audit process, demonstrating encouraging engagement. The Province recorded a total outreach of 99,640 beneficiaries across its ministries as per audit reports that were submitted. Education, Health and Community outreach emerged as the strongest sectors, highlighting the Province’s continued presence among children, youth, migrants, and marginalized communities.

Critical Concern: Data and Documentation Gaps

While outreach figures reflect substantial work, the audit revealed a significant challenge in documentation and data management. Reporting was found to be inconsistent and under-representative, with records often lost during staff transfers. This gap not only underestimates the Province’s real impact but also weakens its credibility with government bodies, donors, and policy stakeholders.

The meeting underscored the urgent need to establish standardized minimum documentation norms across all output areas and to implement a centralized digital data management system, targeted for completion by 2027.

Participants affirmed that credible data is essential for accountability, advocacy, funding sustainability, and policy influence — ensuring that the Province’s work among the poor is both visible and measurable.

Key Decisions and Forward Strategy

·  Year 2 Priorities

As the initiative enters its second phase, the Province identified four key priorities:

1. Strengthening data integrity and verification systems.

2. Focused interventions for the extreme poor.

3. Stronger measurement of sustainable livelihood outcomes.

4. Mobilizing educational institutions and alumni networks for systemic social transformation.

A Clear Mission Ahead

The Community Audit 2025 confirmed that the INB Don Bosco Province remains deeply committed to poverty-focused ministry. However, it also highlighted the urgent need to strengthen systems that accurately capture and reflect its impact.

With a bold target of lifting 300,000 people out of extreme poverty by 2030, the Province reaffirmed its mission to be visible signs and bearers of hope among the poorest, while building sustainable systems that ensure lasting and measurable transformation.