Project improves overall campus hygiene and sustainability.
NEW ROCHELLE, NY (Sept. 16, 2025) Salesian missionaries installed a functional borewell at Don Bosco College Chapaguri, located in Assam, India, to address the growing need for a reliable water source on campus. The project was funded by the “Clean Water Initiative” of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco.
As a result of the project, the college and the 100 hostel students now have a consistent, on-site water supply, significantly reducing dependence on external sources and improving overall campus hygiene and sustainability.
To ensure optimal groundwater availability, a survey was conducted to identify the most suitable location for drilling. A borewell was drilled to access a sustainable aquifer and then a high-capacity submersible pump was installed, along with durable piping and electrical connections to ensure efficient water extraction.
Jimi Basumatary, a resident of Chapaguri and a student at Don Bosco College, described life in the community as peaceful and community-oriented, but marked by limits to basic infrastructure. “Most of us depend on farming and small jobs nearby,” he said. “We live close to nature, but sometimes that means we have to deal with things like water shortages and poor connectivity.”
He expressed a strong desire to see more development in the region — especially in education and employment opportunities for youth. Prior to the borewell project, he explained that the college and the surrounding area struggled with an inconsistent water supply. He said, “We often had to carry water from nearby sources, especially in dry months. It affected sanitation, especially for students in the college and hostel.”
Now that the borewell has been completed and is fully functional, Basumatary added, “There’s a clear improvement. We have a steady supply of water for daily use and cleaning. It has definitely made a difference.”
To learn more about the Salesian Missions Clean Water Initiative, go to SalesianMissions.org/water.
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About Salesian Missions USA
Salesian Missions is headquartered in New Rochelle, NY, and is part of the Don Bosco Network—a worldwide federation of Salesian NGOs. The mission of the U.S.-based nonprofit Catholic organization is to raise funds for international programs that serve youth and families in poor communities around the globe. The Salesian missionaries are made up of priests, brothers and sisters, as well as laypeople—all dedicated to caring for poor children throughout the world in more than 130 countries and helping young people become self-sufficient by learning a trade that will help them gain employment. To date, more than 3 million youth have received services funded by Salesian Missions. These services and programs are provided to children regardless of race or religion. For more information, go to SalesianMissions.org.