Brief History of the Organization
Boys Town Davao was born out of a desire of a lady Psychologist named Dr. Lourdes “Unding” Solis to house and rehabilitate boys on the streets of Davao city begging, stealing and being used by professional criminals. They were sleeping at the doorways and at the wharfs. She gathered concerned citizens of the city to compose the first group to help these boys. The first groups of boys were provided temporary quarters at the Police department by the chief of Police who was the husband of Dr. “Unding” Solis.
On October 17, 1970, the group started soliciting helped from prominent citizens of the City to provide these boys with their basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter. Col. Honorio Garcia donated two (2) hectares of land in Ma-a through the efforts of Judge Vicente Cusi, The Knights of Columbus built the first building. Boys Town Davao was later on officially organized into a Foundation called Welfare Action Foundation – Boys Town. The City Government was tapped to help subsidize the needs and expenses of Boys Town. A skills training project was made possible in coordination with NMYC.
On February 23, 1977, seven years after a noble dream was fulfilled, Dr. Unding Solis past away. Mrs. Soledad Duterte was then designated by the group to assume the directorship of Boys Town. She immediately embarked on introducing other backyard projects such as piggery, poultry, rabbitry, goat and duck raising. Different personalities assumed the presidency to help keep Boys Town pursue its dream to house and provide these indigent boys with basic education.
In November 1999, Welfare Action Foundation of Davao Inc. (Boys Town Davao) offered the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) in the management of Boys Town. A MOA was forged and signed on June 28, 2000. Fr. Franco Uras assumed the position of Executive Director, a position created for the person who is going to manage Boys Town.
From then on, Boys Town Davao has been regularly sending boys to take up skills training to Don Bosco Makati and later Don Bosco Mati. This year for the first time Boys Town Davao with the help of philanthropic people and rotary, they send three (3) graduates to pursue a four year college course.
On October 17, 1970, the group started soliciting helped from prominent citizens of the City to provide these boys with their basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter. Col. Honorio Garcia donated two (2) hectares of land in Ma-a through the efforts of Judge Vicente Cusi, The Knights of Columbus built the first building. Boys Town Davao was later on officially organized into a Foundation called Welfare Action Foundation – Boys Town. The City Government was tapped to help subsidize the needs and expenses of Boys Town. A skills training project was made possible in coordination with NMYC.
On February 23, 1977, seven years after a noble dream was fulfilled, Dr. Unding Solis past away. Mrs. Soledad Duterte was then designated by the group to assume the directorship of Boys Town. She immediately embarked on introducing other backyard projects such as piggery, poultry, rabbitry, goat and duck raising. Different personalities assumed the presidency to help keep Boys Town pursue its dream to house and provide these indigent boys with basic education.
In November 1999, Welfare Action Foundation of Davao Inc. (Boys Town Davao) offered the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) in the management of Boys Town. A MOA was forged and signed on June 28, 2000. Fr. Franco Uras assumed the position of Executive Director, a position created for the person who is going to manage Boys Town.
From then on, Boys Town Davao has been regularly sending boys to take up skills training to Don Bosco Makati and later Don Bosco Mati. This year for the first time Boys Town Davao with the help of philanthropic people and rotary, they send three (3) graduates to pursue a four year college course.