Amid the Pandemic, Over 250 Girls Supported

Struck by the lack of adequate opportunities for young, marginalized females of rural, remote, and under-resourced communities in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, Talitha Cumi Unnati was founded in 2019. 

TCU devotes its time, talent and treasure in transforming Deprived Excluded and Marginalized (DEM) communities to serve Catholic girls in India. 

Education is key to a brighter, healthier future for these young women.

Many adolescent girls in India discontinue their education due to gender inequality, traditional taboos, poverty, domestic violence, learning disabilities, and discouragement.

By investing in higher education for young Catholic girls, TCU can begin to combat these systemic issues. Education is directly linked to a decrease in human trafficking and child marriage rates, among other things.

TCU works tirelessly to expand educational opportunities for underserved girls to provide a stronger foundation for a prosperous life. 

Program Highlights

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    Housing & Basic Needs

    Girls in the program are provided a safe place to live and basic necessities.

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    Education

    TCU partners with local schools to provide participants a quality education.

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    Job Training

    TCU works to ensure all girls leave the program with a meaningful job that will support them.

  • Mentorship

    TCU works with leaders in the area to ensure girls have strong role models.

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    Faith

    Girls in the program are supported by Catholic priests and nuns, praying, and attending church.

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Our Vision

Every marginalized girl shall rise with human dignity in society as intended by the Creator with values of compassion, equity and gender justice.

Meet the TCU Leadership

  • Photo of Father Darsi Don Bosco

    Father Darsi Don Bosco

    Father Darsi Don Bosco holds a doctorate in Moral Theology from the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium. His area of expertise is epikeia and gradualness. His Bachelor degree in Philosophy and Theology was obtained from Jnana Deepa Vidyapeet, Pune. He holds a Master’s degree in English Literature (2004) from Osmania University, Hyderabad and an Advanced Master’s degree from Madhurai Kamaraj University (2007). He obtained his Initial and Advanced Master’s degree in Theology and Religious Studies (STL) from KU Leuven.

    His main area of research is theological ethics, particularly fundamental moral theology. He teaches Fundamental Moral theology, Biblical Ethics, Ethics of Christian of Sexuality and Relationships, Marriage and Family An Ethics of Growth for Difficult Pastoral and Educational Situations. He is a visiting professor in different faculties. For many years he has been full-time and part-time collaborator and advocate of youth activities.

  • photo of Father Bob Stec

    Father Bob Stec

    Father Bob Stec was ordained a priest in 1988. He has been blessed to serve at Saint Ambrose since December of 2005. In addition to his ministry at Saint Ambrose, he is actively involved in mission outreach in the Dominican Republic (missionpossible.us) and in a wide range of community outreach in the city of Cleveland.

    Father Bob was born and raised in Parma and is blessed with a very loving and caring family most of whom come to Saint Ambrose for Mass on the weekends. He has a great love for his family and for serving the family of God. He also enjoys the outdoors, ATVing, and a great bonfire.

  • image of Jake Bihari

    Jake Bihari

    Jake has been Father Bob Stec’s right hand man since about 2007. He handles the family events and marketing at Saint Ambrose Parish in Brunswick, Ohio. He also helps oversee their outreach in the Dominican Republic. Additionally, Jake runs the day-to-day operations of The FEST, a day of faith, family and fun that gathers 40,000+ in Wickliffe, OH.

    It is through The FEST that Jake connected with Father Bosco, eventually visiting Vijayawada in February of 2020. From there, the connection and desire to serve those in need in India, through TCU evolved. Jake now sits on the board and looks forward to making an impact!