History of Institution
 
In the year 1985 the Students of Philosophy at the Retreat, Yercuad, Initiated this work by meeting the rag pickers regularly in the weekends for about three years. They had two contact centers one at the Old Bus Stand and the other at Junction. They were also visiting the Government Observation home. Once a year these boys were taken to Retreat, Yercuad for a day of celebration. Then Fr.Francis Schlooz and Bro. Meril were explored the possibility of working for the street children in the city of Salem. They felt the need of the shelter Home for the street boys. Hence, in 1988, the death Centenary year of Don Bosco, a centre at the present location was inaugurated. The centre was primarily meant for rag pickers and was only a night shelter. The rag pickers shop was started at the shelter and it was monitored by the boys. At this time only accommodation was provided and the boys managed their own food. They had their regular savings and non-formal education. From 1995 the children were stopped from rag picking and were enrolled into schools for regular formal education.
 
They felt the need of the Shelter Home for the street boys to play, to sleep, to wash their clothes, to bath, and to rest at night. Hence, in the Centenary year of St. John Bosco, 1988, a building at the present location was inaugurated by the former District Collector of Salem Mr. M.F. Farroqi. The process continued by Fr. Michael Thomas, Fr. Edward Xavier, Fr. Lourdu nathan, Fr. M. Vincent Xavier, Fr. Francis and Fr. Rayan; Fr. M. Xavier continues the good work of Anbu Illam from May 2006 with Fr. Lawrence as Administrator. The new work for the HIV/AIDS affected children was started in Namakkal from May 24th with Fr. Joe as Director and Fr. Jesuraj as Asst. Director.
 
The seedling

There was growing awareness of the ever-increasing number of street children in the nooks and corners of Salem in the mid 1980s. Incredibly the plight of these children was not covered under any existing socio-political scheme or programme. They were not even considered in the population census of the state of Tamil Nadu. This alarming situation captured the attention of some students of philosophy, who have their academic centre at The Retreat, Yercaud, a hill station, 30 KM away from Salem. Basing on their discussions on how to cater to these street kids during their weekend service schemes, the genesis of a marvelous rehabilitation programme for the young at risk was set up and headed by Fr. Schlooz. The initial contact centres were at the City Bus Stand and at the Railway Junction. They were also working with the juveniles in the Government Observation Home.
 
Fr. Schlooz –The Founder of Salem Anbu Illam (DBAI)

Rehabilitation of vagrant youth was completely a new term to the city of Salem when Fr. Schlooz started the Anbu Illam. The Yercaud Brothers who used to come for their Sunday Oratory felt the need for the rehabilitation of the rag pickers. After seven months of 'Itinerant Oratory' he managed to obtain the present site, which was opened on 19th December 1988. Fr. Schlooz, though a foreigner by birth, really got into the shoes of the rag pickers and understood them. In the beginning there was only a room for him and a common shed for the boys, but all had to use the same toilet. He ventured into this work and knew the joy and pain of it. Through his charisma the street urchins came to Anbu Illam and listened to him. He also had a special love for the lepers and never sent any leper out without giving food and cloths. He was the one who started the parish at Sanyasi Gundu, and was their first parish priest. He would tread each street distributing clothes and milk powder and inviting people for Holy Mass. He gave financial assistance to the diocese of Salem. After serving Anbu Illam for three years he ventured out to the next place.
No one has the right to be happy alone
 
Stages of Development 2004 - 2008
 
1988
Main shelter was built which served as a night shelter for rag pickers.
Rag Pickers Co-Operative Paper Shop set up to regulate small savings.
Rag pickers educated via non-formal education.
1995
Rag Pickers enrolled in regular schools and non-formal vocational training.
A round the clock shelter started to cater to the needs of regular school going children who were once rag pickers.
1997
A preparatory shelter called Adivaram Shelter was stared to accommodate young newly-arrived boys at the foothills of Yercaud.
1998
Transit Schools - for child labourers.
Child Guidance Bureau – a drop in centre at the Intercity Bus Stand that keeps constant vigilance over child trafficking and child abuse.
1999
Community Based Organizations (CBO’s) – to support the process of the elimination of child labour in fifteen slums of Salem.
2000
Erode and Nammakkal extension centres – for child labourers.
2001
Social Awareness Team (SAT) - to increase social awareness.
2002
Childline Programme – a toll free telephone-link to rescue young at risk in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India.
2003
A troop for Training and Capacity Building was formed comprising of Anbu Illam staff and volunteers to train school and college students, teachers and members of social service organizations on child rights.
2004
Federation of women groups and youth groups aiming to create a mass movement of people.
2005
Movement based approach to core issues that affect humanrights and rights of children by involving District administration.
2006
Vocational training programme for the working children.
(Computer center, Two wheeler mechanism).
Launching of the www.missingchildsearch.net web site.
2007
Institutional based care for the HIV/AIDS affected children at Namakkal.s
2008

Formation of unorganized trade union. Community care for HIV/AIDS infected.