Mylin Noronha sdb MATUNGA, MAY 23, 2009: There was a festive feel in the air as some 250 children from the slum communities of Matunga, Dharavi, L
abour Camp and Mahim, came happily trooping into the Don Bosco Matunga campus, accompanied by the Brothers and volunteers, yesterday morning. They were all here for the grand finale of the ‘Bosco Taare’ summer programme that was conducted by the Brothers from Divyadaan, Nashik, in these four slum areas during the past two weeks. This holiday programme had focused on developing the children’s talents in music, singing, drama, dance, art and craft – thereby helping them shine like stars (taare). The ‘closing day’ programme took off with a short inaugural ceremony at 11.00 am. After the Brothers had sung a welcome song, Ms. Surekha Pednekar from the Development Office, welcomed all the children and the other guests. Addressing the children, Fr. Edwin D’Souza, Rector of Provincial House, told
them to “have fun and make new friends during the day”. Fr. Elson Barretto, Provincial Economer, narrated an interesting story to the children and concluded by telling them that they should make their lives bright and beautiful. Also present on the dais were Fr. Ajoy Fernandes, Vice Provincial and Fr. Wilfred D’Souza from the Youth Services. The inaugural programme concluded with an excellent welcome dace by a tiny-tot from Dharavi. The children then had an hour long games session, which saw them running, cheering, laughing and absolutely enjoying themselves. This was followed by a grand lunch which helped replenish their energy and take their spirits to even greater heights. The final segment of the day was the cultural programme which began at 2.00 pm. Each centre had come well prepared with dances, skits and group songs. A special feature of the
programme was that some of the skits and songs were in English – proof that the kids had managed to pick up this language in just a few days. The entire afternoon was peppered with yells, claps and action songs, which further added to the good cheer. Finally, after the prize distribution, one of the Brothers proposed the vote of thanks and the day concluded with a 'thank you' song by a group of children. The children then left for their homes, not only with gifts and prizes in their hands, but also with glad hearts, enthusiastic spirits, new dreams and a desire to shine like stars. Bosco Taare Jai Ho!
abour Camp and Mahim, came happily trooping into the Don Bosco Matunga campus, accompanied by the Brothers and volunteers, yesterday morning. They were all here for the grand finale of the ‘Bosco Taare’ summer programme that was conducted by the Brothers from Divyadaan, Nashik, in these four slum areas during the past two weeks. This holiday programme had focused on developing the children’s talents in music, singing, drama, dance, art and craft – thereby helping them shine like stars (taare). The ‘closing day’ programme took off with a short inaugural ceremony at 11.00 am. After the Brothers had sung a welcome song, Ms. Surekha Pednekar from the Development Office, welcomed all the children and the other guests. Addressing the children, Fr. Edwin D’Souza, Rector of Provincial House, told
them to “have fun and make new friends during the day”. Fr. Elson Barretto, Provincial Economer, narrated an interesting story to the children and concluded by telling them that they should make their lives bright and beautiful. Also present on the dais were Fr. Ajoy Fernandes, Vice Provincial and Fr. Wilfred D’Souza from the Youth Services. The inaugural programme concluded with an excellent welcome dace by a tiny-tot from Dharavi. The children then had an hour long games session, which saw them running, cheering, laughing and absolutely enjoying themselves. This was followed by a grand lunch which helped replenish their energy and take their spirits to even greater heights. The final segment of the day was the cultural programme which began at 2.00 pm. Each centre had come well prepared with dances, skits and group songs. A special feature of the
programme was that some of the skits and songs were in English – proof that the kids had managed to pick up this language in just a few days. The entire afternoon was peppered with yells, claps and action songs, which further added to the good cheer. Finally, after the prize distribution, one of the Brothers proposed the vote of thanks and the day concluded with a 'thank you' song by a group of children. The children then left for their homes, not only with gifts and prizes in their hands, but also with glad hearts, enthusiastic spirits, new dreams and a desire to shine like stars. Bosco Taare Jai Ho!