BIS #5756 SAVE THE CHILDREN

by Brother Jittin Mathew and Eustace Fernandes

MUMBAI, FEB 18, 2019: An awareness programme sensitising the boys of Bosco Boys Home (BBH) on their rights and responsibilities was conducted by the Salaam Baalak Trust, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) on February 15 from 9.30 am to 11.00 am, as part of the project ‘The Invisible- Save the Children’.

Father Corlis Gonsalves, the Director of BBH congratulated the NGO for their benevolent gesture towards this feeble sector of society and encouraged them to carry on this noble work passionately.

“Every child deserves the best chance for a bright future,” Ashwini Shejwal, the programme coordinator of the project for the Mumbai region said. Shejwal with 12 years of experience in the field of child protection, along with Budhaji Jadhav, a team member, and Seema Vanarse, MIS officer conducted the session.

The theme of the session was to make the poor and abandoned children aware of their importance in society and vice-versa. The session was interactive and child-friendly starting with icebreakers and an action song.

The highlight of the session was the two movies: ‘Komal’ which stressed on the topic of abuse and a ‘Childline video’ which brought to the forefront the evil of child labour. After this, the boys were asked to share their views on the videos and they expressed their views freely and clearly.

The session ended with a motivational Hindi song, 'Mera bhi tho aadhikaar hai’ reflecting on the theme that every child, even the ignored and invisible, have their rights and they should fight for it.

“Every child should get the basic needs of food, clothing, shelter, and education because we see tomorrow in today’s child and the progress of the country depends on the well-being of the children,” Vishal Gautam, one of the boys of BBH said.

“Real freedom is using one’s rights with responsibilities. You children are our future. Be aware of your rights and become responsible and productive citizens,” Shejwal said as she concluded the session.

In the vote of thanks, Deacon Romero D’Souza, the Prefect of Studies of the boys, thanked the team of Salaam Baalak Trust for educating and making the boys aware of their rights and responsibilities and assured them of their prayers and support.