Meryl Misquita
MUMBAI, JUNE 23, 2008: Shelter Don Bosco organized its third consecutive Career Mela on Friday, June 20. The event was well attended by approximately 250 children living on the streets and 50 from the slum communities in the vicinity. This month the mela attracted youth from the slums where Shelter conducts pavement classes. Also benefiting from the introduction to 
different work areas were children from the organization ‘Pratham’ (a leading NGO working in the field of education). Among the speakers at the event were Mr. S. Vijaykumar from Youth Christian Welfare who spoke about the diverse options available in Government enterprises and Mr. Majeet from Track Power who introduced the boys to a very different career option – as guides at adventure camps where they would be provided food and accommodation and where the basic job training would be paid by the camp organizers. The novelty of these inputs generated a lot of interest and ensured a captive audience. This event was covered by the regional press (both print and broadcast media) including E TV, Doordarshan and the Maharashtra Times. This month’s mela witnessed a considerable turnout among street children who availed of the different facilities provided for them. 180 children made use of the facility for bathing while 64 children received medical check-ups and medicines from the team of visiting doctors from Sion Hospital. The others simply enjoyed watching the latest Hindi films and trying their luck at different games. The daily trials and tribulations of the streets were forgotten… even if only for a day!
different work areas were children from the organization ‘Pratham’ (a leading NGO working in the field of education). Among the speakers at the event were Mr. S. Vijaykumar from Youth Christian Welfare who spoke about the diverse options available in Government enterprises and Mr. Majeet from Track Power who introduced the boys to a very different career option – as guides at adventure camps where they would be provided food and accommodation and where the basic job training would be paid by the camp organizers. The novelty of these inputs generated a lot of interest and ensured a captive audience. This event was covered by the regional press (both print and broadcast media) including E TV, Doordarshan and the Maharashtra Times. This month’s mela witnessed a considerable turnout among street children who availed of the different facilities provided for them. 180 children made use of the facility for bathing while 64 children received medical check-ups and medicines from the team of visiting doctors from Sion Hospital. The others simply enjoyed watching the latest Hindi films and trying their luck at different games. The daily trials and tribulations of the streets were forgotten… even if only for a day!