NIAT and DB

‘NIAT’ AND DON BOSCO SNEHA BHAVAN – A LOVE STORY

Not every day is a special day. But Nov. 3,2014 certainly was. The children of Don Bosco, Sneha Bhavan and Valsalya Bhavan had a royal welcome at NIAT ( Naval Institute of Aeronautical Technology), Naval Base, Cochin. Three buses carried the children through the tightly guarded Travancore Gate to the NIAT centre. They were accorded a warm welcome by Commodore Sanjeev Dureja, the director, the officers and trainees of NIAT. A welcome drink, snacks and a friendly interaction made the children feel at home.

A tour of the various sections  of aeronautics transported the children into the world of high technology raising their levels of ambition!  ‘Tom and Jerry’ relaxed their brains! A ‘Navy’ lunch during which the children entertained their hosts with melodious Hindi and Malayalam hits was the last item of the visit.

Nov.4 saw NIAT coming to Sneha Bhavan! It was a return visit with a difference. They came with gifts and tins of paint! At the end of the day the walls and doors of NIAT wore altogether a different look! The broken desks and chairs were carried off for the necessary repair. NIAT canteen provided the lunch. The after- lunch session was packed with games and sports.

The final session saw the presence of VVIPS of both NIAT and NWWA (Naval Wives Welfare Association), Mrs. Belina Ravikiran, vice-president NWWA(SR), Commodore Sanjeev Dureja, Mrs.Richa Dureja, Mrs. Shilpa Aggarwal, coordinator Sparsh, Devina Jain NWWA co-ordinator pragati, ladies from NWWA and the staff and trainees of NIAT. Children were introduced into a mood of celebrations with hands full of gifts!

Nov. 5 was reserved for Valsalya Bhavan. The NIAT team spruced up their dwelling. Besides the Director of NIAT and his wife present were also other bigwigs from the NWWA. The children had a great time. Lots of gifts were presented to the home. We look forward to more such encounters.

-      Fr. Joe Fernandez

ajit

AJITH

“I don’t know who my father is. I am told that he left us when I was just three months old. I don’t have any pleasant memories of my childhood. As life became intolerable I left home not knowing where I was going! It was I imagined better than staying home.  I have been placed in many homes by the police and know five languages including a smattering of English.”

Ajith was brought to us in May 2014. He was rescued from a tea-shop where he worked for just two days!  This 15 –year- old boy can’t live with the thought that he is all alone in this world with no family ties! There are times when he sits and cries thinking about a life without emotional links. I try to console and comfort him assuring him of our commitment to him!  It works for sometime till he is reassured of an unfailing love and acceptance.

Feeling rejected is one of the most painful realities in life. This is all the more poignant for a child who feels helpless and friendless!

nisha

NISHA

“Father, Nisha is a problem! She does not listen. She is stubborn and sticks vehemently to her own opinions. When confronted for something she has done Nisha threatens to runaway, becomes very defensive and sulks! It takes some time for her to return to normalcy.” The sister-in-charge describe more of her antics very casually. She knows things will change for Nisha. She is new to the home and has to learn to adjust herself to the news home.

Nisha is about 9 yrs old and is in grade III. She has not seen her father and her mother leads the life of a nomad and has no time for her two children who are with us. Both of them were rescued and entrusted to us.

Nisha represents several other girls who may be termed psychological orphans who suffer from myriad problems. They are the products of a mechanical union devoid of love! Their minds are scarred and their hearts are arid deprived of love!

Understanding these children, patiently listening to their stories, being sensitive to their silence and offering appropriate responses, ensure healing of emotions. It is indeed a privilege to serve them!

FIVE LITTLE BATTERED ANGELS

Children are God’s miracles! They are precious gifts. They banish our blues bringing us instant joy!  Our  world  would be  insipid without  their innocent presence. And it is truly heart-rending to see them being victimized especially by the same people who gave them life.

It was a few months ago that five little girl-angels were brought to us. Just by looking at them it was obvious that they were messed up and mishandled! Their looks betrayed their inner turmoil. Their smiles and childhood pranks had certainly taken a beating! Their crime – they were born as    ‘accidents’ and hence handed over to a home as unwanted.

Now things are different! Their smiles have returned. Their pranks have begun to leak out of their cracks! However, the darkness of their infancy lies hidden in the apparently inaccessible recesses of their being! There is occasional fear in their demeanour.  Their intermittent cries for attention and acceptance turn out to be piercing shrieks baffling their friends and  the  staff. 

Unconditional love, a congenial and warm climate, meaningful freedom and loving ways will eventually heal their hurts and bring solace into their battered lives!  Their cries for acceptance, love and affection will definitely be heard. This is what we can offer them and we do so as a privilege.

Onam

ONAM CELEBRATIONS

ONAM is another name for celebrations! It is indeed a state festival that transcends all religious, cultural or social boundaries. It is a festival that promotes social harmony. A sense of joy pervades the entire state. Songs, dances and cultural entertainments bring people together. A temporary veil of amnesia  covers the whole state as everyone seems to be in a state of mirth forgetting their worries and anxieties.

At ‘SNEHA BHAVAN’ Onam celebrations were unique and there was an element of mystery about the event. Children from all our centres played hosts to about 150 children from the neighbourhood. They were representing BOSCO KIDS  - a club for children.

The day began with presentation of cultural items with Onam as theme. It was followed by lunch and games that ended with a tug- of- war to test the muscle power of both children and staff. Some were lucky to win prizes!

What made the day unique was the active participation of volunteers who help to organize Bosco Kids.  “ This is the first time that I am coming here and for  an event like this. I am excited about what is happening . I don’t think there is any other centre that can make so many children feel so much at home. I am proud  to be associated with Bosco Kids”.

Onam Celebration at Sneha Bhavan

Merry Christmas

Children's Day

CHILDREN'S DAY

Children's day celebrations form an annual, integral part of the life of Don Bosco Sneha Bhavan Project.  The event is held on the second Saturday of November at Sneha Bhavan.. This year it was on Nov.9. The registration began at 8.30 a.m. The Deputy mayor of Cochin Mrs. Bhadra inaugurated the celebrations.  10- year- old "Chacha Nehru" of Sneha Bhavan delivered a message!

The 600 plus poor children  from our neighbourhood had a great time.Twenty five skill and  chance games were offered and the winners given flashy prizes.

Drawing and painting competitions were organized by CHILDLINE.

Refreshments were served at intervals. 1000 biryani packets sponsored by Casino hotel were distributed. The hotel staff  themselves set the tables and served the food with the help of other volunteers. 

Bottled mango juice was provided by Elanjickal enterprises. Elite Foods treated the children to their fruit bread.

The after-lunch cultural show  was indeed  very spectacular! Children danced and sang to their hearts' content! The atmosphere was filled with their joyous laughter and enthusiastic clapping of hands!  

 As they departed they were given a bag full of gifts.It was a delight to see them opening their bags with great curiosity and seeing their eyes being lit up as they examined the contents.

Several VIPs both from the city council and Naval base honoured us with their presence.