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.

CHILDREN’S DAY OUT

Will I try for another experience – the type I had on Oct. 19? I think I will. It all began with a loving invitation by a young lady who was working with us for three months, three years ago! It was her engagement. She wanted at least 50 children to share her joy. We settled for 9 since the children had to go to school! The girl wanted me to be present too and I volunteered to take the children aged 5yrs and 6yrs with me. Little did I know what exactly was venturing into!

Once we reached the lobby of the hall I gently and smilingly pleaded with the children  to be seated on the sofas. My pleas seemed to fall on deaf years!  Soon they started to jump on the springy- sofa joyfully and had lots of fun while I looked around to see if there were  any disapproving frowns from people around. Now tired of the sofa-experience they started to run around climbing the stairs and having a great time. All the time I sat grinning at the guests who by now had started arriving.

Being fagged out by now they spotted the welcome drink being served. They started rushing towards the drink. They were obviously very thirsty!  I had a tough time telling them to be orderly. Then they wanted to taste all the different types of drink that were offered!

By now hundred long minutes had moved on and I was hoping that the young lady and her would-be-husband would arrive to offer me a respite! Finally they arrived and were led to the reception hall.

Now it was lunch time. My nine buddies had to be lined up for the buffet lunch. They picked up what they wanted. Now we had no chairs to be seated and the hunt for vacant chairs began. Thank God I was in my clerical attire and people were kind! Meanwhile I had left the whole business of controlling them to one or two good souls who had come to my rescue. Soon they too lost control of the situation as they  got lost in the crowd!

Thankfully, lunch was getting over when the sensitive nostrils of my buddies picked up the smell of chocolate, pop corn, ice-cream and cotton candy! The rest is to be imagined!

My final job was to line up these nine lively ‘brats’ to catch a bus! Waiting at the bus shelter was another challenging experience. Once in the bus they all started darting for seats which were all occupied. Nothing seemed to deter them from giving up their hunt! They did squeeze themselves here and there! My next job was to round them up and place them together!

Reaching home was the happiest and most relaxing experience of my life in recent days! No sheep was lost and I thanked the Lord for trying my patience and getting the children to safety!

I am hoping to have another experience soon so that I can exercise my skill in children-management and get an award too ! I have become younger now by ten years!

A TRULY SUCCESS STORY WITH A DIFFERENCE!

When Babu Savio defends his PhD thesis in Mangalore  on  28, September he will be one of the rarest of rare cases of children who rose from illiteracy to an enviable status of becoming a Doctor in Education. Besides having three post graduate degrees Babu will be adding one more to his kit of higher education.

 Babu’s story is different from  that of all other kids who have excelled in studies. Babu came to Sneha Bhavan, Palluruthy  when he was about 10 years old as an orphaned  and illiterate child labourer in 1991.  When the authorities realized that Babu was a boy with an indomitable will and  possessing great potentialities  they put him in Std VII after a bridge course .

Babu completed his SSLC in 1997. It was his strong thirst for knowledge and friendly nudge from the staff of Don Bosco Sneha Bhavan that made him accomplish seemingly what was impossible for a boy with his awry background.  He passed Pre -Degree in 1999 (M.G University), B.Com in 2002 (M.G University ), M.com in 2004(M.G University – the Cochin College, Cochin), B.Ed in 2006 (M.G University – Porukkara College of Teacher Education), M.Ed in 2007 (Mangalore University, St.Ann’s College of Teacher Education), M.B.A in 2010(Madras university under Distance Mode), and now  Ph.D in Commerce Education from Mangalore University.

Babu Savio’s achievements should serve as a great example to all the children in our orphanages and homes for deprived children. With sensitive care givers and a conducive atmosphere every child can be motivated to achieve the apparently impossible!

A WEDDING WITH A DIFFERENCE

“I owe everything to Don Bosco. It is the system of Don Bosco that has made me who I am today. I know my past and I know my present. I will live by the lessons I have imbibed. I owe a lot to the many Salesians and others who have contributed so much to my growth. If it were not for them I would have been lost in a world that didn’t care if one lived or died!”  Babu Savio was speaking at the grand reception that was accorded to him at Sneha Bhavan, Pallurtuhy after his wedding at St. Thomas Moore Church on August 18, 2013. The Bishop of Cochin Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Kariyil had fourteen Priests including the five from Don Bosco Sneha Bhavan Project assisting him as he pronounced Babu Savio and Sheron Ann Jose husband and wife!

The function had a touch of royalty with the presence of central and state Ministers, Members of Legislative Assembly, the Mayor, the Deputy Mayor and the chair persons of different committees of the Cochin Corporation. Present also were numerous past pupils, well-wishers, the Director and staff of the Naval Institute of Aeronautical Technology, Cochin, friends and well-wishers numbering over 600.

The lunch was sponsored by the Mayor Tony Chammany who also helped to meet a major portion of the expenses.

Babu Savio M.Com, M.Ed, MBA , PhD  and Sheron Ann Jose M.Com, NET have now assumed the task of sharing the spirit of Don Bosco and lighting up the lives of those whom they meet especially of the disadvantaged in society. Babu knows that he was once as helpless as most of our children deprived of parental love and care!

Invitation

The Wedding of the Year!

One of our boys who grew up here is getting married on Aug. 18 at St. Thomas Moore Church, Palluruthy at 11.00 a.m. The Bishop of Cochin will bless the marriage.

The reception will be at Sneha Bhavan at 1.00 p.m.

Babu Savio started his schooling only when he was about 13 yrs old! When he came to Sneha Bhavan Babu he was an illiterate. Soon he was found to be a  smart boy who had the brains to study. After a few months of coaching Babu found himself in Std. VII!

Now he has completed his M.Com, MBA, M.Ed and PhD! Isn't this an achievement for a total orphan?

Please do join us in celebrating this event and thanking God for His love and care !

Kindly find attached the invitation.

VINAYAKA  GOES HOME!

We were all there wishing Vinayaka all happiness as this 11 year- old boy was taken to the railway station to catch a train that would take him home to be reunited with his family whom he missed for the past 10 months. It was July 18, 2013 and the time 3.15 p.m.  It will take more than 24 hours for him to reach home! He is not alone and is being accompanied by one of our staff.

Vinayaka was brought to us by the police in September 2012. He looked miserable in his soiled clothes and unkempt hair. The boy was picked up from the railway station as he was found wandering around. He was handed over to us for temporary custody till his parents were traced out.

Communication was almost impossible with the boy hailing from the neighbouring state of Karnataka and spoke only Kannada.  However, this hurdle was overcome with the passage of time. It did not take much time for him to be part of our family. He was happy and learned to communicate in the local language. The family atmosphere that prevails at Sneha Bhavan made things easier for him. Everyone loved him for his simple and helpful ways.

It took us this long to locate his family. A line of communication was soon established between him and his parents. Vinayaka was visibly happy when he was told that he was going home soon!

Compelled by family situations, Vinayaka was taken by his father to work in a garage much against his wishes. Soon the boy ran away to escape from the harsh realities of child-labour.

 We only hope and pray that Vinayaka gets a chance to complete his studies as he is an intelligent boy and will be an asset to his family and his society! We are privileged to have helped him to get a new lease of life as a happy child!

AMERICA CALLING GAUTHAMAN

Gauthaman Oduvil Prasad was with the Don Bosco Sneha Bhavan Project for six years and he left to be with his mother whose only consolation was her son! That was three years ago.

 Ever since he left he was being helped to do his studies .Today thanks to the offer of MAD ( Make A Difference ) group Gauthman is going to the US for a year of studies on American Govt. Scholarship. He is one of the 37 students selected from India  to be part of the US government’s Community College Initiative.  He will be attending an automotive course at the College of DuPage in Illinois.

“I am so thrilled to be selected to study in the US. This is a special opportunity and I am grateful to both Don Bosco Sneha Bhavan and  MAD. I thank God  for His goodness!”

We rejoice with Gauthaman as he leaves for the US on 11^th July. He sure is a good student and is destined to do well in life! 

AJITH – The Junior Champ

Winning trophies and awards at games and sports meet is nothing new to Ajith – this fifteen- year- old teenager who does not have a family to call his own except Don Bosco, Palluruthy. Ajith has competed at state level and national level Judo competitions. 

At the recently held 56th Kerala State Schools Games Championship 2012-2013, in Kottayam, Ajith won the third place in Judo thus bringing honour both to his school and to Don Bosco. Ajith is a junior champ! He was only following the footsteps of our Karma who was the Junior state champ last year in Judo! They have set a tradition of winning! 

Ajith is a smart boy. He is a School Student Police leader besides being good at sports ! 

We are proud of Ajith and wish him the best in his life!

BESWIN

Though just fourteen he is the tallest in his class and is still growing! He attends an English medium school which follows a non-state syllabus. He does well in his studies, has his own select company, owns a delightful sense of humour,  and is fun to be with. Of late he has joined Judo classes and is also learning to play guitar.  Games? He does not have much taste for them except may be for basketball! He does hard work mainly because : “ I want to strengthen my muscles! It is good for my judo!”

“ Your father is on the line! He wants to talk to you.”  “ Please tell that guy never again to call me. I hate him! He has no heart and has ruined my life!”  Beswin hates his father and has no kind words about his mother too.   For all practical purposes he is an orphan – a psychological orphan!

I was overwhelmed as he shared with me with tears flowing down his cheeks  a few of the saddest experiences in his life!  This boy has gone through hell and high water and needs a lot of healing. That is what we try to do! Someone like him cannot be ignored! Ignoring him is a disservice to humanity! He has many contributions to be made to the society.

SEENI

Seeni is an athlete!  He has given me the latest certificates he received from the school for winning the races he participated. He has a collection of such certificates. He runs his races bare-footed .  He is about 14 years old. Seeni  is happy all the time and playful too. Mingles well with his peers. He has difficulty with Malayalam. His father is from Orissa and mother from Kerala. His father abandoned him and his mother  taking with him his daughter!

Seeni  loves his mother. He is a good boy who does not easily get into troubles.  I am sure Seeni will grow to be a fine gentleman!

RESI ( Remya Sasi)

It is hard to be homeless. Living under bridges, being a victim of uncertainties, exposed to unhealthy and unhygienic  environments is tough for anyone. It is all the more traumatic for helpless young women and young girls. They are preyed upon by unscrupulous victims of human passions.

Resi has endured all these traumatic situations. This fragile child found herself abandoned by her father who left her at the sudden demise of her mother.  Today she is eleven years old and attends school. This is her fifth year with us. The scars of the past do not seem to have broken her spirit. She is a happy child. Loves to sing and dance.  Resi is friendly and helpful.

TWO MYSTERIES

Being abandoned by their mother, sexually harassed and abused by men and being under the care of a criminal father – who now is serving a sentence -  is the worst that can happen to two young innocent  girls! They were referred to us by the Child Welfare Committee for temporary shelter maximum  for a month. The committee had no choice since the girls were uncontrollable  and had to be shifted from home to home! They were troublesome and used to be violent bullies.

It is almost one year that they are with us. They seem to be aroused by boys and get easily distracted by the mere sight of men. They have difficulty in concentrating on their studies.  The school authorities are constantly complaining about their bad influence on other girls in the school.  They tell lies, make clandestine calls and bully the younger ones. They have formed a clique of four ! The other girls are afraid of them.

All is not tragic with them. They have their bright sides too. They are friendly, sociable, take initiatives, like to do things, do not seem to nurture any grudge, are creative , can sing and dance well!  We keep praying that we may know how to handle these two lovely girls who can become real assets to society. There is an element of goodness even in the apparently most wicked young person. The educator is challenged to make it blossom!

MY DEAR ALOK....

He is fifteen, tall, has a flair for Maths and loves to read. He is studying in Std. VIII.  Alok finds delight in being alone and has very few friends. Plays volley ball, basket ball as he chooses. He feels very uncomfortable with rules and regulations. Seems to be allergic to instructions. Feels uncomfortable with rules and regulations.  If not permitted to enter a room he uses his own ‘keys’ – stone! “ I asked for the key. I had to enter the room! What do you expect me to do?”

There are moments when he prays loud at prayer assemblies though he does not manifest a taste for things spiritual. “ I don’t believe in prayers!” We don’t force him either.

Recently he got into a fight with his companions, ran to the police station when he was punched and complained of harassment by hiS companions.  Soon he was back. Remained sullen for a few days until he was called and listened to!

Alok has no home! He knows that he is from Andhra Pradesh. Ran away from home and landed in Kerala. He was just 8 years old! Kept in a Govt, home and was repatriated to his ‘ home’. Soon he escaped and found himself here!  In fact, this is his second coming !

Alok is dear to me. I do like him a lot. He teaches me to be patient, understanding, unconditional and forgiving. As a teen he has his ups and downs, mood swings, highs and lows, good days and bad days. I am sure he will turn around and be a great guy : “ I want to become rich and famous”, he told me.  He has to shed his selfishness and be healed of his  ‘allergies’! I am sure he will make it big in life!

SHYAM

 They call him Shyam which is not his real name. He is  past 17 yrs and hails from the neigbouring state of Tamil Nadu.  His father left them while he was a toddler. He has no memories of him. His mother committed suicide spending a few years begging with the boy. Life was cruel! He recalls the days when they used to beg in the streets! Shyam was brought to us by a kind-hearted man through the Child Welfare Committee. The scars of the past are clearly visible in his behavior. He is a victim of mood swings. Resents being corrected, had difficulty in facing authority. Becomes sullen for days.  Refusing a request is taken as a big let-down in his life.Shyam is good at Judo , is a member of our band troupe and ‘chenda’ brigade!Shyam needs lots of loving attention, recognition, appreciation and affirmation. All of us need these. Don’t we?

The Country Singer

He was just 8 yrs old when he ran away from home! His father was a drunk, was brutal, a womanizer and a dirty bully! Arun’s older brother was born with just two stumps in the place of his arms! His oldest brother was a vagabond! Almost everything went wrong in the family making it impossible for the little ones to survive!

Arun spent more than a year begging and singing for his survival before he was rescued by CHILDLINE and placed under our care. The rough days he had to endure have made him tough in his dealings! He is not refined, tells lies and is quite unpredictable in his reactions.

His ‘ singing days’ have equipped him with a few folk songs which he renders with gusto! He loves to sing and dance. Arun is clever and can do well in his studies with a little more application.

Arun loves his mother and wants to take good care of her. With love and determination everything forebodes well for him. He will do well in life with a little more of loving follow-up. The little but bright flame of love in his heart has to be kept alive! 

RAMSEN – The Circus Boy

Ramsen was brought to us 12 years ago when he was 4 years old with his three siblings – one brother and two sisters. The sisters were accepted by Nuns and the two boys joined us. Ramsen is the youngest. The children ran away for their parents one night while they were asleep. It was easy to do so as they were on the roadside sleeping under the dark skies!

The family belonged to a nomadic group that performs roadside circus. This was their only source of income. The children had to starve since they made only enough money to buy hooch for the parents! The kids had planned their escapade days in advance knowing nothing of the future! The risk was worth it since they could no longer take the cruel beatings and thrashings!

It is 12 years now and they have no clue about their parents whereabouts. They don’t care either.

Ramsen is writing his Board exams now ( March 2012). He is good at heart and works hard. He may not clear the exams though we hope he does! There are not very many options open before him. We will find the best for him. He deserves it! He will do well in life with his simple, amiable and loving ways!

BIBLIN

Biblin seems to be in a world of his own! With his gullibility he gets into trouble after trouble. His not so great an IQ , slow grasping power and simplicity make him an easy prey to the cunning hawks among his companions. Biblin does any kind of work. However studying is not his cup of tea.

Biblin’s father was murdered when he was about six years old. This tragedy drove his mother mad and now she is in a convent doing odd jobs. With no home of his own Biblin’s future is bleak if we abandon him to his fate.

He is not sure of clearing the Board Exams! We need to work out some ways of rehabilitating him. The Lord will show the way. We won’t let him down!