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!