BIS # 1307 - SHELTER CELEBRATES ANNUAL THANKSGIVING DAY

Dakshayani Madagopaln MUMBAI, MARCH 3, 2009: Shelter celebrated its Annual Thanksgiving Day on March 1, 2009. A multitude of guests, benefactors, staff and children witnessed a variety entertainment programme comprising dance, music, skits and action songs. The Chief Guest for the evening was Dr. Shaila Mhatre, Chairperson of the Child Welfare Committee. The programme included a welcome song by the Shelter boys, some traditional dance performances by children from the slum communities that Shelter works with, and a series of high-energy performances by the Shelter boys themselves. Fr. Barnabe D’Souza read out the Annual Report highlighting the achievements of Shelter in the arena of academics, recreation, rehabilitation and research. An interesting feature of the programme was the sharing of experiences by some of the boys about the support they have received from Shelter to help them achieve their dreams. A special highlight of the evening was a performance by Mayuri Rajbonshi, who, accompanied by Fr. Lloyd Rodrigues on the guitar, sang two songs that tugged at our heartstrings and brought a collective lump to the throats of all those who are acquainted with Fr. Lloyd’s fragile state of health. It was heartening to see his active participation on this very special day. The programme concluded with a speech by Dr. Mhatre, in which she appreciated the talents displayed by the children and said that the motivation and happiness that she saw on their faces was what had kept her in the field of social work all these years, despite her training and qualification as a physician. It was a memorable evening indeed for all those who were a part of Shelter Don Bosco’s Annual Day.