by BIS Correspondent
MUMBAI, JUN 7, 2016: The Don Bosco Development Society (DBDS) empowered nearly 900 people by imparting skill-based training to help them earn their livelihood.
All the students were from the poorest slums of Mumbai and Navi-Mumbai, 90% being women. The trainings consisted of government and non-government courses from July 2015 to May 2016.
The courses were for a duration of two to three months. The Graduation Day was held on June, 4 in which nearly 250 students were certified in various courses.
The programme began with a short prayer service at the Bianchi Hall in the Don Bosco International School Building. Suresh Balakrishnan, joint managing director of STULZ company, was the chief guest for the event.
Father Rolvin D'Mello, executive director of DBDS welcomed the gathering after the prayer service. In his speech, Balakrishnan shared that when he was a student of Don Bosco, Matunga.
Balakrishnan added that he was from a very poor family but due to the values he learned from the school, he has risen to such great heights today. He adviced all the students to do the same.
DBDS also launched its new website www.dbdsmumbai.org. This was followed by a prize distribution ceremony. The toppers of each course were felicitated and certificates given to all participants.
The programme ended with a short entertainment and cultural show put up by the students. It included a display of the various skills they learnt during their training.