by BIS Correspondent
MUMBAI, JUNE 14, 2017: Nearly 250 students from a series of slums in the city were present at Don Bosco High School in Matunga, on June 10, for the Fourth Graduation Day of a series of courses like spoken english, basic computers, tally, beauty culture (hair and skin), mehandi and tailoring, which were conducted from June 2016 to May 2017.
The Don Bosco Development Society (DBDS), Mumbai spearheaded the effort in empowering over 1300 people by imparting skill based training through government and non-government courses. 90 percent of the students were women. N Ambika, deputy commissioner of police, was the chief guest for the graduation day.
Each course stretched for a duration of two to three months and were designed to help the students earn their livelihood. Father Rolvin D'Mello, executive director – DBDS, welcomed the gathering and encouraged all the students to use various skills that they have learned and earn some income for their families.
The chief guest expressed her joy in seeing so many women being empowered through these skills. She further added the need of being a responsible citizen and how especially the youth ought to be more responsible.
Father Manuel Murzello, provincial economer, then spoke about the life of Don Bosco and how from a small beginning the works of Don Bosco have spread across the globe today. The programme ended with a short entertainment and cultural show by the students. It also included a display of the various things learned by them in their training period.