by Father Rolvin D'Mello
MUMBAI, DEC 26, 2017: The Don Bosco Development Society (DBDS) celebrated the Children's Festival 2017 for nearly 400 poor children from the slums of 
Mumbai on December 23.
The parents of the children in attendance were beneficiaries of the DBDS slum project in the past. The festival was entitled 'Celebrating Childhood'. Apart from the games and fun, attractive prizes and meals, the children were also advised about issues relating to health and hygiene.
Father Manuel Murzello, provincial economer, Father Rolvin D'Mello, executive director – DBDS, Jayesh Chandan, president of Don Bosco past-pupils – Matunga and Suhani Mendonca were present at the event. The celebrations began with a prayer, led by a girl from the slums of Dharavi.
Father D'Mello in his address thanked Mendonca for sponsoring the breakfast for the children and the past-pupils unit of Matunga for sponsoring the lunch and attractive prizes for the children. The other guests urged the children to enjoy their childhood and focus on their studies.
"Today we are celebrating Christmas, Diwali and Eid all together for these poor kids and hence we have called it – Children's Festival," Surekha Pednekar, coordinator – DBDS, said.