The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Street children have a merry Christmas with Santa

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Dec 26, 2007
ePaper

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Street children have a merry Christmas with Santa

Staff Reporter

Bosco has been organising Christmas festivities for 28 years

Children of all ages participate in the cultural programmes
All children took home toys and balloons among other gifts

— Photo: G.P. Sampath Kumar

Having fun: Santa Claus posing with the children at the Christmas celebrations in Bangalore.

BANGALORE: Vijay, a 17-year-old boy who works in a workshop at Kaggadasapura, says that the Bosco Christmas festivities have been part of his life ever since he can remember. For all the children living in nearby slums and for children involved with Bosco, a non-governmental organisation, Christmas is incomplete without the morning celebrations and sumptuous banquet at Bosco Mane.

In this consumerist day and age, the Christmas experience at Bosco Mane — being held for the 28th consecutive year — is the closest that one can come to the spirit of Christmas. Children of all ages, from toddlers to teenagers, from its rehabilitation and Street Children Shelter programmes, seem to have rehearsed well in advance to present various cultural programmes. People from neighbouring areas lined up along the walls to watch these talented children dance enthusiastically to popular film music. The children clapped with joy and jumped at the end of every performance and seemed to having a ball interacting with the round cuddly Santa Claus who distributed T-shirts to all children present. “The dances were very good and I had fun. The mama gave me a new shirt and cakes,” says Lakshman, who flaunted his new pink balloon. All children took home toys and balloons among other gifts.

“We do not need to call anyone, they come on their own. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing their smiling faces which represents the spirit of Christmas by itself,” says Father Edward Thomas. Children from eight Bosco centres were brought to the venue early in the morning. The children would hardly sit still to eat their cakes and the lunch provided.

“We brought some cake for the children and came directly after church to see the celebrations. Besides spending time with our family, it is one of the best ways to celebrate the festival,” says Jason Jacob, who came with his family.

“The purpose of keeping this function open to all public, is also to inspire people. We hope seeing this spirit will make them want to come back and spend more time for a charitable cause,” says Father Thomas.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka