Report and pics by Jessie Rodgrigues
Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (GA)
Bangalore, Dec 20: “You can unfold my dreams, you can make me exercise my right to education, you can add a twinkle in my young but weary eyes” Yes! At Asha Foundation, they do it.
Bangalore Archdiocese under the able leadership of Archbishop Bernard Moras, organized Asha Sponsorship day on Thursday December 18 at Worker’s Centre, Millers Road, starting at 10 am.
Out of 125 parishses, the diocese has reached out to 76 parishes totaling to 2,700 students caring for their needs, mainly their education part. Every child is provided with school fees, books, uniforms, medical aid if necessary, meals, family help(support and rehabilitation in case of alcoholism in the family), Get-togethers (holiday camps are organized for recreation, parents are invited on occasions and educated about home and family), Awareness programmes (conducted to expose children to the latest developments), Vocational programs (to help the child to choose the right career), Evening coaching (extra classes to ensure progress if the child is slow in learning) etc. Minimum of PUC education is provided to students and any occasional courses there on are provided.
The objectives of Asha : children are taught the importance of education, imparted knowledge and skills of leadership. The foundation strives to instill social, moral and spiritual values, promote personal dignity and creativity, train young minds to choose right vocations, impart problem solving skills and rationale, create a responsible and enlightened society etc.
The programme was a mixture of dances, skits, singing and speeches performed by the students. The children were excited to exhibit their talents and all of them came out of their best.
Frazer town police station circle inspector C R Geetha graced the occasion with her presence. In her address to the children, she narrated her life story, how she being a Tumkur girl came up in her life as she had a vision and dream, due to which she is what she is today. She enlightened the children to set dream in their lives and work towards it. Even the children from rural areas can come up in life if you have got goal, she added.
Archbishop Bernard Moras, managing director of Asha, lauded Geetha on her advice to the children.
Sr Tesesa Mascarenhas, coordinator of Asha, was happy to state that at Asha they work towards discipline and all round development of the children and thanked the benefactors and everyone involved with Asha, that God may bless their families.
The programme was compeered by the students themselves.