Myself and my husband along with our two teenage children visited Don Bosco on March 2nd, 2021. It was our son Satvik’s 18th birthday and we wanted to do something special for those children who are less privileged in terms of not having a supportive family. Two of Satviks friends too joined us. Although I was hesitant to actually celebrate Satviks’ birthday there with the 49 boys there who I presumed may be out of their homes since long and therefore wasn’t sure of the sensitivities involved.

Father Thomas had graciously agreed for us to visit the place and Father Jim reassured us it’s okay to celebrate the birthday!

After a sumptuous lunch with Chicken Biriyani and ice cream, the social worker Tony gathered the children and led the very unique birthday song which is a tradition at Don Bosco! They also had a clapping routine as per the years of birthday!

The children were a delight to see and they all interacted and spoke with us cheerfully. Needless to say it was the best way we could have spent our son’s 18th.

Not every child is privileged as ours in terms of having a family and the financial support or other opportunities however at Don Bosco you can see the next best way a child can live without their own biological family but they are a family by themselves. All children are encouraged in arts, music and sports and of course academics. And to their credit, some of them have emerged as state and national level players too!

We wish and pray for each and every child there for a bright future where their dreams come true and a future where they can dream of bigger things!

Dr. Maya Bose Vinod, MD Developmental Pediatrics
NIPMR, Irinjalakuda