Sakshum ... cultivating dreams

The journey started with hot weather and lots of confusion on ways to reach Nampally Criminal Court. We reached at a place where the board mentioned Don Bosco Transit Home for Street and Slum Childrens directed us. It was 11.00 am and one of our friend Janish joined us and by 11.15 we moved forward to our destination. We reached there and found it was locked, the line of worries came on our faces. But in another few seconds sister Lizi peeped from the maingate and gave us a warm smile. She welcomed us and then we introduced ourselves and got oriented to the Home. We were being informed that the organisation is working with enforcement team of ILO. ILO teams bring all deviant and mischevious or runaway chidren from different places like railway station or hotels etc. They told us about the different branches, vocational centre in ramanthpuram and various govt schools that were helping and open to mainstream these street and slum children.

The Staff was welcoming and kids were little more. All welcomed us by waving and shaking hands. In another few minutes the youngest kid was there in my arms and others surrounded us. There were few rounds of games conducted by Satprakash, Janish, Ajay from Satyam Foundation and Vik (Vivek) from Oracle India. The environment was full of fun and energy that we all mingled well and started enjoying our childhood. Since it was a Saturday so as per schedule all kids were waiting for their saturday surprise.

It was the weekly movie...they waited eagerly. After the session of games they had lunch and they were well organised that we all were really surprized. In the end we distributed sweets and in returns we got lots of thanks and smiles. Finally, we said bye to all. They were happy and in return they promised that they would do well in their exams and come up with flying colors.

It is not an easy job to teach the lesson for being good citizen and bring back them to rehabilitative life as it is not easy to live a life that is bound with some rules and guided by social norms. Here i would like to appreciate the patient, dedicated and trained staff ,who made it possible. There were few success stories who are rehabilitated and pursuing their higher education like engineering and MBA. One was Mr Vasu who is now a care taker and a Dance teacher at Don Bosco. He was feeling proud being the first kid from Don Bosco Transit Home.

The children and enviroment made my day.......

Dr. Neeti Sharma

Few moments we captured are: