Visit to NAB and St. Anthony's Convent - Home For Boys
By Agnelo Pereira
Our Parish Youth along with our Parish Priest and Youth Animator Dr. Fr Bolmax Pereira visited the National Association for the Blind (NAB), Santa Cruz and St. Anthony's Convent - Home For Boys. We were around 30 cheerful youth, full of energy and enthusiasm. We offered a short prayer and commenced our journey.
Our first destination was to NAB at Santa Cruz. The NAB provides a friendly environment for around 30 young people with visually impaired disabilities. The inmates at NAB gave us a warm welcome by singing Konkani traditional songs. Mr. Richard Pinto, the NAB Secretary gave an introductory talk on the importance of NAB in our Society .Later, Mr. Prakash Kamat, ex-Senior Editor, The Hindu and a close collaborator of NAB introduced us and highlighted the various achievements of the inmates, in spite of their special needs.
Our NAB friends
Next, Nathaniel introduced our Parish Youth Association and gave an insight into our various activities. Later, Mr. Mahadev Sawant, our host of the day, guided us through the daily life of visually impaired people and also highlighted the importance of Braille and White cane.
Our NAB friends
Our NAB friends
Our members were encouraged to interact and spend some quality time with the young people at NAB. Interacting with them helped us to get an insight into their daily routine. Later, we played a few games and had a wonderful time with them.
"I was amazed to see a new perspective of life"
Neola (SFX Chicalim Youth Member)
At NAB
Later, Anlia, our Coordinator proposed a vote of thanks to the NAB authorities and the young people there and concluded our visit by presenting a small token of appreciation to the later.
"In spite of special needs they represent our state in chess and cricket which is impressive, they have truly found ways to look at the world using different methods."
Anlia (SFX Chicalim Youth Coordinator)
After lunch, we visited the St. Anthony’s Orphanage Home, at Agassaim. Here we were warmly welcomed by around 30 young boys along with Sister Saude Rodrigues.
Our friends at St. Anthony's Boys Home
Our friends at St. Anthony's Boys Home
We organised a few engaging activities and games for them and were touched by the energy of these young people. Later, we concluded our visit at around 5.30 pm, with a vote of thanks by Sharol.
At St. Anthony's Boys Home
It was a wonderful experience for our youth to interact with the inmates of NAB and St. Anthony’s Home For Boys. A word of appreciation to our Event Coordinators, Atish and Sharol for their efforts for their skills in organizing the event successfully.