(ANS – Bangalore) – Bangalore Oniyavara Seva Coota (BOSCO), a non-governmental organization of the Salesian Province of Bangalore (INK), organized a unique Christmas gathering in the city of Bangalore for children from various walks of life on 25 December 2012. Over 1000 children flocked to BOSCO Mane, Chamarajpet, to celebrate Christmas with Santa Claus.

This year’s Christmas was a special day of joy and happiness for the deprived children in and around Bangalore city as they sang and danced with Santa Claus. They belonged to different castes and creeds, speaking different languages. Each child also received a Christmas gift from Santa, and the festivity continued with a sumptuous meal.

The day’s programme had been planned to bring children from various areas and slums of Bangalore city and share with them the joy and peace of Christmas. Children staged a number of cultural programmes to mark the birth of Jesus who descended on earth to proclaim and obtain justice for the poor and downtrodden and voice the concerns of the voiceless.

Rev. Fr. Pradeep, from the Society of St. Paul’s, delivered the message of Christmas and wished the children the peace and happiness of the season. They were happy and jubilant as they cut the Christmas cake and danced with Santa Claus.  The celebration made them aware that they had a privileged place in the heart of the babe born in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago.

BOSCO has been working with these children on the streets of Bangalore, Karnataka, since 1980. BOSCO rescues and rehabilitates an average of 7000 children/young people at risk each year. BOSCO has also formed Caring Communities in Bangalore wherein community members come forward willingly and play active roles in child rescue and rehabilitation process. Currently BOSCO is piloting a foster-care programme for the country.

Published 03/01/2013