AMAR # 1068 Anmol Utsav 2019!

AMAR # 1068 Anmol Utsav 2019!

Anmol is an NGO that works with girls in difficult circumstances; it has Education Support Programmes in 10 outreach centres in 6 different areas.  Every year Anmol conducts a mega event to celebrate the precious life of a girl child. The Sisters and staff look forward to this day with great enthusiasm. This year 26 October 2019, was a day set apart for this celebration, and nearly 850 girls responded to our invitation.

The theme for the day was, ‘Hire Moti Sa Khass, Anmol Jeevan hai Mere Pass’ (Like the Unique Pearl, I have a precious life) Girls of 8 to 16 yrs from the streets, slums and pavements along with the girls from different NGOs were invited. The Utsav commenced at 8:30 am with registration, followed by breakfast.  The girls were free to play the stall games and pamper themselves at the ‘Large Beauty Parlour’,  with mehendi, nail art, hair styling, and tattoo making… all free of cost…they availed of everything.  There were stalls like karaoke, drawing, sharing your views, where they could display their own talents and abilities and win prizes.  Another unique activity was the ‘Photo Point’ where the girls felt special, thus the morning was filled with fun and laughter and moments of learning.

The inaugural function began at 11:15 am. Mrs. Urmila Jadhav, a member of the CWC was the Chief Guest and Mr. Savio and Mrs. Sylvy Menezes were the Guests of Honour. The guests along with our Sisters and the Golden Jubilarian -Sr. Aruna Castelino, lit the lamp inviting the Divine in our midst, the girls from our outreach centre Rabale, performed a prayer dance acknowledging the gift of life that God has given them and surrendering the same to Him.

The guests were then felicitated and Sr.Aruna Castelino was honoured as she celebrates her 50 years of Religious life, Anmol thanked her for her contribution toward the growth of Anmol right from its inception.  Mrs. Urmila Jadhav and Mrs. Sylvy Menezes inspired the girls with their motivating speeches, inviting the girls to see their uniqueness and go ahead, never giving up.   Sr. Joanna Lobo explained the theme of the day and then Ms. Urmila Jadhav was invited to Release ‘Anmol Ratan’ – a collection of poems written by the children from our different centers.   Lastly, the day’s theme was depicted by our Anmol girls through their marvellous acting and heart-throbbing dance.

A motivational session for the senior group was conducted by Ms. Reshma Mutha, an advocate at the high court. She helped the girls to look at life with a different perspective, giving them examples of women with great achievements. She also gave them small tips on self-defence. On the other hand, a colouring competition was held for the junior group with a drawing on the theme, thanks to Camlin for sponsoring the colours on this occasion.

Lunch was served to all present which was followed by a dance session which helped them dance away their blues and some others enjoyed winning little prizes as they played games and others continued dressing at the unique large beauty parlour, not wanting to miss the opportunity available to dress.

In the afternoon, the girls were served ice-cream and this was followed by a cultural programme. We acknowledged the talents and abilities of the girls with prizes and Sr. Joanna Lobo thanked all those who made this event possible, we then began with the dances.  Students from Rizvi College, of Hotel Management, Bandra, Girls from Maria Sharan, Keshnand and Mazzarello Centre, Uttan entertained the crowd with their mind-blowing dance performances. We were honoured to have Sr.Ritha Dora Thomas, the FMA Provincial of the Mumbai Province, Sr. Rita D’Souza the Provincial Administrator, Sr.Teresa Joseph and some benefactors from Switzerland visit us and be part of this great event.

Cloth bags were made by our After Care Home Girls to help propagate ecological values and each girl was given a bag as a take away gift, which had pens, a pencil,   given by LINC Pens, A snack packet given by SM Foods and other little things which were presented to each child thus bringing a smile on these precious faces.

We are indeed grateful to our volunteers who from different places gave of their best to these youngsters.   Anmol feels privileged to have been able to make difference in so many lives, we are sure the girls went home with new vigour to live their life with greater goals and may they continue singing ‘Love You Zindagi…( I Love Life)

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