by Cleric Rohan D'Souza for BISMumbai

Understanding the migrants’ expression of distress, Don Bosco Nerul has been animating the adults from the different migrant communities it caters to. One of the means of avoiding social evils is by involving them in activities and games so that they openly communicate and share their challenges.

The past few months the social work staff of Don Bosco Nerul along with the Salesians has been visiting the Khanda Colony, Panvel, and other such villages. The purpose of this visit was to help the adults revisit their younger days where recreation helped them stay away from the social evils. The adults fully participate and enjoy the sessions. After a while, what is emphasized is the need for education in the lives of their children. We got the groups in a process of self-assessing the value of education while also asking the women and men to think about their daily lives and struggles. Following this small interaction, the staff goes on to visit the houses of the members of the community. People happily welcome them, share their problems, and express happiness and gratitude for visiting their homes.

DB Nerul has been having many such effective and engaging sessions with the migrants to help them build their confidence, the importance of being educated, and, a better understanding of their health and have power over their medical care throughout the Navi Mumbai slums and villages.