By Alfred Menezes SDB for BIS Mumbai

On August 3, 2025, Shelter Don Bosco came alive with friendship, laughter and colour as the youth celebrated Friendship Day with infectious energy and heartfelt joy. The event served as a beautiful reminder of the value of friendship, unity, and the simple happiness of being there for one another.

The celebrations began with a lively dance session which was animated by Br Alfred, where the boys joyfully danced with one another, expressing their friendships through movement and music. Their unfiltered joy and free-spirited dancing filled the atmosphere with warmth and celebration. This was followed by a series of engaging friendship games conducted by Mr Gitesh and Br Alfred. Designed to encourage teamwork, laughter, and connection, the games brought out enthusiastic participation and helped deepen the sense of community among the youth of Shelter. The youth were taught the meaning of friendship and brotherhood through the games conducted.

One of the most touching parts of the celebration was the Friendship Band Making activity. Ms Klara conducted this event for the youth in which each of the boys was assigned a partner for whom he had to create a friendship band from the materials provided. The boys enthusiastically took part in creating colourful, personalized friendship bands—each crafted with care and creativity. Each youth used their creativity and artistic sense to make the best band possible for their assigned partner. When the time to exchange bands came, the youth exchanged bands with heartfelt messages, laughter, and plenty of smiles, symbolizing the love and trust they share. This was a moment of real joy and true friendship. It helped each person feel that they contributed to making someone else’s day better.

The event reflected the Shelter’s core values of love, respect, and solidarity. Every activity emphasized the importance of companionship and the support systems the boys have built for each other—turning Shelter into more than just a place to live, but a family to belong to. Vijay Kumar, a youth staying in Shelter commented on the program, “This helped me feel closer to my friends and also helped me to make new friends.” 

The celebration ended on a joyful note, leaving lasting memories and stronger friendships. Under the guidance of the dedicated staff, Friendship Day in Shelter became a heartwarming experience that celebrated the beauty of human connection in the simplest yet most profound ways.