Date:18/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/18/stories/2008081850560200.htm

Karnataka - Mysore

It will remain a memorable day for them

Staff Correspondent

They work during the day and attend classes in the evening

Don Bosco Makkalalaya helps street children to go to regular school
The institution selects such children for its
‘Nali Kali’ programme

MYSORE: These children never imagined that they would celebrate Independence Day in a meaningful manner as they did on Friday.

They work during the day and attend classes in the evening to prepare themselves to go to mainstream school.

Thanks to Don Bosco Makkalalaya, a rehabilitation project for street and working children in Mysore, 150 working children converged at the Good Shepherd School auditorium to celebrate Independence Day. Don Bosco Makkalalaya Director Francis John said the Independence Day celebrations were unique this year since street and working children together celebrated the occasion. They presented cultural programmes and enjoyed the occasion with their near and dear ones. The children take part in “Nali Kali”, a programme for preparing children for formal schooling, here. The working children attend classes conducted by Makkalaya at eight centres from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

“We involve the community so that the objectives of the programme are met. Our teachers meet the parents of working children and explain them the benefits of sending their wards to mainstream school. Once the children are capable to attend mainstream school, they are given admission in such institutions and their progress will be monitored by us so that they do not drop out,” he said.

The working and street children are selected under the programme based on a survey conducted by the volunteers of Makkalalaya, he said.