0
0
The Province of St. Joseph, Hyderabad organized the annual “Volunteers’ Meet” on 5 and 6 March, 2018 at Don Bosco Navajeevan Bala Bhavan, Vijayawada. The meeting was inaugurated by Fr. Yeruva Joji, the Vice Provincial along with Fr. Salibindla Balashowry, the Executive Director, Navajeevan Bala Bhavan. Eighteen Volunteers hailing from Austria, Germany, Netherlands and Switzerland collaborating with our YaR centres in Hyderabad, Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam took part in this festival of togetherness. It coincided with the Birthday celebrations of Ms. Anna Griemel, a volunteer from Germany.
A thought provoking session was taken by Fr. Salibindla Balashowry sharing the concepts and skills of volunteering with group activity thus enhancing their life skills, boosting their confidence and expanding their social circle. A joyful cultural programme by the volunteers and the children added colour to the day. The Holy Eucharist was celebrated at Chiguru by Rev. Fr. Jose Kallupura, ADMA Spiritual Director and this was followed by a hike cum pilgrimage to Gunadala Shrine. It was a sight to behold these youngsters from Europe braving the scorching sun and humidity of Vijayawada and reaching the summit of the Gunadala hill. They also took the opportunity to visit Deepa Nivas another shelter home located in Gunadala.
The rest of the programme was held in Don Bosco Aspirantate, Gunadala which began with the interaction of Fr. Thathireddy Vijaya Bhaskar, the Provincial. The interaction gave a space to the volunteers
in sharing their work experiences, challenges and suggestions. It also helped the young volunteers to discover themselves through befriending and mentoring the children in the Don Bosco Centers. Mrs. Banu , the Incharge of volunteers, NJBB, Vijayawada animated on culture and its differentiation with the European culture by a group activity. Highlighting the habits of effective people, she focused on the need to strengthen and transform the lives of volunteers during their sojourn in India. The meeting came to an end with a feed back and way forward followed by the basket ball match with the volunteers and the aspirants.
