Mangaluru: The sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany, Mangalore province organized a day together of the Hostellers of Bethany Educational Society (R) on Monday at Sacred Hearts’ Higher Primary School auditorium, Kulshekar.

Around 210 hostellers were present to celebrate their day. The entire day was spent in learning, sharing, recreation and exhibiting their talents in a spirit of joy and delight.

The day commenced with a joyful note, as the young girls joined together from six different hostels and joined in sing song and ice breaking activities. Sr Cicilia Mendonca, the provincial superior and corporate manager of Mangalore province presided over the programme and gave a start for the day by lighting the diya and gave visibility to the divine presence and inaugurating the hostel day. In her message, she applauded the young hearts. She said, “Hostel life experience is wholesome and children get multiple learning opportunities, be it in academics or extra-curricular activities.In hostel, it is possible for children to give their focused attention to studies and to develop their talents and potential. They get ample opportunities to excel and explore. Sports and group activities, recreational activities in the hostel make the boarders healthy, physically and mentally fit to grow in all spheres.”

She congratulated the warden sisters who fill for the children the place of a mother and prepare the children to be industrious and useful members of the society.
Jacintha Pinto, the president of KORWA (Konkani Overseas Returnees Welfare Association) Mangaluru, one of the chief guests appreciated the Bethany sisters for their selfless services in shaping the young lives of children in the hostel and providing them a home away from home. Alice Lobo another guest of honour applauded the hostellers and called upon them to focus on academic excellence and character formation. Both the guests of honour congratulated the organizers and confirmed their services to humanity specially education of the poor and the marginalised.

Psychotherapist Sharmila Sanil, the day’s resource person, dealt on the different factors affecting integrated development of the children in the hostel. She said, as children it is important to learn to accept oneand take responsibility for their study and behaviour.

The day’s programme was sponsored by BES Vamanjoor. The 75th Birthday of Mary Braggs was celebrated with great honour and delight. The Braggs family’s Valerian Braggs had sponsored the afternoon meal and snacks.

In the afternoon, the students of different hostels presented colourful cultural programme with dance, songs, action songs and skits. Indeed it was a feast to the eyes. Different games were organized for the students and winners were awarded with prizes. Indeed the day was full of fun and laughter.

The assembled congregation was grateful to God for the gift of these children who are to climb the ladder of learning and contribute their share in building humane society.

Sr Mariola, the province coordinator for education welcomed the students and the guests. Sr Jessy Leena the headmistress of Sacred Hearts’ Higher Primary School applauded the winners with prizes. Sr Anita Nathalia compered the programme. It was a day spent in fulfillment of the dream of the servant of God R F C Mascarenhas, the founder of Bethany, who taught the sisters to care for the hostellers and accompany them on their journey of holistic growth and motivate them to self-confidence and self-esteem.