First Visit to BOSCO Mane

Below is my account of my first experience volunteering for BOSCO.  Here is an excerpt from BOSCO's website, www.boscoban.org, describing what their organization does.

"Bangalore Oniyavara Seva Coota (BOSCO) is a voluntary organization working with street and working children in Bangalore city for the last thirty years, we derive our inspiration from BOSCO the priest Don Bosco of Turin (1815 - 1888), an educationalist who worked tirelessly for the betterment of destitute and needy youth who lived on the streets during his lifetime."

(Journaled on March 8, 2012)

              The journey to BOSCO was made with two of my classmates in an auto rickshaw.  We initially arrived at the BOSCO headquarters, housing the main Human Resources department.  We were under the impression that we were to formally sign up as volunteers at this location and then travel to BOSCO Mane in order to volunteer with the children. This visit began on a slightly confusing note, because the only HR person was on leave for Holi celebrations.  Fortunately, Mr. Arun Thomas at BOSCO headquarters was very accommodating and referred us directly to BOSCO Mane in order to both register and volunteer.  We simply had to catch an auto to the Mane location. 

            After riding in two auto rickshaws as well as consulting with numerous pedestrians, traveling to BOSCO Mane proved to be more difficult than anticipated.  We eventually ended up finding the location on foot.  Slightly overheated from the walk, we asked the friendly receptionist for the Human Resource Representative, Ms. Kavita.  Once the Ms. Kavita was informed that we had arrived, we were directed to wait, sitting on the floor, in a side hallway.  We only had a waiting period of about five minutes before being welcomed into the Kavita’s small and organized office and completed the mandatory paperwork for new volunteers.  Ms. Kavita then introduced us to the general purpose of BOSCO and informed us that our first volunteering experience would be with the newly enrolled/rescued children.

            Throughout the entire process of traveling to the different BOSCO offices and then going through the paperwork process, I was a bit anxious to start actually volunteering.  The moment that we were introduced to the children all of my anxiety floated away and I knew that all of the stress was well worth it.  The first thing that the three of us did was just stand in the small room as all of the 15 children sat patiently.  Then one of the Sisters, whom had been supervising the children before we came in, recommended that we play carrom with the children.  The children hurriedly placed the playing boards around the floor and began distributing the playing chips to each board. 

            The three of us split up and played at different ends of the room with different groups of children.  The two children that I was playing with were incredibly sweet and caring. They helped me score by placing the white chip in at the proper angle and instructing me to either flick it softly or “fast fast”.  I was surprised by the amount of English that the two boys spoke.  I could not help but to imagine what horrible exploitation these boys were escaping on the street. 

            Interacting with the BOSCO children was extremely influential to me, because I was able to bond and connect with individuals that are overcoming the worst of conditions.  I am definitely going to continue volunteering with BOSCO for the remainder of my time here in India.