Immersion Experience

The 2nd year philosophy students, with Fr. Szymon SCJ (Poland), came from our community in Aluva, Kerala, to Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, to spend time working with and learning about street children. Welcomed by the Salesians, who run the 6 programs in the city, the students were given the opportunity to meet the children who live on the streets, first hand. For 8 days (October 6-13) they went to railway stations, and bus stations, seeking to bring children to the centers. They organized activities for them, and talked with them, listening to their very sad stories.

“In the beginning there was a negative and unapproachable mentality of the children. In the beginning of our ministry we were not welcomed by them. But with our own effort and with the help of God, we tried to get into their hearts, and we successfully won their trust and belief.”

“Only God knows how terrible and marginalized their lives are. We went for visiting them to drink from the vessel of their sorrowful lives to console them. It is sad to call to mind their lives, that they work every day like animals and are treated as animals. They even do not get sufficient food or money. There is injustice – behind the bitter experience of their lives from the part of the high classes.”

“This is a challenge for our future ministry, to work for social justice, for these street children.”

“Our idea about street children has been totally different that what we have experienced. We thought they are indecent. When we have approached them, they have approached us in a decent way. We have felt that they are good and human like us when we spent this week among them, sharing their joys and sorrows.”

To see photos click HERE.