DON BOSCO HIGH SCHOOL - MATUNGA, 2012: STD X A & C
September 18, 2012: AVEC once again animated the students of Don Bosco High School, Matunga. Ninety seven students from STD X A & C participated in the Value Orientation Program. After a brief introduction by Fr. Glenford Lowe, the students were invited to focus their attention on the theme for the day: 'Living Your Life Guided by a Value Compass'. The students took part in the entire session with a lot of enthusiasm, active participation and attentive listening too.
Mr. Rochwyn Fernandes, AVEC Project Coordinator, began his part of the session with a prayer song 'Sarveshaam Swastir Bhavatu' praying for blessing of fullness, peace, prosperity, health, joy and love. The students joined in the second half of the prayer song. He also invited the students to focus and relax through a fantasy meditation. Focusing on 'Breath' as the medium for life and living, he enabled the students to look at the precious gift of life with a deep sense of gratitude to God. Fr. Glenford Lowe, AVEC Director, was then introduced to the students. His noble act of donating a kidney to a fellow Salesian priest impressed the students from the start.
The session by Fr. Glenford lowe began with a call to get MAD. "Make A Difference like Ryan, Kia Sherr, Jacquie Subarido and many others", challenged Fr. Glenford. "What you see is what you get", he kept repeating. Using everyday moments for Value based choices, he invited the students to reset their 'Broken Value Compass'. "No matter how broken your life is, or soiled, or hurt, or abused, or defocused, you can decide today to add Value and Meaning by focusing on a better me", he said. Through the use of simple everyday examples, powerful video clippings, motivational and insightful discussions, the students were able to get the message clearly.
The last part of the session was on 'Resetting Your Life and Your Clock'. To start afresh, the students were challenged to look at what was really important in their lives and to invest their time meaningfully in it. The video clip on the tragic, yet meaningful life, of Jacquie Subarido really touched the students. The simple life of Oseola Mcarthy, a daughter of a washer woman, added a touch of deep meaning too. "If they could make a difference, why not you?", Fr. Glenn asked. The silence that followed was a sign that a personal commitment would soon follow.
"Brought back the rays of dawn in my life haunted by dusk" - Prateek Mohapatra X -C
"It was an honour to receive guidance from Fr. Glenn. We could see a new hope in life and our view of looking towards it has really changed" - Shardal Patil X -C
"I am really fortunate for getting a chance to attend this session, helping me to know and develop my personality" - Joel Jose X
"What an experience! Wow! Was really filled with inspiring tit-bits. I have found a new outlook on life" - Rahul Jayavant x
"Congratulations to all the students of Don Bosco High School, Matunga from Standards X A & C for your whole hearted participation and eagerness to make of your life a Big Diffidence. God bless you all and enable you always to be 'Light House' students everyday of your lives. My prayers and blessing accompany you all as you prepare yourself for your Exams ahead" Fr. Glenford Lowe and Mr. Rochwyn Fernandes