Our school had taken us on a outreach program in commemoration with the week of ERADICATION OF POVERTY where we had collected some money among our classmates to give it to people in need. A few of us volunteered to spend a day with them. Before, we could leave I was so excited to go and share "The feel of helping" but yet, I was nervous not knowing how the experience would turn out to be. Our ride started off with prayers. On reaching there we were given a warm welcome. We gave them the goodies we had bought for them. Then we moved onto interaction time. The silent hall broke into a room of chaos, each one started talking and sharing. Initially their pain was reflecting as tears but soon when we started to dance and sing they were overjoyed. Finally it ended with them thanking us again. While we hugged and bid good bye, I learnt that I am blessed, lucky and privileged for the things I have . I am grateful for it.

The biggest take home Realisation was that we must count our blessings in life and value our parents and our family members. They help us sail through all the challenges in our life. I am thankful for the Realisation that has set in to make my life more meaningful.

Report by Santoshini of 11 science

On Saturday we went to Don Bosco Anbu Illam to interact and spend time with the underprivileged. It was a time away from our usual routine to bring into deeper Realisation about life.

Don Bosco Anbu Illam students welcomed us with eager hearts and smiles. We met kids who were sweet, loving and brilliant. On interacting with them I realized their thirst for larger dreams to happen in life. We met kids of various age groups even an infant and felt the Realisation that God has blessed us abundantly. Though it was a brief visit it opened our eyes to the larger challenges that people face in life, yet are hopeful for a better future. We went home with the assurance to be better individuals in life.

Report by Aishwarya Lakshmi 11 Bm

The purpose of this outreach program was to visit a girl's orphanage, Don Bosco, Anbu Illam, located in Madhavaram. We who were volunteered to visit started from School at 9.30 a.m. and reached there by 10.30 a.m. As soon as we reached there, we walked for a distance from the entrance to the orphanage building. We also bought a few essential commodities they needed putting away our pocket money. We were accompanied by Sr Administrator who helps out in managing the day to day activities of Saranalayam. As soon as we entered their hall , the girl's were blushing as they were shy to face us initially.

Sr welcomed us by talking to us for a while, we were ushered with a heart-warming welcome clap by the inmates. Each of us gave them the goodies bought for them and were happy to see the smile on their faces. After a while we had an interaction session with them which brought us into big Realisation about the countless blessings which we take for granted. We got a peep into their brokenness and loneliness which they accept with courage.

I learnt that with barely minimum comforts they were able to appreciate the beauty in life. The interaction session opened our eyes to the innumerable challenges faced by them and how they learn to handle them on their own. The lesson I learnt from them is even in tough situation they smile. They are so kind and loving. We should be grateful to God because living with our parents is a blessing.