International Women's Day is celebrated the world over, every year on the eighth day of March. It is celebrated to create awareness of gender equality for a healthy society. Also creating awareness among the society will further result in the overall development of the nation and its community. The day was introduced to celebrate womanhood and to pay tribute to the indomitable spirit of women across the globe.
The approval for the Women’s Day Programme was got three days in advance. The circular was circulated among all lady faculty members and girls for their information. On the 8th of March, the day started with a special Holy Mass offered by Fr Joseph Elavanal (Director of Don Bosco Skill Mission) for all women of Don Bosco Skill Mission and followed by the distribution of sweets to them. On the occasion of Women’s day, the lady faculties and female trainees prepared the afternoon lunch for all at the center.
The Don Bosco Skill Mission had arranged for the trainees to visit these old people on the occasion of women’s day. In the evening trainees along with staff members had visited HOLY SPIRIT HOME, a home for the aged, presided by Rev. Fr. Joseph Elavanal, Mr. Clarence (Administrator of Don Bosco Skill Mission), and Ms. Nivedhitha Antony (Regional Coordinator of Don Bosco Tech Society). Once the trainees reached the old age home, they found two categories of people there: the ones who were abandoned and deserted by their families and others who were physically disabled and mentally disturbed. The trainees showcased some cultural events like Solo Singing, Dance, group singing, etc.
Self-defense is a must nowadays to stay safe and lead a healthy lifestyle, so to motivate the girls and the old women there, some of our male trainees executed a MIME show, portraying the ‘Hurdles faced by a woman and how she overcomes those hurdles to become an independent woman. Though the trainees spent only a few hours with them, it made them realize the value of grandparents and the tenderness with which they should take care of them.
The trainees presented them with greetings, biscuits, flowers, pen stands, hand-made boxes, etc. The trainees were able to make out that they were very happy to have them there. The sisters who run the old age home were overwhelmed with the dedication and enthusiasm of the trainees. On the whole, the trainees gained a very good experience and were empowered to face a challenging world.