Report and pics by Jessie Rodrigues for Daijiworld News Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Mar 20:  The Middle East Association (MEA) observed its Lenten Charity Day on March 19 in the St Mary's Orphanage, Cook Town , Bangalore. 

The programme began with Holy Mass offered for the souls of the departed members and also for all the donors/sponsors of the event.   After the Holy Mass, an oil burner sponsored by Loy and Priya Pereira, and supplied by Ambica Engineering Works at a very reasonable price  was donated to the Orphanage, which was kindly accepted by director Fr John Anthony.

Speaking on the occasion, MEA president Jessie Rodrigues explained how a little thought of a small donation  turned into a big idea of an oil burner and now with the donations having poured in, it is extended to fit a steam boiler to this burner and modernize the complete kitchen. She also said that Association members and friends had generously donated for the cause and that was how the Association was in a position to donate a steam boiler.  

Further she said that former treasurer Joe Sequeira came forward with the suggestion of forming an "Orphanage Fund", wherein the funds collected would be kept in fixed deposit in a Bank and the interest earned thereon to be used for the expenses of the Orphans' Day.   The suggestion was supported by Janet Pereira who donated Rs.40,000 for the cause, in memory of her late husband and parents.  Thus the collection for the cause reached Rs one lac, other major donors being Rudolph D'Souza, Sharjah, Gilbert and Janet D'Souza, Abu Dhabi and Roshan Menezes, Carmel Education Society, Bangalore.

In his response, Fr John Anthony thanked the Association for the oil burner and said that it could not have come at a better time as he has been planning to modernize the kitchen, which is currently run on firewood.   He said that the orphanage houses 200 boys and the present kitchen is ill-equipped to cater to them.  He also expressed his happiness over the steam boiler which would revolutionize the kitchen and the cooking.   The present kitchen will be modified in a week or so to adopt both the oil burner and the steam boiler and the equipment will be commissioned immediately thereafter, he said.

The boys were treated to a delicious breakfast and were entertained with games, followed by prizes.   With a sumptuous lunch to the boys and members of the Association as well as to the staff of the Orphanage, program concluded at 2 p.m.  

No doubt, though the programme concluded, it has left smiles on the faces of these innocent boys, bringing them a family love and affection and making them to feel that they belong to the society and the country. It really means to them that "we do care". May the smiles on these children's faces  remain forever.