These five boys are used to seeing the trains pass them by. But thanks to Shelter Don Bosco, they now have a common reason to smile—they've all scored well in the recently-declared SSC examination results. Arjun, Sahul, Vivek, Vikas and Iqbal are 18 years of age, but were brought to Shelter Don Bosco at Wadala, when they were minors.
Father William Falcao, director of Shelter Don Bosco, where the boys lived, said, "Given the odds that these children face everyday, the boys have scored really well. They are now role models for all the other boys staying at the shelter. Our effort is to integrate them into the society." "We have created a space for these kids who have a native intelligence that is being brought to good use," he added.
Four of the five boys have scored a first class. Arjun Singh, who studied at Sitaram Prakash High School, scored 74%. "I want to study Commerce, and also do a computer course. I wanted to excel in academics; I am also happy that I have made my tutors at the shelter proud and now I am confident of a brighter future," he said.
Shelter Don Bosco has been working for "roofless and rootless" children of the city since 1987.
Sahul Hamid who scored 70% said, "Today with such decent marks, Ican look forward to a decent vocational course."Iqbal who scored only 42% isn't dejected about the low score. "I will wait for a year and apply for class XII privately, meanwhile I will work and save up money for the course," he said.
"Our centre allows boys only under 18 years of age to live at the shelter, but we do provide required counselling to those who have left the shelter as well," said Gayatri Joshi, volunteer manager at the shelter.
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