By C V Joseph

Bengaluru: Dream India Network, a not-for-profit Organization working for the benefit of children at risk, on August 12 opened its 50th foster home in Bengaluru, capital of Karnataka state.

The Franciscan Sisters of St. Elizabeth, an Italian congregation, will manage St. Elizabeth Children’s Home.

G Manjunath, chairman, Standing Committee for Markets, BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike), who opened the home for eight children, lauded the Christian community for diverting their activities to help the needy from its traditional services in healthcare and education sector.

“This is to be imbibed and emulated” by other communities to help the needy, particularly children, said Manjunath who is also the corporator of Madivala area.

He also said he was close to churches, convents and other Christian organizations and extended a helping hand wherever required. He assured all support to the endeavors of the community even in future. He hoped and wished that more such Foster Homes would come up in the city and all over the State.

Salesian Father Edward Thomas, the founder, mentor and adviser of foster homes, blessed the new foster home. While welcoming the guests and invitees, he said foster homes should substitute their homes for the children by making them feel the love, warmth and care of the parents.

Foster Homes with small number are more conducive, he added.

Father Thomas, who was in the state government’s commission of children’s welfare, urged all present to assume responsibility to take care of the eight children and other children in need.

Dream India Network created a platform for dreamers, the first dream being to have as many homes as possible. All, communities and neighbors, should jointly take care of children of this sort. Father Thomas said he had contacted some ministers and legislators for the purpose.

The priest is also the president of the Bengaluru unit of the Conference of Religious India that plans thousands of homes all over the country.

Sister Emmanuella, delegate superior of the congregation that manages the new home, said the presence of many at its opening indicated their interest in charity and solidarity especially the holistic wellbeing of children and youth. She urged the gathering to join together to change the life of those children by giving love, care and support.

Sister Emmanuella said her congregation founded by Sr. Francesca Casci in1888 at Casalino, in the Fiesole diocese of Italy, strives to enrich the Church serving the most needy such as the poor, children, youth and the sick.

It also helps local parishes through catechetical activities, home assistance and small medical, educational structures and homes for the sick and aged.

In India, the congregation has houses in Kottapuram in Kerala, Madivala and Magadi in Karnataka and Avadi in Chennai, capital of Tamil Nadu.