On the 14^th January 2017, the girls of Cl. IXA, B& C of Auxilium Convent School, Barasat visited St.Ann’s Home for the Aged for the Solidarity week Celebration, which the social service club had worked so hard for.The teachers in-charge were Ms.Karatoa, Ms. Soma, Sr.Sudip, Ms.Jayanti Nag and Ms.Anjali.The girls set off for this short trip at 8:30 am, after the morning assembly. Upon reaching there, the students were welcomed by the grannies and granapas with their warm smiles. The students divided into groups and went to each and every room in the main building and spent time with the elderly people, singing songs they liked, dancing, talking and everything possible to keep them happy and joyful. They also gave beautiful showls to each of them and bade farewell, promising to come again. Then girls went over to the other section of the institution, which was reserved for the aged persons who were terminally ill. There performed a short programme consisting of a prayer, a couple of group songs, a stand-up comedy shows a recitation by Anuripa, and solo singing performance by Sreetama and lastly a Dance. The students before leaving took lot of photos and hugging them for a last time before departing. The students returned to school at about 11 am bringing of a new bond and a memory that would forever be engraved in their heart, mind and soul.

 Maitryee Roy

  IX C

On 14^th December 2016, for the first time Mazzarello School students  visited the Old Age Home. Ten student’s representatives along with sisters and Mrs. Amarjeet Kaur  visited the old age home. They entertained  them with Christmas carols. Students were in tears when they began to share about their life and how they have landed in this old age home. Their messages to the students were: to study well; to listen to the elders; never leave parents alone; seek always their advice and always be good. At the end students sang Christmas carol and presented gifts to all and cash to Sr. Gemma  who is in charge  of the  old age home.

On 14^th and 15^th January 2016, Auxilians visited old age home, juvenile jail, Kamakhya orphanage, Peergacha primary school, Mother Teresa’s home, Providence home and South Kazipara School to spread the message of love by lending out a hand towards  the less fortunate. Students entertained them and spent sometimes with them. Some groups also had some interesting programmes and games with the inmates on the spot. Indeed the Works of Mercy were practiced in a tangible way by visiting the sick, lonely, those prisons and by clothing the necked, comforting the sorrowful. The brick field workers were invited to Auxilium, Barasat.

Whole school contributed towards the solidarity week collection but from class five onwards were directly involved in distribution. The real joy and happiness were seen in the faces of givers and the receivers.

The class IX  A students who visited Kamakhya Orphanage stated, “Although these children are less privileged ones yet they are happy and contented with the things they have, so we should also be happy with whatever we have and be grateful to God ”.

Debasree Pal of Class IX C, who visited the Providence Home exclaimed, “Sisters gave a home to them for whom the sky is the roof and the cold earth is the common floor. We loved our endeavour of community service which brought a broad smile on the faces of children”.

Class VIII girls who visited Green Park and met the mentally and physically challenged people said, “We witnessed the tussle they go through”.

Class VIII boys who visited Kishalaya the juvenile home also shared their experiences, “Many boys came forward to sing songs, recited poems and played football match showing their equal talents as the Auxilium boys.”

Class VI boys and girls who went to South Kazipara primary school also commented, “When we were distributing the things we felt inner joy that touched our hearts. They are really poor they have nothing compared to what we have”.

Class V students who saw the brick field workers coming in sheer poverty some even without a pair of slipper said, “Now we understand what the reality people face is when they are poor and we take things for granted.”

Indeed the reality in and around Barasat has touched the hearts of the Auxilians and their eyes were opened to realize how blessed they are with various opportunities in life. They were very grateful to the management and the school for providing this opening to be generous, loving and caring.

Sr. Basanti FMA