Bengaluru, March 7: St. Joseph’s University, Bengaluru, through its School of Social Work, organised a children’s fest titled “UBUNTU – I Am Because We Are” through the Social Work Students’ Association (SWSA) in collaboration with the Christian Students’ Association (CSA) on Saturday at the All Saints Church campus.
The event, held at All Saints Church, brought together nearly 130 children from underprivileged communities, offering them a day filled with learning, fun and meaningful engagement. The programme was coordinated by Faculty Coordinators Dr. Mary Princess Lavanya (SWSA) and Ms. Viola Maria Noronha (CSA), along with Student Coordinators Mr. P. Jackim (SWSA) and Sailaja (CSA).
The programme began at 9.30 am with an inaugural session and invocation seeking God’s blessings. Fr Don Prem Lobo SJ, the chief guest, addressed the children and highlighted the importance of education, encouraging them to strive for a better future through learning and determination. Rev Solomon, the guest of honour, reminded the children that good food, quality education and a dignified life are their fundamental rights, prompting the children to enthusiastically repeat these affirmations together.
The fest provided a platform for the children to showcase their talents through cultural performances and participate in ice-breaking games, creating an energetic and inclusive atmosphere.
One of the key highlights of the event was an interactive life-skills session conducted by Fr Simon. During the session, the children were divided into groups and encouraged to elect group leaders, promoting teamwork and leadership skills. Using images of everyday objects and situations – including food, gold, spectacles, a rose, a hammer and a person with disability – the children were asked to select pictures and explain their choices.
Through this engaging activity, the children expressed their thoughts, dreams and perspectives. The discussion encouraged them to reflect on values such as empathy, responsibility, perseverance and vision for the future. The session, which concluded around 12.30 pm, saw enthusiastic participation and helped boost the children’s confidence, communication skills and critical thinking.
Following the session, the children enjoyed a community lunch and spent time playing and interacting with one another on the church campus. The programme concluded with a puppet show carrying important social messages, including awareness about safe and unsafe touch, personal hygiene, discipline, respect for parents and the risks of human trafficking.
The event wrapped up around 2 pm, leaving the children with both joyful memories and meaningful lessons. Organisers said the initiative aimed to create a positive and enriching experience while building confidence, creativity, teamwork and awareness among the participants — reflecting the true spirit of Ubuntu, the philosophy that reminds us: “I am because We are.”
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