Mangalore: Dreamzz, Dubai team celebrates Christmas meaningfully

Pics: Brijesh Garodi
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (NM)

Mangalore, Dec 28: Felix Jacob, Moodubelle of St Antony’s Home for the Poor, Jeppu is dancing and nobody can stop him. He is not alone. Jacob is among the many inmates who were delighted to hear the tunes of Christmas carols, the food and more importantly, to see new and young faces.

The new faces were of the members of Dreamzz Association, Dubai who, in an exceptional gesture, chose the ashram to share the joy of Christmas on Saturday, December 28.

If Anthony Cardoza was dressed as Santa Claus, other members Roshan Fernandes, Cleevan Mendonca, Mamatha D’Souza and Cressilla Rodrigues sang Christmas carols. The atmosphere was lively as everyone joined the dance floor along with the inmates. It was followed by a lunch shared by all.

For the nearly 380 inmates, it was more than just a celebration. The new faces and the sense of togetherness overshadowed everything else. It was obvious when 80-year-old Lilly D’Souza of Bantwal came on to the dance floor along with the others to the tunes of carols.

A smiling Alphonse Carvalho, another inmate, shook hands with the association members and said that the programme meant a lot to her. She then added, “Borein zale” (It was good).

It was no different for Jacob. "They (Dreamzz Association) promised to come back here again," he said joyfully.

Towards the end, caretaker Ashwin Crasta thanked the Dreamzz Association for sharing Christmas joy with the poor. “The team has come here with a lot of preparation. Their presence has indeed made the inmates happier, especially with the Santa Claus, Christmas carols and the food."

This is the third time the association has choosen the road less travelled on Christmas. Apart from educating as many as 11 girls, the team also launched, ‘Gift a toy, get a smile’ drive last year, wherein Dreamzz collected toys from people around the UAE and sent them to the less fortunate South African children.