Media Release
Mangaluru, Dec 30: “Do not count the things you do; do the things that count,” says Zig Ziglar. Embracing this philosophy, the buddies of St Aloysius Pre-University College, Mangaluru, hosted an inclusive Christmas programme titled “Together We Belong”. This event brought together specially-abled children from the community, offering them a platform to connect, share, and celebrate alongside typically developing students.
Together We Belong is a purposeful initiative that provides the student buddies of St Aloysius Pre-University College an opportunity to understand, engage with, and develop sensitivity toward children with special needs such as autism, down syndrome, intellectual disabilities, and cerebral palsy. By fostering firsthand experiences, the program seeks to address the limited access these children often have to education, specialized educators, accessible facilities, skill development opportunities, treatment policies, and community engagement. This event endeavors to bridge these gaps by creating a day filled with joyful activities, ensuring that these children feel welcomed and celebrated.
The programme was conducted in collaboration with Meena Noronha, coordinator of the Special Parent Support Group, Mangaluru.
The formal programme commenced with a soulful prayer song, followed by an address by the principal, Fr Clifford Sequeira, and a parental insight shared by Meena Noronha.
In his inspiring address, Fr Clifford Sequeira invoked the Japanese concept of ‘Kintsugi’ as a poignant metaphor for the lives of specially-abled children and their parents. Kintsugi, the art of repairing broken pottery with gold lacquer, transforms fractures into features of greater value and beauty. Fr Sequeira likened this to the parents of specially-abled children, who courageously embrace their children’s differences, highlighting their unique qualities with love and acceptance-a gesture more precious than gold.
Meena Noronha, Coordinator of the special parent support group and mother of Calden Noronha (27), an individual with Autism, shared heartfelt insights into the challenges and joys of parenting children with special needs. She emphasized the importance of community engagement for their children and expressed gratitude for every productive day. With raw honesty, she spoke of the emotional complexities of parenting—the interplay of joyous and difficult days-and their resilience in taking life one day at a time.
Noronha also extended her heartfelt appreciation to the student buddies of St Aloysius Pre-University College for their genuine efforts in understanding and caring for their specially-abled guests. She remarked how this program brought smiles to the children’s faces and filled the hearts of parents with joy as they witnessed their children being part of a larger, inclusive community.
The event was replete with engaging activities, including paper Christmas tree decoration, carol singing, dancing, games, and a special visit from Santa Claus, who distributed gifts and spread festive cheer. The program concluded with a sumptuous lunch, marking the end of a memorable day filled with joy, inclusion, and celebration. II PU student, Emmanuel Sharan compered the programme and student counsellors, Sangeeta Sequeira and Sarah Crasta coordinated the programme.
Together We Belong stands as a testament to the values of empathy, inclusivity, and community spirit upheld by St Aloysius Pre-University College. This initiative not only brightened the day for specially-abled children and their families but also left an indelible mark on the hearts of all participants, fostering a deeper understanding of the beauty of diversity and the strength of togetherness.