Media Release

Bengaluru, Jan 13: Loyola Degree College, here on January 12 organised an outreach programme for the children of BESSO (Bethel Education Social Service Organisation) to celebrate Christmas and New Year. The students' Council of Loyola College brought out the message 'it is never too late to celebrate Christmas, a festival of joy, hope, peace and love'.

A troupe of 66 children from the BESSO Foundation, Hosur were wholeheartedly welcomed to the programme by the staff and students of Loyola College. Gilbert D'Souza (retired DTM of NABARD), Nagendra Reddy (son of Raj Gopal Reddy - renowned social worker), Ravi George of BESSO and Fr Anil D'Mello SJ (rector of Mount St Josephs) were the dignitaries present.

Gilbert D'Souza in his addressal to the gathering spoke about the need for discipline and respect to elders.

Fr Anil D'Mello SJ reminded everyone present that this day was about children and that it was vital to help wear a smile on their radiant faces and to love them unconditionally.

The student committee of Loyola put together a series of fun activities and games for the children. The organisers mesmerised the children with magic tricks, dance, mimes and Christmas carols. The children thoroughly enjoyed themselves as they participated in the various games.

A simple yet scrumptious lunch for everyone present followed. The children thanked Fr Francis D'Almeida (principal of Loyola Degree College) for his hospitality and for the parting gift of books and stationery.

Bethel Education Social Service Organisation (BESSO) is a registered charitable trust, founded by Sam Ganesh in 1991. The trust’s primary focus is to provide education and shelter for orphaned children in the districts of Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri in Tamil Nadu. Watching an abandoned child eat the leftovers from a banana leaf discarded by a hotel, stirred in Sam the urge to provide succour for such children.