Open doors for Nava Jeevan guests: World Children's Day in Mumbai

At St.Andrew's College, the event desired by Pope Francis was experienced by taking girls from a community for minors at risk in the Thane district to visit the city. Rector Fr. Magi Murzello: "Offering hope is a life-changing adventure".

Mumbai (AsiaNews) - A two-day visit to discover the great metropolis of Mumbai. This is the gesture experienced in Mumbai on the occasion of World Children's Day by 42 little guests of Naya Jeevan (New Life), the home run by the congregation of the Helpers of Mary in Asangaon, in the district of Thane, Maharashtra.

The initiative was promoted by Fr Magi Murzello, rector of St Andrew's College in Bandra together with the team of CACHE, the Centre for Advanced Studies in Culture, Happiness and Ethics.

For 60 years, Naya Jeevan has been a safe haven for minor girls: "All castes and creeds are welcome," Sr. Flory explains to AsiaNews. "Currently there is only one Catholic girl, the others come from the majority community. The girls study in nearby schools and stay with us. Fr Murzello organised the trip and the stay for these two days at St. Andrew's. They are all girls in difficult situations. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for them to see the Gateway of India, the Nehru Science Centre, the Museum, and to do the whole 'Mumbai Darshan', the city tour that includes about 60 attractions. We visited the Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount, in Bandra, and entrusted ourselves to Mary's maternal protection."

Fr. Magi explains that he organised the event precisely to experience the spirit of the World Children's Day desired by Pope Francis also in Mumbai on 26 May. "The objective we pursue with CACHE at St. Andrew's," he tells AsiaNews, "is to offer hope and support to people who face complicated challenges. It is a life-changing adventure'.