Event during Bandra Fair for disadvantaged kids has its genesis in 1984 group of St Xaviers sophomores. Most would cringe at the commercialisation that has taken over the week-long Bandra Fair but a Thursday morning tradition with a difference at the September event would make even its worst critics smile. On this day,the excitement at Mount Carmel Church ground is palpable as a group makes the day for children with joyrides,entertainment,treats and gifts. The group,Just BCause,was born in 1984 as part of the Social Service League at St Xaviers College. There is no particular reason why we do this,which is why we do not want publicity. We are not an organisation,just a group of friends who started this when we were in college and felt it shouldnt stop, said a member of Just BCause. The five core members are supported by over 30 friends and family members who take time out every year to entertain children on this particular day. In 1984,Just BCause started by hosting a few children from one NGO. Twenty-eight years later,last Thursday,there were over 700 children at the event coordinated with 14 NGOs including the Spastics Society of India. Some of these children are from NGOs working with streetchildren; others from NGOs working with poor families; some are wheelchair-bound. We try to make it memorable for each and every one because many do not have the opportunity to enjoy what we take for granted, said a Just BCause core member who had brought his daughter to the event. Escorted by their NGOs,children started to trickle into the September Garden at around 10 am. After the rides,including the ferris wheel,came refreshments. There were entertaining acts at the Mount Carmel Church annex that is used as a rehab centre for drug addicts by the Kripa Foundation throughout the year. Children were seen with wide grins between cold drinks and games. A temporary tattoo booth was a major draw. At noon,a magic show regaled them. One member of the core group is an entertainer who does corporate shows. Every year,we have something new to offer the kids. Weve had a Charlie Chaplin,a Spider-Man and this year we had a magician, said a Just BCause member. As children caught their breath amid the excitement,the mammoth effort behind organising the events remained inconspicuous. They do such a good job. You would hardly realise it. Its heartening to see volunteers carry kids in wheelchairs and put them on the ferris wheel. They take such good care of them. The kids love it and wait for this day every year, said Fr. William Athaide. He added that National Service Scheme students from St. Andrews College,who are put on regular duty at the fair,also volunteer for the group. Its just common people with large hearts coming together for a cause, said a core member. We found this on our own and were not restricting it to Mother Mary feast,we would love to do it for children during any other festival but we would need help to pull it off and we do not have the resources, said another member. After a hearty Chinese spread followed by icecream and gulab jamun,its time for a bag of goodies for the children. It has toys,pens,pencils,books,erasers,toothbrushes and soaps. A few years ago,we felt we should give the kids something they can take back to remember the day but we also wanted these things to be useful. We spread the word among family friends and office colleagues who helped us with contributions. This is how we put the goodies bag together, explained a core member. He added,We do have little things during other celebrations but its on a much smaller scale. Over the years,Just BCause members,among other little gestures,have visited orphanages dressed as Santa Claus on Christmas,and old-age homes as clowns on Easter carrying gifts. (To volunteer for Just BCause call 26433027)
