PG Accommodation for Migrant Workers

It came like a bolt from the blue, a request by Fr. VM Thomas, the close friend of Mr John Benedict: “Kindly arrange lodgings for 12 young students from Northeast India, coming to Bengaluru to work at the airport.

It is their first time in Bengaluru, and no one can guide or assist them. Please help!” The request was made on 15th May 2024 in connection with 12 youngsters trained at Don Bosco Institute, Guwahati, given their placement as staff at the Bengaluru airport outlets.

The request was for 12, but the final count came to 17, 13 girls and 4 boys. As was his wont, Mr. John immediately promised to help. It had not occurred to him that time was limited and that he could scarcely spare anyone from the office for this task. But a promise is a promise and has to be kept.

Thus, I began looking for accommodation – one for gents and the other for ladies, close to the airport and available immediately. The MF team took turns and collaborated to look for and arrange the accommodation and see related details. The visitors (15 of them) were reaching Bengaluru at 0.20 am, soon after midnight on 3rd June. The team was asked to meet and take them to their lodgings at night.

The MF team did indeed make the needed arrangements – from informing the group leader that he would be at the airport to welcome them to assure them that he would take them to their respective lodgings and give them all the needed info for the days ahead, concerning travelling to the airport, etc. MF team member took his four-wheeler and got another vehicle, too, and you can imagine the rest.

The party from Northeast India recognised the MF team members before he recognised them. It was a happy experience for the group – all strangers to each other, but experiencing the joy of friendship because the goodness of heart united them. Soon, they were on their way to the lodgings; introductions were made, and they settled down for the night. Team members reached back to their residence by 3:00 in the morning. He had lived and manifested the spirit of the Marrian Foundation – led by a guiding star. “I did what I had been asked, Sir; other things did not matter”, was the comment of the MF team about this act of kindness.

That’s not all. Marrian Foundation agreed to pay a significant share of this group's boarding and lodging expenses for three months. Each one of them would pay Rs. 1000/ only per month towards these expenses. The group grew to 22, all from families of the lower economic group. We believe we have helped them stand on their own feet.

“We were happy that someone was waiting for us at the airport to pick us up. We arrived late at night, but the guy who picked us up dropped us off at the PG and returned. We are extremely grateful to him. The PG is fine so far, but there are four of us, and we are sharing a room with three beds joined together, so it's a bit congested. So far, we are happy with it. Thank you.” (The leader on behalf of the other three boys)

“We are grateful to the Marrian Foundation for being there in our lowest time. We sincerely thank Fr V.M. Thomas, Sir John Benedict and his colleagues. We sincerely appreciate and treasure what you have done for us. The accommodation and the food are excellent; the owners are friendly. Thank you so much, Marrian Foundation, for being there for us.” (The leader among the girls)