Dinesh Kamath's news 'From Cattle Shed to School' that was published in Newsband

From Cattle Shed to School

By Dinesh Kamath

Above Picture:- Children performing at the Annual day function and (Inset) Fr Thomas Varghese

URAN: The 7th Annual day function of St Stephen School, Jasai Village was conducted on 7 February 2015 at the School premises.

It was 9 years back when Fr Thomas Varghese used to frequent to Uran and one day two youngsters jumped in front of the car near Jasai, a small village and demanded money. On questioning them, he came to know that they were illiterate. He could not sleep for many days and finally Molsy, his wife and himself went to this place and found a small cattle shed there. This place gave birth to St Stephens School, the only English School in that area.

"From the cattle shed, I rented a godown and continued the school. Today happens to be the 7th Annual day function and we have over 275 students learning to live a proper life," said Fr Thomas Varghese, President and the founder of the School.

Talking on the occasion to over a crowd of 600, Dr. Jayakar Ellis, Chief Guest and President, Heart Foundation, requested the parents to join hands and help the Father to get a land so that their children would get a better place to study. He also complimented Father's work and appealed for more like minded people to go to different areas and set up schools for the needy.

"I am very happy that our School has been recognized by many NGOs as an Innovative school and our students have received national awards for handwriting and various areas," said Mrs Revathi Nair, Head Mistress of the School.

"I am so glad to give my premises for such a worthy cause," said Sanjay Gharat, the owner of the place. The ceremony was graced by Noted Comedian Satish Deore, Prof. Molsy Thomas and others.