Report:Jenview Mathias
On 19th March 2017, 33 members of Carmel ward moved from Urwa by bus at 9.15 A.m. with prayers and Hymns along with our Parish Priest. Our first stop was at ‘Ave Maria Centre for Palliative Care” at Vamanjur, a charitable institute started by Dr. Laveena Noronha in September 2008. This institute is committed for total care of chronic patients suffering from cancer and other ailments at last stage of their life when one finds them difficult to serve or no one to look after them. The patients admitted are given free medical treatment, medicine, personal care etc. and even for one attendant with free stay and food. All the services are charitable from the donations received including vegetables, provisions, food, money, services etc. The institute is managed by Dr. Laveena Noronha, Director, Dr. Naveen and Dr. Jessica visits patients whenever required. They are assisted by 22 workers including 12 health assistants. So far 76 patients are taken care by the institute. We visited all the patients and donated ₹12,000/- cash to the institute collected from our ward members.
Our journey continued to two more charitable institutes namely “Jeevandaam” and “Sneha Sadan” in Gurpur which are managed by Camillus priests and nuns where HIV and AIDS patients of all age groups are there. Presently 135 members are staying; out of them 100 are children with 6 months to 18 years age. We visited the elders at their bedside and children group separately. Games and entertainment was arranged for children for about one hour by our ward members. Children who won in games were given prizes and all children were given book, pen, pencil, and soap for their daily use. All the ward members and children shared Sunday lunch there, which was arranged by our ward members. Fruits were served to all present. Head of both institutions were presented cash of ₹12,000/- each as our donation. All the inmates there were looking happy to spend their time with us.
Our above visits given us an opportunity to be away from our daily work and share joy with the sick and deprived of health and family. We prayed for all those who devote their time for serving the needy and helping monetarily to run the charity.
To refresh from the journey, we played Housee, visited Pilikula Zoo, and shared good jokes and songs on return. All ward members participated felt happy that a Sunday was spent memorably during lent and expressed their gratitude to Rev. Fr. Stany Pereira and Mr. Hilary D Souza, Gurkar of Carmel ward.
