India South

Healthcare Ministry in India South Unit

I came that they may have life and life to the full. Jn 10:10

As Presentation women in healing ministry we are called to follow Christ in the spirit of Nano Nagle bringing good news to the poor and the disadvantaged promoting God’s reign of truth, goodness, justice and peace. 

• We provide health care services for the poor and the marginalized with special focus on women and children, people living with HIV/AIDS and other health needs of the people that may emerge as a major concern.
• We give importance to holistic approach to health and alternative system of medicine.
• We endeavour to promote, realise and safeguard higher ideas and values in spiritual, moral, ethical, nursing, educational and social areas of health.

It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver. Mahatma Gandhi

The pandemic has radically changed all of our lives. It has brought severe restrictions to everyday life and painful limitations in social contact. But it has also spotlighted how important our health is. When Covid-19 hit, healthcare workers and hospitals found themselves frequently stretched to their limits. Our doctors, nurses, technicians, transporters, EMTs, pharmacists and everyone who supports patient care is rising to the occasion and caring for our most vulnerable populations. Their dedication, commitment and courage deserve our deepest gratitude and admiration. Their service to patients is saving countless lives and making thousands of differences. May we, the followers of Jesus and Nano, continue to spread the same love, compassion and healing to the people we now serve. Here, we present the report of the Health activities of different communities.

In Holy Redeemer Hospital, Theni, we provide quality care for all patients with medical assistance to the poor for both the Out patients and the In patients. We make sure that our facilities are available at affordable cost to the poor and we also educate them about the facilities provided by the Government sectors and encourage them to benefit by it. Some of our activities are…

• People’s Health is in their hand is our motto for Community Health. Our outreach programs are strengthened by using the services of self-help groups (women & men) in the neighbouring villages and colonies by ensuring our support to other mission stations in Vadaputhupatty (Old age home run by the Franciscan Sisters and every Thursday to Ahalya Health Centre, Varusanadu).
• We conduct awareness program for social transformation based on existing evil social systems and malpractices, through community participation in decisions that affect health.
• We provide special attention to help infertile couples by equipping the hospital with IUI procedures, and with Hormone Analyzer for better investigations and treatment. We have a team of Doctors for couple counselling.
• We have the availability of Diagnostic procedures; a well-equipped Operation Theatre for performing procedures like Laparoscopic, Hernioplasty, Appendectomy, Total Thyroidectomy etc
• We also practice alternative systems of medicines (Naturopathy, Magneto Therapy, Herbal medicine and counselling)
• We empower the young girls with job opportunities through our Vocational Diploma in General Duty Assistance (VDGDA) training.
• We also celebrate important days like Aayudha Pooja, Pongal, Christmas, Laborer’s Day, Nurse’s Day, Doctor’s Day…

In Nagle Health Centre, Colachel, we focus on the Holistic health approach. We have been ministering in Kottar Diocese, Kanyakumari district for over 46 years. Maternal health has been one of our services. Women come from far and near, seeking services during pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal period. Everyday people come to the Out Patients department seeking cures for various illnesses. We reach out by organising medical camps.

New Life Centre provides services for de-addiction through family counselling, deepening of spirituality, house visits, follow-up meetings, reconciliation rituals and retreats. On the 39th Anniversary of its beginning, 80 people participated in a three-day retreat and renewed their commitment to sobriety.

The Naturopathy Department provides drugless therapy including Yoga, Meditation, Body Massage, different types of baths, Magneto Therapy, Counselling, Stress Management and organic foods. We collaborated with the CRI Sisters at diocesan level and the Friends of Nano to empower a group of transgender with some income generation programme.

In Jeevan Jyothi Hospice we see the tremendous suffering of the people who are living with and dying of HIV/AIDS – which creates orphans and widows and made us think seriously and work effectively with commitment and dedication. We are conscious of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) as dignified individuals who have the right to a decent life, care, acceptance and therefore a right to our assistance and support for a better life. We try to be effective instruments offering quality, holistic, palliative and institutional care aiming at psychosocial and spiritual support to PLWHA which is community based, resulting in acceptance by rehabilitation in the community. We dream of a society which is healthy and free from HIV/AIDS. 

During our interaction with patients we realised that HIV/TB co-infection is very high and there are a few deaths among them. Our activities are based on our objectives as follows:

• We care for our patients in the hospice through medical / nursing care, palliative care, documentation, yoga training, spiritual support, good nutrition / nutritional training, visits of doctors, counselling for individuals, family groups, one to one interaction: providing nutritional support and general care.
• We reach out to the wider community by community/home-based care, house visits, referrals, children’s education, awareness programme, palliative care, meeting the people on Anti-Retro Viral Therapy (ARVT) and PLWHA, providing psychosocial support, attending in foster care meetings, legal aid training, organising Income Generation Programmes, training caregivers and programmes for CIA / CAA.

Our response to Covid-19 has brought tremendous change in the life of many at different levels, economic, social, educational and so on. People were depressed due to lack of finance and food. We continue our support to the poor and needy with rice, dhal and groceries. About 750 families received the nutrition support. Our target groups are tribal families from four villages, elders who have no one to care for them, widows and disabled. Also we identified transgender people who needed support and those families affected by Corona Virus.

In the Healthcare Centre at Karanje, every month we attend to 250-300 patients in the dispensary. We use herbal medicines for basic illnesses wherever possible. We have thirty-six health workers who keep basic emergency medicines with them to treat basic and minor illnesses at the initial stage. The health workers are also trained to prepare herbal medicines and dispense the same. 

It is through these Health Workers that we reach out to the tribal people in remote and inaccessible villages. We hold annual Medical Camps. We also maintain a Herbal Garden in our campus at Karanje. Palghar District has one of the high rates of malnutrition. In order to reduce malnutrition, we have a Nutrition Program for the children. This is mainly for infants and children up to 10 years of age. We make tonics and other similar nutrients. Through health education, we create awareness and try to prevent the diseases on time. In this area, there are no proper toilets, no washrooms or bathing spaces. We begin merely with the children to make them aware of many possible health hazards and to inculcate in them the value of cleanliness, concern for others and taking care of self.

In Kanikai Matha Healthcare Centre at Kanur, our focus is on physical, mental, social, psychological and spiritual health of the human being. People come to our centre not only for physical ailments but also for counselling. Over the past six years 5,091 patients benefited through our health centre for different ailments. Some of our activities are…

• We organised programmes for adolescent girls on healthy relationships at home and in society.
• Awareness programmes on personal hygiene, reproductive health care, nutritional programme and communicable diseases to different age groups have been provided.
• We organised a free eye camp with the help of the Pondicherry Aravind Eye Hospital. Four hundred and fifty-four people were screened and cataract surgery was done on seventy people.
• We visit the sick, especially the terminally ill people.

SOCIAL MINISTRY IN SOUTH INDIA PROVINCE

In the Light of our vision statement, we commit ourselves to the Spirituality of Being in Communion in our social ministry, which draws us to care for the whole community of life, in particular – Women, Children, Indigenous People (tribal), and Care for our Common Home. In responding to the call in the Mission Statement to witness prophetically, we, the South India Province Community, reached out to many and render our services to the most vulnerable people wherever we minister.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGs)

In accordance with the commitments we made at IPA Assembly 2007, we respond to the cry of Earth and people made poor by embracing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a Human Rights framework, addressing the issues of women and children, care of the Earth and Indigenous peoples, as is relevant to our local region.

 The following are some of our activities in the South India Province …

WOMEN, CHILDREN, INDIGENOUS PEOPLE (Tribal)

Empowering Women, Children and Tribal Communities

We conducted various programmes for women and children empowerment on:

1) Human Trafficking 2) Child Safeguarding 3) Human Rights Violation

4)  Girl Child Marriage 5) Legal Education 6) Democracy

7)  Consumer Rights 8) Women’s Rights 9) Domestic Violence

10) Land Rights 11) Climate Change/Environmental Issues

12) Sustainable Development Goals 13) Children’s Parliaments

Livelihood Trainings were on:

1) Computer Skills 2) Herbal medicines 3) Tailoring

4)  Beautician Course 5) Income Generation for Self-Help Groups

Awareness on Human Trafficking

At Nagoa, Goa, we work with migrants and their children in two areas- Agarwaddo and Aradi. We organize programme on Human Trafficking creating awareness among Women’s Groups. We form Children’s Parliaments and educate them of their Rights & Responsibilities. We also reach out to needy children and their families. We have visited parishes in different areas to create awareness on Trafficking.

To commemorate The World Day of Trafficking, we organised an international-level webinar, “Victims Voices Lead the Way”, on 28 July 21, the World Day of Trafficking. Two speakers, Ms Juliana Lohar, a social activist from ARZ, and Ms Albertina Almeida, a lawyer, spoke on the theme. One hundred participants attended this online seminar.

 Reproductive Health Care

At Kanur, Tamil Nadu an awareness programme was organised for fifteen teenage girls and children on reproductive health care.

In Jeevan Jyothi, we concentrate on adolescent girls and boys on personal hygiene, adolescent health and substance abuse which is very prevalent in Theni district, T N.

 Tuition centre

At Perumbakkam, outskirts of Chennai, we have started a Tuition Centre for thirty-eight children forming them as Children’s Parliament. They are learning to read and write, become aware on health, hygiene and child safeguarding.

 Livelihood Training / Programmes

At Nagoa, making recycled cloth-based crafts in the Tailoring Centre has helped women to supplement their earnings. The sale of the produces enabled us to reach out to HIV/AIDS-affected families.

 Distribution of Tailoring Machines

At Kanur, eight young women, who learned tailoring skills were presented with sewing machines enabling them to earn their livelihood to meet their daily needs.

 Skill Training

In our Social Service Centres, through skill training on various Income Generation Programmes, e.g., tailoring, artwork, and sweets/snacks making – the women avail of government schemes and become economically empowered.

At Kodaikanal ,Tamil Nadu on Women’s Day Celebration, sixty women received an Employment card from the Ministry of Labour, Government of India.  Thirty-five students of 2020 – 2021 participated and received Government Certificate from the course held in Integrated Development of Women (IDW).

In Karanje and Rees, Maharashtra with the financial support from Nagle Solidarity Fund, a computer course was carried out for forty-five children.

In Chanubanda, Andhra Pradesh, the community carried out a challenging journey in faith to address the needs of the people by

• Empowering women by Skill training, Tailoring
• Encourage the poor children with value based education
• Support the widows to be economically sustainable
• Encouraging young women to serve the society
• Preserve the land green and productive
• Implementing Nano Nagle Tercentenary and Lucky dozen Fund to support the needy

Local Governance

Encouraged men and women to be proactive in Gram Panchayat meetings to ensure the cleanliness of the village. Women from the SHG help the village Panchayats of Avedem and Paroda, Goa in the garbage collection thrice a month.

Career guidance for tribal youth

At Karanje, Career Guidance sessions were organised for thirty-six boys and girls to choose the right job for a better future.

Children’s Education/Welfare among tribal children

In Rees, supplementary classes were held regularly for 375 children in 12 villages of the Kathkari and Takkur tribes. At Savne and Kharpada, twenty-nine students completed the six-month computer course and received certificates. Educational help was provided for fifteen students to pay their Higher Secondary School tuition fees, as their parents had financial difficulties.

At Manalathukudisai and Royarkottai,in Varasanadu, T N, supplementary classes are organised in the evenings for twenty children each in two tuition centres, to enable them to read, write, and complete their daily homework.

Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA)

With financial support from the Nagle Solidarity Fund and Misean Cara-Ireland, training on PRA was held in Chennai and Maharashtra. The two-day training was on capacity building towards climate resilience and sustainable livelihood. As a result of this training, the following were the activities: Planting three hundred saplings of fruit trees and herbal plants; saving water; kitchen gardening; driving against plastic, pollution, and food wastage; saving electricity by using CLF bulbs; awareness of composting; use of the bicycle to reduce pollution; and making use of public transport. The Women’s Groups and Children’s Parliaments have taken the resolution to the use of cloth bags and “No to plastic”.

Awareness of Climate through SHGs and Children’s Parliaments

In our Social Centres, we created awareness of climate change and motivated the women and children to make compost bins and kitchen gardens and to take care of our Common Home.

Using renewable energy for agriculture

The Nedumbaram community supported by the Rotary Club, converted ten acres of uncultivable barren agricultural land into fertile land using renewable energy.

Environment Day

The Rees community celebrated environment day by distributing vegetable seeds such as bitter gourds and bottle gourds to twenty-six families from Peruchiwadi, Kuttalwadi, Savane and Jambivali.

FLOOD RELIEF

Through Arpanam Trust, Chennai, we reached out to three hundred families affected by floods with the help of the Government, especially the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board. We organized medical camps, vaccination for Covid 19, and Flood Relief by providing provisions to needy families.

On 28 July 2021, Valpoi, Sattari District, Goa experienced severe floods affecting seventy villages and approximately left nine thousand people with nothing in their homes. Most affected families belonged to the low-income class, working on farms or as unskilled workers, earning Rs 100/- to 400/- daily.

On 4 August, the Vasco Presentation Sisters and Friends of Nano (FoN) members fom Nagoa and Verem visited the affected area and based on information received and the assessment made, the communities in Goa and the FoN reached out to the affected.

COVID 19

In Goa, we, the Presentation Sisters, along with FoN, reached out to the Families with whom we are working. We also reached families in our neighbourhood who lost jobs because of the lockdown with the following assistance: Food Rations; Mobile phones for students for online classes; Tuition fees; Clothes; School Uniforms; Medication; Nutritional drinks/food for anaemic children; Phone recharge

At Avedem, the vulnerability of widows and spinsters was intense. We provided for their basic needs of food provision and tried to meet the expenses of education and medical needs of their children. A widow received help to start a small-scale business. This small business helped her to take care of her children. 169 houses were visited during the post covid time to help the affected families through medical and educational aids, re-charging of mobiles, provisions, and re starting food carts

In Jeevan Jyothi, we are engaged in humanitarian relief work for the people affected by the pandemic. Our target groups were widows, Covid affected people and their families, children, elderly, tribal, differently abled and gypsies. We have supported 750 families with nutritional support, bed sheets, and clothing. Educational support is given for 36 High School and College Students. Awareness is given to the children how to protect themselves from Corona.

NETWORKING

Right to Land and Housing

At Nedumbaram, twenty-seven Irullar (tribal) families were living as bonded labourers for other caste families for many years. To overcome such issues, the Arpanam Trust enabled the Children’s Parliaments to submit petitions to the Thiruvallur District Collector, Block Development Officer, and Adi Dravida Welfare Association. The District Collector took immediate action and ordered the local officials to find the free land or to buy land and build houses for the people. With the help of the Local Panchayat Leader, Arpanam Trust and the Women’s Groups, the place was identified. With the support of the Arpanam Trust and the positive response from the Government, the Irullar families have the land now to build their houses.

In Jeevan Jyothi, we have recently identified 3 tribal colonies with 25 to 30 families in each. We found they have no shelter and their living condition is very poor. We negotiated with government officials for basic facilities and availed Government schemes for one colony. Now we are trying to get a legal deed for land (Patta).

Rights for the Unorganized Sector

The Arpanam Trust networked with NGOs by joining them in rallies and meetings.  The public gave suggestions and petitions through the media to claim their rights. They joined the Social Auditing and spoke about the difficulties and problems they faced in their area. People are educated to avail of the government schemes for the unorganized sector.

 Rights of the Evicted

The Arpanam Trust networked with like-minded NGOs to work with the evicted people at Perumbakkam (Chennai). They were deprived of basic facilities like hospitals, schools, and transport facilities. The NGOs motivated the people to submit petitions to the Govt. to provide them with their basic needs. The Govt. responded by providing buses and cleaning up the sewage systems etc. The struggle is on-going.

 Rights of Migrants

In Nagoa, working with the migrant children led to our attempts to contact the Panchayat in Candolim, Calangute, Anjuna and Nagoa/Arpora. According to the Goa Child Act, we aimed to revive the Village Child Committees in these panchayats.

 Rights of Children

At Kodaikanal, Childline and other NGOs including Kodaikanal Child Protection Federation (KCPF) found that early marriage and child abuse are prevalent; young girls get pregnant, and School children are most affected because of the media and cell phones which affect their studies. We planned to work together for the welfare of the children and to stop child marriage and abuse. We stopped three child marriages with the help of social workers and Childline. With other NGOs including Mother Teresa’s Women’s University College, we joined in a rally to bring about awareness regarding child marriage and child abuse on 8 March 2022. A street play with the theme was organised and two hundred people participated in it.

Church Park, Chennai

History, Life & Mission of Church Park Community, South India Province

 “IF I COULD BE OF ANY SERVICE IN SAVING SOULS IN ANY PART OF THE GLOBE, I WOULD WILLINGLY DO ALL IN MY POWER”  Nano Nagle

Nano’s desire to reach out to any part of the world came true when our Sisters arrived in George Town, Madras, South India on 13^th January in 1842. Presentation presence and ministry began in Church Park on September 8^th 1909, the foundation stone of a new Convent and school building was laid by Archbishop Dr Colgan.

In 1910 Sacred Heart private school was opened by Rev Mother Xavier Murphy, who, having organised it on satisfactory lines returned to George Town, leaving Rev Mother Berchmans in charge. The well placed residents of the locality took advantage of this school for the education of their children.

In 1917, this private school, having grown quite large the recognition of the Madras Government was sought and obtained and the school was placed under the Code of Regulations for European Schools. This continued until 1932 when the management sought permission from the Director of Public Instruction to have the School recognized under the Madras Educational Rules. Students presented for the Cambridge Examination were very successful and they easily gained admission into various University Colleges of Madras.

At the first General Chapter held in January 1925, this Convent was chosen as the “Mother House” of the amalgamated Houses of the Presentation Sisters in South India and it became therefore the official residence of the Superior General.

On the division of the Dioceses of Madras in 1928, Church Park came under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Mylapore.

The beautiful Convent Chapel was erected in 1935, the foundation stone being laid by Mgr. Franco, Administrator of the Diocese, on the feast of the Sacred Heart during the incumbency of Rev. Mother Michael Lawlor.

In January 1940 the Novitiate was transferred to Church Park from Kodaikanal, and a new three storeyed building was erected to accommodate the Novices.

Subsequently around 1942 the Management opened classes to prepare students for the SSLC and Matriculation Examinations. This school having come under various Educational Boards, continues today as the Sacred Heart Matriculation Higher Secondary School.

In 1919 the Church Park Training School that was started in 1912 in George Town was shifted to Church Park, Candidates were presented for the Teachers’ Examination of the Madras Educational Department.

In 1931 in addition to this, a group of students successfully attempted the Bombay Froebel Kindergarten Teachers Examination. This continued until December 1973. The Church Park Anglo-Indian Teachers Training School continues in Church Park offering candidates for the Diploma of Teacher Education. On average 40 trained teachers who pass through its portals every year are to be found in schools in Tamil Nadu and proudly acknowledge Church Park Training School as their Alma Mater.

The extensive campus of Church Park also housed St Ursula’s Anglo-Indian Higher Secondary School. This School earlier had an orphanage attached to it. It had been founded in George Town by Rev. Dr. Carew and was placed under the careful supervision of the widow of an English Officer, Colonel Smith, which was subsequently handed over to the Presentation Sisters.  This orphanage came under the Code of Regulations for European Schools and under the name of St Ursula’s Middle school.  Due to the outbreak of World War II and the bombing of the Madras Harbor, the Orphanage was temporarily transferred to Theni. When the war ceased the children returned to Madras, but their building was demolished and was replaced by the Catholic Centre. Hence the School and Orphanage was accommodated in Church Park.  St. Ursula’s owes a great debt of gratitude to stalwarts like Mother Basil, Sr Joan and Sr Elaine who were the pioneers of Ursuline education.  Today St Ursula’s Anglo-Indian Higher Secondary School has grown in strength and continues as a day school catering to the diverse needs of the students.

In 1916 the Presentation Sisters from Church Park began their service in St. William’s Middle School, Royapettah. Two Sisters from Church Park attended the school regularly. The School has been upgraded to a High School and continues to cater to the educational needs of the locality and to the Social and Religious activities of the Parish.

In 1980, inspired by the vision and dream of Nano Nagle to “Spend yourselves for the poor” the Sisters of Church Park reached out to the less privileged children of the locality education through the medium of Tamil. The school that started with 36 students, now has more than 400 students.

The Presentation Social Service Centre began functioning in December 1981 with the help of a few of the parents of the Sacred Heart Matriculation School. The Centre employed a Teacher, who gave six differently-abled women training in tailoring. The Centre continues to be a production unit by stitching uniforms for the Presentation Schools in the city.

Responding to the call of CG1991 to form Communities among the poor, three of the Sisters from the Church Park Community moved into a rented house in Royapettah slum area on an experimental basis. The Pastoral and Social and Educational ministry continued effectively for about 20 years. Their presence amongst the poorest of the poor was greatly appreciated in the Archdiocese and the Province. During their presence and ministry at Royapettah, in 1998 Arpanam Trust was registered to further help the poor and marginalized people of the area and beyond.

The Nano Nagle Community College was started in 2002. It is recognised by the Tamil Nadu Open University. It offers opportunities for young girls who are school dropouts, deserted women, widows and students who have no financial support to pursue higher education.

In the Nano Nagle Community College, students learn Diploma in General Duty Assistance, Diploma in Fashion Designing, Diploma in Desktop Publishing and Life coping Skills. Private courses like M S Word, Tamil and English typewriting, Coral draw and a Beautician Course. These courses provide livelihood opportunities and effect behavioural changes. Hundred percent job placements in various companies are assured.

Presentation Convent, Church Park continues to embody the charism of its Founder, Venerable Nano Nagle, and be at the service of the wider society, particularly the marginalised and vulnerable.

Every second Saturday of the month special care is shown to the people who are kept poor.

Every Christmas, gifts and food are given to the poor in honour of Nano’s practice during her time at Christmas.

 Some New Initiatives:

On 25^th December 2017 the Presentation Sisters at Church Park began a new initiative to provide food for the poor of the area every evening.  This was part of the celebration of the 300th Birth Anniversary of Venerable Nano Nagle.

In recent times, the Presentation Sisters are involved in the service of the evicted people from the city riverside slums to Perumbakkam in the suburban area of Chennai. After negotiating with the Government authorities, a bus was arranged for children to commute to and from school.

Skill training, job oriented programs and awareness programs are being conducted for the women at the replacement area. Twenty-seven self help women’s groups were formed and empowerment programs are planned with them.

Prison Ministry India:  Four Sisters from Church Park community are involvement in the Prison Ministry in the Archdiocese. The Sisters visit the prisoners regularly comforting them, being present to them and plan and support for the education of the children and other needs of the prisoners’ families.

We gratefully remember all our Sisters and everyone associated with our community and mission and we believe that “This work will flourish even after our time …” as we are only stewards of God’s mission.

Rees, Maharashtra

Theni

“To provide a holistic, comprehensive and quality health care to the sick with a preferential option for the people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS”

Mission
“To be effective instruments of offering quality, holistic, palliative institutional care aiming at psychosocial and spiritual support to PLWHA, which is community based, resulting in acceptance by and rehabilitation in the community”.

Objectives
• To give quality care to people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS to assure them of an improved life.
• To give compassionate care to people in the last stage of HIV/AIDS
• To give psychosocial and spiritual support to PLWHA.
• To help prevention of the occurrence of HIV/AIDS through counselling and awareness programmes.
• To train health-care persons in the management of HIV/AIDS.
• To network with NGO/GO for the prevention of HIV/AIDS and rehabilitation of PLWHA.
• To facilitate support and loving care by family members through counselling to family members.
• To offer care and support to the children infected/affected by HIV/AIDS through medical and educational assistance.
• To offer spiritual solace to persons at the point of death, especially in conformity with their religious convictions.
• To encourage all the eligible people to take ART and have regular follow up.
• To give awareness and treatment to the adolescent boys and girls who are addicted to drugs and substance abuse.
• Safeguarding and protection of children and their rights.

Vepery

Emissaries of Nano’s Crusade

Children Day Competition

On the 8^th  and 9^th of November, our school students were at the peak of joy as competitions were planned out for them to celebrate children’s day. The Aloysian spotlight for this occasion was dedicated to Venerable Nano our founder, as we wanted to replenish the history of Nano back into the thoughts of students. All the competitions starting with std I to XII were based on the ideology of Nano. A few to mention were “Speech on Nano”, picture puzzle, quiz on the life history of Nano, creative lantern making, poster making on the sayings of Nano, Mosaic pictures of Nano, songs of Nano, poetry on Nano, designing Tercentenary Emblem, T- Shirt designing on the out reach of Nano. As Nano brought light into the dark alleys of the Irish people, recreating the greatness present in history for students, electrified the joy of participation in each child. Thus the events conducted on both the days turned out to form collections which could form repositories for further reference Nano’s life thus nourished our students with a feeling almost like having the nectar of immortality, connecting them closely to the lofty ideals of Nano’s outlook.

Perambur

Presentation Convent, Perambur, Chennai, India,

St Joseph’s Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School, Perambur

Morai, Chennai

Georgetown

SDG Goals

1. Irradiation of poverty
2. Zero Hunger

St Columban’s A.I.H. Sec School chose SDG goals 1 and 2 as part of our curricular activities. The purpose of it was to create awareness and the feeling of empathy for the less privileged people around us, among the students and parents. The following activities were done in the school.

Special assemblies were prepared by the Students during the year where children portrayed the present reality of the poor around us through skits, street plays and other activities and the need to reach out.

Student of Std IX and X visited Kanakamma Chatram village and they spent time with the Irulas Tribal children , played games, sang songs and created awareness on good health and cleanliness. They distributed provision, bed sheets and toiletries.

As part of the Christmas Celebrations students of Std XII organised a medical camp with the PTA (Parent Teacher Association) in Kanakamma Chatram, for the students of our Nagle Nursery and Primary school and for the people of the surrounding villages.

Students of Stds VIII, XI and XII with the staff and management held a rally, holding placards and shouting slogans on;

❖ Health Awareness
❖ Importance of Education
❖ the need to eradicate poverty
❖ Food for all and Cleanliness

By participating in this rally our students were:

❖ Sensitised about the prevailing reality around the school
❖ made to realise their role in eradicating poverty
❖ they felt empowered to bring about a change
❖ They felt grateful for all that they enjoy in life