Bangalore (India) The Center for the Development and Empowerment of Female Society (CDEW), a non-profit voluntary organization of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians of Sacred Heart of Jesus Province (INK) continues to pursue solidarity initiatives to support the population during the Covid-19 emergency.
Thanks to the generosity of benefactors, NGOs, and supporters of the CDEW, around 30,000 people were helped through the distribution of food kits, breakfasts, and snacks. Together with their commitment to distribution, Volunteers and Daughters of Mary Help of Christians do not lack the presence and moral support of the people in difficulty – especially those on daily wages, street vendors, the homeless, and migrants. Here are two testimonials:
“During the lockdown for Coronavirus, the FMA distributed many necessary things to families. There was no job, there was no money, yet we received a lot of help. From this pandemic I learned that what we have, we must share and help others”. (Mala)
“Still many of our beneficiaries really need support to keep hunger away. I met many children, pregnant women, and elderly people in the villages and saw that they are lacking resources and have no security. I am happy to be able to do something for those who are experiencing this difficult moment … and I want to continue in this mission”. (Mini Sebastin)
The INK Province, in collaboration with the CDEW, has also launched initiatives in the Communities to celebrate the year of the Encyclical Laudato Sì. The FMA, together with the Educating Communities, have created gardens with various types of crops – vegetables, fruit, flowers, medicinal herbs, and others – committing themselves to giving more space to prayer and the contemplation of creation, solidarity, and listening to cry of the earth and of the poor.
Sister Rosy Lopez, director of CDEW, says: “The year of ‘Laudato Sì’ urges us to listen to the cry of mother earth and the cry of the poor, forcing us, if necessary, to make a U-turn and take new paths to come to terms with reality. We are invited, more than before, to adopt a simple lifestyle, to follow ways of interconnection, solidarity, communion, harmony, deeper spirituality, integrity of life, and a new way of educating”.
