India – Scaling mountains with Pope Francis’ message of reaching out to poor for Covid-19 lockdown relief

09 April 2020

(ANS – Yercaud) – “We shall all be judged by our relationship with the poor,” says Pope Francis. And he urges us that “it's time to reach out to those suffering and those in need.” Heeding to his call, the Salesian community of “The Retreat”, Yercaud, INT Province, have planned to reach out to the poorest the entire week. Food for 100 abandoned elderly and physically challenged people shall be distributed on alternate days. Furthermore, 200 very deserving families spread across the tribal villages of the hills will receive grocery bag that could sustain them for 4 to 5 days.

On day 3, 6th April, they reached out to 50 families out of around 200 families we have shortlisted through our youth field volunteers. The families were in dire need. We have identified migrant families, too.

These families solely depend on daily wages for their livelihood. The need for support was identified by our young people when they had taken up the task of spraying disinfectant in most of the villages of the hill.

With the field support of our young people from SARA Foundation & MARA ARAM, they delivered 50 grocery bags for people living in different tribal villages.

The local authorities are greatly supportive. Mrs. Ramai, official of “Yercaud Taluk” has volunteered to support the delivery of materials with the young people. She offered her SUV for the purpose. The grocery bag contains rice, dhal, oil, spices, wheat & maida flour and mixed vegetables.

“We are targeting families with children and the elderly. We immensely thank our brothers, volunteers and particularly the donors without whose support we could not have imagined to carry out such relief work. We have identified about 15 villages in the Shevaroy Hills around Yercaud that requires a long travel and tedious trekking to reach out to the people,” she says.

This is just one of the many solidarity initiatives carried out in India by the Salesians and their collaborators, who see all 11 Provinces present in the country at the forefront.

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