PROJEKT-INDIENHILFE e.V.

März 2002

 

 

  Deutsche Übersetzung

EASTER NEWSLETTER 2002

 

Dear Friends

 

After the New Year celebrations, we are already thinking of Easter, the feast that signifies our new life in the Risen Lord. It gives me great joy to write to you all to offer you Easter greetings from me and from everyone at this center. At the same time, I would like to share some news with you all.

 

The Christmas celebrations

 On December 15th we held the Christmas celebrations for the street children. Together with the street children there came also many poor children from the slums who work part time or roam about the streets. So the number of children who came that day had increased to 180. They all got a chance to take bath, sing and they were all given some food to eat and new clothes to wear. On December 20th 2001, we had the Christmas celebrations for the school children and all together there were 800 children. They all got Christmas gifts that included, soap, tooth paste and sweets. The entertainment prepared by the children was most enjoyable and had a number of beautiful songs, rhymes, dances and skits. Every year the children enjoy playing the different roles in the Christmas story and treasure the photos of the scenes they act. One little girl who acted as Mother Mary carrying the baby Jesus, was just 9 years old and after the programme daily she kept asking me for her photo until she got it from me. For me these are unforgettable moments that help me to live the Christmas experience.

 

Christmas celebrations in the slums

 The Christmas celebrations in the slums are as great as what we see among the rich people. There are decorations, lights, and beautiful cribs everywhere. But what is truly touching is the spirit of hospitality among the poor people. Everywhere they came out to invite me into their homes and took me by their hands to offer me a piece of cake. This year I tried to make Christmas a joyful experience for many more people by distributing blankets, shawls and money to the old, the sick and the widows.

 

After the New Year, we reopened the school on January 3rd.  The children from the slums have now learned the value of the time and facilities they get here for their studies. During the first week of January in the evening there were long periods of power failure and still they remained in their classrooms and shared the light of one or two candles that they had. This happened, unfortunately, when our generator was under repairs. Although the winter in Calcutta is mild the children need some warm clothes. So in the beginning of the New Year, we distributed some warm clothes to all the children who attend our school.

 A baby born from a T.B. patient

 Rupa Singh a young woman suffering from Tuberculosis, is getting medicines from me since one year. Last year, one day, she realized that she was pregnant and came with tears tell me what she should do. I told her to consult a doctor who told her to discontinue the T.B. medicines. But I continued helping her financially to look after her health. In the beginning of December, she came carrying a baby that was deformed and she began to cry. I told her to consult a doctor and promised to help her for the treatment of the baby. The doctor did not give her any hope and told her that the child was also mentally not normal. Seeing the tears of this poor woman, I immediately phoned up to the Sisters of Mother Teresa and they agreed to keep the baby. This is just one among the many cases of women in distress in this locality. The condition of the women has not improved very much and I think we need to do more to help women who still have to carry all alone the burden of family life because the men do not often play an understanding and supportive role among the poor people.

 

As I conclude this letter, I would like to thank you all for your continued support for my work for the poor and I would like to extend to you once again heartfelt wishes for a very Happy Easter.

 

Sincerely,

   

Fr. Joseph Aymanathil, s.d.b

 

(März, 2002).  

S.B. A/C. No 3296 Nitika Don Bosco  

The Federal Bank, Tangra Branch

Kolkata 700 015