By Alfie Dsouza, Team Mangalorean. -May 12, 2021
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MJES & SACAA Launch ‘St Aloysius Covid Care Centre’ To Serve The Needy During Pandemic
A True Aloysian Spirit of Serving Others! Mangalore Jesuit Education Society (MJES) & St Aloysius College Alumni Association (SACAA ) Launch ‘St Aloysius Covid Care Centre’ to Serve the Needy People and families infected and grievously affected during Pandemic
Mangaluru: In the words of Pope Francis during Easter, where he said: May the Risen Christ, Who flung open the doors of the tomb. Open our hearts to the needs of the disadvantaged, the vulnerable, the poor, the unemployed, the marginalized, and all those who knock at our door in search of bread, refuge, and the recognition of their dignity. “- and that’s exactly what the Mangalore Jesuits Educational Society (MJES) in association with St Aloysius College Alumni Association (SACAA ) will be doing in distributing Food Kits, Psychological Accompanying, Medicine, Health Facilities and Essential Items to families of poor, migrant workers, low wage labourers, and other poor families here to cope with the ongoing lockdown/pandemic.
Alumni of St Aloysius Institutions will once again try to give back to those in need from part of their wealth. St Aloysius Institution aims at their men and women (Aloysians) to serve others, and the efforts put in by Alumnus of St Aloysius Institution in helping out the society through their little contribution is praiseworthy, during this pandemic” In Bible, Matthew 25:40 where Jesus says, “Whatever you have done to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you have done it to me.” You can help the needy around you in practical, creative ways. And once again, Aloysians doing to help the less fortunate and the needy with love.
“You may never know what results come from your actions, But if you do nothing there will be no result. The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world’s problems” had said Mahatma Gandhi, and Mother Teresa once said, “We cannot do great things on this Earth,Only small things with great love.”- and that is what MJES and SACAA are doing in order to put miles of smiles on the faces of the needy during pandemic..
WHEN DOORS CLOSE AND HEARTS OPEN- The Covid-19 crisis has brought to the fore not only our limitedness as human beings in the face of a pandemic but also the sad plight of migrants, daily wage earners, the elderly and the mentally sick in the context of a total lockdown in the country. The vision of education at St Aloysius Institutions is to create men and women for and with others. “The world is our home” here we are all connected as human beings with God, with others and with nature and this is a time to restore the right relationships. Secondly, “being friends of God entails being friends with the poor.” Mangalore Jesuit Educational Society has taken this initiative to reach out to the poor families of migrants and daily wage earners by providing them with Provision Kits and Covid-19 essentials weekly.
On Wednesday, 12 May 2021, MJES) in collaboration with SACAA launched ‘ST ALOYSIUS COVID CARE CENTRE’. St Aloysius Institutions, Mangaluru had plunged into action as soon as the nationwide lockdown was clamped in the month of March 2020 and, rendered significant service to the people and families infected and grievously affected by the pandemic with the strong support and goodwill of the alumni, generous contributors and volunteers. MJES, in its initiative, could reach out to hundreds of victims of the pandemic like the migrant labourers and distressed individuals through providing food kits, psychological accompanying, medicine and health facilities regularly. Radio Sarang, the Community Radio of the College continually broadcast awareness programmes to the people of the region regarding the virus, its spread and precautions to be taken to save oneself from infection.
The novel initiative launched in the name of St Aloysius Jaala Santhe, brought together hundreds of rural entrepreneurs and farmers in a WhatsApp group and facilitated buying and selling of these farmer products. As these initiatives continue, we are faced with the unprecedented second phase of the pandemic. In the wake of the second wave of the pandemic hitting hard and the exponential spike in the spread of the virus, MIES has put in place a centralized Covid Care Centre in the campus to facilitate quick and speedy redressal of the issues and concerns of the people affected and infected by the virus leading to serious psychological and physical health hazards. The centre will operate from the Gelge Hall (Main Auditorium) situated adjacent to the College parking Iot from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Speaking after the blessing and launching of the ‘ST ALOYSIUS COVID CARE CENTRE’ Rev Fr Praveen Martis SJ, the principal of St Aloysius College said, “God has given us two hands – one to receive with and another to give with. We are not cisterns made for hoarding; we are channels made for sharing. When we share the sorrow of the crucified of the earth, we are no longer alone. We are made to share each other’s burdens. Sharing food and provisions with the poor and the needy feeds our friendships, bolsters our bonds and nourishes our sense of community – and those factors are vital for our happiness. The good life builds on connection and purpose. I call upon the Alumni of this great institution to come forward with their helping hand in making this project a success, aimed at a good cause during the pandemic where people are suffering and need help”.On the launching of this Care Centre, president of SACAA Steven Pinto and Fr Cyril D’mello SJ -the Coordinator of this project, and also the Director of St Aloysius Industrial Training Institute also spoke and sought support from well-wishers and alumni of St Aloysius Institutions to contribute towards this project. Alwyn D’sa-the registrar and organizing committee member compered the programme, while Fr Royston SJ read the Gospel reading. After the launch, three kits were handed over to Joseph Kiran, Shivanand and Joseph Kumar, all three employed at St Aloysius Institutions. The Covid-19 kit will contain KN95 face masks, sanitizer, Oximeter; and Rice, daal, Salt and Coconut oil in the food kit
The Aloysius Covid Care Centre will facilitate the following services to those who require assistance regarding the following:
1. Identifying persons and groups who require food and arranging for its distribution on a regular basis.
2. Reaching out to people with distress and loneliness through the College helpline and accompanying service ‘MANOTHEJAKA” for personal counselling services and services offered by the Counselors of the Institution
3. Continuation of the service rendered through .Aloysius Jaala Santhe, by facilitating awareness regarding the rural entrepreneurs in the group through the staff and students.
4. Attending distress calls regarding emergency health related issues, hospitalization and requirement of medicines and refer the same immediately to the experts and institutions providing such services.
5. Provide awareness regarding the importance of vaccination and educate people to register themselves for vaccination.
6. IdentiB/ing and Providing financial aid to patients with very poor economic background
7. Arranging for Medical Advice by expert doctors in cases of emergencies along with facilitating consultation on Post-Covid Care treatment B. Provide assistance to the senior citizens in the city who need help in terms of transportation, reaching necessary medicines and other Covid care related medical aid to their homes
9. Facilitate Ambulance services to patients who are in dire need of immediate transportation
l0. Continue the regular awareness programmes on Radio Sarang, motivating and persuading members of the public to take extreme precautions and take vaccination on a priority basis.
Provide general assistance by listening to the concerns of the people and refer them to the appropriate authorities like the health professionals, counselors, police personnel, legal experts etc.
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