Social Action exposure week for the Deacons (29th Nov- 4th Dec) : VIMUKTI- A RAY OF HOPE

Vimukti Charitable Trust, under the baton of Fr. Satish Fernandes, the Director of the Trust, had organized a social action exposure programme for the Deacons of Darshan Institute of Theology. This programme and the experience really helped the Deacons to get into the reality of the society. They had field work in places like Ujire, Pothnal, Chikkodi, Badravatti and Bankal.

Brothers had unique experience at Ujire. They attended many self help group meetings and cluster meetings. They came to know how they function, what their role is and how it is beneficial for those people. They also went to many houses, wherein the staff members explained to the poor people the fund which is being sanctioned by the government and that they can avail of the Vimukti loan as well. Thus creating awareness and showing a ray of Hope to the people. They also visited the people suffering from HIV, differently abled people and others. They visited families, whose children were being helped by the child fund programme, which was a help coming from foreign agencies.

Bros. had an awesome experience at Pothnal. They had interaction with the staff of Vimukti, visited the houses of the Vimukti beneficiaries who were sick and handicapped. They look into the functioning of the Children Gram Sabha, Children Parliament and Children Clubs in different schools. They gave the students motivational talks and met the teachers and discussed with them the difficulties they face in educating the village children. Conducted group dynamics for children, free evening tuitions, participated in the social awareness programmes like AIDS awareness rally, women empowerment (tailoring course for women and girls). Brothers also payed a visit to the Chiguru (Nava Nirmann Trust) where the women make handmade mud necklaces and bracelests and other ornaments.
The field work at Chikkodi was an adventurous experience. Brothers visited the Government Officies, Anganwadis, Marathi and Kannada Medium schools, Gram Panchayat and this made them aware of the new schemes and helps provided for the farmers, children and people. They actively participated in the meetings arranged in different villages which broadened the knowledge about the poor people’s struggle. It was indeed a wakeup call to step ahead to venture into this mission. The deacons at Asha Kiran – the deaddiction Centre, had a truly enriching experience. They did experience the glimpse of suffering humanity before their eyes. Most of the time they were with the inmates participating in their activities, meeting them personally and listening to their problems, struggles which melted their hearts with compassion towards them.

Brothers at Bankal village visited three local schools namely Vidhya Bharathi, Nazareth School and st. Martha’s School and gathered a lot of information from the Principals of these Schools. They too visited Vimukti Federation in Indiranagar, Sabli, Bagasgudu, Sabenahalli, Chakamuk and many other small villages. The people expressed their gratitude towards the Vimukti for helping them in improving their life situations by ways of short term loans without interest, toilet facilities, books for students, awareness programs, banking knowledge, money savings, death funds, for bringing leadership qualities in them, helping them to represent in Grama Panchayath elections, helping the sick persons who are not members of the group, awareness rallies alcohol eradication etc..

Some points for improvement:
 Three days are not enough. It should be for at least one week.
 It should not be at the end of the pastoral course but at the very beginning of the course.

Fr. Sathish Fernandes
Vimukti Pothnal