Media Release
Udupi, Sep 14: Michael D’Souza and Family Charities (MDS Charities) conducted 'Umed 2026', a major orientation and educational support programme for student beneficiaries, on Monday, September 14, at the Mother of Sorrows Church hall, Udupi.
The initiative focuses on empowering aspiring, needy, and deserving youth of the community to pursue professional and higher education.
In his keynote address, advisor for MDS Charities CA Lionel Aranha presented an extensive overview of 13 years of educational and social support extended by the charity.
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Educare 2026 (Udupi diocese): For the academic year 2026, MDS Charities has sanctioned Rs 1.65 crore as educational support for 172 students in the Udupi diocese.
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Educare support (2013–2025): Between 2013 and 2025, educational assistance under the Educare scheme reached 3,838 students across the region, comprising 3,098 students from the Mangaluru diocese and 740 from the Udupi diocese.
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Housing assistance: Extending support beyond education, MDS Charities has provided housing assistance amounting to Rs 79 lakh to the Udupi diocese.
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Third child sponsorship: Under family care initiatives, financial support amounting to Rs 14.80 lakh has been disbursed to eligible families in the Udupi diocese.
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MDS alumni network: Plans were unveiled to establish an MDS Charities alumni network under the motto "One Life Touching Another." The network aims to maintain long-term engagement with beneficiaries through career guidance, employment support, mentorship, and encouraging former beneficiaries to eventually help others.
Reassuring the gathering, Aranha stated that the organization is always ready to support and guide the students.
The programme began with a prayer led by Fr Denis D'Sa, parish priest of Mother of Sorrows Church and PRO of the diocese of Udupi. Delivering the motivational and orientation address, Fr Dr Praveen Leo Lasrado, secretary of the Catholic Board of Education (CBE), Mangaluru diocese, emphasized that educational support is a "gift, responsibility, and mission." He conducted interactive sessions encouraging students to invest in knowledge, character, and service while finding a higher purpose in life.
Student beneficiaries Joys Sharal D'Souza (Pangla) and Asha Veena Dias (Byndoor), along with parent Vincent D'Souza, expressed deep gratitude, highlighting the importance of hard work, family values, and faith. Addressing the gathering, Fr Denis D'Sa commended philanthropist Michael D'Souza for his selfless spirit of sharing generously with others. H M Pernal, editor of Kittall.com, presented an overview of the 'Umed' initiative.
In his presidential address, the bishop of the diocese of Udupi, Dr Leslie C D'Souza, praised Michael D'Souza and his family for seeing the face of God in the needy. Exhorting the youth to avoid selfishness and stay united with their families and the church, the bishop noted that what matters most is what the students contribute back to society once they reach a professional standing, rather than merely what they have received.
Dignitaries present on the dais included the bishop of Udupi, Dr Leslie C D'Souza; parish priest of Mother of Sorrows Church, Fr Denis D'Sa; vice president of PPC, Mother of Sorrows Church, Maxim D’Souza; and advisor for MDS Charities, CA Lionel Aranha. Other dignitaries and guests present at the programme included vicar general of Udupi diocese, Msgr Francis Xavier Lewis; director of Canara Communication Centre, Mangaluru, Fr Anil Ivan Fernandes; director of BEC, Udupi, Fr Leo Praveen D'Souza; Stephen Pinto; Oswald D'Souza; and Shubha Rodrigues.
Reena D'Costa proposed the vote of thanks, while H M Pernal compered the event. Student agreement formalities were coordinated by Veena and Theju. The programme culminated with a Holy Eucharist celebrated by Dr Leslie C D'Souza on the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, followed by lunch.