Mangaluru: Fr Antony Kunnel among four Indians on Ebola mission to Africa


Richie John Pais
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Nov 30: A team of four volunteers from India are getting ready to leave for Sierra Leone in Africa to serve the Ebola affected community. 

Fr Antony Kunnel, director of Snehasadan, a home for the HIV positive children in Mangaluru and Brother Madhu Babu, director of Snehakiran in Hyderabad will leave for Makeni in Sierra Leone on December 8. Fr Siby Kaitharan, counsellor with Snehakiran and Fr Teji Thomas, medical nurse with Snehasadan will leave in February 2015.

The team will reopen the Holy Spirit Hospital in Makeni which was shut down due to absence of volunteers after a nurse died six months back.

The four-member team will undergo a week-long training in hospital management and infectious disease control and prevention in Rome before heading to Sierra Leone.

All the four are the members of Camillians which is a Catholic organization involved in healthcare for the past 450 years. The Order of the Ministers of the Sick, known popularly now as Camillians was founded by St Camililus De Lellis. The main mission of the Camillians is comprehensive healthcare of people especially that of the poor. In India, the organization is managed by Sneha Charitable Trust.

The Camillian task force already has the presence in Sierra Leone with two persons from Ireland and Philippines. The team is aware of the substantial risk involved in the mission but they are trained in the mission as it is their passion. It should be remembered that in addition to various missions in India, the Camillians were also involved in Kashmir and Uttarakhand missions.

Fr Antony Kunnel, who has been at Snehasadan, Mangalore for the past 5 years, speaking exclusively to daijiworld said, " We always respond to emergencies. That is our mission. But in this case, we had to wait for long to get our visas. In fact it has taken more than one and half month and we are yet to receive our visas. I am hopeful that the first batch will fly as per schedule."

"I could not go to Kashmir as I was hoping my Sierra Leone Visa would come soon. I will remain in Sierra Leone for at least two months. Then the duration will depend on the requirement. Our first priority is to reopen the closed hospital.This is my first trip to Africa and I have already taken yellow fever vaccination which is mandatory for the travelers to Africa," Fr Antony added.

Fr Antony aged 41 is originally from Kerala but was born and brought up in Sagara of Shimoga district. "I was very disturbed by the fact that nobody was ready to go to the Ebola affected countries as volunteers. God has given us this opportunity to serve the affected people.We are going there happily," Fr Antony says with happiness and missionary zeal.

  

Top Stories

Comment on this article

  • wilma, mangalore

    Mon, Dec 15 2014

    May God bless your mission, reaching out the most needy of the time.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse Agree

  • Fr Teji Thomas MI , Mangaluru

    Wed, Dec 10 2014

    Dear Fathers of Camillian Task Force I am proud of you and feeling proud to be the member of the Order of the Ministers of the Infirm.
    God Bless your initiative.
    May St. Camillus intercede for you and for the mission. Blessings and Prayers from Snehakids Snehasadan mangaluru.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse Agree [1]

  • sr jyothi fernandes,UFS, Mudarangady/Mysore

    Sun, Dec 07 2014

    all the best Fr Antony. i do admire your courage and zeal for mission.all our prayers are with you. sr jyothi and the UFS sisters

    DisAgree [2] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse Agree

  • Harold D'cunha, Mangalore, India

    Mon, Dec 01 2014

    You are the real true witness of Jesus Christ and THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE WITH LOVE RISKING ONE'S OWN LIFE.

    No words to express but we pray for your mission.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [17] Reply Report Abuse Agree [3]

  • Roshan Braganza, Mumbai

    Mon, Dec 01 2014

    As Ebola Epidemic is becoming a Global crisis , it realy takes Courage and Big Heart for such a mission. God bless you all for your service.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse Agree [4]

  • Michael Noronha, Mysore

    Mon, Dec 01 2014

    The Team that is visiting ebola infected places will definetly inherit the promise of Jesus "Come you that are blessed by my father! Come and possess the kingdom which has been prepared for you ever since the creation of the world...... I was sick and you took care of me....." Mt25:34.
    Great courage, inspiration and true Servant Leadership. God Bless

    DisAgree [2] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse Agree [3]

  • Romans Lobo, Kaikamba

    Mon, Dec 01 2014

    The ever smiling Fr. Antony will definitely bring back smiles of the suffering people at Sierra Leone. God bless him and the volunteers.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse Agree [6]

  • Renny Lobo (Rodrigues), Gurpur Kaikamba/ Abu Dhabi

    Mon, Dec 01 2014

    Members of Camillians are doing a great job in serving the HIV Positive children and adults through their Organization named Snehasadan situated in Gurpur Kaikamba (near Rosa Mystica Convent).

    Having met Fr.Anthony in January 2014, I was really impressed as how he handles those small children with love and affection. God bless all the Camillian Brothers and nurses. All the best Fr.Anthony in your missionary work in Africa.

    DisAgree Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse Agree [6]

  • Robert Rodrigues, vitla/ kuwait

    Mon, Dec 01 2014

    Fr Antony your leaving such a good mission,i beleave this call comes from our Lord Jesus Chirst.I wish you and yor entire team all best,Almighty God bless you and protect you.

    DisAgree Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse Agree [3]

  • Alfred, Man galore

    Mon, Dec 01 2014

    God bless you all. ..

    DisAgree Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse Agree [3]

  • OSEE PETER D'MELLO, BENDORE,MANGALORE

    Mon, Dec 01 2014

    I SALUTE YOU DEAR FR.ANTONY & TEAM.GOD BLESS YOU & PROTECT YOU IN YOUR NOBLE MISSION.YOUR TEAM IS ALWAYS IN MY PRAYER.

    DisAgree Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse Agree [4]

  • Alwyn, CANADA

    Mon, Dec 01 2014

    We as a christians do a wonderful job in serving the human in emergencies, worst times and rewards are stored in heavan for serving the needy. God bless you these priest who fearless in serving in the name of Jesus. What a royal priestwood to experience the life of Christ on this earth. God bless you sir.

    DisAgree Agree [21] Reply Report Abuse Agree [3]

  • Anna Joseph, Mangalore

    Mon, Dec 01 2014

    May God protect you as you show the love of Christ to the people who are suffering in Africa. No evil that is fashioned against you shall prevail! Gos Bless!

    DisAgree Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse Agree [2]

  • praveen, mangalore

    Mon, Dec 01 2014

    We re proud of you as an Indian. May God keep you and the team safe and help in doing the good work.

    DisAgree Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse Agree [3]

  • Santan Mascarenhas, Kinnigoli/Mumbai

    Mon, Dec 01 2014

    I compared here, Fr.Antony to Drs.Prakash and Mandakini Amte. For the information of readers, I like to add a little on them.

    Once Dr Prakash Amte was invited by some organization in USA. His visa was denied since his income shown (he wrote the truth) was little. Next day, all leading papers came out with news that Baba Amte's son was denied visa ! When American Consulate came to know who he is, they apologized and sent a staff to his house and stamped the visa ! Dr Mandakini Amte coming from a rich family, accustomed to rich and luxurious city life, has left everything and serves the lepers along with her husband in Anandvan. I salute them too. Like Baba Amte, these two doctors too have received Magsaysay award.

    DisAgree Agree [17] Reply Report Abuse Agree [2]

  • Santan Mascarenhas, Kinnigoli/Mumbai

    Mon, Dec 01 2014

    While reading this, some people come to my mind. Fr. Damien who served the leprosy affected people in the Island of Molokoi. Blessed Mother Theresa. Baba Amte, his son Praksh Amte and daughter-in Law Dr.Mandakini Amte, who serve the betterment of Lepers in Anandvan.

    Now this Fr. Antony and his team, even after the death of some doctors, are going to Sierra Leone to serve ebola affected patients, without caring for their life. May God give them strength and courage to serve the affected people. I salute Fr. Antony and his team.

    DisAgree Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse Agree [3]

  • SIMON M A, MANGALURU

    Mon, Dec 01 2014

    God bless your mission to Africa
    and protect from all evils. We pray for the betterment.

    DisAgree Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse Agree [5]

  • Chandra , Dubai

    Mon, Dec 01 2014

    I think when it comes to suffeeing, pain. It is only Catholic Priests and Nuns come to rescue. Like Mother Trisssa and others

    DisAgree Agree [49] Reply Report Abuse Agree [6]

  • suresh, Bajpe/Mangalore

    Mon, Dec 01 2014

    I salute u, this is the ultimate service to mankind, God bless u.

    DisAgree Agree [30] Reply Report Abuse Agree [2]

  • Dr S Kamath, Mumbai

    Mon, Dec 01 2014

    Good job highly commendble I pray God to pbless them with success in their mission

    DisAgree Agree [28] Reply Report Abuse Agree [4]

  • Hilary Crasta, Farla ,Rome vatican city

    Mon, Dec 01 2014

    God bless you Fr. Antony and your team.

    DisAgree Agree [17] Reply Report Abuse Agree [3]

  • geoffrey, hat hill

    Sun, Nov 30 2014

    This is true imitation of Christ.

    DisAgree Agree [21] Reply Report Abuse Agree


Leave a Comment

Title: Mangaluru: Fr Antony Kunnel among four Indians on Ebola mission to Africa



You have 2000 characters left.

Disclaimer:

Please write your correct name and email address. Kindly do not post any personal, abusive, defamatory, infringing, obscene, indecent, discriminatory or unlawful or similar comments. Daijiworld.com will not be responsible for any defamatory message posted under this article.

Please note that sending false messages to insult, defame, intimidate, mislead or deceive people or to intentionally cause public disorder is punishable under law. It is obligatory on Daijiworld to provide the IP address and other details of senders of such comments, to the authority concerned upon request.

Hence, sending offensive comments using daijiworld will be purely at your own risk, and in no way will Daijiworld.com be held responsible.