Daijiworld Media Network-Mangaluru (RJP)

Mangaluru, Nov 16: Snehasadan from Kaikamba near Mangaluru, an NGO which is into special social service, received state award for its service to the welfare of children on children's day in Bengaluru on November 14 at Balabhavana, Cubbon Park in Bengaluru.

Fr Antony Kunnel, the director of Snehasadan, received the award on behalf of Snehasadan from K J George the minister for Bengaluru development and Umashree the minister for women and child welfare on Saturday. The function was presided over by governor of Karnataka Vajibhai Vala.

Speaking to Daijiworld, Fr Antony Kunnel said "The state award for the work towards the welfare of children is the fruit of the collective efforts of all the past and present staff. We appreciate the guidance, blessing and help of many people especially Bishop Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, priests religious, supporters and all benefactors. We sincerely thank Bethany sisters of Rosa Mystica School at Kaikamba for providing formal school education for all children of Snehasadan. We are grateful to Eugene Rent and family for the gift of 2 acres of land on which Snehasadan stands now.”

Snehasadan is one of the four institutions in the state chosen for the service in children welfare.

Snehasadan was established in the year 2001 to provide support and care exclusively for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV). At present, Snehasadan has 65 beds facility for the patients including 43 children. Snehasadan is managed by Camillians, a Catholic organization involved in healthcare for the past 450 years. The main mission of Camillians is comprehensive healthcare of people especially that of the poor. In India, the organization is managed by Sneha Charitable Trust.

Fr Teji Thomas is the administrator of Snehasadan in Kaikamba while Fr Antony Kunnel is the director. Fr Antony Kunnel was among the few and rare volunteers who served in Sierra Leone in Africa during the Ebola outbreak last year.