Media Release
Bengaluru, Jul 19: Yuva Chethana, the Youth Commission of the archdiocese, here, on Sunday honoured 102 covid volunteers at Paalanna Bhavana, here.
Fr Dr Peter Machado, the archbishop of Bengaluru archdiocese who presided over the function, appreciated the projects of the youth commission and expressed his gratitude to all the institutions which facilitated Covid work during the second wave especially the Camelian fathers, St John’s Hospital, St Martha’s and St Philomena’s Hospital.
Addressing the Covid warriors, he said that volunteering during this time was like entering death’s den. "The compassion that you have shown to the patients in the hospital and to the poor and the needy will come back to you someday when someone will be compassionate to you." Sharing his vision on the future plans of the youth commission, Fr Machado, said that food cabinets (community food banks) should be set up for the hungry in the archdiocese along with clothes banks.
Under the leadership of Jerry Jokin, the president of ICYM (Indian Catholic Youth Movement) Bengaluru, various youth groups of the archdiocese swung into action during the second wave of the pandemic where 102 volunteered in Covid wards of the hospitals helping 4,000 Covid patients, 28 youth volunteers in collaboration with 'Here I am' group gave honourable burials to 256 dead, 20 youth cooked and served 300 meals daily reaching a total of 15,000 meals to the homeless in Royapuram, Chamrajapet and Mysuru road areas. There was also an initiative where 30 volunteers distributed 500 plus grocery kits to poor families and also conducted a 3-day vaccination drive where 300 people were vaccinated.
The current initiative is providing 600 plus medical kits worth Rs 3,500 each to Covid patients with support from Don Bosco BREADS Bengaluru.
Fr John Thekkekara, the associate director of St John’s Hospital, Sr Gracy RGS - superior of St Martha’s Hospital, Sr Theresiamma - administrator of St Philomena’s Hospital, Fr Cyril Victor - director of Palana Bahvana, Sr Wilma Rebello, the provincial of St Charles Borromeo Congregation, Praveen Peter - Congress MLC candidate, Fr Rubin Mathew SDB – director of Don Bosco BREADS and other dignitaries were also present at the function.
Fr Anil D’Sa, the youth director of the Bengaluru archdiocese, proposed the vote of thanks. Covid volunteers Melisha Noronha and Leo Anto shared their volunteering experiences working with the Covid warriors.