Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
New Dehli (Agenzia Fides) – While the Ebola virus continues to spread fear and death, numerous volunteers are putting their lives at risk and will continue to do so. Among them Camillian religious with the Camillian Task Force (CTF) already operating in Sierra Leone. In a report Fr Baby Ellickal, MI, Vicar of the Indian Province, told Fides that other religious of the CTF Indian team are ready to work in the front line. Four will go to Sierra Leone following a week of training in Rome. Fr. Antony Kunnel, MI, (Consulter) and Brother Madhu Babu, MI, (a nurse) will leave immediately and another two, Fr. Teji Thomas, MI, and Siby Kaitharan, MI, will join them later. CTF workers have been in Sierra Leone since 12 October, at Makeni where Fr. Aris Miranda International Coordinator and Anita Ennis CTF volunteer, opened the way for a more numerous presence in the area (see Fides 29/10/2014).
“Our commitment – says Fr. Ellickal – focuses mainly in three areas of intervention: the reopening of Holy Spirit Hospital run by Makeni diocese, where we have our CTF team; assisting the Diocesan Task Force in the Ebola response programme of social mobilisation and prevention in the local communities, as well as support for families and most affected villages; thirdly provide individual and community psychological support which we want to extend to quarantined families in, and, in particular, to children with Ebola. There is much to be done at the individual and at the community level. We have Brothers in other countries, India, Italy and the Philippines preparing to go to Sierra Leone” the religious concludes. (AP) (6/12/2014 Agenzia Fides)
