Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
New Delhi (Agenzia Fides) - Jesuit Fathers in Delhi are deeply committed to providing social assistance. Formerly a region of Patna province, Delhi was elevated in December 2005 to Province status. In an effort to consolidate and expand the social animation work of the newest province of the Society, Fr Jose Kuriakose SJ, provincial coordinator of the social action commission, recently convened a meeting of all involved in the ministry. The meeting gave representatives of the different centres and social projects a chance to share information on present and future works. The participants' reports show that social animation in the Province is carried out mainly through educational and social centres. Jesuit schools, while taking in a large number of students from middle and low-income families, help poor students from the marginalized sections of society through scholarships, coaching and preparatory courses before formal enrolment. Vocational training is an important focus of educational projects- and many of the plans for future expansion indicate this. The Province's social centres are involved in various activities. Following the principle of helping people help themselves, they provide support to self-help groups and women's associations through informal community saving and credit mechanisms. SEVA, for example, a social centre located in the Kumaon Hills, organises 182 self-help groups. Guru Kripa Centre successfully supports the Rickshaw Pullers Association (RPA), which helps rickshaw drivers buy their own cycle through loans in a scheme that enables the individual to own the rickshaw within a year. This is an effective liberating and self- empowering system, which frees rickshaw-pullers from renting their rickshaws at exorbitant rates from shrewd businessmen. These and other activities in favour of artisan activity and small businesses are a concrete means by which the Jesuits have an impact on the social tissue of the territory earning the respect and esteem of Christians and non. (Agenzia Fides 5/7/2006 righe 24 parole 240)
