Our concern towards our brethren in need

01. HOMES FOR THE CHILDREN

“Let the little Children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these the Kingdom of God belongs. And He took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them and blessed them” (Mk10:14, 16).

Children represent the most vulnerable segment of society, and addressing their needs is a crucial ministry in today’s context. By educating and empowering this marginalized group, we have the opportunity to positively shape the future. Following in the footsteps of our Mother Foundress, we pledge ourselves to the distinct and exclusive empowerment of children.

The call of Jesus compels us to serve as many children as possible, particularly those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, and lead them to Jesus. Through our social work efforts, we extend our care to the following categories of children: child laborers, children affected by AIDS, delinquent children, differently-abled children, economically disadvantaged children, children from gypsy communities, orphaned children, children of prisoners, children from Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST), street children, and tribal girls.

Types of work, we do for children in need

• Homes for the children
• Remedial school
• Summer camps

Types of homes for children

• Homes for economically backward and orphan children
• Homes for special children (street children, SC/ST children, differently-abled children)
• Children Hostels

02. WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

Due to the lack of acceptance from a male-dominated society, Indian women endure significant suffering. This gender bias perpetuates the control of women by patriarchal figures and contributes to the challenges faced by Indian women today.

By equipping women with education, they can actively engage in economic and societal development, thereby unlocking the full potential of society as a whole.

In the footsteps of our Mother Gnanamma

We empower various categories of women, including widows and those abandoned, domestic workers and unorganized daily laborers, women in prison, sex workers, trafficked women, impoverished rural women, the elderly, and tribal women.

Our mission centers

03. HOMES FOR THE AGED, TERMINALLY ILL, PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED

Homes for the Aged - Gudiyatham

We believe in providing excellent nursing care and a warm, compassionate environment for the elderly. Our goal is to create a home-like atmosphere where they feel valued and cared for. We offer various activities to maintain cognitive skills and foster socialization, ensuring a clean and cheerful environment. Spiritual enhancement and counseling are also provided, allowing them to stay connected to their faith. Recreation therapy brings joy and fulfillment to their lives, and we strive to ensure their comfort, safety, and dignity in their later years. Regular medical checkups are conducted to monitor their health. Our mission is to create a loving and spiritual community for older adults, guided by the values of fraternity, service, and prayer ingrained in our Annite foundation. While our ministry may be seen as relief work, it holds significant importance in providing essential care and attention to the elderly. This ministry serves not only the Church but also society at large, offering support and comfort to those in need.

Home for the terminally ill - Burdwan

Since 2010, we have been operating the Chetana Community Care Centre (CCCC) in Jhinguti, Burdwan, West Bengal, where we serve the most vulnerable community of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA). Our program aims to reduce HIV/AIDS-related morbidity and mortality in both adults and children, mitigate the impact of HIV on children and women through prevention, treatment, and care, and embody God's compassionate love in our actions. Currently, we provide care for 20 destitute children affected by the disease.

Home for the physically challenged - Kodur

In our society, where divisions based on caste, creed, and status are prevalent, the handicapped are further marginalized due to their dependency on others for their daily needs. They are often perceived as burdens to their families and, at times, even considered as punishments from God. Sadly, only a small fraction, approximately 5%, of deaf, blind, and mentally challenged children have access to educational facilities in our country. Moreover, the specialized institutions available primarily cater to the upper-class elite society and are predominantly located in urban areas. Recognizing these challenges, we are passionately dedicated to serving physically challenged children in Kodur.

Objectives of our deaf and dumb school at Kodur

• To love, include, and cater to the needs of the disabled.
• To accommodate disabled children in our home and provide them with a chance to learn.
• To improve their health and hygiene through medical checkups and treatment.Provide them with speech therapy to facilitate their hearing capacity.
• To nurture future leaders.
• To help them maintain optimism.
• To assist them in increasing their self-confidence and self-esteem.
• To make them feel capable of achieving great heights.
• To create an atmosphere of acceptance and self-respect.
• To instill hope for the future in the physically challenged.
• To provide them with psychological stability.
• To support families in coping with physically challenged family members and treating them with affection and respect.
• To bring out the best in the physically challenged and help them develop their skills.

04. SPECIAL SERVICES

01. Our mission to Irularcommunity

To uplift the lives of the Irular community, a dedicated group of sisters works in Villupuram. They have initiated a movement called PazhangudiIrularKalviMembattuThittam, through which many Irular children benefit every year. Our sisters are fully involved in educating them, employing the following strategies:

• Summer camp
• Residential School
• Sending children to other boarding for studies
• Guiding them to receive higher education and special coaching.

02. Prison Ministry

• To mediate between prisoners and their families.
• To provide legal aid.
• To foster compassionate relationships with prisoners.
• To listen to their concerns.
• To counsel them on repairing broken relationships.
• To raise awareness about legal rights.
• To facilitate their renewal, release, and rehabilitation.

(ii). Our activities inside and outside the prison

• Visiting the prison regularly.
• Assisting prisoners who request communication with their families by phone and visiting the families of prisoners.
• Facilitating efforts for reconciliation, compromise, and settlement.
• Participating in the Eucharistic celebration at the prison hospital twice a week.
• Identifying deserving prisoners and assisting them in obtaining bail.
• Seeking benefactors for financial assistance.
• Attending Prison Ministry India meetings on the second Saturday of each month.
• Providing medical facilities for prisoners.
• Assisting in finding employment for them and reintegrating into society.
• Arranging free legal aid.

LIST OF SOCIAL WORK CENTERS IN OUR CONGREGATION

Social work ministry by our sisters in other countries

In the following places, our sisters do social work:

01. In Australia

(i). KWY (KornarWinmailYunti) and Aboriginal Family Support Services:

(ii). Ministry to Aboriginal Men

Sisters assist men in transitioning houses through the Kokatha Organization. These individuals have been freed but are residing in transitional homes until they can be reunited with their families. The primary objective is to reintegrate them into society and reduce the likelihood of recidivism. Our sisters work with them to provide spiritual support and help them understand the importance of reconnecting with their families and communities with love, care, and concern. Sisters assist individuals in accepting themselves and undergoing transformation so that they may be accepted by society and their families. Despite their feelings of shame and guilt stemming from their past actions, the sisters engage them in various activities, games, prayers, and one-on-one discussions to strengthen their faith, foster hope, and promote a sense of family.

(iii). Prospering after Prison Project (To provide the Aboriginal women with the necessary help to build personal and financial resilience after prison)

Women experience significant challenges on mental, economic, and emotional fronts. Each year, we assist up to 20 Aboriginal women to develop personal resilience, financial stability, life skills, cultural healing, and community connections. By supporting these women, our sisters contribute to the well-being of their entire families and promote productive and integrated living.

(iv). YCW (Young Christian Workers)

The young workers have left their home countries in pursuit of career opportunities and further education. However, the stress they face in their workplaces, with their respective agencies, and among their colleagues becomes overwhelming, leaving them with no one to turn to for support. In response, they come together to share their stress, discuss strategies, and integrate positive attitudes and ideas as a group. Our sisters actively engage in these discussions, guiding them on how to maintain optimism and leverage their God-given capabilities to help those in need. Through these interactions, our sisters assist individuals in rediscovering their values, strengthening their faith, and resetting their lives. By analyzing their experiences and energizing themselves with a positive outlook, they are empowered to return to society and take constructive action.

02. In Italy

03. In Spain

Until a few years ago, the residents of Zaragoza and the surrounding areas, including the village of Novillas, never imagined that the care of their elderly would be entrusted to sisters from a city in southeastern India. Today, however, they cannot envision life without this partnership. Our sisters arrived in Novillas nine years ago, in the summer of 2013. At that time, the future of the aged home was uncertain, and Mayor José Ayesa made numerous attempts to find an organization to take over its management. Despite his efforts, no viable solution emerged. “Given the small size of the village, managing the facility was challenging, and financial issues were a constant concern,” explains Mayor Ayesa, who remains in office. It was then that our sisters stepped in, driven by a strong desire to serve and assist others. Initially daunted by the cultural differences and administrative tasks, the sisters received ample support and encouragement from the community.