Hundreds of volunteers or Caritas Samaritans have participated in the Kerala Volunesia21 to support the Race For Cancer Care and celebrate the volunteering in the State. 

Caritas state team in Kerala has organized a physical gathering of these volunteers in 3 different locations as part of the Volunesia21 programme of Caritas India in December 2021. In each event, more than 300 Volunteers gathered and celebrated Volunteering activities. Volunteers organized Bike rallies, Walkathon, Cyclathon for cancer awareness reciting slogans carrying placards on Cancer care and prevention. Volunteers wore a common T-shirt which made them more visible and identifiable as Caritas Samaritan volunteers.

These awareness rallies were followed by public programmes where Bishops, Ministers, MLAs, Mayors, Deputy Mayors, DSSS Directors etc present to join in the celebration of volunteering activities.

The word “Samaritan” means a person who helps the one in need. Therefore, volunteers enrolled with Caritas India are called Caritas Samaritans. Caritas India envisages its volunteers as social change agents rendering their services to the community in need. In Kerala, there are more than 38,000 Samaritan volunteers who are actively engaged in cancer care, disaster and emergencies etc. These volunteers are trained on their specific areas of interest and act whenever the need comes. 

Caritas India understands volunteering as a powerful and practical way to reach out to the most marginalized sections and reduce poverty and inequality. Caritas India believes that it is only when people step forward – either as local or national citizens – that sustainable change happens. That is why the current Strategic Plan of the organization holds special importance to Volunteering as one of its four Key Strategic Pillars. 

In this programme Ashakiranam Resource Mobilization brochure was released, to support the volunteers to raise funds for Cancer patients in future. Selected volunteers from 32 DSSS partners were honoured and awarded with mementoes. During the rally, volunteers also found time to raise funds from crowded people along with cancer awareness.

“Volunteerism must be the strength of the Catholic Church in Kerala and volunteers should be models in Cancer preventive activities of the state” said by Archbishop Andrews Thazhath.

Mr. Sajan Joy one of the best volunteers said that “We are extremely happy to join in Volunesia programme of Caritas India, after covid pandemic it is the first time we gather for Ashakiranam programme, it is motivating us a lot and inspiring us to focus more on cancer care volunteering activities” 

During post covid scenario, Ashakiranam offers a range of engagement options that are designed keeping in mind the diverse background of the volunteers and their varied interests, skills, knowledge, and time availability. Caritas India through Ashakiranam encourages her volunteers to get involved in an action that addresses the root causes of cancer and brings in direct/indirect positive results in the lives of the community. The world needs kind-hearted selfless people, more than ever.

These celebrations of volunteerism inspire people to take out time from their busy lives and be a “Samaritan” to someone.